Doll & Teddy Bear Show/ San Diago

Last weekend I attended the Doll & Teddy Bear Show, in San Diego, Ca.  I have attended in the past, as I think it's important to attend and support the popularity of all kinds of dolls.

Along with finding some great ribbons, materials and wigs, this was the first time I actually saw a BJD vendor there as well!  Located on the second floor of the venue, right in front was a table of a variety of bjd's!  She was a private collector, selling her beautiful collection of dolls in beautiful outfits...they were really stunning.

I also met a vendor who was selling wigs, for the BJD style dolls.  She told me about the PNW BJD EXPO in Bremerton, Washington,  in May.  Everyone was very friendly, I met new friends, learned more about the world of dolls and will be reunited with a few of them for dinner at IDEX in April.  Yes....I will be there in April!....More to come on this topic next month.

If you love the color BLUE, check out my boards on pinterest, I have made the board covers dance across the pages in the color blue!   While your there, check out the board I call, "Oh!...You beautiful Doll!"  I show you some incredible dolls and you can add some to your own boards.

I am getting to release a very "PINK" surprise for you, just in time for Valentines Day....Keep watching, as it's "TO DIE FOR!!!"  

Til Soon...
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www.susanlake1.etsy.com
www.susanlakedesigns.com

BLUE...The Winter BJD Fashion Hat Collection

This Season I was inspired to create the following BJD hats, from some very beautiful straw.  It was the perfect color blue to give the hats a very ethereal, cool almost Zen like look.

This is one of my most popular collections and also one of the most fun to make.  Their architectural design is something I love to experiment with, and these larger BJD dolls are very well suited for them.  I will be listing them in my etsy store, at www.etsy.com/susanlake1 where you can re-visit them and I always enjoy hearing your comments...Happy New Year!

THE YEAR IN REVEIW

What's on the Design Table?...

First, I thought it would be fun to look back at some of the designs that were your favorites from this year.  Here are some of my favorite FASHION HATS,  and the designs from the GOBLINS COLLECTION which I will tell you more about in the New Year!

Parisisol straw, is one of my favorite textiles to use in creating my hats, and I have included them below.  I love the way it keeps it's shape and for me, is easy to work with.  My fashion collection is something that I love to do.  I have always been very curious about accessories , especially HATS!  Nothing shows off the face better that a beautiful hat.  It  dramatizes the eyes, and when worn close to them, frames the face like a beautiful picture.  However, we now live in a time when the status quote, is no longer the norm.  I love to design shapes that are unique in there construction and realistic to how we want to see our girls forecast future style.

My Goblin collection,  has a very special place on my Design Table.  Next year starts with an introduction to lots of "Characters" to come.  stay tuned!

Although all the large HOLIDAY HATS are sold, there are three whimsical little "chimney sweep' styles available in my etsy store, www.susanlake1.etsy.com.  

So...Happy Holiday everyone! Hope you enjoy revisiting these designs and be sure to check my store as the designs you see there now will be gone in the new year!

HOLIDAY DOLL HATS!

This year...

I wanted to celebrate the Holiday Season by designing in two of my favorite Seasonal colors, cranberry red and emerald green. I have coupled the colors with purples, gold and teal to create a delicious palette of holiday cheer! I think I love these colors because they remind me of the Holidays!  I also wanted to design something for everyones tastes.

The first hat is a large gorgeous "Hallmark" of a hat.  I wanted to create something that  made me feel like every Christmas and Holiday story makes me feel around this time of the year.  The hat is large, I have created a small head block that I used to shape the crown of the hat, and the brim is all hand shaped.  The front of the hat is adorned with lots of ribbons, berries and other holiday finds.  I design the doll hats, using the same philosophy I use for designing for my human clients hats, by creating lots of interest in the front and bringing attention to the face.  I think you will agree that this hat would make a great addition to a fabulous wardrobe!

The second hat is emerald green.  It looks like the perfect hat to wear on a sleigh ride! It has a large turned up brim, which I have decorated with a Holiday plaid ribbon, berries a gold holiday trim and swarovski crystals are sewn into the berries in front.  The front brim is turned up and sewn into place.  The back looks just like the hood "little red riding hood" wood love!  Just perfect for a sleigh ride!

The third hat is one of my trade mark designs.  I have designed a modern, architectural twist on a traditional Edwardian design.  This hats brim is one large piece, twisted and sewn into shape.  In the back are sinnamay roses, hand shaped and sewn around the crown.  Of course this hat would be a dramatic statement for any occasion.

Lastly are three whimsical shaped hats.  They are blocked and then I have hand shaped them to sit on top of your dolls head. The brim is cut and left with a raw edge which ads to the humor of the design. They are fun and quirky and would make the perfect focal point for any Holiday outfit.

You can see additional photos and view these Holiday designs for sale in my etsy store.
www.susanlake1.etsy.com

DESIGNING for BJD...What's next?

Some of the most fun I have ever had in design is the head pieces and now costumes I am designing for BJD dolls.

During the past two years I have created both fashion collections and fantasy designs.  I like the Asian as well as European aesthetics of these dolls, and I am started to develop my ideas for the future creations.

I am going to put the GOBLIN costumes out in January so if you are interested in starting to collect these designs, please be sure to contact me as a limited edition only will be available.  These costumes are multi-layered and have a variety of textiles included in them.  The head pieces and neck pieces that go with the costumes are all unique and take many hours to design and construct.  Most of my costumes are hand sewn and are made as couture.

The costume of Raspina Raspberry , starts with the headpiece.  The hair is all hand twisted hair that I shape and sew into the crown.  The crown is designed from parisisol straw, and the elaborate detailing that took the crown piece to another level of design.  It is large and very commanding.  The design of the costume for Raspina, started with black velvet pants and black velvet corset top.  The corset is lined and hand finished and the feathers are sewn into the bodice. The arm pieces are black velvet, lined and snap into place.  There are pink ostrich feathers as well as back feathers sewn into the top section, that covers the hand.  There are additional feathers and black tulle sewn into the back of the pants and two velvet roses are placed on either side of the black tulle train in back of the pants.  The "Goblugs" are wonderful black velvet boots that the pants are tucked into and are decorated with black beads and mylar strands.
This is the complete Raspina Raspberry costume, and is the premiere version.

Coming up next?...The Spring collection!

Be sure to visit me at www.susanlake1.etsy.com    as there are a few wonderful pieces still available for the Holidays!



 

The Making of a GOBLIN...

I have always loved the unusual.
Intriqued by both the "Dark" and the "Light"  and so I have created The Goblins as if they were gorgeous, unpredictable, dangerous, friendly and to the human eye... unseen.

For  the first costume, (GOBLINS) I decided that living in the deepest part of the forest, meant that you had most likely put your clothes together from objects and materials you had found along the forest floor.  I wanted to add the textures of raw materials, and I didn't want it to have a "costume" appearance.

I created the first layer, pants, as the anchor.  I chose a bronze color taffeta, that had a velvet "bug" at the front pleat.  I loved the color, which was earthy and the bug...for humor!  I created a boot called a "Goblug".

The boot is made from a heavy moss green colored suede and lined with a violet material.  Folding the lining over, there a deepening of the layers and the boot adds bulk to the slender leg of the doll.  I liked that.

Next, I designed a "swing" style top.  It had a deep chocolate bodice and violet color combination and I cut a low, v-neck and sleeveless cut.  I cut the neck to accommodate the multi-layered neck piece that I hand made.  I wanted to design a neck piece that combined, little objects, pieces of feathers, metal objects and things that "sparkled"  All these things created a raw but beautifully layered neck piece that balances her bulk in the boots.

Next, her skirt. If you like what I am describing, then you too would want to wear this skirt!   It's a peaceful green, not quite emerald and not really a moss.  It looks as if its woven, and the design is very loose. A modern knit pattern. I then hand cut a piece of quality brown leather, twisted and sewed it onto the hip area of the skirt and sewed a copper adornment in the front.  It fits over the pants and snaps into place.  On the hem I have hand sewn silk threads from Nepal. It gives the hem a raw, natural finish.

Lastly...the cape.  There will of course be many versions on the cape as it plays an important part in my story.

This version, is a circular shape.  It is lined, and the beautiful emerald green taffeta with copper design pattern, blends with the trees in the forest!  It has a dull, grey chenille top layer and then a hand cut leather piece layered on top of it.  There are two arm straps inside the cape, which keep it securely anchor to the arms of the doll.

In designing this costume, I didn't want to re-create something I had seen or remembered, rather I was letting my imagination design what I imagined Goblins might where from a new point of view.

Remembering their unpredictable nature, there wild imaginations, trickery and possibly dangerous personalities,  I wanted to design a costume that was both beautiful, over powering and multi-layered.  Of course there would be the HEAD PIECE!

Each head piece is created from natural elements as well as dyed feathers, ribbons, hand twisted paper flowers and tree twigs. The crowns are all hand made and the pieces are lined.

These Goblins costumes allow for as variety of different possibilities. You can pose her with the complete outfit, or remove the skirt, remove the cape, take off her boots,  keep the skirt on and take off the pants...and on and on.

I love the fact that as the story unfolds, you can change the costuming and yes....I will be designing additional pieces that will can eventually add to your costume or embellish it with further.  Yum!

The costume will be sold in limited Edition and will be available starting in January 2013.
  

The GOBLINS HAVE ARRIVED!

Hello Everyone!

On Nov. 3, 2012, I attended the San Diego BJDC on Mission Bay.  The convention has doubled in size from last year and was very well attended.  It was great to meet so many new people and to see how well your taking care of your "girls!"

It was also the weekend that I previewed two new costume designs from the GOBLINS BEND collection.  The first costume, "THE GOBLIN" is a limited edition piece and I am showing you a photo today!  Consisting of 5 interchangeable pieces, it is designed to coordinate with the GOBLIN headpiece and neck piece.

I also previewed" RASPINA RASPBERRY", also from the GOBLINS collection.  This costume will be available starting January 1,2013 and is a limited edition as well.  The costume starts with the headpiece (of course!) which is completely hand made. The raspberry hair, is all hand twisted and sewn into the headpiece.  It is a stunning piece, embellished with strands of raspberry and fuchsia feathers, petals, Swarovsky stones, handmade floral buds and other little treasures! There is a handmade neck piece, with selected jewel adornment. If you like couture, this is for you!  A black velvet three piece ensemble.  Black velvet pants, a black velvet corset top and custom designed arm piece are only the beginning.  Sewn into the corset top are black feathers that form a "winglike" cascade.  Sewn into the pants is a "tail" of black tulle, and black velvet petals are attached on either side.  This is the frame for large black feathers which further the dramatic appeal and Gothic over tones of the costume.  RASPINA'S costume, is made specifically for her as she is a "GOBLITCH!"  Half witch and half goblin, one of the main characters from the fairy tale I am working on.

I am attaching pictures of both costumes and welcome your questions and comments.

I will be busy designing additional costumes, writing, and creating new exciting selections for the seasons ahead.  Visit me on facebook and my website and oh yes!....Pinterest!!!