Tuesday, November 25, 2014

12th Annual Show and Sale a Big Success!

In spite of a few rain showers, the Indy Cloth Dollmakers 12th Annual Show and Sale was a big success with record numbers in attendance.   I would like to thank all who came and supported our efforts.    There were eight fascinating and  creative entries in the Fairy and Habitat Challenge.   We had a record number of ballots cast for the People's Choice.   My entry, Petal and La Belle Faerie Boutique,   was the winner of the People's Choice and will be featured on next year's publicity post card and brochures.   

It was really a great experience making the habitat as well as the doll.   The boutique started life as a vintage doll wardrobe.   It is metal and had been painted fire engine red.   The transformation started with a can of gray texture paint.   I created three dimensional windows with small strips of wood, a thin sheet of vinyl, fabric curtains and a picture to create a view into the shop.    I covered the interior with fabric to resemble wallpaper and then added shelves, lights, and a chandelier.   I hinged a piece of wood to one side to act as another wall and then added pictures, signs and mirrors.   I handmade everything except the metal sewing machine, the sewing chair base, and the little bookshelf unit.  Everything was painted white and then distressed for the "shabby chic" look.    The boutique also has a dress form and a dressing screen.  

Boutique all stored inside case
Exterior Window

Close up view of hats, shoes, garlands and necklaces




Interior view of Boutique all ready for business


Petal custom makes clothes for all her fairy friends so her shop is complete with rolls and bolts of fabric and boxes of trims and petals.   I made shoes, hats, garlands and necklaces so that her customers have all the proper accessories to complete their haute couture look.  

Petal, is a garden fairy, so her skin tone is green and she is clothed to look like a flower. Her face was hand painted to blend in with her body tone.   Her hair is curly mohair that was needle felted onto a piece of felt and then shaped and styled to fit her head.  I added a garland and earrings to complete her look.    I had cut petal shapes from pink organza and sewed them together to make the skirt.  I then sprinkled beads and tiny flowers among the petals.   Tiny flowers and beads also adorn her bodice.   

Petal

Petal working in her Boutique