Letters from Martha – Her Thoughts About My Izannah Walker Doll Making Class

February 12, 2013February 13, 2013 paulawaltonLeave a comment

For the past few days I’ve been exchanging notes with Martha Bishop, a dedicated and prolific doll maker who is a member of my Izannah Walker Doll Making Class. We started out talking about one of Martha’s dolls Taloulah, then as is often the case, our conversation moved on to other topics. Martha’s correspondence warmed my heart and has given me a little glow that I’ve been carrying around with me ever since. People like Martha are why I love teaching! With her permission, here are some excerpts from her emails:

... “I wanted to tell you that a lot of people have been trying to figure out how to make doll heads using molds. I’ve told them many times that I came to you to teach me how to do this, and it was one of the most important things I could have done for myself. After taking your class I was able to do what I wanted, without still floundering around with unanswered questions. I have directed them to you and encouraged them to take your classes. I don’t know if anyone takes my advice, but it is what so many people need to do. People are stubborn and waste time and money trying to figure out how to do things themselves without the benefit of a knowledgeable teacher. Just wanted you to know that.

“I saw your article in Prims with your three Izannah dolls. They did a good job, but then the dolls were beautiful. It was very nice. I am looking forward to the Alabama Baby class. I have read it and intend to get started before too long. These dolls appeal to me in a big way too, especially the black ones. I’m sure I will have lots of questions when I start.

… “I think you should put my comment on your sites, wherever you want. I am glad to let people know that there is help for them, and this class you teach is the best and only place I know of to get the training to make an authentic Izannah Walker doll, made the way Izannah made them. I’ve told people that it’s not just about making a molded head, it’s a comprehensive course that includes so much more about making the dolls, that they would need just as much as mold making . Please use this where ever you want to. I am glad to help. It’s all true.

P.S. the cost of the course is nothing compared to all (they) will benefit from it in every way.

Love, Martha”

Thank you Martha, your words are good for my soul!

If you are a fan of Prims magazine, you may be familiar with Martha’s work. Her Jack & Jill were featured in the Autumn 2012 issue. To see and read about Martha’s dolls visit her blog www.martha-maboriginals.blogspot.com and her selling site www.maboriginals.com . Make sure to read Taloulah’s story!

Stray Comments

A Special Treat for a Snowy Day

February 9, 2013February 9, 2013 paulawalton5 Comments

Today is the perfect day to indulge in one of the forgotten pleasures of winter, snow ice cream! During the night, while we slept, snow continued to fall from the sky, aided on it’s earthward journey by brisk winds that swirled it around tree trunks and blew it into every corner. We awoke this morning to a world thickly frosted in a foot of snow.

Clean unblemished snow is plentifully available every where I look…

Making snow ice cream is one of the traditions of my childhood. Every now and then, on nostalgic snowy days, I relive a bit of my past and make it again. I first posted the recipe two years ago, during another snowy New England winter, on my 18th Century Home Journal blog.

Today my kitchen helper and I decided that it was high time to treat ourselves to another batch! Here is the recipe for any of you who would like to join in. If you aren’t living in the land of ice and snow, you can use an ice shaver that is used to make Hawaiian Ice to turn ice cubes into “snow”.

Snow Ice Cream

fresh clean snow

milk

sugar

vanilla or other flavoring*

Put in as much milk as you would like to achieve the consistency that you prefer. The sugar and vanilla are added to suit your taste. Stir well and eat immediately.

* We used a combination of vanilla extract and ground vanilla beans, which is why you see tiny brown flecks in the close-up photos.

Delicious to the very last bite!

Time to move the creativity from the kitchen to the studio... — Time to move the creativity from the kitchen to the studio…

Doll Clothing

Warm Winter Petticoats

February 7, 2013February 7, 2013 paulawaltonLeave a comment

With winter weather and the promise of snow in the air, I’ve been dreaming of tiny woolen and flannel petticoats. Today I stoked the wood stove in my studio and aired an armful of antique baby woolens and flannels in front of the fire.

Tomorrow , when the snow is swirling past my windows and piling in soft mounds outside my door, I’ll cut, stitch and gather to my heart’s content, making miniature winter wardrobes…

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Izannah Reproduction Doll Class

Photos to Share of Mary’s Antique Izannah Walker Doll

February 5, 2013February 11, 2013 paulawalton3 Comments

One of the members of my Izannah Walker Reproduction Dollmaking Class was kind enough to share photographs of her 16 inch antique Izannah with the class. — One of the members of my Izannah Walker Reproduction Dollmaking Class was kind enough to share photographs of her 17 inch antique Izannah with the class.

If you are a member of my Izannah Walker class, be sure to drop into the class member site to see all the photos that Mary has shared of Anna, her tiny Izannah Walker doll.

Doll Clothing · Doll for Sale · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll

Two Dolls – Just Waiting to be Dressed…

January 28, 2013February 26, 2013 paulawalton4 Comments

I put the final few stitches in my two latest dolls today! The winter weather has made me nostalgic for dolls reminiscent of rural New England. Sweet dolls that have passed through many hands and generations, saved by mothers and grandmothers… Dolls with stories of their own and history in their faces. Can’t you just tell that both of these dolls have had adventuresome lives? What bedtime stories they could whisper in a child’s ear…

Recently I have talked to several people who would dearly love to have a reproduction Izannah Walker doll to sew for. I have to say that these are wonderful dolls to dress. They are a very nice size and the styles and fabrics of the mid 19th century are a joy to work with.

These dolls are currently undressed. If you are interested in either of them, they are available with the “Dressmaker Option”, which includes the bare doll, my Izannah Walker Doll Clothes Pattern (for a dress, 2 petticoats, a chemise and pantalettes), plus written instructions for a second classic mid-1800’s dress. The price is $925 for the doll with painted boots and $975 for the doll with bare feet.

OR you may choose their dress styles and fabrics and I’ll do all of the sewing. The cost of the fully dressed dolls is $1250 for the doll with painted boots and $1300 for the doll with bare feet.

Neither doll is up for sale on my website yet, if you’d like to buy one please email paula@asweetremembrance.com or call 860-355-5709. I’m going to start making clothing for them this week, so if you would like an undressed doll or would like to pick custom clothing, please don’t delay.

If you need dressmaking inspiration, I have amassed a large collection of reference images on Pinterest that you might enjoy looking through.

Leather shoes may be ordered for $75. in your choice of colors. Hand knit socks are included with the shoes.

If you have any questions about either of these dolls or would like to see additional photographs of them, just ask. I always love to take a break and talk to you about dolls!

Stray Comments

Creative People

January 27, 2013 paulawalton3 Comments

One of the very best things about being a doll maker is that I am constantly surrounded by creative people. Doll people, both collectors and makers, are inventive, resourceful, dedicated, steadfast, and giving. They add humor, friendship, inspiration, awe and an amazing number of grace notes to my life that I would hate to do without.

I’d like to say thank you to two of them, Vicki Leeke and Peggy Flavin. Both of these wonderful women were members of the truly outstanding group of dollmakers who came to my Izannah Retreat in September.

Some Vicki's lovely flower and leaf leather art, made from kangaroo leather. — Some Vicki’s lovely flower and leaf leather art, made from kangaroo leather.

One of the special pins Vicki made for everyone attending the retreat.

Vicki made this set of pins just for me, with photos of True Blue,one of my dolls. One pin for me and one for True Blue! — Vicki made this set of pins just for me, with photos of True Blue, one of my dolls. One pin for me and the other for True Blue!

Vicki was organized and kind enough to make some very special keepsakes for all of the class members and haul them all the way from Australia! Vicki also makes lovely felt dolls, click here to take a peek at her blog.

Peggy's adorable flower fairy. — Peggy’s adorable flower fairy.

Peggy was sweet enough to send me a wonderful Christmas surprise. She created a magical fairy to grace my Christmas tree, although truthfully I love her so much that I intend to keep her out all year round.

Thank you!!!

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls

Antique Doll Collector magazine has done it again! Breathtaking Izannah on February Cover!

January 23, 2013January 23, 2013 paulawalton10 Comments

My February copy of Antique Doll Collector magazine arrived in my mailbox today. When I ripped the protective plastic sleeve off I was greeted by the most wonderful sight… the Izannah Walker doll belonging to the Worthington, Ohio Historical Society is this month’s “cover girl”. I consider the beautiful photos of this doll to be the perfect Valentine from Antique Doll Collector to all of it’s readers ❤

I am currently working on three new Izannah reproductions. I’m not sure exactly when I’ll have them ready for sale (because I’m fairly positive that I’ve caught a cold). If you would like a sneak peek, just email or call me and I will send you photos of them in progress…

Paula@ASweetRemembrance.com or 860-355-5709

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll

In My Studio January 15th, 2013

January 15, 2013February 27, 2013 paulawalton10 Comments

It feels like I’m always rushing from one deadline to another. I’ve spent the past few weeks working on several new dolls for a photo deadline. I finished this doll today, just in time to rush her photographs down to the post office before they closed, getting them post marked on the very last possible day!

Actually this doll is one I had been planning to have finished before Early American Life came to our house in December. For some reason people always have the mistaken idea that I have shelves full of dolls, spun cotton ornaments and all of the other things that I make to sell. They imagine that coming here is like going to a secret hidden shop full of treasures, set inside the perfect 18th century New England farmstead… This is so far from reality ! 🙂 I normally don’t have any dolls here at all, unless there are one or two on lay-away. In real life most of my dolls get packed up and shipped just as soon as I get the last stitches finished. Plus doll making is messy, so my studio rarely looks tidy and there is a trail of thread and fabric snippits leading from the studio, across the yard, to the house, and into the parlor, where I sit in the evenings to do hand sewing. So part of my grand plan, when Early American Life asked if they could come photograph our house at Christmas, was to create three or four new dolls and a whole tree full of ornaments. None of them actually got finished 🙂 . By the time the retreat was over and I kept up with orders, then cleaned and painted throughout the house like a mad woman, there was no time left! So I postponed making this doll until my latest deadline instead.

Now that she is finished, she will be keeping me company in my kitchen. I created her for myself, incorporating all of my favorite Izannah details. I even added a third ringlet in front of each ear, like the ones on the lovely antique Izannah that was just up for sale on eBay last week. I doubt that I will ever be able to afford the $22,000.00 opening bid on the eBay doll, but I decided that I can treat myself to one of my own dolls.

My c. 1860 antique Izannah Walker doll in red on the left and her newly made offspring c. 2013 dressed in dress made of rare "double violet" mid-19th century fabric. — My c. 1860 antique Izannah Walker doll in red, on the left, and her newly made offspring c. 2013 dressed in dress made of rare “double violet” mid-19th century fabric, on the right.

Tomorrow is going to be another busy day in my studio, as I move on to more orders and deadlines, but for tonight I am relaxing and enjoying my new Izannah, with nothing more taxing to do than decide upon the perfect name for my newest friend…

A steadfast new friend to share in my kitchen adventures!

If you should ever be in need of a companion to share in your doll adventures, I would be pleased to make you an Izannah of your very own. Call 860-355-5709 or email paula@asweetremembrance.com to discuss all the details of a custom made reproduction Izannah Walker doll.

* Did you notice the waived braid trim on her chemise and petticoat??? Read more about waved braid here.

Alabama Baby Reproduction Doll Class · Izannah Reproduction Doll Class · SALE · Where to Shop

Make History in 2013!

January 1, 2013 paulawaltonLeave a comment

It’s here! The first day of a brand new year. With a pristine calendar, ready to be filled with a bounty of creative possibilities. I love this time of year, when I’m rested and recharged from spending time with family and friends over the holidays and it feels like I have a bit more time to dream, plan, and work on new projects.

I’d like to share my surge of creative spirit, so that you can make 2013 the year that you learn to make history! All three of my classes by mail, Reproduction Izannah Walker Doll Making, Reproduction Alabama Babies, and Spun Cotton Ornaments are 13% off during the month of January. The classes may be purchased by visiting my website, Paula Walton’s A Sweet Remembrance.

If you have any questions, prior to ordering, please feel free to ask – paula@asweetremembrance.com – or 860-355-5709 .

Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll · See Me in Print · Where to Shop

Ordering a Doll in 2013

January 1, 2013January 1, 2013 paulawaltonLeave a comment

For all of you thinking about ordering a custom made Izannah Walker reproduction doll, I am now taking orders for dolls to be completed in the first and second quarters of 2013. I’m currently working on two special order dolls, two custom dresses and a pair of shoes for the recently sold Charlcie. New orders will be added to my schedule after these items are done. I’ve also started several new heads, which will become dolls at some point in the near future.

If you would like to discuss turning the doll of your dreams into a reality, or if you are curious about the new heads that have started on their journey towards becoming real dolls, please contact me, paula@asweetremembrance.com or 860-355-5709.

A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA

The first three dolls ordered in 2013 will come with a signed copy of the 2013 Winter issue of Prims magazine, with my feature article The Tale of Three Dolls.