BUYING ARTWORK
Q: There is nothing available in your shop - do you have any hidden inventory I could buy?
A: No - I only list items in the shop when I have items to sell. I try to do sales at least 6x a year (see the "Purchase" page).
Q: How will I know when you have items for sale?
A: Follow me online. When I have items for sale, I will announce the sale at least a week beforehand. You can follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or this blog. If you'd like to get blog updates by email, fill out the "Follow Blog By Email" box on the left hand column of the blog. I don't do surprise sales, I always announce them in advance.
Q: Do you do commission work?
A: Sometimes. I'd like to do more in the future, but right now, I'm a bit too busy to take them on.
Q: How much are your dolls?
A: It depends on the size and complexity. My "regular size" Dust Bunnies (the cloth bodies with clay faces that are about 11" tall) are usually in the $500 - $600 range. Pumpernickels are generally around $400 - $450, and the very tall ones (24" high, usually with lots of detail) start around $1000. I make edition dolls (a limited run of the same design, more simple fabric body, with a painted cast-resin face) that are in the $100 - $150 range.
GENERAL
Q: This person on Ebay/Etsy/the internet is totally ripping you off!
A: Yeah, I know....unfortunately, there's not much I can do about it, except use any emotional energy I have from that fact to propel me forward, and make more things, better! I've been doing this for years and they probably have not, so I have the advantage ;)
Q: Did you get my email? I haven't heard back.
A: I may have, I'm sorry. I have such a huge influx of emails, comments, questions, and inquiries every day that they sometimes fall through the cracks. I don't have an assistant, so I do the best I can.
Q: Where do you get the supplies you use to make your dolls? What are your resources? Why don't you ever answer these questions on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter!?
A: I buy some, and make some. The unfortunate circumstance of so many people imitating my art and selling it makes it inadvisable for me to share my sources. Aside from that, there are a lot of different "behind the curtain" scenarios at play - it takes time to build relationships with suppliers and production houses, and I have worked hard to build these relationships. The basic fact is that, while I love to share what I do with the world, in the end, it is a business, and like any business-owner, I feel it's in my best interest to keep some information close to the vest. I promise it's nothing personal, just a business decision I made long ago.
Q: What's the difference between following you on Twitter and Facebook?
A: I tend to share slightly different things across the social networks. Here's an approximate breakdown -
• Twitter: pictures from Instagram, retweets from related businesses, personal rants
• Facebook: almost entirely art/business related. Links to blog, photos from Instagram.
• Instagram: mix of art and life. iPhone snapshots, works in progress, current life events.
• Tumblr: extension of Instagram and blog, all art/business related.
• Blog: high quality photos, mix of art and life, personal philosophy, things I enjoy
Q: Can I get a tattoo of your work?
A: Sure! I have some requests however - Please do your research and choose a reputable and talented artist, send me a picture of the result, and please credit me as the original designer when you show the internet pictures of your awesome new tattoo!
Q: Will you show at my gallery?
A: I probably won't be able to - I'm really paring down the number of gallery shows I do every year. There are a lot of reasons behind this, but the main reason I don't show at tons of galleries is that it just takes so much of my time to do one piece here, two pieces there, that I feel it isn't the best expenditure of my time. Much of my time is already planned up, and I'm using much of that time to build my brand, expand my product offering, and put on incredible shows.
BLOG
Q: May I use your photos on my blog/Pinterest/social media page?
A: Yes, but please keep my watermark intact and provide a credit and link back to me. It's just proper internet etiquette!
Q: What kind of camera do you use for your photos?
A: I use the built-in camera on my iPhone for many of the photos I use for social media. I edit using the VSCO app, which is my favorite, and sometimes Camera+. For most of my blog posts and all of my professional art photography, I use a Canon 60D. I mostly use a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens. Any photos taken with my DSLR get edited with Photoshop.
PERSONAL
Q: Is this really what you do for a living?
A: Yes, but it wasn't always so. I worked for a large greeting card company for over 8 years, and also owned/operated a soap and perfume company. I decided to focus solely on my artwork just a few years ago.
Q: Is this what you studied for in school?
A: Yes and no - I have a BFA in Graphic Design. I went to art school, but it was not for sculpting or dollmaking; those things I taught myself as I went along. I use the fundamental skills and theories I learned getting my Design degree all the time though, and had I to do it again, I think I would still choose the same educational path.
