Setting up for Porcelain

Caterpillar Studio — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 19:45:00 GMT

Spent a week with Patricia learning more about porcelain. Lots to learn. She's an excellent teacher. I am doing some remodeling in my house and moving things around while at the same time trying to get the basement set up for porcelain so it's a slow, complex process of juggling many projects but I hope to be in full swing of doing porcelain by summer. I am anxious to get started but it's not as simple of a set up as polymer. However, I think it will be well worth the investment of time and money in the long run. For me, its not about making money, though that's nice, I enjoy the hobby of making dolls and this for me is the next natural step.

Also got a chance to go to IDEX in Orlando with Patricia and friends at the end of January. It was wonderful and very inspiring! I hope to have my own table there someday but it won't be 2012 unless a miracle happens. Maybe 2013. Got to see many friends there and lots of artists I admire! I love dolls!

Considering dropping the 'Caterpillar Studio' name and just using my own name and may drop this blog and move back to a regular website when I have some dolls to show and sell! In the meantime, hugs to you all!

xoxo
Loretta

New Ventures for 2011

Caterpillar Studio — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 06:18:00 GMT

Hello Friends! 2010 is coming to an end quickly and I'm ready for 2011! I resigned as President of the International Art Doll Registry in October and have spent the last few weeks in hiatus. I participated in National Novel Writing Month in November and finished but not so sure there's a future in writing for me! LOL My brain is tired and ready to get back to art!

So what does my 2011 have in store for me? Porcelain! I fell in love with it last summer at Patricia Rose's when we were working on her porcelain BJDs and I've been debating on taking the plunge ever since! Patricia is a wonderful friend and is ready to teach me the ropes! I'm excited about this new venture. We'll be working on a beginner's book for others who are interested in making porcelain dolls as well!

My interest is 5-7" porcelain children so the next couple of months will be spent sculpting children parts in polymer clay for making the porcelain molds at Patricia's house. So stay tuned and I'll take you on the journey with me! Meanwhile, here are some pics from making BJDs with Patricia.

Hugs
Loretta

This is an overview of pouring porcelain slip.

Molds, both raw and ready.

All this for one doll! It gets complicated for BJDs!

Patricia uses thick rubber bands to hold the pieces together. These molds have to be perfect or the slip will run out.

After a few minutes, Patricia dumps the slip back into the bucket, leaving a thin shell in the mold. This takes a lot of shaking and muscles!

Here the molds are set to continue draining for a while to ensure an even slip.

This is the hollow porcelain shell, called the 'leather stage'. It is still wet and the seams can be gently trimmed, the face and ears detailed before it dries. After it dries, it will then be sanded to perfection.

Different stages the head goes thru- leather, greenware, bisque, porcelain.

This is my Missy! My Christmas gift from Patricia!

CATERPILLARSTUDIO.COM

Setting up for Porcelain

New Ventures for 2011