Craftside

The Craftside Holiday Goodness Giveaways continue with books and STYROFOAM™ shapes

We are so in the spirit of giving here and over at Crafts 'n Coffee. Yes we have a Double Holiday Goodness Giveaway! Leave a comment here in this post at Craftside by midnight ET on Friday, December 23, 2011 and you are in the running for a wonderful selection of STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam shapes and a copy of the book Mixed-Media Doll Making: Redefining the Doll with Upcycled Materials.

Here's where the double comes in: pop on over to the blog Crafts 'n Coffee and leave a comment in their post to get yourself in the running for another fabulous set of STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam shapes and a copy of The Complete Photo Guide to Ribbon Crafts: Over 700 Photos - Bows - Flowers - Embroidery - Weaving - Jewelry - Fashion - Décor - More.

More about these fabulous craft books:

Mixed-Media Doll Making: Redefining the Doll with Upcycled Materials

by

Linda O'Brien

Opie O'Brien

Inspired by the "Dada" notion of making art from materials that would not typically be combined or expected to go together, and driven by a similar sense of irony and humor, this exciting book by Linda and Opie O'Brien shares their unique approach to making mixed-media dolls. It is not only a "must have" volume for anyone interested in found object art and the human form, it is a thoughtful and provocative exploration of the power, symbolism, and cultural significance of dolls and representational figures.

In Mixed-Media Doll Making, the authors share detailed techniques for using surface embellishments, creating faces, heads, and limbs, using molds and molding products, and building and transforming disparate objects into whimsical, inspiring dolls. Starting with a variety of substrates including a wood block, a canvas, a tin can, a book, and a box construction, readers are guided step by step through five types of doll constructions.

Inside, you'll find:

—Complete instructions for making a box construction doll, a wood block substrate doll, a two-sided canvas frame doll, a tin can doll, and a book doll

—Numerous variations on each of the core projects for further experimentation

—An inspiring gallery of mixed-media dolls from leading artists who discuss their methods and share their very personal answers to the question: "What is a doll?"

Originally from New York City, Linda and Opie O'Brien are full time artists living on Lake Erie in Ohio with their cat Angelus and his cat Angel. They teach workshops nationally and internationally. Their work includes jewelry, Dada dolls, artist books, assemblage, collage, masks, music, and more, and has been featured in numerous books, magazines, galleries, exhibitions, solo shows, museum gift shops, and private collections. View their work at http://www.burntofferings.com.

The Complete Photo Guide to Ribbon Crafts
Over 700 Photos - Bows - Flowers - Embroidery - Weaving - Jewelry - Fashion - Décor - More

By

Elaine Schmidt

The Complete Photo Guide to Ribbon Crafts provides a reference for all kinds of crafts that involve ribbon. It includes step-by-step photographed instructions for a wide range of techniques as well as projects to accompany each area of ribbon crafting. This is a comprehensive guide as compared to most books on ribbon crafts that are specific by technique or end result (ribbon flowers, silk ribbon embroidery, making bows).

This book explores a wide range of techniques and end products using all kinds of ribbon, making it an essential reference for all craft enthusiasts. It includes ideas and projects for scrapbooking, home décor, general crafting, and fashion.

Elaine Schmidt is a freelance designer, consultant, educator and spokesperson in the craft and hobby industries. She is the former design coordinator for a chain of ribbon boutiques and has developed award-winning product concepts for several manufacturers. Elaine’s original designs are featured in a variety of books, magazines, project sheets and TV segments. Elaine enjoys teaching, demonstrating and thinking up new project ideas that make sewing and crafts fun and easy. Elaine lives in Long Valley, NJ and loves being surrounded by her growing stash of ribbons, fabric, buttons, beads and all the “fun stuff.”

How to make a cute doll purse from the book Palm-Size Softies

These dolls are beyond cute! And their accessories are just to die for! If you agree and want to make your very own doll purse, scroll down to check out how to make a doll purse from the book Palm-Size Softies: Patterns and Ideas for 44 Stuffed Pets and Dolls That Fit in the Palm of Your Hand.

 

If you like this cute softie (or plushie) project and want more awesome designs and patterns, grab a copy of:

Palm-Size Softies:

Patterns and Ideas for 44 Stuffed Pets and Dolls That Fit in the Palm of Your Hand

By

Hitomi Takahashi, Mikiko Matsui, Akemi Tsubo

Packed with more than 40 unique and adorable projects, Palm-Size Softies shows you how easy it is to create some of the most stylish stuffed toys around. Full-color images provide a panoramic view of each critter, and the step-by-step instructions and included templates will make construction of your new friends effortless and quick. Whether you’re searching for a loveable little pup, kitten, bunny, or bear, you’ll find a fun, fast, low-cost craft project that the whole family will enjoy. Easy-to-find materials and distinctive fabrics will give your projects personalities all their own.

Hitomi Takahashi is the Chief-Editor at Boutique-Sha, a leading craft publisher in Japan. Hitomi has published books on a variety of craft subjects. Mikiko Matsui and Akemi Tsubo are staff editors at Boutique-Sha. They are big fans of small and cute sewn creatures.

How to make pretty doll hair with yarn from the book Cloth Doll Workshop

This page from Cloth Doll Workshop shows a great technique on how to make doll hair. I have lots of pretty yarn and it got my wheels turning on how I could use it to make hair, specifically wild plumes of fun on my plushies.

Like this tutorial on how to make doll hair with yarn? Well then I bet you will love:

Cloth Doll Workshop

By

elinor peace bailey

Patti Medaris Culea

Barbara Willis

Patti Medaris Culea, elinor peace bailey, and Barbara Willis are three of the leading doll artists and teachers in the country. They are also friends. Each of these artists has her own distinct approach to the design and development of a cloth figure. In this book, each artist's process comes alive through their choice of fabrics, sketches, simple patterns, and skill-building variations. The book is oriented toward beginning doll makers, but offers unique variations and embellishments to please even more experienced doll designers. Two introductory chapters cover basic materials and techniques. Each artist's chapter includes step by step illustrations, instructions, and patterns to make a complete doll, plus variations that create completely new figures. Readers are treated to full color photography and a look inside of each artist's workspace. A gallery of additional creations by each artist, along with commentary on each work completes the collection. This is a must-have book for any aspiring or experienced doll making.

elinor peace bailey is a trained artist, and discovered stitchery as she was raising her family. She travels and teaches, has designed fabrics, and has worked as a creative consultant for several companies. She is the author of Mother Plays With Dolls, and The Rag Doll From Plain to Fancy.  She has self published books, quilt patterns, craft projects, and dolls, which she sells online and through quilt shops.

Patti Medaris Culea combines her love of silk and dyes by creating extraordinary fairies, mermaids and other one-of-a-kind dolls. She has a full-line of cloth doll patterns and her work has appeared in books, magazines and galleries. In demand as a teacher, she travels throughout the world. She is the author of four books on doll making, all by Quarry Books.

Barbara Willis is a doll artist and teaches doll making in many parts of the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and England. Barbara's work has been widely published in magazines and her dolls have been included in special exhibits, galleries, and books. She resides in Northern California in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is the author of Cloth Doll Artistry (Quarry Books, 2009).

 

How to melt foam to make a doll basket from the book Creative Cloth Doll Collection by Patti Medaris Culea

Foam is fast becoming one of my favorite mediums to work with. Check out this great technique for melting and sculpting foam to make a mini doll basket from the book Creative Cloth Doll Collection: A Complete Guide to Creating Figures, Faces, Clothing, Accessories, and Embellishments.

Click on this page from Creative Cloth Doll Collection: A Complete Guide to Creating Figures, Faces, Clothing, Accessories, and Embellishments to read the tutorial on how to melt foam, fabric and thread to make a cute decorative mini doll basket. I could see doing all sorts of things with this technique. Another cool foam melting technique is to make stamps with it. Here is the tutorial on how to make your own stamps with foam.

Creative Cloth Doll Collection:

A Complete Guide to Creating Figures, Faces, Clothing, Accessories, and Embellishments

By

Patti Medaris Culea

This book is a compilation of the first four of Patti Medaris Culea's bestselling books: Creative Cloth Doll Making, Creative Cloth Doll Faces, Creative Cloth Doll Couture, and Creative Cloth Doll Beading. 

This comprehensive book guides you through all the basics of creating cloth figures, with step-by-step fully illustrated instruction. You'll find complete patterns to create several styles of dolls, many with interchangeable parts. The book also provides methods for creating beautiful faces, hair, garments, clothing, and supplies instruction in a wide variety of surface design techniques including dyeing, painting, stamping, beading, applique, hand and machine embroidery, image transfers, using Tyvek, and more. For further inspiration, there is a gallery of doll designs by leading doll artists, all made using the patterns from the book. 

 

Reader hedgehogs and crafty links

I am thrilled when you readers send in your creativity! Cathy C. made the cutest pair of plushie hedgehogs for little ones in her family for Easter. She sent in these photos to share. Thanks Cathy! You want to make some too? Get the pattern and directions here to make a plushie hedgehog.

Cute!

More cute!

And here are the lucky recipients with their Easter hedgehogs!

 
Now onto some crafty links!

Carmi's Art/Life World
A little sachet tutorial for Easter or Mother's day projects.

Aileen's Musings
Aileen shares a free printable cupcake for you to download and use in your art!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy is dreaming about her chance to craft and write over her summer break.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Celebrate spring by making a pressed flower card.

Mixed Media Artist
Cyndi has been sharing a travelog of her most recent trip to Guatemala!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Learn how to make a "black sheep" necklace.