Full Circle

The very first doll I ever submitted to a magazine for publication was "Torn Apart"

submitted to Somerset Studio magazine back in 2002.  They did a special issue featuring Art Dolls, and I was thrilled that mine was one of those published. 

The issue turned out to be so popular that the publisher decided to create a quarterly magazine devoted to Art Dolls, which was Art Doll Quarterly. 

So ten years later I've come full circle with a feature article about my dolls in the Summer 2012 issue of ADQ.  It's such an honor!

Another recent "full circle" moment was last fall at Lucia's Garden in Houston. Lucia gave me my start selling dolls many years ago.  Last fall I was honored to be invited back to bring my art dolls to Lucia's Garden Fall Open House.   

http://janetbodin.blogspot.com/2011/10/yesterdays-open-house.html

Studio Makeover Complete!

The studio is complete!  All my supplies are back in!  Hooray Hooray! 

Here is the main wall with shelving and drawers.

I have my books and supplies grouped in categories.  Face painting supplies are by the face painting books, wool felting supplies by the felting books, beads by the beading books, etc.

Here is my sewing table.....

I have room for my sewing machine, embellisher & serger, plus my regular sewing threads, machine embroidery threads & serger threads.  And lots of drawers.

Here is my cutting table/work island. I have wide shallow drawers on one end of both sides of the table, front and back. On the other end I have vertical storage space for my ott light, paper cutter, light table and large mats.

This is my media wall with cds and dvds.  I'm old school - still using a cd player. :)

Here is my window wall with shelves for magazines and some of my doll collection, plus drawers for miscellaneous things like charms, stencils, foils and such.

Over the closet doors are some favorite quotes.



Inside the closet are drawers with fabrics and trims.

Yours truly with my Art Doll Quarterly profile article! :)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new studio!  I can't wait to get back to work!



Art Doll Quarterly

I just received the new summer issue of Art Doll Quarterly. I am so honored to be the profiled artist!  Ricë Freeman-Zachery wrote a wonderful article.  The interview took place several months ago, when I was just beginning my studio renovations.  I am putting on the finishing touches this week.  So I have lots to celebrate!

Thank you Ricë!  And thank you Jana Holstein and Art Doll Quarterly for including me in your wonderful magazine!

Doll News

Someone brought a copy of Doll News magazine to our TAODA meeting today, and I was so surprised to see my doll featured in an ad for ODACA Day 2012!

That's my "Henry" in front.  What a nice surprise and honor!  Also featued in the ad are dolls by Donna Sims and Ute Vasina.

This year, ODACA Day will be held on Monday, July 23 at the Sheraton in New Orleans.  There will be a sales room open from 9:00 AM - 9:30 PM, a raffle, and a luncheon with a souvenir doll by Adele Sciortino.  It should be a fabulous time - who doesn't like New Orleans?!  More info here:  http://odaca.org/events.php.

And yes, I'm still working on my studio, but I see light at the end of the tunnel!  Pictures coming soon!!

Studio Makeover Pt. 4

New furniture at last!  Here is the new Elfa shelving:

New sewing table:

My new cutting table/work island:

And from the back:

Lots of drawers, and verticle storage space for cutting mats, etc.

Here is my retractable extension cord up high near the ceiling.  I got the idea from seeing photos of Caryl Bryer Fallert's quilting studio.  No more cord dragging across my fabric as I iron!

My closets have Elfa carts on casters.  This is where I'm going to store my fabric and I can wheel the carts in and out of the closet as I need them.

Now the organizing begins!

Podcast

I have never done a podcast before so when Ricë Freeman-Zachery asked me if I wanted to do one with her I was a little nervous about doing it!  But Ricë is so much fun to talk to she made the whole experience not only painless but very enjoyable!  Ricë has authored several books, including Living the Creative Life, and writes extensively for Somerset Studio, Belle Armoire, Art Doll Quarterly, and other magazines.  You can listen to the podcast here:

http://ricefz.libsyn.com/janet-bodin

And check out Ricë's website http://www.createmixedmedia.com/ and blog http://voodoonotes.blogspot.com/

Studio Makeover Pt. 3

The new floors are in!  Here's the new carpet at the entrance going up the stairs:

Here's the studio floor:

I love it!  I think it's going to be soooo much easier to keep it clean, with all the snippets that fall on the floor.  Just a quick going over with the dirt devil!

Tomorrrow comes the new furniture & shelving!