Through the eyes of a doll maker
We
have had the pleasure of displaying a beautiful doll created by Texas
artist Dell Jones at International Quilt Market in 2012 and 2013. At
last week's Quilt Market, it was featured on our main table in the front
of the booth as part of our iron-on thread demonstration (because the
doll is embellished with Kreinik Iron-on Threads). We have never seen a
doll so photographed and admired by pretty much everyone who walked the
aisle (really, no exaggeration). There is just something about dolls,
and this doll in particular, that connects with people.
Is it
the expression in the eyes that draws you? Yes. Take a close look and
you will be amazed at the emotion that comes through a painted or
stitched doll face. That, to us, shows the talent of the doll maker. But
just as with all needlework and art, it's the details that matter as
well. Dell embellished this doll with thread, accenting carefully chosen
fabrics, using color and stitch variety to create dimension and style.
Dell is regularly featured in the special doll exhibit section of Quilt Market and Quilt Festival (for dates, see www.quilts.com).
Each year we are delighted to spot the "Dell doll" and see what she has
created. Let's hear from Dell herself, and enjoy photos of her work.
Let this inspire you, in whatever medium you work, with whichever
materials (we suggest trying Kreinik iron-on threads like Dell did…), in
any stage of life.
Doll artist Dell Jones told us…
"My
name is Dell Jones and I was born loving dolls. As a child, I designed
their clothes from silk scarfs and anything else my mother would let me
have from her sewing box. I earned the money for the FIRST Barbie
because my parents thought I was too old for dolls. Little did they know
that fifty plus years later I would still be playing with dolls.
I
first became aware of Art Dolls at the Houston International Quilt
Festival where I saw the doll exhibit. I was amazed and wanted to make
them, too. I bought a Santa pattern and decided he looked more like a
Wise Man, so I made three by the next Christmas.
Through
a mutual friend, I met Marlene Slobin who told me about The Material
Girls Cloth Doll Club. I joined at the first meeting and have been
learning the art of doll making through classes, retreats, and the
incredible sharing of the members.
I
can't seem to copy a pattern exactly. My imagination just takes off on a
tangent. Just like that Santa who morphed into a Wise Man, my dolls are
inspired by dolls of the many talented doll artists around the world. I
will take something from many patterns and create their costumes as I
go. I am also inspired by fabrics, trims, threads, buttons, beads and
tons of old junk jewelry. Most of my dolls have been made as gifts or
for my own pleasure. Occasionally I have made similar dolls for sale on
request.
I
have always been artistic and have tried every fabric inspired project
that came along. But I will readily admit that the world of Art Dolls
meets all of my artistic needs and I hope to continue creating them for a
long time. As I tell people who ask how I am doing after injuring my
shoulder several years ago, "As long as I can give hugs and make dolls,
I'm just fine."
Side
note: Next we will feature Marlene Slobin, mentioned by Dell above, who
created another stunning doll design for our exhibit. Wait until you
see this one! Stay tuned to the blog.
To learn about Kreinik iron-on threads, visit: http://www.kreinik.com/
Try Kreinik Iron-on Threads - on sale this week: http://www.kreinik.com/
