Newsletter #44: ODACA Day 2024

 https://blue-heron-dolls.ck.page/posts/odaca-day-2024

ODACA Caps & Corks Challenge

 ODACA Day is fast approaching (July 23, in Kansas City) and a doll challenge was issued, to create a doll using at least one cap and one cork. These will be on display during the ODACA Luncheon and Sales Room events. 

I'm not sure what the others are making, but here's a sneak peak at mine. I'll update the blog with the finished doll upon my return home. 

I found this to be quite the challenge!

Here's Magda:

Newsletter #27: Successful ODACA Day!

 https://blue-heron-dolls.ck.page/posts/successful-odaca-day

Collette

 I just finished one more doll prior to our trip to Bellevue on Monday, to attend ODACA Day. This is Collette. She may become a new pattern - haven't decided yet. 

ODACA Helper Doll 2022

I've been working on my Anne of Green Gables doll, but have put her on hold while I make a doll for ODACA Day. I won't be attending this year, but will send the doll on for the raffle held at the ODACA Luncheon. 

This is a new design I've been working on, with the intention of making a formal pattern. This doll is one of four prototypes. 

I've named her Elora:

 

Progress photos:

Waiting for glue to dry before styling:

Previous prototypes can be seen here:

http://blueherondolls.blogspot.com/2022/06/prototype-modifications.html

http://blueherondolls.blogspot.com/2022/06/annie-oakley.html

ODACA Benefit Update

I've just put the finishing touches on the doll I'm donating. This is Mirabelle, the doll I designed in 2011 for the AFIC (Artistic Figures in Cloth) participant booklet. She's made of dyed muslin, and stands about 14 inches tall. She wasn't quite finished in 2011, so this week I took scissors to her, shortened her arms, cut off and gave her new hair, and fleshed out some details. I also gave her some custom upcycled wings. 

ODACA has promoted original art dolls, doll making, and original art doll collecting since 1976. Each year, the ODACA Day luncheon is held to bring members, patrons, and UFDC members together in celebration of the art of the doll, and provide critical revenue needed to support organizational operations. Since the pandemic necessitated the cancelation of this key event, we are holding this Show & Benefit to help ODACA continue operations into 2021.

The prices include shipping. (USA only). Your selection will be shipped (USPS) by the artist, so if you are selecting from more than one artist, they will be shipped separately. The Members and Patrons of ODACA hope that you are all able to stay safe and healthy.

Before the event you can look around at the items to be included in the event.

Come visit the event's dedicated website: https://odacabenefit.company.site/

ODACA Benefit

 This year's ODACA Day was cancelled due to COVID-19. This event attracts collectors and generates income for the organization's advertising and other operations. The ODACA Board will be holding a virtual show and benefit to raise funds. I hope you'll all check it out!

https://odacabenefit.company.site/

ODACA Helper Doll Finished!

Cecelia just had her photo shoot! It took several hours to finish her hair. I used a textured yarn for her hair, and stitched it in place. It takes a little planning to keep it symmetrical, and I used 4 needles as I worked in sections.

Her clothing is removable, and this time I gave her a narrow belt to break up the print and line of the dress. Her shoes are also removable.

I think her hears are just a little too big, so I'll decrease the size slightly the next time I use this pattern. 

ODACA Day Helper Doll - Work in Progress

This week I started working on my Helper Doll for ODACA Day in July. Helpers are the raffled items during the ODACA Luncheon. This year the event is in Dallas, TX.

Because Cecelia is one of my simpler dolls, she's a logical doll to make to donate. I tweaked the head pattern a little, so the ears are incorporated (i.e., no need to sew them on separately), like the head pattern for my "Amity" pattern.

I've not yet decided on hair. I'm also thinking about shoes. With luck, I'll finish her dress today.

March 7 update ~ Working on hair:

Raffle Doll

I've got about a day and a half to do at least a week's worth of task, before I head to Nashville. At the top of the to-do list was to make a doll for the ODACA Day Luncheon.

This is from my Cecelia doll pattern. She's made from doesuede fabric.

 

 

It's time to start packing!

Dolls for ODACA Day

This may be a pitifully small group of dolls for ODACA Day, but they represent many hours of labor.

 

Wish me luck!

Successful ODACA Day

This year's ODACA Day at the UFDC Convention in Washington, D.C was a great success. I don't think I've seen so many Artists in the sales room, and we welcomed six new Artist Members!

 

The ODACA website will feature these new members at its next update.

 

My husband and I had three days to enjoy the city and get in as many museums as we could during our short stay, but there was still much to see.

 

Next year's convention will be in Orlando, Florida.

So few dolls

This is it.

The only dolls I'll be taking to Washington DC for ODACA Day.

This small group represents many hours of work.

I'm going to have to spread them around like peas on a kid's plate.

Cecelia, finished

I've finally finished my ODACA Helper doll, Cecelia. It's my second day of vacation, and there's still so much to do.

Cecelia is made from the "old" and beloved Doesuede (no longer available) that I've hoarded for years. Her hair is "Fuzzy Mohair" by Dizzy Frizzy. I like it, and it was easy to work with.

I had some issues with the colors of her dress bleeding a little, so I had to fix the dye with vinegar and salt. It seems to have worked.

Helper Doll for ODACA

Only six more shifts until vacation, and I realize I haven't made a Helper Doll for the ODACA Luncheon raffle in Washington DC - so this morning I got started on a "Cecelia" doll.

I've had this retro print fabric for a while now, and I'm in love with it. It'll make a cute little dress. This is a favorite pattern of mine, because all you need for the dress is a fat quarter. I might even have some red rick rack somewhere in my stash.

Alice is finished!

I've just finished my Alice doll, though I reserve the right to add another accessory. Now I'm thinking of making anther Alice (since that's the ODACA theme this year), from another of my patterns.

Alice ~ finishing touches

Today I'm going to work on finishing Alice. She will need her apron/pinafore, and perhaps a headband. I'm thinking a wired band would work without compressing  her hair too much. I haven't made one of those before, but I have a couple ideas. I also think she needs a *something* - like a bottle that says "drink me" or some little thing like that.

 

If all goes well, I'll be able to take the final photos of her and update my neglected website.

Alice Progress

I've made some progress on Alice over the past few days. Her wig has been sewn and glued on, and now I'm waiting for the hair to dry. I love the Tibetan lamb, but sometimes wish the hair was a little longer.

 

Here she is with just her unders. Her dress is finished, but I wanted to take care of the hair before redressing her. 

 

Her lower legs are a narrow black and white stripe. I've found an old hankie with some variegated white/gray/black crocheted edging that I hope to use for an apron. I'm not sure if I'll get that done today.

Alice

I've been working very slowly making dolls for the upcoming UFDC Conference/ODACA Day in July. Today I continue to make progress on an Alice in Wonderland doll made from my Verity pattern. I've just done a little painting, with more to come. Then she'll need some shading and highlights to give more depth.

 

It's a beautiful day on the Oregon Coast, and I hope to get some work done on her before it gets too hot in my upstairs studio (well, hot is a relative term, since it's about 68 degrees out right now - but my studio can get pretty warm).

 

I've got a couple vintage hankies that I could use as an apron or pinafore, just trying to decide which one.

Stoked!

I just got my complimentary issue of Art Doll Quarterly (Winter issue) because I've got a couple dolls in there - part of an ODACA Behind the Scenes series: