Halloween Promotion

I have a special promotion for the next couple of weeks 20% discount on my website store.  When asked for discount coupon type in the word       halloween

shop.debcanham.com

Please note that you will be charged shipping unless your final order total is over $100

 

Bear & Doll Show

Also I will be attending a Doll and Bear Show at Washington State Fairground, 110 9th Avenue SW, Puyallup, WA 98371

October 11 and 12 from 10 am - 3pm

for more info go to www.dolls4all.com

New Horizons

As many of you know I am no longer producing manufactured pieces in my line.  I do have a stock of some pieces although the majority are sold out.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 18 years and really feel it is time to move on to new horizons.  As you will see I am really going back to my beginnings.  I am only producing Original pieces and have completed my new book,` Making Miniature Animals` and also my first Tutorial and pattern `Pumpkin Dolls`. 

 I am making small editions of dragons, monsters, bears and dolls.  I am also producing some one of a kinds.  Basically I am having a blast.....I so needed to find myself again creatively.

 I am also still selling all my manufactured pieces and including some of my personal samples and hard to find old pieces and I  put them up on my Webstore on a regular basis.  

New Tutorial & Pattern `Pumpkin Dolls`

These two Pumpkin dolls measure 14 inches and are made of Osnaburg cotton.  I have produced a detailed tutorial on how to make these pieces and all their clothes. It includes a pattern for them and all their clothes.  It can be purchased on the link below.

http://shop.debcanham.com/

`How to Make Miniature Animals`

I firstly produced this as an Ebook which has worked very well for those overseas. It is now available in a printed format and can be found in my webstore shop.

 

Some Original One of a Kinds (some 14 inch)

 Some Original small Limited Editions

 Some One of a Kind 7 inch cloth dolls

 

Workshop Albuquerque, New Mexico May 30, 31 2014

May 30 and 31 2014 I will be attending a doll and teddy bear event in Albuquerque, New Mexico where I will be teaching a work shop to make the above `Baby Bunting`.  She was a special project I did with my sister Jane Davies.  Jane made the heads and I designed the body and outfit.  She measure 3.5 inches and the head is porcelain. The cost of the workshop is $98.00 dollars.

The event is organised by Dorothy Drake and more information about how much fun we are going to have there can be found on her website at

www.dolls4all.com

I cannot wait.

 

I have now completed my eBook and it is available for purchase and download from my webstore, just hit the `Buy Direct` button to get there.

This 95 page eBook covers all aspects of miniature bear making.  The book is directed at beginners through to experienced bear makers and many of the techniques used in miniature also apply to big bears and animals. There is a pattern for a 3.75 inch bear which can be adapted to a cat or rabbit with the additional patterns in the book.  There is also a 1.4 inch (3.5cm) pattern for a tiny dollhouse sized bear which is sewn mainly by machine.  How to sew by machine and by hand are both covered in this book. 

 Choices of fabrics and the benefits of each are discussed in detail along with the available threads and tools which are required.  The idea of turning very small pieces deters many people from trying miniature but with planning, the correct tools and the various methods which are in the book it can easily be achieved.  Also covered in the instructions are nose embroidering, setting in eyes and mouths and face finishing including needle sculpting and shaping.  Stuffing, one of the most important details of creating sewn toys is discussed in depth,

Having completed the small animal there are some ideas for costuming and accessorizing and some patterns to make dress, dungarees and pants. Pattern design is examined and the shapes of my various head patterns which have been used to make all sorts of animals from birds, to muzzled bears, to mice to rabbits are all shown.  Also discussed in the book are points of inspiration and where to find the ideas to make fun pieces  and how to progress on to other animals be they,  monsters, cloth dolls or Original bears.  I have shared my method of planning design. There is also a section on how to wire miniatures to give them that extra shape and detail.

Through out the book you will find tips which I have learned over the years.  My aim was to share everything I have learned in the last 25 years with artists today and also with people who just want to have fun making a miniature

January News

January always seems to be a crazy busy month.  I have updated the Web store with Spring items and orders over $95 will receive a free `Parsley` bunny, while stocks last.

I plan to have some Originals up on the web store on Saturday 1st February at 1pm and they will include some Cookie Cutters and some Prim Dolls and more.

I will be attending the Hugglets `Winterbearfest` at Kensington Town Hall, London On Sunday 23rd February, 2014.  Such a trip down memory lane for me since I lived around the corner in the late 70`s.  I am really hoping to launch my new book (which might only be on a CD depending on printing costs) called `Everything I know about Sewing Miniatures`.  The title says it all!

I hope everyone is staying dry and warm, the weather seems crazy.  It has been cold in Florida too but I hesitate to complain about it, or even mention it given the weather so many of you are having.