EALGAS dress is under way!

In designing hats or costumes, my proccess is that I first start by collecting things. Information on significant colors, shapes, adornments and pattern making.  All the hats that I make take hours of shaping and sewing and stopping and coming back to and falling in love with.  So, in creating an entire costume, means doubling the proccess in time and content. 

The hats and costumes that I am now making from my Goblins Bend collection, are being inspired by the entire story that I have been writing for the past year. Goblins are as varied in description as they are in appearance .

 Did you know that Goblins are earth elements, so that they are the spirit of the earth.  In the case of EALGAS inspiration ,this is a very important point. She will be dressed in greens, browns, violets, purples and adorned with elements of the earth.  Thus sustaining and giving her power. She is taller than most, strong and beautiful.  Her intense appearance quiets the forest.

In keeping true to the fact that all my "Goblins", make their clothes out of materials we know nothing about,,  I have begun to sweep the forest floor for remenants to make EALGAS dress.  I am now researching dyes and I am trying to keep her dress true to the fact that she lives in a particular area of Goblin Bend that does not get much light accept for twilight. Her colors are greens, shades of purples, cold and browns and she is particularly attracted to shiney objects.  In my legend, EALGA is calm and creative.  She is quite removed from "DENORA DARK", who you will meet much later.  EALGAS beauty is found in her ability to bring peace to the somewhat dark area of Goblins Bend so her dress is going to be  a gift to the small animals and creatures that come to her for protection.

This weekend I made the trip from the desert, where I live 6 months out of the year, to Silent Valley, where I live during the summer months.  It is nestled in the area just below Idyllwild, and creates the perfect setting for ANYTHING!  This past winter, I began a new collection of hats called, GOBLINS BEND.  I have always been fascinated with mystical beings, warlocks, witches, fairies and all things that go "bump in the night".  In creating this collection, I am bringing to life my childhood dreams of what would I wear if I lived as a creature in the woods!  The first hat I released from the collection in May 2012,  is called EALGA.  Created from yarns, twigs, tree pods, lace, feathers and other things one might find on the floor of the forest, she is a captivating creature filled with mystical powers!  I am about to begin her dress.  Again, when I begin to design for either women or dolls or whatever...I totally let my imagination take over.  I am going to design her dress out of things I find on the floor of the forest, materials that feel good in my hands and just anything that I would put on my dress should I be so lucky to rule a little corner in  "Goblins Bend." I never know what will unfold, it just does as I sit down under large oak and cedar trees!  I usually start early in the morning, stop in the mid day and then dream about part two!...Talk to you in a bit!

Here is a photo of the hat to which is the jump off point for the rest of the dress...ENJOY!

One of  my favorite Doll Makers/Photographer, is Ilona Jurgiel.  I met Ilona last year when I discovered her wonderful "Lightpainteddolls".  Ilona is one of those rare artists who have managed to turn her craft into a most unique work of art. Creating  tiny dolls and capturing them in a very special way through her photographic talents.  BUT! One of the best things about Ilona is her generous heart and her kind words.  I guess this is why her art is sooo appealing.

I am looking forward to a special work that Ilona and I are planning to do together this fall.  Stay tuned as I attempt a Two inch hat!?

With her purple, pink and sometimes multi-colored hair, Ilona and I have common interests in being inspired by everything.  You can also visit Ilona and myself on Facebook which you can link into from our websites.

I am now researching a new project that I am very excited about. Recently, I posted EALGA, from my Goblins Bend collection.  I am in the process of creating the entire costume! Although it is already spoken for, I will surely show you the pictures when its complete.

The new Goblin?....stay tuned!
Visit me: www.susanlakedesigns.com
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Susan Lake Designs

Susan Lake Designs

Creating hats has not only been my career but it is also my passion.  Yesterday I posted "EALGA", the next hat from the Goblins Bend line that I design.  I think its been the most fun to make.  I make hats for BJDs like I make them for my women's line.  I think of hats as the most important accessory.  That's because it sits right next to your eyes!  BJDs have such great faces that it is so much fun to enhance that!

Goblins Bend is a collection I make based on faeries, warlocks, witches and such.  The hats are made of scraps of ribbons, twigs, tree pods, feathers and such. Carefully sewn together, I spin my magic to create hats that would be made by creatures of the night! 

Creating objects that encourage people to experiment beyond comfort zones is a designers responsibility. I have two sides!  One is all about black and white and one is all about fantasy and color!  I am inspired by ALL my design friends.  From those that are Gothic and fashion forward to those who are conservative and adhere to high design style. They all bring inspiration to the table and keep moving design forward.

Black and white can go from classics to editorial to Gothic to modern  I like to use color to add tension points and "Drama Shock".

By adding the neck piece for Ealga, I opened the door and begun the process to create the entire costume! 

You can see "EALGA" on my facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/susanlakeheadwear
and follow me on twitter at: @SusanLakeDesign

This year has been filled with many transitions for me, particularly in my design work. I became hooked on BJDs last summer, when a friend of mine introduced me to her cousin, Cheryl Austin, noted face paint artist for BJD.  It was a match made in heaven and we quickly became each others biggest fan.  Since then I have had the pleasure of meeting a variety of "doll" artists that I will be telling you about, and I have the BEST group of clients.  I am honored to think that I  have created a sense of "Ok" to ask zone, as so many ladies have asked me for their own special creations.

Designing for these dolls is like a dream come true. Why?  It has afforded me the ability to create all those designs that so many of us designers only get to "dream" of getting to do. From straw to twigs, from drama to Goblins, I get to do it all! 

Here's the best part...it seems my doll designs have created an excitement for my women customers too!  I guess girls just wanna be "Great big beautiful Dolls!