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Dec 31st, 2007 ... it's been a good year
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I've never been .... normal ....
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Introducing the Mermaid business card holder
Yesterday I made a prototype of a mermaid that I am going to make a bunch of for sale at the Women's Show, a trade show here in Fairbanks. Our doll club has a booth courtesy of the show's owner (who is a doll club member). I want to make something quick and easy that I can sell inexpensively (around $35-$40). So this first photo is the prototype. I changed the tail before I made the first 'real one'. I also shared this photo with one of my online groups and received a couple of fun comments.
So per Linda's suggestion, the mermaid is now a business card holder, LOL. I'm not happy with her though. I can see where a couple of changes needs to be made. I think she's stubby. Now that can be cute but I most likely will elongate the very bottom of her tail a bit, about an inch or so.
I am using Natalie's method of painting faces, more or less, no paint but I am making iron-ons for the faces. I see that I have to move the nose down on this face - it's up by her eyes instead of down by her mouth. No wonder something looked 'off'. The whole head is just 1 1/2 inches - that's tiny to me. I have to come up with something quick and easy for hair too. This poking the mohair in took too long and it just looks too messy. If you think I'm whining .. you're right! Everyone's allowed to pick their own work apart if they want to, LOL.
I did some free motion embroidery on the fins and I really like it. I've made two of these now - I didn't take photos of the other one because it is so ugly it makes me think of a guy in very bad makeup. I am going to have to pop the head off and make another one. But I'm having fun and keeping busy so that's all good!
Well, she's adorable just like she is, Judi! I wouldn't change a thing. I especially like her tail and I don't think it's too stubby...it suits her. She's probably just not like your original vision, but she's a cutie!
Posted by: MaryO at March 6, 2007 5:43 PMHey! Stubby is a GOOOOOOD thing! We Comanches are VERY stubby. Maybe she's a Comanche mermaid! LOL! Love that idea of using her as a business card holder! As for her hair - uh - you, of all people, could come up with a cool headwrap. If you really feel the need to have flowing hair, make a ponytail extending from the wrap. That would be easy & serve your purpose. I think these are going to be huge sellers!
Posted by: Kai at March 6, 2007 5:52 PMI think she is lovely just as she is but if you want you can go and do your little alterations to the face painting. As for the hair who needs to tell you about head dresses! You are the queen on doing headresses. It doesn't need to be hair you know on a small doll anything will look nice.
Posted by: shashi at March 6, 2007 9:43 PMI think she is darling just as she is I love her little shape and pose!! Don't change a thing!! maybe add something to her hands if you feel she needs it!!..
Posted by: jacque at March 6, 2007 9:59 PMShe's gorgeous!! (Wonder if my comment is allowed through)......
Posted by: Dianne at March 7, 2007 12:17 AMTesting, testing (to see if I can post this time!!) She is absolutely gorgeous!!
Posted by: Dianne at March 7, 2007 12:25 AMI think she is a sweety. I know you don't want to out a whole lot of work into her but maybe if you wire her arms so they fold up to hold the card (on elbows). I love her tail! Maybe just add some adornment to her hair? I can never keep anything simple, it always turns into more then I intended. Also maybe just hand stitch some fingers (like quilting)? She is great though I think you did good!
Posted by: kerry at March 7, 2007 2:47 AMJudi! She's precious! Just the thing I would want on my desk. Yes, I have a dreaded full-time job which seriously cuts into my dollmaking time.
Could I make one gentle suggestion?
I have one of those small, plastic, yuccky business card holders on my desk. It is functional and I like it because it doesn't take up much room. I have a VERY cluttered desk (much like my sewing room) so space is at a premium.
If you do want to elogate her tail, could you possibly do it by curling it up? It would give you the look you want, but save desk space.
I love Kai's idea of the headwrap - no fibers to get into my lunch that I often eat at my desk.
Just a perspective from someone who is tied to a desk 9 hours a day...
Your little mermaid is wonderful, I think she is perfect the way she is,Judi!
Hair? Aren't you teaching a class on head dresses? LOL!
Linda F from FL
I like your mermaid. I agree she will be better with a longer tail. I have a suggestion for hair, after taking your hair class and seeing what you did with flower petals. Why not use sea shells for hair??
Thanks again for your blogs.
I agree with Denise....if you elongate the tail and curve it up so the flukes flip on the same level as her head that would balance the piece as a whole (and you could add danglies or seaweed from the tail, or wire a fishie to it)
KAthy
They're adorable! How long does it take you to make one? I ask because if I make a doll that takes me two hours, I feel like I can't sell it for $40 because I also need to pay for materials, and then everything ends up being so expensive!
Posted by: soren at March 13, 2007 2:54 PM
Make your own version of Judi's dolls.
Many patterns available!
