I've been really busy lately but haven't really been posting, apologies for this.
The fact is I've got seven babies to go out fairly soon, the work backed up a little from the Spring when I wasn't well for a while and also my partner Joe was needing some extra attention, so things started to back up.  Anybody who knows me, knows that wherever possible I do meet deadlines but some of the babies are going out a couple of months later than previously promised.
Anyway, so I've been really busy, and this is the first of these seven babies - a customer who has had a few babies from me and asked if I could do an AA baby, and I thought YES I've been intending to get to grips with black skin colourings in a while so this was a chance.  So immediately after this, two sisters who were each waiting for two dolls each, told me they wanted their babies in a darker skin tone similar to biracial, and then baby no.6 also the customer asked for biracial - so it's been a really a lot of fun.
So here is baby no.1, my Joseph sculpt, in AA colouring.  I think he is maybe a touch darker in real life than in the photos - not easy to get skin tones exact on photos.  So I'll be pushing on with details and then hair with this one while I work on the other six bubbas.  
I'm going away for a few days towards the end of June so my aim is to finish the painting on all seven babies before my holiday, and then can root and finish them when I get home.
So watch this space, I'll post finish photos of them all.
​Bye for now, xxx

OMG look at this cutie!!!  This is little Margaret monkey, sculpted by Teresa Bierton and I purchased the sculpt with full rights to reproduce in silicone, and this is the first one finished - painted beautufilly by Emma Bennett and look at that rooting by Marie Hart!!
I have two more baby monkey sculpts from Teresa which I'm moulding at the moment - can't wait to see them in silicone!
Monkey blank kits available. 

I was absolutely blown away this week to have been accepted to be a member by the Professional Doll Maker' Art Guild.  The standard of the dolls made by the members is absolutely incredible and I really didn't think I would be accepted, but I was!!!  Because I got the dreaded Covid lurgy soon after I've not had chance to log into the website yet but will be doing so very soon.

​I am absolutely delighted to find out today that I've been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Artshack Museum - am absolutely blown away!
FACTS and INFO on Lifetime Achievement Award:
Artshack Museum Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest award you can receive in the Doll industry.
It CANNOT be purchased in any shape or form.
The recipients are chosen for their superior talent! The recipients art is studied for a year before they are chosen by Nadaleena and Artshack Museum board of directors!
The recipients have no clue they are getting the award, they find out via social media and the Museum finds it’s such a beautiful moment to be completely surprised to see your name on the most prestigious award!
The recipients NEVER pay for anything! The awards are funded by Artist Nadaleena Mirat Brettmann and have been fully funded by Nadaleena without any form of outside donations.
This is her way of giving back and introducing the well deserved talent of Doll Art to the mainstream.
If you are a recipient know that you are awarded the highest award for your greatness and your crown is shining bright and it will shine for a lifetime!

Another order baby going home today, this is Storm and she started her journey home today to go home to her mumma in Southampton, so she should be home tomorrow.  Storm was ordered back in May 2021 and mum has been patiently paying her off over a prolonged 16 month payment plan.  I am really pleased with hair hair colour, mum wanted "slightly light coppery/reddish tinge but not full on ginger" so I got in some blonde and some reddish blonde and did a mixture over the head so she's a kind of strawberry blonde with some sun kissed highlights.  Really love the colour and quality of the mohair (HP Babylocks from Pixiekissed Babies) I hope mum is pleased with her.  

Had an absolutely lovely day at the Pudsey show, the first time I've done Pudsey for about 6 years I think, and had a really lovely day, had forgotten how friendly and welcoming this show is, thanks to the organisers Joe Howe and Debbie Woodhouse.  Met a lot of old friends and a lot of new ones too.  Can't wait for the next show in Gaydon at the end of November - the Christmas Show!!  Anybody who can attend that show please do, it is a really great day out!

I've finally got around to pouring my new baby monkey, Margaret.  This is a baby Monkey sculpted by Teresa Russon/Bierton, in the likeness of a baby monkey that they once had in their family as a pet.  I bought the sculpt off Teresa with full rights to reproduce in silicone.  I will be selling these as blanks I probably won't be doing finished monkeys, but one day I definitely will finish at least one of these gorgeous little girls to cuddle myself.  Isn't she just gorgoeus!

Thought I would share what I'm working on at the moment.  I've been preparing the things I'll be taking to the Pudsey show next weekend (1st October) ... some cuddle baby kits, maybe one or two small full body silicone blank kits, and some beginners silicone painting kits and little booklets for beginner silicone painters as a guide to getting started.  

I recently made the big decision to no longer exhibit at the Peterborough or Basildon doll shows, however I will be doing the Doncaster Doll Show, the Pudsey Doll and Teddy Fair and the Gaydon Doll & Teddy Fair between now and the end of the year.  
Some have asked why I'm no longer going to be exhibiting at the Discover Doll Shows.  I have no argument with Cathy she is a lovely person and does a grand job.  I just feel that the shows are not going the way I'm totally comfortable with, they seem to be increasingly overwhelmed by a particular personality/family and I observed some underhand goings-on that I was extremely uncomfortable with and want no part in. 
So ... onwards and upwards!  Can't wait for the three shows over the next three months, have been to each of them in the past and love the atmosphere!  
Hopefully see lots of familiar faces at the Doncaster show on Sunday 4th September!!