Lady Grace, or "What Have I Gotten Myself Into Now!"
11/16/98
I am about to start one of those projects that I will probably, somewhere in the midst, wonder why I ever had such an idea in the first place! For those who know of Lady Grace, little more need be said. For those who don't, let me take you on the start of this adventure with me.
The mold for Lady Grace is from an antique mannequin made by Cashmire Bru, one of the great French dollmakers of times past. She was originally used to display fine clothing and very few remain intact today. Grace, christened thus by the maker of the reproduction mold, is approximately 5'2" -- give or take depending upon the construction of the cloth body -- with porcelain head, breast plate, legs and arms. The mold itself, and the greenware therefrom, are available today to the serious dollmaker.
And serious one must be to attempt a project of this scale, though I cannot really be considered a dollmaker. I have only dabbled in the process up to now and, even with this doll, I am certainly not doing the pouring or firing or cleaning. A lovely friend has the mold and the kiln big enough to fire the pieces. She also has the body pattern and the experience with making this doll, all of which she has graciously offered to share. My cohort in crime, the one who actually talked me into this, also has years of know-how and we are each working on our own version of Grace.
With all this help, I can't really take credit for actually producing her, but at least I'll have a hand in the process. I am going to do the painting, put her various parts together, add the wig and eyes, and grandly adorn her in people-size finery. From what I have been told, this in itself is a major undertaking. Surrounded by life-sized body parts, I'm feeling rather like Dr. Frankenstein!
Every time I have taken a 42" Rustie doll to a show or the shop, my husband has had to help me stand it up and put the hat on -- thank heaven for tall gentlemen! Grace is going to be every bit as tall as I am -- taller than my crazy friend who is making one of her own -- and I can just imagine trying to lug her about and get her situated in a life-like demeanor. This ought to be loads of laughs!
The film is in the camera and I shall document this little adventure step by step. Give me some practice and I might just be turning these out for sale by next Christmas. Can you imagine the size box one would need? Rather like mailing a coffin! Updates on The Project as we progress -- and if we live through it . . .
