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A “Proud of Myself” Post

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I’m still on a little bit of a high after my latest artistic endeavor.

Let me explain:

I won a blank doll’s head in a giveaway on Instagram. It’s one of the dolls, “Freesia,” designed by Little Keiko dolls. They are BJD (ball jointed) dolls made of resin. This particular line of dolls is very popular among Blythe aficionados. I was thrilled to win and knew I would have to find someone to do a faceup – the painting and sometimes carving of the face. In this case, there wouldn’t have to be any carving. Just painting.

The head arrived here on September 19th.

I had been slowly collecting the materials required for a face up: pastels, watercolor pencils, white gloves, Mr. Super Clear – a sealing spray, a mask and goggles for using Mr. Super Clear, which is quite toxic, Magic Erasers, foam wedges, paint brushes, and makeup brushes. I gathered all of it because I had been pondering doing the faceup myself and a good friend on my feed gave me a list of what I’d need.

But I was very fearful, so I was about to have the face up done by a wonderful artist (recommended to me by my friend, Gwen.) But, after our initial conversation, she didn’t get back to me when I asked for a price quote. To be honest, money is very, very tight, and that’s why I was thinking of doing it myself. I finally wrote to her and thanked her and said I was going to do the face up. Turns out she’s going through a painful divorce and there’s too much on her plate. So the universe seemed to be saying “Do it!”

So, I started in on the project on Monday. I finished yesterday. Every little step I took was scary. I was so afraid I would screw it up. And it’s not perfect, but since she’s my doll and I’m not selling her, it doesn’t matter.

Here’s the blank head. (I’m not using the eyelids.)

At the end of my first day, here is where I was:

Every layer of work has to be sealed with Mr. Super Clear. You spray MSC over the blank head. Then, you start with the base – in this case, a flesh-colored pastel and then the cheeks and lips. More MSC. (I sprayed outdoors.)

Then you add more layers; the area around the eyes, the eyebrows, and other additions to create the final look. Then, two final coats of MSC. I purchased the eyes and the wig from Little Keiko. I attached eyelashes (which was very tricky – it’s much easier on a Blythe) and inserted the eyes, secured the wig, swore a lot, and – drum roll – here is Jessie!

I can’t tell you how tickled I am about the way she turned out! She’s on the same body I use for my Blythes, so she can wear Blythe clothes. Of course, Don was cheering me on and was seriously stunned by the final look.

I did this! I customized a doll!

One side benefit was that I was so engrossed that I barely thought of the clown show of cabinet nominees.

My birthday is tomorrow. I’m going to be 72. Trying something new at this age can be a bit frightening. But I pushed myself and this sweet girl emerged from all of the worry and trepidation. On my first try!

I think it’s the perfect birthday gift for myself.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Comments

  1. Well done! Jessica is very sweet and looks just as good as all of her sisters in your doll family.

    Hope you enjoy your birthday tomorrow.

  2. Claudia- You did a wonderful job on Jessie!!! You should be proud of yourself. Never too late
    to try something new but I know how you feel.

    Well done
    Marion

  3. She is beautiful! Well done. You are such a creative person whose talents seem to know no bounds! The sky is the limit for you. I cannot wait to see what is next.
    Take Care,
    Kaye

  4. there’s no way i’d guess this was your first time customizing a doll … you did beautiful work (i am not surprised about that. your creative talents and interests have shown no boundaries)! even better than the sweet expression and color on jessie’s face is that you faced a fear and did it! i am impressed by and proud of you. keep going!

    wishing you a wonderful birthday tomorrow, claudia. may it be a day full of happiness, spent exactly as you want and the start of a great year for you, don and the rest of your family.

    xo
    kathy

  5. So cute! Her eyebrows are perfect. Are you available to do mine? ;)

    Happiest of birthdays tomorrow, our dear Claudia! Thank you for adding a little cheer to our bleakest days. Hugs and joy!

  8. Jessie is adorable…great work Claudia!
    And wishing you a happy birthday tomorrow. I bet there will be birthday apple pie.
    Take care

  9. Jessie is just beautiful! I think she looks like you as a little girl.
    And don’t worry — 72 is nothing ;-D

  10. Bravo you! What a sweet face plus you get the satisfaction of saying you did it yourself. Enjoy your cute birthday gift and your birthday tomorrow.

    Best wishes for many more,
    Kay

  11. Great job! I think this deserves a standing ovation 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
    and
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY !🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈

  14. Claudia, you did it! And Jessie appreciates it! You did a great job. That was quite an accomplishment. It was nice seeing the steps it takes to bring out each personality. Enjoy your birthday tomorrow!

  15. Oh, Claudia, she’s perfect. Congratulations for being brave enough to do something new. You have a real talent. You could open an Etsy shop and sell your dolls? Happy Birthday 🧁! Hope it’s filled with lots of love and a surprise or two. Hugs, Elaine

  16. Well done! She’s beautiful, Claudia. It certainly doesn’t look like a first attempt. Clearly you have a knack for this. Who knows? Another second career in time?

  17. Brava! What an absolutely beautiful face!
    Wishing you a happy birthday, and many more trips around the sun!

  20. She looks so good! You did a great job. What a fun addition to the rest of the girls. Happy birthday tomorrow!

  21. Very sweet, as is the story of your perseverance in the face of self doubt! Congratulations and happy birthday!

    Ceci

    • I don’t know. This was just for me. I’d have to be even better than I am now to do them for other people.

      Stay safe, Jenny.

  25. WOW!!! You are truly a talented artist! You did a fantastic job, and if I didn’t know better, I would never believe this was your first doll customization. I hope your birthday tomorrow is filled with happiness and blessings.

  28. Claudia, what immense satisfaction you must feel in creating Jessie! I don’t blame her for looking a bit pensive, a bit confused. She doesn’t know what to make of this world right now…

    • She was just created! And then, picture taking and clothes and all of that kind of thing.

      Thanks, Wendy.

      Stay safe.

  30. She’s gorgeous!
    I have always liked the saying: ” do one thing a day that scares you”. I think it’s easy, as you get older, to become a bit timid, complacent and insular. I’m having to practise it a bit lately, having recently undergone major surgery, but I also use the idea to push myself to try new things.
    And what a spectacular result you ended up with!
    Happy birthday 🎂

  31. Lovely work! She is beautiful. Wishing you a wonderful birthday tomorrow. I am sure your wonderful husband will make the day perfect.

  32. Jessie is lovely. Great work!

    On another note…you inspired me to read the Daniel Silva books. I have read all 24 books within the last three months as an escape from the madness. Thank you for the recommendation. What does it say about me that reading about spies, terrorists, and murder were a good distraction during the election? Anyway, I like his writing style.

  35. Well done Claudia. Jessie is adorable. I am so proud of you for trying something new. Happy Birthday dear friend. Much Love!

  36. Way to go Claudia!!!
    She is adorable! What an accomplishment! I fully understand your trepidation… ( personally I have learned that I am not capable of throwing away any creature I make once I have started….. no matter how wonky they end up…. they take on a life and I am captivated!) It is always challenging to learn new skills… and clearly you have a knack with the faces!
    Happy Birthday to you both!!! :):)

  38. Jessie is absolutely lovely. Well done!
    I just checked the time and see I can say Happy Birthday! I wish you a wonderful day full of peace and pleasant treats.

  41. I very seldom comment on a blog, but I just wanted to say, “WOW. Just WOW!” You have done a wonderful job. She is beautiful. She looks like a Jessie. My grandson’s name is Jesse, so I love the name. Real joy in a time when so many people are hurting in our country. I have been reading your blog for years and I love it. Claudia, you and Don have something very special and I would really miss reading about your life. Please don’t stop writing.

    • Thank you so much for your kind words, Nancy! And thank you for taking the time to comment.

      Stay safe.

  47. You are amazing Claudia. I admire you going out of your comfort zone and creating Jessie.
    So happy to see all the kudos you are receiving.

  48. You did a beautiful job on Jessie. Her before and after is astonishing!

    Happy Birthday! 72 is easy-peasy–no worries, my friend. May your worries be light and your laughter loud on this voyage around the sun!

  49. I wouldn’t have the nerve to try that myself but she turned out very well. Good job!
    Happy Birthday, Claudia, wishing you a year of good health, joy, laughter and love.

  53. LOVELY. So delicate. Happy Birthday!

    She is fragile and exquisite. Great job.

    We got rain today…..at last. Something comforting about the rain today. Love how you have such a light touch with the skin tones. Even her little pink lips and nose.

    Very nice. More pictures please/ makes me smile.

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