Preview of Dolls available on Dec 7th

Just a quick post with lots of images of the dolls that will be available Friday Dec, 7th at 3:00 central time.  To get information on how my dolls become available you can read here.

Lexie and Dixie the Pixies - $275 each

Bertrum - $275

Bertrum and Clara - $275 each

Phanie - $295

Audrey Hotovy - $275

You can see even more images on my Facebook page

Preview Dolls Available Nov 23rd

Thanks for visiting my blog.   This post may take some time to load as it is heavily laden with images of the dolls that will be available tomorrow, November 23rd in my shop update.   You can read here how my shop updates work 

The time is 2:00 pm Central Time Zone.   To convert that to your time zone click here.   You can see even more images here

Here are the girls

Mason Joelle - $295

Alexandra Marie - $295

Sissy June - $275

Julie Ann Morris - $295

Bella Ann - $275

I hope one insists you take her home!  See you Friday!!

Some Updates on LoopyBoopy

 Hello bloglandia, oh how I've abandoned thee.   I have recently moved my social bantering over to my facebook page.   I just find the format works well for chit chatting with customers and showing off new works.    I have no plans of leaving my blog behind entirely but I do hope you'll join me on facebook for more recent conversations and images!

  In an effort to better please my customers and clients and take care of my creative soul I am changing the way my dolls will become available for sale.   I plan to do what is  called a shop update on my Etsy page.  This is how it works.

   I will still be selling from my Etsy store but I will only list new dolls 2 maybe 3 times a month.  When I do list I will have a grouping of dolls in hopes that everyone can get the one they want!    Heres the good part, I will be sending out a newsletter (which you can sign up for here on my blog), post here on my blog and on facebook a day or two in advance letting you know the date and time of the  shop update.   I will be including lots of images of  the work I will have available for you to review.

   I will still be taking layaway which you can read my policies on here  but I won't be taking any layaways until after an hour of the initial listings.  I will work this on a first come first serve, meaning those who write me first regarding a layaway of a doll that hasn't sold in the update will get first dibs on her.

    The reason for this change?   I've been sensing and hearing from my clients frustration that I never have dolls available or they are all already reserved for someone else.   This is not taking care of my very loved and growing customer base and I want to do that better and relieve any frustration from the process.    As well, this allows me to get lost deep into my creative process without having to think of the business end which I really believe will result in a happier artist and overall a happier customers.

I'm looking forward to this change.

   My first shop update will be Black Friday, November 23rd at 2:00 pm.    As I said you can check here, in your email or on facebook for soon coming images of the dolls that will be sold.

     In the meantime have a wonderful holiday for those in the US and I'll see you on facebook!!!  And as always thank you for the support of my work!

Frozen Charlottes

Watch locket Frozen Charlotte

Don't you love them?  Just look at that little bum.

It's been a week of acquiring unique Frozen Charlottes for me.  I don't know what it is about these tiny little porcelain dolls that just make me squeal.  I think its their history, the fact that they are old and have been places in history I would love to have seen as well as just being human figures which I of course love to study.

So my newly acquired gems.   I ordered this piece from Sirens Soul Jewlery

Isn't she beautiful?    Miss Chevious (the designer) told me her husband has recently joined her jewelry making process by cutting old keys for her to work with.   She is a mixed media jewelry artist that has a very unique and original way of putting scraps and 'junk' together to create art that is so special.   I hope you'll take the time to check out her work.    I just love my new piece and cannot wait to show this darling off to the world.

My next Charlotte......

The creator Lateefah Wright actually calls these Frozen Harlottes.  They are her current day version of the Frozen Charlotte.  Her work teeters on beautiful, erotic, ugly..based in history, myth and reality.

Lateefah is a figural sculptor who works in stoneware I have followed for years.  I love everything she makes and am beyond thrilled to finally, actually own a piece. 

Frozen Charlottes, a tiny little porcelain doll created so long ago but one that still sparks the imagination of inspired artists.

Celebrate Different

Do you ever feel 'different'?  It may be your looks, your politics, your feelings thoughts....it just seems true that at some time or other we feel different from everyone else.   Many times these things are actually what make us unique and are to be celebrated, not alienating.

With that in mind I've created a series of misFit Orphans ornaments.  I hope you enjoy and celebrate what makes you 'different' today!! 

These orphans are on the register at the Island of the misFit Orphans. These are babies that have special needs or are perhaps a tad different than other babies. They need love and care just as any baby. Would, could you please love a misfit orphan?

You can see more of my holiday ornaments here

The Real Mommy

My job dictates that I spend a lot of time online.  Visiting social sites and forums with a lot of discussion amongst women, many of them mothers.   I often feel like an outsider as moms discuss organic meals, paying $1000's a month for schooling, daily family outings with joyous and beautiful pictures to show just how perfect a mommy they really are.

It often leaves me scratching my head as I feed my kid a hot dog, am highly grateful for the good public school she attends and our photos are often ones with disheveled hair and dirty t-shirts.

My point?  I would really love to see all mothers give ourselves a break.  Sometimes we are good mommies, sometimes we kinda suck.   I am not a perfect mommy, I'm a good mommy and while I always strive to be the best I can be at whatever I do, sometimes I fail to be perfect and "good enough" will have to do.  I can live with that.

Attempting to portray our lives any different than what they really are is an insult to other women and it puts expectations on moms that create feelings of sorrow, not being good enough and shame.

I'm taking a stand for 'The Real Mommy'   I know your all out there and I think your doing a fantastic job, keep it up!!!

okay..I know my blog is not typically a social one but I just needed to get that off my chest.

So now...how do you think these demon moms feel about the way they are raising their demon babies?

Demon Baby

French Quarter Children

Beth Ann

 I'm one of those people that spend way too much time in her head.  I've known this about myself for quite some time and its an everyday effort to get outta there.   I've come to realize its a curse and a blessing, but more so it is what it is.

One of the blessings this state of being has given me is an ability to look at people and get lost in an imaginary world of where they come from and or what their dreams and hopes may be.  I try not to get too caught up in stereotypes but I suspect that plays a part.   In reality each of our experiences will dictate how we see the world and people around us, again it is what it is.

Okay, I'm babbling.   What I'm really trying to get at is the inspiration for my newest collection of dolls.   As you may know I live in New Orleans and everyday of my life I am inspired by this city, it's inhabitants, culture and history.   I frequently just stroll my favorite streets and ponder peoples daily lives in this incredible spot on the planet in the current day and days of old.   I peek into the what seem ancient houses for just a glimpse of a beautiful staircase or entryway, into windows with amoires or lace curtains wondering about the lives of the people who live there or have lived there throughout the years.

Sonny

This series of dolls, entitled French Quarter Children are the young ones I imagine.  They are the children of the people I see or imagine worked and lived in the French Quarter, one of my favorite places to explore and do my pondering.   I hope you'll notice the timelessness of their stories, attire and lives as I don't think era or time really matters when considering hardships or happiness of an individual.   All throughout time those things remain the same and are something we all identify with and which connect us.

You can click the links to read each child's stories.  I have quite a gaggle of kids yet to come.  I hope you'll enjoy them.

New Girlies

Sally Ann



There, there sweet blog, I have not abandoned you.  Just been so very busy and you seem to get lost in the shuffle. 

Just wanted to show off some  new girlies and let you know what I've been up to.

Looks like a couple of my gals will be going to California as I'm excited to be part of The Dollmakers show at the Cactus Gallery   Lots of my friends and dolly buddies will be showing as well.  Be sure to visit their blog for updates on the show and the work available.

I've also been working on the Artists Lending Support facebook page.   This is a beautiful story of the collarboration of aritsts and members of the ALS community working together to raise funds and awareness of a dreadful disease.    If you are an artist, I encourage you to get involved by donating a piece of work to raise funds for ALS research and support.   All the details are on the fan page or you can contact me directly if you'de like to get invovled.  

Julie Ann

I've also been working my fanny off making new dolls, taking care of my little family and trying to enjoy the spring weather.

Things are good in loopyland:)

Turn that Frown Upside Down

Why is it these silly little sayings we learned as children stick with us and through time?  I believe it's because they are simple truths, things to live by.

 Baby Lacey

Baby Lacey wishes everyone could be happy, healthy and kind to one another.

Through a very bizarre and strange sequence of recent events  which are not important here,  I have been introduced to some amazing people through the ALS online community.  ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease is a disease in which muscle-controlling nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord (motor neurons) die, resulting in rapidly progressive paralysis and death usually within three to five years of the onset of symptoms. Most cases of ALS are of unknown etiology and appear as sporadic ALS. About 5 to 10 percent of ALS cases are familial.  This group of people work diligently to help those with ALS and to help find a cure.   I can't tell you how inspired I have become by reading these peoples stories, their struggles and their sheer depth of strength and will.

  Kenneth Alber who is suffering from ALS has a wife and children and though in advance stages of the disease is still able to live at home with his family.   He sounds like a real man's man loving rock and roll and camping and might I add, quite attractive:)  He is the creator of the Kiss my A.L.S  sticker, which I particularly love!!  As the disease progress's and more medical attention is required it becomes harder and more expensive for Kenneth to remain in his home and not have to go to a medical facility.

You may wonder at this point where I'm going...I'm getting there:)   Baby Lacey is a special dolly.  She is available in my shop and 100% of the proceeds will go to the Kenneth Alber Foundation

I encourage you to click that link if your interested in making a donation on your own to help keep Kenneth in his home with his family.

Listed are some  of the sites I have visited and as a result have been, first brought to tears and then motivated to do something or help in any small way I possibly can.   Please explore these sites and I hope you will find ways to do what you can for the people suffering from this dreadful and life sucking disease.

friends4eric

alsgaurdianangels

Again,  I urge you to visit these sites.  Big things can be accomplished in small ways.

Fraud

Okay, I usually try to keep things light and focused here on my blog but today I must speak out.

Yesterday I was notified by a fellow artist that a woman on facebook is selling my prints and claiming that the work is hers, that she actually created the dolls and did the photography.  Disgusting huh?  But wait there is more.   Not only is she doing this with my work she is doing it with many many accomplished artists work,  claiming they are all hers and copyrighted to boot.

Are you feeling ill yet....wait there is even more!!!   She claims to be raising money for ALS patients.   So she is stealing artwork to raise money for a charity.  How a person like this sleeps at night is beyond me, but apparently she does.

I don't mean to sound petty but I just cannot sit back and watch this happen to my own artwork and my fellow artists.   The woman's profile on facebook is ShawnaMarie Weatherford   You would have to be friends with her to see the fraud, but above is a screenshot of whats going on.

I've written a cease and desist letter to the person and I've reported her to facebook.  As of yet all the artwork is still there and available to purchase.   I encourage anyone and everyone to report her to facebook.

What I've learned.   Honestly I feel in a teeny bit responsible as I have not safeguarded myself from this at all.   From this day forward my images will be watermarked and low resolution.  I highly suggest y'all do the same.

A New Look and A New Website

So does it look and feel a bit more roomy in here?  Things laid out and looking fine?  Oh you noticed.  Well that is all due to my very dear friend and amazing web designer Phanie Marie.  

You may remember I told you about her work for me on business cards and post cards, well now the lovely lass has spruced up my online presence too and I could not be more than thrilled.    A word of advice, if you stink at graphics or web design....hire someone to do it and I would of course recommend none other than Phanie.

And now...drum roll please,  I'm unveiling my new LoopyBoopy webpage.  Isn't it beautiful?  Thanks again to Miss Phanie.

I'm just so excited about my little spaces on the web at the moment.

One more plug for my dear friend.  Check out her darling little miniature shop MinetoMe.  Miniaturist just blow my mind and Phanies work is no different.  Teeny tiny is really hard when working in polymer clay and these little sculptures are just so adorable.  Be sure to check out the scenes in the teeny bottles..wow!   I really think you'll enjoy this as much as her design work!

Thanks again dear Phanie, for making loopyboopy look so good!!!

Sarah Jane Tillman

Sarah Jane Tillman

Finally the day is here. Sarah Jane Tillman's annual tea party. Finally mommy and daddy would have to pay some attention to Sarah Jane, surely the would, wouldn't they? Either way all the girls were coming, silly girls that they were. They'de arrive in their ridicuous tea party hats and of course Sarah Jane would be the best dressed and prettiest girl at the event. Still, with all the joy of the day..Sarah Jane felt a bit sad. She sure wished the girls liked her a bit more. Sarah Jane cried.


Sarah Jane wraps up the dolls in this series.    You see all the gals in one place here on my Facebook Fan page

I hope you'll enjoy them.   Already got ideas for my next series...I'll just give you a hint that there is a creepy foster home.................



The Guest List Part II

I'm happy to present the remainder of the dolls from The Guest List.  You can see the first half of the guest list in my previous post.

Bethany Burgess

Bethany had asked Bobby Anderson to the sock hop, he said yes, but when Sarah Jane told him Bethany still sucked her thumb he decided not to go with her. Sarah Jane Tillman just laughed.

Yvette Bonner

Sarah Jane was a mean girl. Last week Sarah Jane told her that she was ugly and that God didn't let ugly little girls into heaven. Sarah Jane laughed.

Wynona Francis

Mommy said she should not hate anyone and while Wynona really tried she just didn't like Sarah Jane. She was so rotten to all the girls, once Wynona told Sarah Jane that she was a mean girl and Sarah Jane laughed.

Poor Girls.

I have of course one more doll to add to this series, none other than Sarah Jane Tillman.