Doll Prototype drying, by Tammy Vitale

Here’s the challenge:

Name the line that this doll will lead off (i.e., like the Women line).  The green crinkly paper to the right of her will be her hair.  She is 9.5" tall (and the 2nd one I made is closer to 10" tall), flat, except for her head.  The holes are for an integral hanger and will have beads over the wire in the front and each piece will get a necklace that matches the beads.  The skirt decoration will be different on each piece and each will be individually hand made.

I want something like a Kitchen Witch – and a story to go along with it.  The person who gives me the winning idea or an idea that sparks the final line name for me gets this 1st piece prototype.  I get permission to use the name you think up for the line and all or part of the story that goes along with the line.

I’ll hold this open until the end of February 24th.  By then this first piece will be finished.  I’ll publish a photo of her and her companion when they are fired.

You can respond here in comments or send me an email directly with "Naming" in the subject line:  belletamaam@hotmail.com

I know I have a creative bunch here and am looking forward to responses!

Meanwhile, here’s a picture of the raku vase where it blew out while getting bisque fired.  Such is life.  I’m still going to glaze and try rakuing and see if I can make something out of it anyways.  Yes, that’s its bottom sitting next to it.  Back to the drawing board!

Busy day starting with physical therapy if it isn’t snowing (I’m preposting), then meeting for lunch with a fellow artist who is also a buyer of my work and has taken a mask making class with me.  I’m really looking forward to seeing her studio.

In the afternoon, I plan to start glazing the 5 new Women I’ve made in the past two days (Women X – IV).  And maybe another piece to the tall thing I’m making (I sure to wish it would name itself, but I guess I have to give it something to name before that happens, so tall thing it is until something better comes up).

thought for the day:  The feast of the Celtic goddess Bridget (February 2) occurs midway through the winder [hey – we’re midway through the winter!].  It honors the return of the light.  Metaphorically it reminds you that the infant sun that was "born" at the winter solstice is now six weeks old and its presence is becoming more obvious.  The days are growing longer, lifting the spirit.  You might even begin to look at seed catalogs and plan your garden.

The spiritual theme is about planting a new virtue.  Topics for reflection are:  What spiritual seed are you planting this year??  What do you hope to cultivate within yourself?  What gets stirred up inside of you as you till the field?  What are some weeds (old ways of thinking) that will have to go?  A planting ritual using small milk cartons for flowerpots is fun.  As you place your seed in the dirt, you are symbolically planting your spiritual garden.