Crafty Tuesday:The Nifty Things that have happened because of my work Edition

Puppets and dolls have been my doorway to some pretty interesting adventures and have lead to some great friendships. So in no particular order except when it is in order Because of a Sandman Puppet, I met Neil Gaiman and this time he remembered me. I had met Neil before during his first Sandman tour which was when the first graphic novel came out at the comic book shop, Whirlygig Comics in New Haven, that I use to work at. He remembers the shop because of an interesting story that happened there which I can confirm was true because I was there when it happened but I left no impression what so ever (which is a good thing during a whirlwind tour). But this time it was a DragonCon back when I was the tech director. I had, for a lark, made a Sandman puppet with LEDs for eyes and feathers for hair. Jill Thompson saw the puppet in passing and asked for a closer look. She asked if Neil had seen it. No, said I. He must, said she. So we arranged a time for me to be where Neil was. He loved the puppet a lot. I made him one and promised that those would be the only two unless I rebuilt mine. I would not sell anymore. Not that I haven’t had requests for them but I promised Neil and I keep my promises. The Doctor Who puppets have led to some interesting conversations and some adventures in their own. A number of the Doctors have their puppets and I owe Colin Baker his which I will get to him soon I hope. The most recent was the puppet that started it all which was the Paul McGann Doctor. Since that TV movie was the impetus for me even starting to make the Doctor Who puppets, getting the puppet to Paul just seemed like a good thing to do. I know he liked it. I got the same kind of bear hug I got from Neil when I told him that I could make him a Sandman puppet. I met the Frouds through a doll making course that a fellow puppeteer informed me about. I met Wendy and Toby and was introduced to Brian at San Diego. Since then I have taken Wendy’s course a number of time when it is in my area. I always learn something and Wendy pushes me as an artist. She knows what I have done and believes I can do better. I remember once I tried to slide some hands by her and she made me go make them again because she knew I could do better. I have been introduced as a puppeteer to others which leads to all kinds of interesting conversation with all kinds of interesting people. Last year I participated in the Puppet Slam at DragonCon and had a blast. I hope to do so this year as well. I just got the most twisted Idea….. And finally and most important, if I hadn’t made a set of Klingon Puppets back at the Atlanta Fantasy Fair, I wouldn’t be sitting here typing this. Those puppets introduced me to my husband and led me to the life I have today which I wouldn’t trade for the world. I am grateful that puppets and dolls have lead me such interesting places.

Crafty Tuesday: Taking Account of what I have to do and when

OK I am falling further behind on several things so I am writing this out in the open so that I can hold myself accountable for what I need to do over the next two weeks and beyond. Here is what I owe people and am behind on Two Victorian Paperdolls part of a ATC swap. I did these once and I got back half of the envelope in the mail with no dolls. Looks like it got caught in something and dragged all over the place. This is an evening project I can do while watching TV, I just need to get the pieces together and do it and send it off to the poor person who has been waiting about 2 months for this doll. My part of a three way doll swap. Sorry Nan and Jeri, I have totally fallen down on this one. This is next after my show on Thursday. I will get things out to Jeri by Monday. Also by Monday I want to finish my Chamber of Secrets Swap with Lisa. I have it more than half done. It is a glow-in the dark Basilisk Tooth with a smaller tooth to be worn as a charm. It is on top of a chest that will house the tooth. (For the VI: this is a picture of a large tooth that I made to look like the Basilisk Tooth from Harry Potter and the Chamber of secrets. It is an off white. Below it is a smaller “tooth” with a hole to run a chain through. These are on top of a chest that I have painted to look aged. It is a brown chest with bronze strapping.) All I need to do is the interior of the chest and I am done and this can go off to its new owner who I hope likes it. The BIG PROJECT is Field Day (Yes, it is that time of year) We are doing an ocean themed variety show. Here is what I have completed. One Octopus in Orange and Yellow (For the VI: this is an Orange and Yellow Octopus puppet set up on a bunch of boxes to show off the arms) What I need to do is 3 little Fishies 2 Clams Outfits for 5 puppets 2 more fish puppets Scenery Make sure I have my clip lights and bulbs in place and everything else I bring to the party. After I catch up on all that, then I will be full tilt into DragonCon. I am grateful for what we did get done yesterday.