The Newest Primitive Patriot Dolls

Just finished up these 4 dolls today. I was getting bored with the plain faces so I spiced them up a bit.

The Town Crier Patriot Doll has a rusty bell with a wooden handle. He is approximately 14" tall.
I painted his mouth in a open position, after all a town cryer is not a quiet fellow.

The Winker Patriot Doll is so cute. He is winking of course. He is wearing a green shirt and his eye that is open is green. His hair is a reddish color and he has the cutest little freckles sprinkled across his cheeks. He looks like he could be a mischievous little fellow. He is carrying a Gadsden Flag. He is also approximately 14" tall. I have attached his arms and legs with pewter buttons instead of the rusty tin ones.

The Blond Patriot Doll is carrying a 13 star American Flag. He has blue eyes and is wearing a reddish/brown colored shirt. I really like the way his shirt color turned out. He is approximately 14" tall.

The Uncle Sam has got to be the cutest Uncle Sam I have made to date. He is approximately 14" tall with out his hat. His hat is about 4" tall and when he has it on he is about 16" tall. He is wearing the tradional red white and blue colors. His hat band has 13 stars painted around it. He is carrying a 13 star American Flag in one hand and a Gadsden flag in the other. His boots are painted and laced with heavy waxed thread.

You can see more pictures of the new dolls at my Doll Shoppe Prims Gallery

The Belindy dolls that I had listed in my store have sold.

I had to raise the postage fees on the dolls listed in my store to reflect post office's raised rates. Remember at the new store the postage cost is figured into the dolls price.
There is only one doll listed there now. Doll Shoppe Primitive and Collectibles at the Olde Primitive Sisters Marketplace.

I will be leaving for 12 days on Thursday the 21st. Hopefully I will have one more update before I go.

Thanks for stopping in at the Doll Shoppe. Come back again.

Back to Work in the Morning

I'm back - Ready to rest up tonight so that I can get back to work in the morning. Vacations are fun but they sure make ya tired, I'll sleep good tonight for sure.

Seems only one of my scheduled auctions actually launched onto eBay last Sunday due to a technical error. So I guess this coming Sunday I will be launching the Ophelia doll auction.

Ruthie, the mystery doll is not a bird. Keep guessing.
I will make the arms in the next couple of days and try to get a photo posted.

Thanks to all of those who have stopped by in the last week. Come back again!

New Dolls, Ebay Auctions and The Mystery Doll

I have been so busy this week getting all the loose ends tied up so that I can go on vacation the 12-20th.

I have scheduled eBay auctions to launch on Sunday, August 17th. The Little Patriot Drummer Boy and the Old Fashioned Pet Doll Ophelia will be listed.

The Drummer Boy is a great piece of folk art for those who collect patriotic or primitive pieces.

Ophelia is has such a sweet character about her, she makes you wonder what she is thinking about with that sad, somber, thoughtful look she has.

The little black Raggedy Ann style doll, Annie is listed for sale in my Doll*Shoppe at the Olde Primitive Sisters Marketplace.

The Belindy doll is already sold, but I just had to post a picture of her finished for you to see. She is quite a little character.

I have been working on my - Halloween doll. It is something different, that's for sure. The leg picture I posted above belongs to it. I am going to keep you guessing on what it is until it is finished. Hmmm, a mystery doll - what could that that leg could belong too???

The new body I designed is going to be very useful and versatile for use in future projects. I really like it and may make a lady series using the design.

Tomorrow I will finish tying up the loose ends so that I can enjoy my vacation. I will return the 2oth.

Orders placed during August 12th - 20th will be filled on a first come basis when I return.

Thanks for stopping in - Please come back and visit the Doll*Shoppe!

Little Patriot - Drummer Boy

More primitive Americana!
Here's the newest Little Patriot, The Drummer Boy.
He is approximately 13 1/2" tall. He is the first Little Patriot with straight legs.

His clothing is made as a part of the doll then painted on. He has little buttons up the front of his shirt and on the sleeve cuffs. His breeches are painted in a brown shade, they too have buttons on the sides of the cuffs. His little belt buckle is made of metal and has been aged. He also has little buckles on his old fashioned shoes. The shoes and stockings are also painted on.

His tri-corner hat was made separately and can be removed from his head.

His painted on hair is a lighter brown than the other brown haired patriots, it has a bit of a reddish tint to it.

His eyes are blue, his lips red and his cheeks have been blushed.

In his hands he holds his drumsticks, these have been carved out of wood.

His drum is made of muslin, painted in layers and sanded just like the doll was. On the front of the drum I have painted an American eagle emblem like the one on the Seal of the United States. It is complete with 13 stars , 13 stripes, 14 arrows and an olive branch. The ribbon in the eagles mouth has E Pluribus Unum written on it, which is Latin for "Out of Many, One."

This little fellow is $75.00. If he is hasn't sold by Sunday 7/27/08. I will be listing him on eBay.

More photo's will be available of Little Patriot Drummer Boy within the next day or two. You will be able to view them in my gallery at: Doll*Shoppe Primitives and Collectibles Gallery

More Old Fashioned Pet Dolls

This is Mary and Emma.
Both of these sweet girls are part of the Old Fashioned Pet Dolls series, inspired by the pet china dolls of the late 1800's.

Mary is approximately 23" tall.

Emma is a petite 12" tall.

Both girls have a painted shoulder head, lower arms and lower legs. The paint is applied in layers and sanded between each layer, then stained. This gives the doll a lovely antique look. This process also makes the painted parts have a feel to them that is much like the feel of leather. Their clothing is aged by sanding. patching and staining with coffee.

If you would like to see more photo's of them and a more in depth description please visit My Marketplace Store or my Photo Gallery later this evening.

The newest of the Little Patriot Series is still in the making. He is a little different than the Little Patriots that have come before him. This one has straight legs instead of those that are bent at the knee. He is a drummer boy so he is carrying his drum instead of a flag. I will have him finished, and pictures will be posted by the end of the week.

Other exciting news this week, I finally purchased THE sewing machine that I have wanted for years. It's a 1940's model Singer Featherweight. If you are a doll or quilt maker, you know the machine I am talking about, everyone wants one! I have a 1963 featherweight that I use consistently to make my dolls but I have drooled over the earlier versions of the Featherweight for the last 25 years. Unfortunately the average price for one in the shops is between $600.00 - $700.00. More than a little over my budget.

I got this one from a fellow who was moving and just wanted to sell his Granny's old machine that had been stored for years int he attic. He gave me a great deal on it, (a FANTASTIC deal) - so I am the proud owner of a awesome old Singer Featherweight, and it runs like a dream and is in perfect condition.

More dollies are in the making! I am going to start another Annie doll (maybe 2) this week, sew some clothing for one of my Izannah Walker inspired dolls, and hopefully get around to working on some other's that I have been thinking of for a while now.

Have a great evening and thanks for stopping by!

Wow - I haven't posted on here in days!
Sometimes life gets busy, that's o.k. - it's all good.

I will have at least 4 days this week where I will be working on my primitive dolls.

There are 4 in the making right now. I also have another of the Izannah walker inspired dolls that I need to get dressed. I have picked out a blue homespun material, like Thaddeus Monroe's suit was made out of, and a contrasting floral cotton that matches the weave of the blue pretty well.
If this week goes as planned (keep your fingers crossed.) I will be able to post pictures of them by the end of the week.

I have new ideas! I have been sketching some new dolls today. I will try to get some of them cut out this week, while finishing the others.

Have a great week!
Check back in for updates.

Thanks for stopping by!

Oh, and stop by my Doll_Shoppe _Prims Gallery to see photo's of the latest dolls all in one place!

This Week

I haven't yet made a decision on what I will be making this week. I did cut out another Little Patriot yesterday. So maybe I will work on him.

I scheduled the Frontiersman Patriot on ebay to be listed at 4:00 p.m. Mountain time today. So I thought I would put a few more photo's of him on here.

If you want to see more photo's of him scroll down to my previous listing.

It is very hot here today so I think I will just relax for most of the day, and dream up new things to create. Like the list I have isn't long enough - LOL.

A comment on the previous post said. "I wonder who taught you how to make these?" In answer to that question, I am pretty much self taught. I have been sewing painting and sculpting since I was very young. I picked up skills here and there and put them all together to make my dolls. My Mama was a seamstress, sewing mostly clothes, but around the holiday season she took orders for basic rag dolls and later on cabbage patch look a likes. My Daddy taught me how to make a face in playdough when I was 4. I have always had a desire to paint and draw. that just comes naturally. I started making real dolls when I was a teen, and have been through a gamut of changes over the years, cloth, ceramic, clay, paper mache' , wood, porcelain, ect. Now I am back to cloth. I tend to think in 3-d so the designs are not hard for me to come up with, I just let my imagination take over. Sometimes I dream of how to make them. LOL , that makes me sound a little nut-so. But it there is something I can't figure out, I tend to get the answer in my sleep from an old doll maker. Maybe a alter ego, my muse, maybe an angel. I don't know who he is but I'm glad he's there.

Have a great week, and thanks for stopping in.

SNEEK PEEK - Primitive Frontiersman Patriot

He is finished, And what a cute little patriot he is.

His little outfit makes him look as though he is straight off the frontier - ready to defend his country.

The technique that I use in painting my dolls gives them the feel leather, so it suits this little fellow very well.

I painted his clothing in shades of brown to emulate buckskin. His lace up shirt has double fringe across the front and the back. His pants have double fringe down the sides. His little boots lace up the sides in the old fashioned style.

He has brown painted hair and eyes.

He is made of muslin, stuffed with fiberfill and jointed at the shoulders and hips with lightly rusted tin buttons.

He is carrying a 13 star Betsy Ross style American Flag that is made of canvas and hand painted on both sides.

His hat is also made of muslin, that has been painted.

The doll an flag have underwent an aging process to give him that wonderful look of a antique toy from another era.

The Patriotic Frontiersman will be listed on ebay this coming Sunday June 29th.

Work In Progress - American Frontiersman Patriot

This is what I ended up working on this week in my spare time. He is an American frontiersman patriot. It has been a very busy week so ..... he is still in the early stages.

I am very happy with the way his face came out, he is going to be a handsome little fellow.

He is made of muslin and has a layer of gesso painted on him. There will be several layers of paint on him before he is finished.

He is dressed so it will look as though he is in buckskin britches, a lace up shirt with a fringe yoke, and boots. And of course he will have a little tri-corner hat. to go with the outfit. I debated on the hat - tri-corner or a coonskin type hat, I decided for the Little Patriots, they all should have the tri-corner hats.

Hopefully I will have the time to finish him this week.

I would like to thank those who took the time to leave comments on my blog and those who took the time to email - it is appreciated, thank-you!

Little Patriot - a Revolutionary War Primitive Patriotic Doll

I just listed this little fellow on ebay. He is a cutie - if I do say so myself!

The up coming 4th of July holiday has me in a patriotic mood, so I am celebrating by making a little Americana folk art!

He depicts a patriotic American from about 1765.

He is wearing breeches, a off white shirt and a tri-corner hat. I kept the colors of his clothes plain and natural. No blues or reds on him, but the American spirit is in him as you can see.

He is carrying a Gadsden flag that became popular during the Revolutionary war. I drew and painted the rattlesnake on both sides of his flag.

His hair and eyes are painted - his face is needle sculpted.

I even put the little buckles on his shoes. He also has a metal belt buckle, and buttons on his shirt front, cuffs and breeches cuffs.

I think he is a great representative of the American spirit.

Once again he is made from my own original pattern.
Because my dolls are made one at a time and from my own patterns there are no 2 alike. He is a one of a kind.

He is button jointed with lightly rusted tin buttons.

I am not really sure of what I will be making this week, but you can be sure I will be working on something. I'll let you know when I do decide.

Have a great week - and don't forget, you can always view my items that are available in my online store at Doll*Shoppe at the OldePrimitive Sisters online Marketplace and my ebay auctions are listed at the bottom of this page.

Grapevine Annies and Other Stuff

Here are the unique primitive Raggedy Ann type dolls I was thinking of making. I made them today and have listed them on ebay.
I named them Clairette and Madeleine after the grapes. Their hair is made from dried grapevine tendrils. I embroidered on their dresses too, grape leaves and grapes. I like them. I don't know why, they are just simple dolls. They have a country girl personality about them that is endearing.

Poor old Camel with Wrinkled knees will be heading out to his new home in Colorado tomorrow, the Raggedy Ann doll will be going with him. They fit so well together, I'm glad they are going to the same home.

Yankee Doodle Dandy will be heading for Texas. There seem to be quite a few patriotic doll collectors in Texas. I think maybe Texas is second only to Illinois in my patriotic doll sales.

I will be working on the dolls in the previous post this week.

The character doll has turned into a black doll. I think she may be a gardener. (maybe that is just me - wishing for spring to come. We are in the midst of a cold snap at the moment and may even get some snow again.)
Her personality is coming out and she is a funny ol' girl.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Dollies in Progress 3/27

So far this week this is what has been accomplished. The Izannah Walker inspired doll is coming along. She will be 18 or 19 inches tall. I have needle sculpted her little old fashioned boots. I think she will turn out nicely. I imagine her (at this point) with brown spiral curls and brown eyes. Of course that could change as she comes out in the making. As to how she will be dressed I haven't decided yet, possibly - maybe something with tucks in the bodice and a sash that ties in the back.

She will have a dolly of her own. I needle sculpted little ears and fingers on her - she is about 7"-8" tall and will be button jointed at the shoulders and hips.

The character doll is funny, I still don't know who she is. I sculpted her shoes on her feet. And put a decoration on the shoe toes. I have made her so she will hold something cradled in one arm.

The Uncle Sam is sewn in red striped ticking, blue cotton and muslin fabric. I still have to sculpt his face and paint the face and hands. He also needs cuffs and collar added to the jacket and, of course I will have to make him a top hat.

I still want to make the primitive Annie that I have in mind. She will be a unique and unusual primitive doll, made of muslin and dyed with tea and coffee. Hopefully I will have time to do her up before next week starts.

I want to tell you all that the OPSG (Old Primitive Sisters Group) has their website up and running are selling their primitive creations. Please take a look there and see what this talented group of artist's have to offer. OLD PRIMITIVE SISTERS ONLINE MARKET PLACE

As of now, joining in this market place is still on my list of things to do.

Well, back to work for me. Have a great day!

This Weeks Auctions

I listed on ebay today the Raggedy Annie Doll, The Camel With Wrinkled Knees and the Yankee Doodle Dandy Boy.

I am already missing the poor old camel. LOL - he IS quite the character.

I have 4 more dolls int he making and a great idea for a primitive Raggedy Ann type doll that I want to do this week too.

The largest doll that I am currently working on will be similar to the Izannah Walker dolls. She is not made of stockinette like Izannah's were. She will be made of muslin. I have given her applied thumbs in true Izannah style though. And I will paint her face and hair similar to the old Izannah Walker dolls. She will be button jointed at the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. She is kind of cool and I am a little excited to see her finished.

Another of the dolls I am working on is more of a character doll. I haven't yet decided what she will evolve into, but she has a very interesting needle sculpted face.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!
and thanks for peeking in on my blog.

Happy Spring! - What's New

We are having a wonderful spring day!

I finished the Camel With Wrinkled Knees. What personality he has. I think I have become attached to the little guy, we have been conversing for several days now - LOL. I really will miss him when he is sold.

He has shiny black button eyes. He is made of a natural flannel and stained with coffee and has patches sewn here and there. I made his halter out of muslin and painted - sanded and stained it. Of course he can't stand up and is a bit floppy to pose but that only adds to his charm.

Although I didn't purposely design the camel to fit with the Raggedy Annie doll I made last week, she fits perfectly on his back. They make quite a pair.

I dressed the Raggedy Ann Primitive Doll in cotton gauze clothing. I sanded her clothing thin and made holes in it, added patches and stained them with coffee. On the front of her little apron I embroidered the words: Always and Forever, Annie.

My felting needles arrived and I was able to finish the Yankee Doodle Boy patriotic doll. He has blond mohair hair felted into place, and tied in a pony tail in the back. He has been painted in several layers - sanding between each layer and stained. I added a metal buckle to his belt and buttons to his shirt, and breeches. I made his flag out of cotton canvas, and painted, sanded and stained it. I attached the flag to a dowel and stitched it to his hand.

Yankee Doodle has been around since colonial times, so I had to make him a little tricorn hat and put a feather in it - of course.

What's new? I have started another doll this morning, making the pattern as I go - (that's what I usually do) I really haven't decided on a persona for it yet, we will have to see wait and see wh0 she ........... or he turns out to be. I have several ideas swimming around in my head for the up coming Mothers Day Holiday - I may have to get started on that while it is fresh in my mind.

NEW BUNNIES AND OTHER NEWS

I just listed the bunnies in the above photo on ebay.

I have been trying to play catch up with myself all week. It seems the more I plan to do the more I have to do and the less time I have to do it all in.

This week I think I will be creating something a little more carefree - maybe some Raggedy Ann style dolls, it's been a while since I did those.

I am thinking of making both a boy and a girl. I'll surprise you with it during the week sometime.
Sometimes I surprise myself, It's funny when you start out making something and it some how morphs into something else during the creation process. It's like Christmas, you never know what you will get next.

The Olde Primitive Sisters Group has started a market web site of their own. There are several talented artists who are selling their goods there. Go take a peek, you might find something you like!

http://oldprimitivesisters.com/shop/

I have not set up my shop there yet, but I am sure I will join there in the near future.

Sunday's Update

I will be listing my Uncle Sam saw dust dolls on ebay today. They are the perfect Americana bowl fillers for the primitive patriotic collector.

I will also be re listing the Mama Bunny and her babies. I was a little surprised she didn't sell the first time out, but sometimes that happens. She is so cute in person, the pictures really don't do her justice.

All of my other bunnies and the little duck have the primer coat of paint on them and are drying as I type this.

I hope to have a productive week in the creativity department.

I forgot to mention the other day, the Roller Bunny Pull Toy has found a new home in Illinois where he is loved very much and will be well cared for, I am sure.

New Duckling and other updates.

I have designed a new duckling for Easter, I think he is a cutie with his little wings. It stands about 5" tall. In order for him to be able to stand without any support I put a fairly heavy gauge of wire in his legs. His little ducky feet are very cute! I will paint and antique him with my usual process. I may make him in a larger size in the future.
I am making 3 more Victorian style bunnies, the ones that are standing up on their hind legs. I have made them in 3 sizes ranging from approximately 8" - 16" The middle sized one will have his head slightly turned.
The little Uncle Sam Sawdust Dolls are finished and will be going up for sale on ebay this weekend. I am selling them both together in a set. They are about 7 1/2" tall.

Uncle Sam and His Eagle Part II - HE IS FINISHED!

Here he is in all his glory!

Uncle Sam and His Eagle.
I wanted the clothes to have an old vintage look to them so I sanded them to make them look like they have been around a few decades. I used tiny antique pearl shank buttons on his clothing. And Stained them tea and coffee.

His hat was made of cotton canvas and painted in layers like I had painted Uncle Sam himself.

He is a very tall 26" with his hat on. I made a stand to fit him and gave it a vintage look finish. It fits him quite well.

Uncle Sam was sold on eBay today and is going to go live in Saint Charles, Illinois.