The Dolls of Jennifer St. Clair

Fellow writer Jennifer St. Clair is an artist of breadth. Just take a look at her craft-tastic website! Jennifer not only writes, but also makes jewelry, dolls, and crafts; gardens, and cooks. She is the mistress of many muses. In the tradition of Writer Tamago talking about the other lives of writers, Jennifer has kindly answered some questions about her unique dolls.

1. How did you get started making dolls?

The same way I started writing; I had a friend who started making dolls, and I thought it was an interesting hobby so I decided to start making dolls too.

2. Why do you make dolls?

Because I enjoy creating something three-dimensional out of fabric.

3. What materials do you use for your doll craft?

Lately, I've been recycling flesh-toned cashmere sweaters for the doll's skin (I buy the sweaters at thrift shops) and felted wool sweaters for clothing. I also have a decent selection of yarn for hair; I like my dolls to be both simple and complicated, if that makes sense.

4. Are your dolls for adults, children, or both?

Mainly for adults, although older children would probably not mistreat them. I have made dolls for children before, but I don't do it often.

5. Do your dolls have names?

Yes, of course! Normally, they name themselves as I'm working on them.

6. Where do you get inspiration for your dolls?

Everywhere! Although making a doll from start to finish isn't an entirely organic pursuit (I use patterns), they all tend to have their own personalities.

7. What other hobbies do you have?

I garden, dabble in photography, weave, go antiquing, crochet, and bake yummy bread. I am also a compulsive reader--of just about anything except for the Twilight books.

8. Characterize your writing a little bit.

I tell people I write rural fantasy, because I grew up in small town Ohio and that's what I'm more comfortable writing about versus urban fantasy, which is usually set in a city somewhere. I can't seem to get away from the subject of vampires (I've been fascinated by them for a long, long time.)

9. Do you feel your crafts and writing are linked? Why or why not?

My crafts stemmed from my desire to be a bit more well-rounded in my pursuits. For a long time, writing was *all* I did outside of school (I wrote my first novel when I was thirteen.) When I graduated from High School, I decided that I needed a few hobbies to accompany my writing career, and since I worked at a library, I had plenty of hobbies to choose from. I dabbled in this and that and whatever until something stuck. Later on, I instituted the rule that hobbies have to pay for themselves (at least in materials) so that I wouldn't end up completely broke.

10. Can people buy your dolls if interested?

At the moment, I don't have any dolls for sale, but I do sell them periodically on ebay and etsy. I am also available to make custom dolls.

Thanks, Jennifer! Best of luck in pursuing all your cool hobbies!

Originally published at Writer Tamago. You can comment here or there.

Grant and His Mom

Grant tumbled down the wooden stairs, passing the family portraits on the wall. He grabbed his coat from the hall stand, and crossed the soft carpet of the living room to the kitchen door. Peering round the doorway, he saw his mom flipping pancakes. “David’s on bowl patrol.”

“I knew that,” said Elin.

Grant smiled lopsidedly. “Come on, Mom,” said Grant. “Go with the illusion of normalcy.”

Elin lifted the bubbling batter with a blue plastic spatula. “Sure. How many pancakes do you want?”

Grant knew very well she knew. “Fifteen.”

“I saw you eating five. David’ll spill his orange juice, so I’d sit across from him if I were you.”

“Thanks for the tip.” Grant padded back across the living room, slipped his Adidas on, and headed out into the yard.

***

Word count remains about the same, because there was some whacking of dead wood.

11663 / 90000 words. 13% done!

Since I posted Jennifer's interview tonight, I'll work on photo galleries tomorrow. I have a day off work tomorrow, so I hope to get to some of that tomorrow night, because I'll be doing most of my drafting during the day.

Catherine

Originally published at Writer Tamago. You can comment here or there.