Finally a Needle Felter

My new needle felting tools
Clover pen style tool & mat
Arbee wool

    This week I finally, finally picked up a needle felting tool kit. After admiring the work of fellow doll makers who have been combining needle felting with their sewing, the time was right and I acquired the tools.

© Melissa Gaggiano
Needle felting test run

    One of the likeable aspects of the pen style tool is that it comes with three needles, which are removable. Depending on the type of needle felting you can use just one, two or three.

    I can hardly wait to try this on my next felt doll. Exciting stuff!

Turtle Time

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    High five! I just finished making another custom order Turbo Turtle. He's stitched, stuffed, boxed and ready to go to a new home. Hooray for turtle!

Watching Pidgin

    I am a huge fan of both the art doll, Pidgin, and her creator Joshua McKenney. And I am not the only admirer. On Instagram alone Pidgin currently has over 49 thousand followers. Not bad for a doll that has only been around a couple of generations [in doll years].

    Kate Emerson and Derek Amengual have produced a short film that focuses on the fan following that has evolved as a response to Pidgin. What I especially love about this film is the behind the scenes exposure to Joshua's doll making process.

    Without further ado, check it out!


PIDGIN from Kate Emerson on Vimeo.

Cherry Blossom World

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    You just know that spring is not far off when these flowers come into bloom.

© Melissa Gaggiano

Multiplying Turtles

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    The turtles are multiplying! I recently received two custom orders for these cute little Turbo Turtle art dolls, and now I am about to begin a third custom order. The turtle family is growing! 

    If you are interested in these turtles, there is a pre made one available in my Etsy store. Or if you wish to custom order one, simply drop me a line here.

The Vending Machine of Love

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    I just had the most wonderful idea. You know those vending machines that sell snacks and sodas. They are wickedly wonderful because who can say no to junk food sitting right there in your office.

    I was just thinking what a nice change it would be if there were alternative vending machines that provided cute, wee wonderful things that have been handmade with love, or miniature embroidery kits, miniature pin hole cameras, love poems, letters, and polaroid photos with little notes.

    These vending machines could be a destination for people who want to buy a special gift, or treat themselves on a lonely day. Imagine the joy such a vending machine could bring. Because there is no eating, you've got a vending 'thing' for life. A vending machine could become a 'love being human' experience.

Keep At It

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    Experimental doll making. Rough, but not as before.

© Melissa Gaggiano

    Each time you work at something, even if you think that what you are creating is crap and stupid, something happens in the brain. Connections are made. This, not that. Slow this down, add something else. You think you're not getting it, but your subconscious is.

Babushka or Bowling Pin

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    In less than 24 hours I created this this cloth babushka inspired doll - from pattern draft to finished stitch. She is both machine and hand stitched, and will be a birthday gift.

    When I was about halfway through creating this little doll I realised the potential for babushka doll bowling pins.

Turbo Turtle Strikes Again

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    Today I finished making another custom order for a Turbo Turtle. Turbo Turtle is ready to launch with boosted rocket power.

© Melissa Gaggiano