10" santa

As if there were not enough things going on pulling me in all sorts of different directions, wouldn't you know I have to toss one more thing into the pot of sloppy stew?!! hehe But you know me enough already to know I always have about 5 pokers burning away in the fire. LOL

So, this is no exception. This time around I have been commissioned to do a 10" santa claus. The person I am doing the doll for wanted it to be a "winking" santa, somewhat like the last one I did. But, let me tell you, I had no idea how hard it was going to be to recreate that winking santa face. LOL After about 100 faces, this is the one I ended up with. I'm not entirely happy with it, but I can't keep messing with it forever. The family has 2 little kids and they are anxiously waiting for this charmer to hit their doorstep soon. So, I hope that they like it. Otherwise, if they don't, I'm gonna have to order some more eyes to fit that size head. I really hate to do that cause it took forever for me to get my last eyes.

So, tell me what ya think anyway.

Hugs,
Lori

Lori,

I think he looks great. He has this serious look to him, but the wink let's you know it's all going to be ok. I love the beard. Can't wait to see the finished Santa.

Do you find it hard doing a 10" doll?

I love your work Lori, keep it up.

Darel

Thanks so much, Darel.

I will tell ya, I've been a little miffed over this Santa. As I said, the face has been giving all sorts of fits. But the client wanted a "winking" santa, much like the other one I made, except they wanted it to be 10". I'm still not exactly sure if I have the measurements right. I'm thinking since Santa is a mythical person, I could pull him in the direction of what might be like a Thomas Nast santa. A shorter and squat-like body, rounded belly. I think you know what I mean. I think my problem with this santa is the fact he just seems too serious to me. I think you hit the hammer on the nail about that expression. Santa is supposed to be a jovial kind of guy, and mine looks like he is a Russian, take no crap off anybody santa. LOL

But, to answer your question, the size really isn't that much of a problem. The problem with this one in particular is the armature. I tried to order a 10" body armature from Jack Johnston. I got the armature, and it just doesn't seem to want to work for me. The brass tubing just seems to be too big at the neck area for a 10" doll size. Then, I ordered an accompanying body stocking for it. Well, they sent me a 14" body stocking. So, I wrote them and said...hey I have this problem. Well, Jack sends me out another body stocking no problems at all even telling me to keep the old one for my troubles. Well, I thought to myself, wow, what a nice guy. Then the 2nd one arrives. And, guess what! OMG it's the same size as the other one!!!!! Yes, that is right, I was extremely frustrated. So, instead of calling him and saying....LOOK how about getting it right this time, I decided to cut my losses and just figure out how to make a new one at the correct size once I get there.

Well, as you can see, this has been a frustrating project from the getgo. It's no wonder I'm having all sorts of issues. Normally, I don't have these sort of issues. I make my own armatures for my dolls most of the time, with the exception of the 18" santas. But, for some reason, this one is just not happening according to the text book and I'm having to really earn my money on it. LOL

Anyway, I'll get him finished one way or another. It might be that the client doesn't like the face much and I'm back at the drawing board. I probably should order some more eyes tomorrow just in case. LOL

Thanks for the nice compliment. It was nice to get some feedback, as I was really needing it.

Thanks bunches!

Lori

Lori,

I didn't mean the serious face was bad. I like it.

You could get your husband to make the face you want, winking, similing, frowning....
and then take a picture of him in the profile, portrait, and a three quarter pose. If I don't have a reference and I'm not careful, I will make all of my faces look the almost the same. I don't think I could do a winking anything with out a reference.

That is just a thought.

I really like your work keep it up and have a great day.

Darel

Thanks, Darel.

I knew what you meant about the serious face. I guess for me, I really wanted a more jovial face...and it just was not gonna happen this time around. He did what he wanted to do. LOL So, I had to go with it. I sent pics to the client, and she really likes the face and wants me to continue with it. So, I guess he took the form of what he was supposed to do. hehe I think that was my biggest worry, that the customer would not be happy with the face. She is a doll artist too, and does beautiful work. (I'm still surprised that she wanted one of my Santas to tell you the truth because her work is just beautiful) So, I guess I was putting more stress on myself than what was needed.

Thanks for putting up with me. lol And, too, for the tips.

Hugs,
Lori

Lori just a suggestion, the face is perfect by the way, cock his head to the side of the wink when you mount the head on the shoulder. It will help perpetuate that all knowing sly look Santa has.

Thanks, Paula! That is a good idea. Great minds think a lot alike! My hubby and I were talking earlier about the possiblities of cocking the head toward the wink. It seems like the most natural gesture. Isn't it amazing how some of the most simple projects can turn out to be a bear in the long run? lol

Hugs,
Lori

yup, I couldn't agree more. But you know what? Less is always more. I just learned that! Had one of those blond hysterical moments when I had an undoing with a pumpkin pie. I baked the metal lid from the pumpkin can in my pie. Pure genius. ha!

Paula,

If it is a good pumpkin pie, as I am sure yours is, I would have no trouble eating around a metal lid.

Lori, it is very funny how, a lot of times actually, that the clay is going to do what it wants and we adapt.
Im not sure that's fair, but it does turn out that way.

Darel

Yeah I guess we all need more steel in our diets. lol Happy Turkey Day peoples!

This is very nice.
The Wink. Splendid!!!!!!!!!!!
Greeting Ineke

Thank you so very much, Ineke! That means a lot to me! I was unsure of him at first, thinking I should have developed the winking eye a bit more with more of a raised cheek and a scrunched up wink. But, he is what he is. I've completed his hands, and am working on his boots.

Production has been a bit slow these past few days what with the Thanksgiving holiday and I've been trying to get our Christmas lights up on the outside of the house. We are near completion with that, and this upcoming week will be all about getting the boots done and his armature and body completed. I probably could have had him finished by now, but I have discovered I take about 2-3 weeks on the average for each doll because I goof about so much. LOL I need to make that my New Years Resolution and stop goofing so much while working on my dolls. LOL

Lots of love and hugs to you, Ineke!

Lori

I am getting clay burn out, my build a man is still sitting in the corner, lots of little projects yet to finish. On another note, got my house transfer paper work sent to Austin,(two weeks hopefully the title will be in my name) yeeeeee hawwwww, was driving around with expired registration on my car, tested my heating today, thank god it still work cause they are calling for snow tonight, my tree is up presents are wrapped and under the tree, still eating turkey (blegh) dog threw up in the kitchen not once but twice, got my stove to working again (another Yeeeeeeee hawwww), and have been happily munching on shortbread cookies all day, (more love handles). Right now I sound like a blathering idiot. lol my day has been good, how was yours?

Paula,

You sound as if you have been extremely busy....and I can relate. We have finally finished putting up the decorations outside. We got out tree just yesterday, a fresh cut one. It is up in the stand, but not lights on it yet, and I still need to do my indoor decoration. I've been on a little side mission these past few days of clearing out my sunroom (roughly a 12 x 12 foot room) and I'm gonna turn this into a studio room to clear up my clutter. Unfortunately, I'll have to share it with a weight machine and 2 bikes. lol But, it's better than spreading the love of my dolls from one end of the downstairs to the other. So, since I have a mess piled up high, I need to get that cleared up so I can get to the tree and the decorations. AND...I need to get this santa finished too. So, between these and working too, I'm on burn out almost. I finally threw out the rest of the turkey yesterday...couldn't handle looking at or eating anymore of it. And, I havent' even started my christmas shopping yet.

Perhaps I'll catch up to myself this upcoming week and finally manage to get something finished. lol

Good to see you are busy like me.....sounds like you are a few steps ahead of me though. hehe

Lots of hugs,
Lori

OK this has been such a good post for me to read tonight. It's ice to see that others are just as quirky as I am....LOL!!!! I LOVE this Santa and I think also that a small tilt of the head will do just the trick for you. Maybe Santa has just read the naughty list and found one child on there that might just make it over to the nice list...hence the "wink"!!!!! You do such wonderful work girl.

Hugs,
Regi

Awe, Thanks a bunch, Regi. Nice of you to say such sweet things. I haven't had much time to work on him lately. But his hands have been sculpted and 1/2 his feet. Meaning...there are feet now...and no boots. lol And, I'm considering on redoing his armature. I'm not quite pleased with the first one. Hopefully, I can catch up with myself this weekend, and have the time to devote to this little fella again.

Good to see you popping around the board....and that your Thanksgiving was wonderful. Good luck with the the shop...it's sounds like a wonderful opportunity! Very, very happy for you, my friend!

Hugs,
Lori

wow !! nice work !!!hugs Belinda

Awe, thanks, Belinda. Very sweet of you.

You can see him here at this link all finished up!

https://santamakers.forummotion.com/show-tell-f24/commissioned-santa-t196.htm?sid=03a99c33a8325ca9533a63e8a5a67d81

Hugs back at ya,
Lori