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You will love these teddy bear mugs, place mats and coasters … as they take you back to your childhood. They are available from Morpeth Gallery, 175 Swan Street Morpeth NSW 2321 or just go to our website: www.funnyposterprints.com These fine bone china mugs, are made one at a time and are printed in the Hunter Valley, Australia from original watercolour paintings by revered Australian artist Gordon Hanley. They are very pretty, microwave and dishwasher friendly and they can only be purchased from Morpeth Gallery. As well as each mug looking great they are also a pleasure to drink from as they have that lovely fine bone china touch as you bring them to your lips. These same designs are also available as dinner place mats and drink coasters in…
Welcome to the latest edition of Australian Dolls, Bears and Collectables. We profile inspirational bear artists Lyn Clapham and Anjo Kirst, and our projects include Milton, by Linda Bean, who have all bear lovers wanting to make him. Our “A Treasure Trove of Beautys” article discusses a fascinating teapot museum, and Lesley Hurford writes about her fabulous collection of small doll prams. There’s also an interesting read on the historical Marseille Doll Factory. Our reborn projects include the gorgeous Jessie, created by Juliana Knight using Reva Schick’s vinyl kit Angelica, and Lyn Conlon has created Saskia as both a boy and a girl, using Bonnie Brown’s beautiful Saskia kit. In addition, Lee-Anne Carpenter shows us how to create some lovely gifts, including a cherub, an ornament in a light globe…
A couple of months ago we had an appeal for help to find a doll pattern. It started with an email: Dear Deb I am hoping that you could help through your magazine in searching for a doll maker who would have made a “Jess” doll from Dolls from Down Under. I bought the complete greenware kit at a doll show, and am now in the process of making her with the help of my good friend who subscribes to your magazine. I am only a beginner. My doll is 27 inches in height, and she stands with her head looking over her shoulder. It seems the back pattern is made in two sections. The body pattern was included, however, there appears to be a part of the back pattern…
In April I travelled to Teddys Bits in Baulkham Hills, NSW for a workshop. A lovely three days were spent creating some reindeers, Suzi Q and Rosie. And then in July I travelled to Ginger Bears in Benalla in Victoria for a two day workshop. There we made a few more Suzi Q’s and Frosty. All the fur for Suzi Q was hand dyed and it was amazing to see how different the colours turned out. Thank you to all the ladies who attended these workshops and for the two shops for organising them. I had a wonderful time sharing tips and techniques. I hope that everyone had a wonderful time too!…
This project, which was begun in early 2015, was finally completed in May 2016. Some time ago, in a Theriaults Auction Catalogue, I came across a lovely example of an antique autamton. It was made circa 1888 by the French firm Vichy, which specialised in the production of mechanical toys. This particular one featured a beautiful lady doll playing a piano-harp type instrument. Because I love to both research and reproduce antique dolls, I was drawn to the idea of making my own replica of this wonderful piece. The head used in the original version is a portrait Jumeau lady. As the mould is available for this doll this was not a problem. The piano however, was a different matter. One of my students has a husband who is involved…
Australian sculptor Jade Warner is working overtime with her sculpting, creating several sculpts including Daisy Mouse, which is a gorgeous combination of a baby face with mouse ears and paws and a lower vinyl body with tail and a cloth body top. Daisy is a 9-10” mouse and is so cute. She could be just painted or a little fur (hair) added for authenticity. You will love her, and a great idea would be to buy two and make a boy and a girl mouse. I can’t wait to work on the ones I have ordered. Daisy has full arms and full legs. Jade has also sculpted two little monkeys called Henry and Hillary. They are 18 – 19” in length with bent legs. They will be a limited edition…
