Happy Chinese New Year!

Advice

I don't like to be given advice.
If someone does attempt to advise me on any matter I'm more likely to then go and do the opposite than to follow what they say. That dislike of others offering their wisdom is one of the last vestiges of my teenage self, and something I should really grow out of at the grand old age of thirty.




If I'm going to start following the advice of others then I think this little nugget is a good one to begin with -


"Love one another and you will be happy.
It's as simple and difficult as that.
There is no other way."
Michael Leunig, from 'A common prayer'. 


Perfect for Valentine's day, or a wedding present don't you think? you do? well then take a peek here... 

An ode to my slow cooker

When you have a day that begins before 6am, involves wrangling two children unwillingly into their clothes and out the door in time for school, then taking the smaller of those children across London on a bus and two trains (in the pouring rain) to a theatre where you try to appear professional whilst making sure the baby doesn't trash the theatre or kill herself in the workshop, before making the trek back across London in time to collect the big one from school, bring her home and attempt to engage in the endless make believe games she insists on me playing (Oh for the day to arrive when the little one can take my place)

When you have a day like that and you walk through the door to the smell of herby chickeny goodness, then you can't help but love your slow cooker almost as much as the children (who are the reason you need it as you can no longer live on take aways as you did in those faintly remembered pre children days)

I'd almost forgotten I'd put it on first thing - it had been so many hours earlier that I'd thrown some unpromising veg in it with some barley, chicken, herbs and water. It seems like alchemy that such humble beginnings turn into this.

The theatre was Orange Tree by the way, where I'm designing the set and costumes for 'Muswell Hill'.

Makeover

You might have noticed things are looking a little different here. I am very much still a puppet doll maker, and Rose Lullaby Dolls will still be open for business, but I'm doing so many different things these days that I'd like to blog about. So I thought a more general blog title was appropriate.

I also have a new shop opening on etsy called 'Robyn Made' which will be filling up with papercuts over the next few weeks, it's just got one item at the moment, but it's a very pretty item - a papercut family tree.



I'm excited about starting to blog about my theatre work, and the wonderful creations of the people taking part in my workshops. I hope you enjoy coming along for the ride.

Workshops!

Spring 2012 Workshops

After February half term I'm starting a series of workshops locally, here are some details on what's happening. Contact me here to book your places!

At Manor Farm House

Manor Farm Site, Pinn Way, Ruislip HA4 7QL

Pre school arts and crafts

Tues mornings throughout term time starting on 21st February 10.30-12 noon.

We’ll be making masks, hats, capes, and puppets amongst other things. There’ll be building blocks and some baby toys for little ones, playdough to squidge, colouring to do and a drink and a biscuit for everyone. We’ll finish each session with a story related to our make and some songs.

£3 per child (siblings under a year free) drop in, but spaces are limited.

Adult Rod Puppet Making.

Tues evenings 7.30-9.30 21st Feb-27th March (6 weeks) 

Working with bamboo, masking tape and papier mache we’ll sculpt your own individual puppet, then give them hair and clothes using a variety of yarns, fabrics and leathers.

I’ll be teaching you my own way of working, which I have used to make puppets for theatre  and film and as art objects.

£60 per person, including materials and refreshments.

Make a Crazy Creature

Knitting class for ages 8+

3rd April 10-1pm.

Learn to cast on, knit, and cast off and create your own little crazy creature in the process!

£15 to include materials, refreshments and your own knitting needles to take home so you can carry on creating.

You’ll need to be able to sit and concentrate carefully for this class.

Make a Colourful Corsage.

Hand sewing class for age 8+

4th April 10-1pm.

Learn some basic sewing techniques and create beautiful brooch or corsage in the process!

We’ll be using gorgeous fabrics to design and make something really individual.

£15 to include materials and refreshments.

You’ll need to be able to sit and concentrate carefully for this class.

At Little Willows in Pinner

Children's Rod Puppet Making for ages 8+

10th April 2012

Make your own Rod Puppet using all sorts of materials.

Please contact Little Willows for prices, times and availability.

http://www.little-willows.co.uk/index.html

At Pinner Library

Weekly Craft Club - Knitting!

Every Thursday during term time from the 23rd February 6-7.30pm

We're asking for £3 for the half term - just to cover materials used during the session.

Birthday Parties

I run puppet making workshops and parties for boys and girls aged from 5-11. I can create a workshop on any theme, provide all materials and clear up afterwards! Please email me for more details

featured on frankly!

The lovely folksy folk have featured me in their online magazine! take a look here to find out about my 'essential kit'

christmas bauble cards

I've been playing with paper again, and I've made these papercut bauble cards. You send your friend a pretty card, then they can very easily remove the bauble to hang straight onto their tree!

Each one is cut by hand so you can have any name or phrase you like, or an angel.

Take a look at them in my etsy or folksy shop

playing with paper...

 I've spent the last fortnight being throughly distracted from the many things I should be getting on with by paper. I've been playing with making paper furniture...

and little paper tableau....

making a paper cut of my big girl's name...

and paper cut baubles!

I'm loving piddling about with paper!

big dolls and little dolls

I've been making cloth dolls, every one individual and never to be repeated. They're all made using gorgeous fabrics, tweeds and velvets and soft cottons.

The drawings have turned into badges.

They're available in my etsy and folksy shops right now!

a peek inside my sketchbook...

some doodles from the past couple of days.

I've written a little story about the girl, and will be making the creatures into pin badges.

Getting better all the time...

The comments on this post on my facebook wall have got me thinking, I've been making puppet dolls as art pieces for 2.5 years now, and the way I do things has changed over that time, even though the basic techniques are the same.
So, what's different?
Firstly, the bodies. When I started the backbone was made from sticks I found in the park and then dried out, now I use bamboo skewers. This change happened because I couldn't find enough sticks that were the right size, and straight! My first dolls were very skinny, then I started adding bigger bums so they sat better, then I started building up their bodies more. so they've gone from this -

to this - 

The first dolls definitely needed to lean against something, this young fellow is self supporting.

Then there's the skin tones. I still use the same tissue paper and glue, but I've just become a lot better at using them! My first dolls had rougher skin, like Anna here - 

Though there is something rather lovely about her imperfections, these days my dolls' skin is a lot smoother - 

Another difference is in their clothes. For a while I used glue a lot to make their clothes, I don't really know why, perhaps because I was coming from a theatre background where it's more about the overall effect than the teeny tiny details? Maybe because the dolls were so skinny back then stitching clothes onto them was harder? Anyway, now all their clothes are completely hand stitched, it's easier and much nicer.

Then there's their eyes. I started out using tiny beads, then trying to break up tiny beads, then I used fabric backed with glue and cut to shape, then thread rolled into a ball with glue, then I started doing what I still do now. I colour in a patch of my palm with the desired eye colour, I splodge a little pva into my palm, then I rub and rub and rub. The glue picks up the colour of the ink and forms into a rubbery doughy consistency. Then I cut it to size with a scalpel, and roll it into a ball. I use a little more pva to glue them to the doll while they're still soft. They then dry rock hard.

So there you go! With every doll I make I perfect my techniques a little more.

I'd love to hear how your work has evolved over time....

Mum and daughter and cat

I've just finished this commission, I'm rather pleased with them, especially the mum with her sandals and union jack symbol on her back.

Finished peggy dolls

Here are some of my littlest ladies at the Made-it Market in Cambridge at the weekend.

The market was fab, I'm hoping to make the christmas one this year, with lots of peggy angels for your tree.