Noni's Dollmaking Blog: Antonette Cely Dolls

Showing posts with label Antonette Cely Dolls. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Social Media for Doll People

Wow, you ladies rock! I put up a blog, and a few days later, it has 250 views! I ask for reviews of my book and get five five-star reviews! And at the same time, I make the first sale of my book on Amazon! This is definitely the way to go for us dollmakers. We work all alone at home for hours, days and weeks, and sometimes don't see another person for ages. So for us, going online to connect is a necessary (dare I say?) evil. I've connected with people who can't leave their homes for one reason or another. Only by reading websites, blogs, facebook, etc. do they get to have any social interaction at all. Well, I have to say, this is a little bit of heaven for me to get such a nice response after just dipping my toes in the water. I have had to work on other things for the past few days. But starting tomorrow I'll be building my website, putting up links (please send me links to websites for dollmakers, doll artists, etc!) and hopefully I'll have something nice to show in response to all your responses! In the meantime, be well, and happy dollmaking! Noni

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Amazon.com

It's very frustrating working on my book and video listings on Amazon.

I do a search for Cloth Dollmaking (which is the exact title of my book) and it doesn't show up on the list at all (frustrated!)

So I go in and add the phrase "cloth dollmaking" to the keywords, description, and "more info" to bring it up in the Amazon search engine.

It is now at number 5... (Huh! Why is it not number one?)

But because someone else is listing the old version in 3-ring binder (and calling that a Hardback Book!!!) and they don't show a photo of it, the cover photo doesn't show up in the listing... Why should this concern me? Because my book, the spiral bound paperback version is grouped with the hardback, and for some reason, theirs is first, so whatever is first determines whether there's a photo or not...(aaargh!)

So I upload my own photo to their listing. It is the cover that was used on the 3-ring binder, which is slightly different than the one I'm using now (just the typeface is different).

So... even though it's not showing up (STILL!) I think it's just a matter of time for Amazon to process it, and it will eventually show up. (fingers crossed!)

But I can't imagine why it is so low on the search... The only thing I can think of now is that it hasn't been reviewed. So I'm asking you all... If you've bought my book, or read it, would you do me a favor and go to Amazon.com and review it for me?

I think this link will get you there: Cloth Dollmaking

Thanks so much in advance! I'll let you know if it made a difference!

(Aren't blogs fun?)

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

My websites

I'm in the middle of trying to redesign my old site: www.nonidolls.com
Thinking of ways to improve it.
(Please be patient. It is not yet active.)
I think that instead of the Workshop, I'll just blog my articles here.
Maybe I'll link to my pinterest page for photos of my dolls.
You will also be able to see my likes on that page: www.pinterest.com/nonicely
My dollmaking books and videos are for sale on my Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/oddsbodkinsonline
Some of my other items (not for sale) are here: www.oddsbodkins.com
And you can always friend me on facebook, see my videos on YouTube or read about me on IMDB.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Getting Started

Let's start at the very beginning...

Some people like to start with a sketch, so they can see what they are working toward. This is a very good idea, especially if you have trouble visualizing. Then you can see what your doll will need. Do you have to alter the pattern to make the doll strike a pose? Do you need to make a prop, or find a pattern for a certain style of dress?

I have to admit that I generally do not like to draw a sketch first. Why? Because it often feels as though I am finished when I get a good sketch. Then I am no longer motivated to make the doll. I feel like I've already done the character, with all the details, and I can stop now, with this beautiful little drawing.

I need to feel motivated, and I enjoy the challenge of working directly in the cloth. I will make an arm over and over and over again to get it to come off the shoulder at the exact right angle that I want. I had piles of discarded limbs from several different dolls to prove it! I would keep them around for years, hoping to reuse them at some point. But it was rarely the case.

When I did "Decisions, Decisions" I remade her arms several times. It was important that they look graceful and natural. And when your arms are raised, they are supported by muscles that come up from the front and back of the torso. You can simply move the arm pattern (the way a Barbi doll's arm moves in its socket) but it doesn't give you the realistic affect I was looking for.

Compare the photos of an earlier doll (Rita) with my later work, and you'll see the difference I'm talking about. (Oops! My links are broken because I'm moving my website. Please stay tuned. I'll repost the missing photos...)

Saturday, February 25, 2012

A New Beginning

Hi Everyone!

After a long hiatus from the dollmaking world, (during which I got a divorce, moved clear across the country, and did a lot of soul searching) I have decided to get back to the world of Art Dolls with renewed energy. And I finally realized that one way I can share some of my dollmaking tips is to create a blog. (Gee, I never understood blogging for the longest time, but just like cell phones, I finally get it!)

So, for awhile, I'm going to try to put up something every day (or as often as I can) and see if we can't make something useful out of this cyberspace. Please feel free to post, as much as you like, and let me know how I can be of help.

Thanks so much for reading!
Noni