Monday, August 21, 2017

Calling All Artists and Izannahphiles to Celebrate
Izannah Walker's 200th Birthday in September 2017


I'm bumping this post up which I did in January, as a reminder to artists working on something. We have a little over a month.

Celebrations take planning. On  September 25th of 2017, we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Izannah Walker's birth. Inna Razuvaeva, Russian doll maker,  suggested in the MAIDA Dolls Group that we plan to celebrate by creating something for September 25th this year.

I created this blog as the resource I wish existed when I first started studying Izannah Walker's dolls. I had bought all the books that had Izannah Walker doll pictures in them. At that time, there were very few pictures of Izannah Walker dolls online, less than 10 dolls.  So I started traveling to document dolls and post them here as a resource for doll makers and those who love folk art. That's how this resource was created.

So, in 2017, let's plan to make creations to be finished by September 25th. I'll create in September which will allow us to post our special creations.  Here are some ideas to think about in terms of a creation:
  1. Make an Izannah inspired doll
  2. Make an Izannah inspired painting
  3. Design an Izannah inspired fabric through Spoonflower.  See mine here
  4. Write a poem.
  5. Write a song.
  6. Make a graphic.
  7. Make a doll sized quilt.
  8. Designs a new piece of clothing or accessory to go with your Izannah Walker Doll.
  9. Make a modern one of a kind doll which uses Izannah Walker's techniques but does not look like an Izannah doll.
These are just ideas to prime the pump. Come up with others and leave a comment.

Ready, set, go!

5 comments:

  1. Oh I absolutely must get busy with my Izannah doll kit!!
    You have inspired me :-D
    Many Blessings Linnie

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  2. Hello, I have only just found this site; last year I was introduced to Izannah Walker and her dolls and have come to love her and her creations. I am fairly new to doll making, but am giving it a go. Can you help me with my question. I am beginning on a cloth doll of Izannah's style, and am wondering if stuffing her with sawdust would be best or something else? I thank you for your time and look forward to visiting here again.
    In Joy
    Vivian

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Vivian - Izannah used a variety of stuffings. In my doll, some stuffing is cotton/thread and some parts are more crunchy - kind of like excelsior or seagrass. I've never seen or heard of a doll with sawdust. Izannah lived near textile factories and the sea, so had access to lots of surplus materials, and probably used what was available at the time.

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    2. My name is Sharolyn and I am an Izannah Walker doll fan who lives in Australia. I have recently completed making a kit made up and purchased from an American doll maker. The Izannah Walker doll history stories have inspired me and I very much love my doll. In fact her stories have brought alive the desire to find out more of the life of people in her time. Amazing history

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A Pictorial Directory of Dolls<br> Featured on the Izannah Walker Chronicles

My mission for this blog in 2008 was to create the site I wished existed - a site for doll makers and collectors who love Izannah Walker dol...