the ruby nest dolls ~ personalized keepsake dolls

Give Away!! Just for you!!!

2012-01-02T17:47:00.000-08:00

Dear sweet readers,

I have neglected this blog so desperately. And, yet you have stayed and haven't left me despite the fact that I only posted a few times during the entire last year. (I did also have a second baby who just turned one). Those of you here know that I LOVE to create dolls. Dolls that are, mostly, from found objects, old spools, vintage light cages, porcelain doll arms, old salt and pepper shakers...and then I hand paint their faces and sew their little clothes. But, I am also a painter and so I created this blog to keep the two separate. But I have found that painting and making dolls are so much a part of me that I would like to put them all together.

Whew! So, with that said, I will CLOSING this blog within the next month. But, NOT before I say THANK YOU with a lovely give away!!!

This little lovely was created from a very old wooden box with some lovely worn, red paint still on the sides and back. The body is 1 part old chandelier part, 1 part vintage child's toy block, 2 parts paper mache and fabric wings and 1 part hand painted wooden face. I have embellished the top and bottom with vintage lace, paper and old book pages. The entire piece stands 8" X 5". I have placed her next to my Christmas decorations for this picture but she isn't Christmas~y at all. There is wire attached to the back for hanging or you can place her on a shelf.

Okay, so all you have to do is come FOLLOW ME on my other blog! Just click here: The Ruby Nest , follow me and leave a comment on my other blog that you did so and you will be entered in this giveaway.

I promise that I will share all of my dolls with you, some paintings and a little bit of life too. And, the best part, is that this give away is just for the followers of this blog!

I would just LOVE if you all would join me over at The Ruby Nest where I am more able to share all of my creations with you and keep better track of comments, shared ideas, inspirations, etc!

Deadline to enter is January 14th, 2012!

Thanks again for sticking with me!

I hope you love this give away and will join me soon!

And, Happy New Year!!!

Julie

Please Meet Simonette, Emma and Miss Josie

2011-01-21T20:35:00.000-08:00

Greetings everyone!
I hope that each of you dear readers had a wonderful Holiday! We were blessed with a brand new baby boy on Dec. 11 which I am still thanking the Good Lord for. : ) For those of you that follow my art blog too you know that I love to paint girls with bird cage dresses. So, I have been searching long and wide for a way to simulate those cages from my paintings into my dolls. And, aha, an old, light bulb cage appears to have done the trick.

I used an old, wooden salt shaker for her body and a attached some porcelain, vintage doll arms.

Doll making has been such a pleasant journey for me. Much like painting, the process is constantly evolving and I have been trying to create dolls that I have seen in my paintings and in my dreams.

Vintage lace and buttons embellish the skirt.

This is sweet little Emma.

I love the material of her skirt...I have had it for some time and have never used it until today.

And, finally, Miss Josie. Her body is an old candlestick. I love how she turned out.

Thank you for your visit! Please come again when you can.
: )

New Dolls to Share!

2010-11-17T07:56:00.000-08:00

Okay...I'll say it: I've neglected this blog and all of you lovely followers!

I am truly sorry! But I do have Many little treasures to share with you today! Ive been hand painting dolls on wooden finials and then adding little skirts and, sometimes, like below, little, antique, porcelain doll arms.This is Miss Cora and Miss Greta. Miss Cora was a candle holder and Miss Greta; a pepper shaker. They have been re purposed into these sweet, lovely ladies. Miss Cora (below) is quite tall at about 8 & 1/2 ".
I have attached some vintage lace which I love for the rich detail. Vintage lace has become another fun obsession to collect.

And, Ms Greta's skirt has some hand sewn detail for a little extra color.

She has a definite presence this one with her little stout figure! She measures about 7 & 1/2 " high.

Below is another little lady I call Harvest Moon.

She is a little sweetheart. : )

And, finally, some Snow Garden Dolls. They are painted on heavy pine and have little vintage buttons attached for their flowers. They measure 6" and 9" in height.

They all have a crackle finish with a subtle antique wash.

The little Snow Garden Doll is my favorite. : )

All of these Dolls are currently available in my etsy shop if you would like to bring one home to live with you!

http://www.therubynest.etsy.com/

I truly hope this post finds everyone well, enjoying this lovely Fall season and preparing for a Thanksgiving filled with all to be thankful for.

Have a great week!
xx

New Prim Doll

2010-03-27T09:32:00.000-07:00

This was a commission that I just finished for the lovely Alyson of New England Living. Her blog is a visual delight....you should take a moment to visit her and see the beautiful photos that adorn her blog. I recently purchased a big lot of these little vintage brass bells made with white and red beads. I like the look of one hanging them from the dolls waist. I envision the girls using the bells when they are meandering through pastures and open plains calling the animals in for feeding time. : )
I have purchased, also, some beautiful vintage spring fabrics and I cant wait to use them.
I promise to check back soon with some more dolls. In the meantime, I hope you all are having a warm and creative weekend. : )

xxx

Blogiversary Give Away!

2010-02-25T09:02:00.000-08:00

How I have neglected you sweet readers and this blog! First, let me say thank you SOooOOOoooooOO much for following this blog! I have been painting like crazy and not making as many dolls but I promise to change that soon so that I can share and offer you all some new sweeties!

In the meantime I am having a give away on my other blog and I definitely wanted to share with you all! Just go to The Art & Life of the Ruby Nest

It's officially my one year anniversay and I will be drawing names for these two give away pieces on Sunday night. : )
A tea stained pillow with a vintage postcard by another artist and an original painting below by me. : )

Thank you for supporting this blog again! You all mean a lot to me!
xxx

Wedding / Anniversary Doll in Red....

2009-10-26T13:04:00.000-07:00

Approximately 9 X 3 " with pink petals around the face.

Personalized with initials and date this time but, again, can be personalized to say anything.

Wedding / Anniversary Doll is $48 (including custom initials, names, date, etc.) plus $9 S & H.

Soon to come.......

2009-10-25T09:15:00.000-07:00

Here are some rough sketches of the kinds of personalized dolls I will be offering here. They can all be personalized with names, wedding or birth dates, favorite quotes, etc. Each custom order will also include choosing the color(s) for your doll. As with all art, each doll will be slightly different and, although I will strive to make you very happy! : ), I will maintain artistic license over the finished product...but, don't worry, I don't think you'll be disappointed!(Click on each picture to see design more clearly)

The Wedding Day/ Anniversary Doll will have a bird cage skirt with white doves and can be personalized on the back with your names and wedding date...just the date, your initials...whatever you'd like.

An example of one I made for me...

The Mother/ Grandmother doll is for us, for our friends, sisters, mothers, whomever! The doll will also have a bird cage skirt with a baby inside the bassinet and can be personalized on the back with babies name, birthday, weight and height, again, whatever you'd like...

Of course, a Tooth Fairy Doll which, after their little teeth are all gone, can be used to hold an assortment of one's favorite treasures...

And, a simpler version without arms...

I have included rough prices but they may be subject to change depending upon the order.

Each custom order will take 1-2 weeks to complete.

More importantly, I really love making these dolls and hope you all will enjoy them as much as I enjoy making them!

The Ruby Nest Dolls is currently under construction but will be up and running by

November 14th, 2009.

I will try to add a few more designs and samples of each doll for you to see each detail more clearly so.....

Thanks for peeking & please come back!!
xxx, Julie