Coffee Break, Masks and Other Challenges

In things that have been happening:

© Gwen Gaggiano

My eldest has offered to paint my portrait if I can go a month without drinking coffee. I'd love to have my portrait painted, but I don't know if I can sustain myself through caffeine withdrawal. I mean, my aim in life is to be less grumpy, and I can only imagine what the lack of caffeine might do. Perhaps the trick is to build it up – go one day without coffee, then have a coffee the second day. Two days without, one day with. Et cetera, et cetera!

Felt craft: The Legend of Zelda – Link with Bunny Mask;
Deku mask; Majora's mask.

My husband's birthday is just around the corner and I made him a headband. No, really!  I did. For a bit of context, years ago I made him a LOZ Link doll. Each year after that I make an accessory to go with the doll. So far I've made a Deku mask, and Majora's mask. This year I made the bunny headband mask. I'm thinking that one day we will need to build a treasure chest to store these pieces. Perhaps it can look like an actual LOZ chest.

© Melissa Gaggiano

My doll design development continues, as always. Working with armature, continued improvements to the pattern with each new doll. This week I have been exploring wig hair. Playing with a synthetic weft, as well as a needle felted hairdo. My next step is designing shoes and a crochet top for the blue haired doll. The crochet top is a massive challenge as I am experimenting with a super fine crochet hook and embroidery thread. Might work, might not! We'll see!

Ballet Meets Burlesque

© Melissa Gaggiano

The unveiling of my latest BJD concept. A nod to the Snow White fairy tale this doll is wearing a crystalline outfit made of emeralds and sapphires. I call her Snowdrop.

The concept is a little ballet and a little burlesque. In fact I could picture Dita Von Teese wearing a stage costume like this.

A Week of Bees

© Melissa Gaggiano

The world speeds up, and I find myself slowing down. Or so it seems. When I check the date I am surprised to find that it is not May. I could have sworn it was, and yet here I am, the year almost complete. How quickly it goes, huh.

The past couple of weeks Spring has started to kick in. The bees are buzzing around, and for the first time I look at having a flowering garden as more than an aesthetic pleasure. When the heat of summer kicks in I'll put out little bowls of water so the bees have something to drink.

You can find my latest craft tutorial over at My Poppet. This one is a cute spin on the tooth fairy pouch.

my poppet.com.au

In October I debuted as a contributor for Handmade magazine. How cute is that Santa doll on the cover?

Handmade 36-6

In other neat stuff: I am devoted to to Joshua David McKenney's Pidgin dolls. On the Pidgin fan Facebook page, people were invited to suggest a Halloween costume illustration for Pidgin. Guess who had the winning suggestion... Yep! It was me! I suggested The Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz.

@pidgindoll

Handmade Feature

Handmade 36-6

The latest issue of Handmade is landing. I am so proud to announce that I am one of the featured contributors for issue 36-6. Look for it at local news stands and check out my Santa doll design.

Magnifique Bleu

Doll design
© Melissa Gaggiano

When things are quiet here, it usually means I am being busy in other departments. The past several weeks have been devoted to new design development. One of those designs happens to be this new armature prototype.

I am proud of all that has been achieved, but with this new design I feel I have reached a tall peak. Here's to today's success, and to the next mountain.

Plagg, Claws Out!

my poppet.com.au

Well, look at that! There's a DIY Chat Noir costume over at My Poppet. Just in time for Halloween. One of the neat things about this costume is that it can easily come together with bits and pieces from around your home.

Spring into these Digital Prints

© Melissa Gaggiano

For all you scrapbooking and paper craft champs out there: I've designed a couple of print sets for you. The great thing about this product is that it's a digital download. That means you can buy it now, print it now (no waiting for it to arrive in the mail).

And so you ask, where might I find these wonderful prints?

Look no further than my Etsy store.

Lovers

© Melissa Gaggiano

Wonderful news! A select few original water colour pieces are available in my Etsy store. There's a little something for everyone – mamas, caffeine addicts and the fashion forward. So head on over to my little shop and find something to love forever.

Somewhere over the...

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Wonderful this! I love a rainbow, and I never met a person who didn't like one. So in honour of the big, beautiful rainbow I came up with this charm design, the perfect accessory to brighten your world. Heaven knows we need more rainbows in the sky. To see the tutorial simply visit My Poppet.

Fathers Day Commission

The Banker
© Melissa Gaggiano 2017
Private commission – water colour

I was commissioned to create this water colour piece for Fathers Day. Naturally the unveiling took place yesterday.

This morning the client gave me a shout out from the other side of the street. With both thumbs up she declared the art piece "a big hit". A satisfied customer! What a fantastic way to start the week, hey.