Your Company Name: Dolls by Janie
Email Address/Web Page: Scotsman@ aol.com
City & State: New Orleans area
Type of Craft: Polymer Sculpted Dolls
Tell us in your own words, how you discovered polymer clay and how long have you been using it?
I discovered it years ago when a friend gave me some that she
had bought to experiment with, and decided she didn't like sculpting, and
said she knew I would like it, and I do.
Are there any special artists that you can attribute your interest to or that have inspired you?
No one in particular, however, last Summer I did visit
Hildegard Gunzel's studio when I was in Germany on vacation, and especially
love her style.
What is your specialty?
I started with pretty dolls in beautiful costumes(mostly of
antique and old garment fabric) and decided there were enough of them and
mine weren't really special. So, I started to make fairies, and they have gone
over really well and are fun to do.
Can you tell us why you find polymer clay the expressive medium for you?
I love sculpting and this gives me the opportunity to do my
work at home in my small townhouse and bake in regular oven and isn't messy.
Have you published any polymer clay books or do you have any in the works?
No.
I know it is very difficult to express, but have you won any awards for your polymer clay work?
I entered my first show at the suggestions of friends in my
Artist Guild Group last April in New Orleans at the Landmark Hotel(annual
show there). I entered 3 dolls in 3 different catagories and won three 2nd
place ribbons on them. I was thrilled because that same day I also sold 4
dolls. I have only been to one show since but plan to hit more of them in
the Fall.
What are your expectations for the future? Where do you hope to be 5 years from now?
I love what I make, and it is like therapy now for me to have
a couple dolls going. I'd really like to sell more dolls and maybe some
day be discovered for a special doll to sell to a large manifacturer. If
this doesn't happen then I feel like I'll always be making them for someone
5 yrs from now.
Do you have any advice for the beginning polymer clay enthusiasts?
Just experiment and ENJOY!
Are you a member of any Polymer Clay group,or any other craft
organization?
No.
What brands of polymer clay do you prefer and why?
Super Sculpey because it is more pliable.
Last and most important can you tell us all about you? Your family, your
training?
I am retired at the request of my loving and supportive
husband. I worked for 28 years as a hairdresser and ran my own business and
raised a lovely daughter alone for thirteen years. When she went to college
it was time for mom to find a companion and start a new life as well as she
did in her adulthood. I certainly didn't have time before 1990 to
concentrate on much except mothering and my business and family. I did
always take time for art classes because it has been a special interest
since childhood. I got married, moved 1000 miles from all my family and
friends and started a new life here in N.O.. I'm very happy and travel
frequently with my husband overseas when he has work projects there. I started
the dolls because I had made soft sculpture dolls for the past 20 years
when I found the time and usually gave them as gifts. So I have had an
interest in dollmaking since early 70's. I'm 55 yrs. old now and its time
to start a new career I have too many ideas not to !
