Friday, April 19, 2013

1:6 Furniture For Our Dolls


 
 
 
There is a new store on etsy and it is offering some 1:6 doll furniture that is really special.  I could not resist the Living Room set, and the photos here are of that set.  One of the things I found special about this furniture is the weight.  The pieces are heavy enough that they don't tip over or move while posing your dolls.  What follows is my interview with Debbie, the owner of Napkin Maps on etsy.
 
Q: The name of your shop is unusual, how did you come to choose Napkin Maps?

Debbie:
My husband and I were coming up with a list of names for another business we are interested in. Napkin Maps ended up on the list and I just loved it! The name really has nothing at all to do with my work but something about it reminded me of "me".

Q: When did you start creating 1:6 furniture?

Debbie:
Last year one of my granddaughters was showing me some doll furniture she wanted for Christmas. I felt as though we already had enough plastic in the "doll area" and wanted it to look more "real". I made a lot of furniture for her and everyone loved it. After enough people said "you should sell this", I decided to give it a whirl. So, really only a few months.

Q: What is your process? Do you make drawings? Do you start with one thing and go from there?

Debbie:
It's all about color for me. I usually start with a fabric swatch, and then start thinking about the wood. Light wood, dark wood etc. I start assembling fabric, wood scraps, paper, different textures, and start building a story. I do some photography as well and that is one of my favorite parts of this - getting the good picture. When I think I'm finished with some of the dioramas I have built, I sit back and ask myself what I would put in there if it were my house.


Q: The Fireplace set I purchased from you is exceptional in its detail. The chopped wood is to scale and looks perfect.
I noticed that you have re-purposed wood in some of your offerings. How do you choose your materials?

Debbie:
I used to do a lot of assemblage art and so have some old wood in my shop. Modern fabric mixed with old wood is really appealing to me. Everything I make is something I would want in my home (on a larger scale of course). 

Q: Your style is a wonderful mash up of Mad Men meets Today’s Modern. Is that what we would find in your home?

Debbie:
Yes, in some rooms of my home. The fireplace wall is something I've always have wanted to build in my living room. Until that day comes my motto is "make it small".
 
Thanks so much Debbie for taking the time to answer my questions.  I love my Living Room.  I am saving to buy the Spa Style Bathroom...!
 
 
Visit Napkin Maps here:
 
 
Next Up:
For awhile now I have been wanting to do a circus theme with my dolls.  My doodles include props and fashions and animals...and I have finally started.  The photos that follow are a peek into what will be coming. A work in progress.
 
 
 
 
 
Remember that comments made in April and May will get you entries into the next drawing.  The prize will be one of my handmade creatures- I have not decided which one yet.  When I do, I will post a photo :)
 
Cheers, PB
 
                           
 
 
 

Thursday, April 11, 2013

All Together Now

Valentina



Cherry Bomb and her dog Kaboom



Sugar




Frankie







Ghoulia




Candy




Sterling



Polly and Esther



Bitty Bat

Duvet

Draken



Coquette



Ginger




 
Misty and Echo

 

Nesbit

 
 An email arrived in my box asking me about my Monster High custom dolls. 
"How many have you made?  What kinds were they?" and so on...
 
I thought, "Hmmm, I wonder how many I have made?  Should I include my teeny plushies?"
So here --  as near as I can tell -- they all are.  If I missed one, let me know :)
 
Off to Cali again tomorrow to clean at Mom's.  It is like a very dirty version of The Big Dig combined with an archeology dig.  We are making progress.
 
I am hopeful I will be able to get back to sewing and doing more customs soon.  We shall see.
 
Cheers, PB

Monday, April 1, 2013

Drawing Winner!

And the winner is....
 


Marta!
 
Congratulations Marta from Spain!  Send your full address to: pbvanchance@hotmail.com
and PB will ship your Funpack!
 
The next drawing will be held on June 1, 2013.  Same rules as before. 
Leave a comment on this blog post and those that follow for the next 2 months and get entries for the drawing.
More comments = more chances.
I will reveal the prizes for the June Drawing in my next post.
 
We head back to California this week, after taking 2 weeks off.  If I find any silly treasures I will share when we get back.
 
Also this month I will be interviewing someone new on the scene at etsy who makes wonderful 1:6 scale furniture for our dolls.
 
 
Happy Spring, PB