He thought of it first.

We celebrated July 4th at Dwayne's. He lives right on the beach we had an excellent view of 5 different firework displays. They were not to be out done by this display of raw talent though.

I was very productive this weekend. I've loaded quite a few items into my Etsy shop. There is some clothing and some new dolls. Here are the new girls. Clockwise from top left:

Lilac, Aster, Azalea and Marigold.

Aren't we just dolls?

Dear Dwayne had the brilliant idea to use my doll's heads for our disco video. So here we are doing our routine again. We are just getting better and better wouldn't you say?

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And here they are.....

Clockwise from upper left. Kiele, Charlotte, Emmaline and Clementine. Yes indeed. I have finally listed some dolls in my Etsy shop. I will be adding even more dolls and other items throughout the week.

Disco Stars

Dwayne and I are getting pretty good at our disco routine I'd say.

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New feet and a good fit

When I started making shoes to fit my dolls I went through many styles to find a workable one. I make a curved foot on my dolls. This means there is a seam running down the front and back of their legs to accommodate the foot angle. I used to make the type of foot that is stitched up at an angle. I found that not only didn't I like that particular process, I didn't care for the finished look. So for many years I have been making this type of foot:



Cute? Yes. I think so. Does fit in a shoe well? Not really.

So I put pencil to paper yet again to make a foot that fits the shoe. I am so happy with the end result. The foot looks more even and rounded. The toe box is fuller and a bit more realistic (not that realistic was the goal). So here is my new doll foot:



and



The shoes fit great now!

Now I realize this is not Earth shattering news and will not change the world but it does mean that I will be making a lot more doll shoes and most of my dolls will now come with shoes.

Other doll news-

As of July, I will be taking very few custom orders. I am reversing the way I run my business. Instead of relying on custom orders to flow in (they do thank goodness!), I am going to be providing mainly in stock dolls and accessories. This means that when you make your purchase the item(s) will ship right away. No waiting. If you see the doll that matches your wants or needs that will be the time to act. If you want to send me suggestions for the type of dolls you would like to see me stock the please feel free to do so.


I am so grateful for all of the support you all have given me in ordering your custom dolls. I feel as though I am always behind though. With this new way of working, I can surprise you with new styles and ideas that flow through me. I will be stocking my Etsy shop regularly beginning in July. I will post updates here.

And now for something completely different.

and...






I got a thing for Jarabe de Palo.

When I grow up......

Well I am working on it.

I remember a long ago notion that I would ease into a "style" of dress as I matured. I have always had an idea of what I like in clothing and it has stayed fairly consistent. As it turns out though, my "style" has turned out to be more like what a 12 year old boy from the 60's might wear. If I were just to throw something on in the morning, without a thought it will be jeans, a t-shirt and a pair of sneakers. Even my sneakers look like little boy shoes. If I need something a little dressier, I put on a nicer t-shirt and pair of jeans.

So I am going to begin to pay more attention to my garb. Keeping my penchant for casual style, natural fiber and low to no print, I am going to begin building my sorry excuse for a wardrobe. I have found website filled with inspiration here. Feminine, comfortable and great fabrics.

It is like "12 year old boy style" crossed with "grown woman with income style". I know that sounds creepy but we are just talking clothing here not actual people!

It is very unlikely that I will order from this store but I am a seamstress that knows her way around a fabric store. These boots, though, may need to come and live with me someday.

Candlelight and the Canine

As I was looking through the photos that have been down loaded into my computer, this little set caught my eye. My middle child, Olivia, is a prolific photographer. She is also a dog owner. Her border collie/aussie mix, Abby Blue, is completely devoted to her mama.

Olivia - The giver


Abby - The reluctant givee. A bath by candlelight?


I do wonder if she got a mani/pedi after the spa treatment. (please disregard the disgusting grout around the tub)


eta)I was informed just today that this was a "Valentine Bath" for Abby. Special indeed!

What is different about this page?

Hey there. I am alive and well and have no reasonable excuse for my absence. So here is a quick update:

1. I am changing the look of Moonchild. New logo. New labels (soon) and new printed materials. I want to have a recognizable logo and I love red/white polka dots (who doesn't?).

2. Given our slight reprieve from the CPSIA debacle, I am re-focusing my efforts on wholesale. I am accepting custom orders for now and I will give plenty of notice if the time comes where I no longer do custom work. I can see cutting back on it but it is doubtful I will stop all together.

3. I just got back from a week in San Diego. It was an actual vacation. I got to spend time with my family and friends. Delicious! Re-entry into "real life" has been a little slow.

4. I am working at Island Angel Chocolates . The shop is owned by our friend Mona. My daughter Julia works there as well. Julia is affectionately known as "Grasshopper" in the shop. It provides me with much needed socializing and an opportunity to connect with my community. I have spent the past year and a half holed up in my studio.

I am looking forward to Spring and making loads of new dolls and toys.

Springtime Mushroom Moondrops

As we ponder the future of handmade toys, I have decided to carry on with business as usual. I have faith that the kinks will get worked out. I am beginning to stock my Etsy shop with some new Springtime items. Here is the first round. Full size dolls and some other new surprises are soon to follow.

Thankful

2008. What happened? It seems as though you just arrived. I am curious about why our perception of time changes as we age. I have had a busy, full year and it seems to only have taken a moment to pass. I see such possibilities for 2009. In my business life and my personal life.

With the advent of the new year, I will be doing a re-work on how I run my little doll making venture. I am so fortunate to be able to spend my days (and many nights!) doing what I love and feeling the joy and appreciation when the finished product lands in the hands of its recipient. I will be changing my focus a bit for next year though. I will be paring down my availability for custom orders and spending more time on building my wholesale accounts. More on this in the future.

I have been parenting my entire adult life. Almost 28 years ago my dear baby Amber made her appearance. Darling Olivia and Sweet Julia arrived a decade later (13 months apart). Through the bulk of these years, I have been a single parent. While this has not been an easy row to hoe, I am so pleased to see how these wee babes are becoming the type of people that will be a positive addition to our world. They are funny, intelligent, self knowing and they still love their mom! I used to say that my parenting goal was that my children would still want to know me when they became adults. I believe I have accomplished this and so much more. These 3 young women are now 27, 17 and 16. The youngest 2 are sneaking up on the end of high school and all three are gainfully employed. I am very thankful indeed!

Having parenting be my focus for so long, I have put my personal life on hold. As you may have seen in a certain previous post , I know that I am ready to begin looking at the possibility of having a companion in my life. I have become re-acquainted with a long time, very dear friend and the exploration has begun!

I have so much to be thankful for. Incredible parents (my father is gone but his love and lessons are with me daily), wonderful children, great friends, a full happy and healthy life and a bright future.

I wish the absolute best for all of you

Moondrop Pocket Purse

These little wool purses are making me smile so much. They are made with hand dyed, 100% wool felt and cotton binding. The European ribbon comes from Bunte Fabrics (of course!). The purse is 5.5" x 5.5" and fits a wee Moondrop just so nicely.
I have 5 red purses listed in my Etsy shop. More colors are just around the corner.

Moondrops! Moondrops! Moondrops!

A Moondrop is a wee 4" doll that is perfect for all ages. They are at home in lunch baskets, pockets, chubby little hands, doll houses, toy cars and, of course, on your holiday gift list. They are made with 80%/20% cotton/poly velour, wool, and cotton tricot. They are hand washable and prefer to be washed in the bathtub with their human companion if possible.
I am offering free worldwide shipping on all Moondrops through the end of 2008 and a discount on the purchase of multiples.
All colors are available and you have your choice of skin tones. Peach, Golden (shown above), Caramel and Dark Cocoa.
Click on the picture above for a larger view of the Moondrops.

1 Moondrop - $10
2-6 Moondrops - $9 each
7-12 Moondrops - $8.50 each
13+ Moondrops - $8.00 each

Choose your favorite colors and E-mail me at:
berrie@moonchildhandworkstudio.com

I'm here. Really I am.

With all that I do, this poor little blog seems to be the neglected pet project that gets the last drop of attention I can muster up. So here is a quick update.

1. I am furiously sewing. Many dolls and clothing sets. See my Flickr page for a some new creations.

2. I am the lucky owner of a brand new set of brakes. Woo hoo! So that grinding sound won't going to go away on it's own? Really?

3. New wiper blades are an amazing thing. I didn't even know how crappy my last set of blades were till the new ones were installed. WOW!

4. 3 daughters living at home. 2 out of 3 have boyfriends. 1 ex-boyfriend is here daily. So I have gone from feeding 3 girls that eat like birds to 6 people. 3 boys! Do you how much boys can eat? Shouldn't they come with warning labels? Everyone has a job at least and pitches in. Now if the dish fairy would move in then we would be set.

5. I went to an actual dinner party this past Saturday. The table was set and everything! Hors d'oeuvres, wine, cloth napkins. Fun and interesting people. It was even off the island. Very cool indeed.

6. We don't have television. I love the fall line up of shows though. CSI, The Mentalist, House, Dirty Sexy Money (my favorite right now), Numb3rs, Criminal Minds....I could go on. The networks show full episodes on their websites. I can watch what I want, when I want. A few short commercials and no cable bill. An addict will always find a way!


Well, thanks for checking in. I will be posting a new batch of dolls on Etsy in a week or so. Take a peek and see if there is something on your holiday shopping list.

I come out of the shadows to be seen!

Yes! I am a real person. See? This is not a photo of a one of my dolls. I can take blurry pictures of myself. Such talent! Even though my photography sucks, you can see the thingy in my right eye. I have a pterygium. I know what you're thinking. Oooh! How exotic. Berrie is soooo cool! She has a pterygium. Well here's how you can get one too. First it helps to be a fair skinned person. Then, grow up in Southern California or other very sunny place. And most importantly, do not under any circumstances wear sunglasses. This "eyesore" (ha! ha!) does not bother me but it is on the move and may need to be removed someday. I know......lucky me!

Meet Pippa

This is darling Pippa. She is an 18" tall Moonchild Doll. While she loves her pink, Pippa is no girly girl. She is a tree climber and a Pogo Stick champion. She has been known to take her Moondrop out of her bag to make room for a frog or two. Pippa loves animals of all kinds and she would like to be a professional dog walker when she grows up. Pippa is available in my Etsy shop. (eta) Pippa is actually now off to her new home in Georgia.

Open for Custom Orders

While working out my holiday schedule, I have decided to accept custom orders again. Using the list to the right, you can see the sizes, prices and the details I will need. I have sets on my Flickr page that show the variety of Moonchild Dolls and Full Moon Babies. I am wrapping all holiday shippments by Dec. 7th so you are assured of having your new Moonchild doll in time for your holiday celebration. E-mail me with any questions or requests. berrie@moonchildhandworkstudio.com

A Photog I am not!

I just spent 4 wonderful days in my hometown of Solana Beach, CA. I went to a long standing (25 years or more) August Birthday Bash with loads of family and friends. I ate great food. I had a facial. I stayed with my mom and she took me shopping here and close to doubled my wardrobe.
I took a total of 4 pictures!
I mean really. What's up with that? Not only that, I took 2 of the same flower and 2 of my mom in the same spot. This would be very big indicator that photojournalism is not one of my talents. So here are the best two of my four pictures.

My mom, Billie. I won't say how old she is but I'm 46 and she was not a teenager when she had me. You do the math. She is quite an inspiration to me and I am one lucky girl to have her. This photo is of her in the gateway to her courtyard. It is the house I grew up in and it keeps looking better and better. Nice!

Inside the courtyard is a climbing, viney plant thingy and these incredible flowers bloom on it. They open in the early morning, close in the evening and and then "adios" they are done. Maybe a half a dozen or so bloom each day.

The Ringmaster

Live in a circus? Need a new Ringmaster? How about this little guy? He will be available on Venus Vanguard Thursday night.