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Rivkah Rosenfeld - Becky Rivkah Rosenfeld
"Becky- Beautiful Baby of Jerusalem"

Rivkah Rosenfeld - Becky


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Starts: Ongoing by request
Class Fee: $10 YES that is right only $10
Kit fee: No Kit required Skill Level: Intermediate-Advanced
To register for this class click HERE.
CLASS DESCRIPTION

Becky- Beautiful Baby of Jerusalem 2007 By Rivkah Rosenfeld

Becky is a cloth version of a vintage Arranbee (R&B) doll. She was inspired by a lady in Jerusalem who had approached me with a very important task: restore her childhood doll. It's easy to see why this doll has been so well loved!

                

RESTORATION To restore the doll, I took the original body apart and traced around it to redraw the pattern on paper. Much of it was decrepit, so there was guesswork and room for 'originality.' It is a very interesting pattern, and not easy to assemble. At one point when I was sewing the new body, I got scared that I would not be able to remember what to do again. I have to use the old pattern and match up needle holes in order to solve the puzzle! Here's a peek at what I was working with:

I fell in love with this doll. Therfore, I decided to make a new baby. While I already had the antique body pattern, I needed to recreate the whole doll in cloth- even the solid parts and the baby- shaped head. I chose to work in doe suede, and also tried the same doll in feld. The result: an exact duplicate.

QUALITY ENGINEERING I invented a special "joint" form paperclay so the cloth counterparts could be "inserted" into the body, like the original. They are actually held in place with wire. See how they actually weigh the arms and legs down? Just like the real McCoy!

Becky's face is done in a way that keeps the original doll in mind as much as possible. The face was digitally photographed and subsequently altered with Adobe Photoshop, to get a black and white pencil sketch. The sketch was then converted again so only the shadows and facial landmarks show. Print this onto inkjet photo transfer paper, and you've got a perfect foundation for a true vintage baby face.

            

I'll show you how to paint the face and build up color, layers and details using Genesis Artist Oil Paints or traditional Fine oil Paint.

The hair is painted right onto the doll. Have fun making whimsical baby pin curls!

Finally, there is a simple yet elegant, versatile dress pattern that can be made with delicate heirloom fabrics or whimsical cotton prints.

Because the hair is painted right on and the dress can be made with whatever you like, Becky is suitable as a gift for that special little girl- and she will certainly be cherished forever. Or, clothe her in rich, intricate heirloom textiles and make her a beautiful work of art.

This class took me nearly a year to develop. It is very detailed, and there is definitely something here for everyone. From the most advanced doll makers looking for new ideas and interesting techniques to casual dollmakers and experienced sewers wanting to create an heirloom gift, Becky is easy to fall in love with. She is truly fabulous, and I love her. I'm sure you will, too.


Rivkah Rosenfeld Rivkah is a mixed media doll artist residing in Seattle, WA. Having lived in Israel for five years, she and her family relocated back to Seattle in the summer of 2007. A lighting designer by profession, Rivkah is certified by the American Lighting Association and works in the corporate location of a large online lighting retailer based in Kirkland, WA. She consults with commercial businesses, general contractors, architects, interior designers and homeowners, providing detailed lighting plans and educating folks about the importance of good lighting and energy conservation.

While in Israel, Rivkah was unable to work in her field and so she had the great opportunity to develop her artistic skills and create a niche for herself in the dollmaking world. It was a memorable five years indeed, a very significant time in her life for which she considers herself fortunate. Presently, Rivkah belongs to a Doll club in WA, and looks excitedly forward to the meeting each month. "Doll art is a very important part of my life. They represent who I am, because I put my deepest creativity into them- my feelings, emotions and my inner self. I spend so much time thinking about lighting and other people's creative needs- I guess dolls they are like my personal inner beacons of light."

Rivkah's dolls have been exhibited around Israel and in the US. She is a frequent publisher in Soft Dolls and Animals Magazine, and her dolls have made guest appearances in Art Doll Quarterly Magazine as well as books by Patti Medaris Culea and Li Hertzi. Rivkah's greatest source of encouragement is her husband Ariel, who greatly appreciates and encourages her and her artistry.

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