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Making of a Llama |
 Welcome
to my studio, the home of Alice's Animals. Here I design
and create the tiny creatures that fill the pages of the
catalog and gallery. The studio hides in a grove of pine
trees in rural northern Minnesota, and inspiration lies
just a few feet outside the many large windows. A young
deer naps under the grape arbor, squirrels and raccoons
misappropriate the seeds meant for the numerous birds, and
a bear leaves its giant pawprints on the studio door. Inspiration
is found indoors as well; I share the studio with my sister
Billie Barthelemy, who is a fine fiber artist in her own right. Though our works are different, we share a love for
fine detail and meticulous craftsmanship, and for the lifestyle
we've chosen.
Perhaps "chosen"
isn't exactly the right word, as my current work began over
twenty-five years ago as the result of a happy accident.
While attending college in preparation for a career in graphic
design, I decided to sew a Raggedy Ann doll for a friend
who had recently had a baby. I'd attempted in high school
to sew my own clothing, and though that attempt ended in
miserable failure I still had a very old treadle sewing
machine. I made the doll using rather non-traditional fabrics
and colors, and within days after presenting the gift I
found that I had "customers." In the months thereafter I
created every possible variation on the Raggedy style---lime
green clothing, long blonde hair, blue eyes, and finally
a black version which was purchased at a shop in Minneapolis
and taken home to England as a gift for Princess Margaret's
daughter. This was quite a thrill for a young college student,
and may have sealed my fate.
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 My
first subject from the animal world was a three foot tall stuffed
goose, which was a commission from the same Twin Cities gift
shop. It was made of a cotton print fabric, and had huge floppy
feet. After struggling through several of these, I realized
that the large size was, for me, unwieldy and somewhat intimidating,
and I designed a six-inch version of the goose, which was much
more to my liking. Ducks followed, and loons, and little horses
and teddy bears. A representative from LadySlipper Designs,
a cottage industry in northern Minnesota, saw my work, and asked
that I create a unicorn for them to sell. I agreed, and sewed
and sold hundreds of them. The original design was about six
inches tall, and it was made from white suedecloth, with a fluffy
yarn mane and tail. More little stuffed animals followed---rabbit,
squirrel, skunk---and as time passed, my designs grew ever smaller
and more detailed. My subject matter is endless; the world is
full of fascinating birds and beasts, and I continue constantly
to design new creatures for my menagerie. |
 I
begin the design process by drawing a simple animal profile
on paper. I cut out the shape and then draw matching pieces
that will make the animal three-dimensional. I then cut the
pieces from fabric, sew them together, and stuff the form that
results. Then begins a process of trial and error; if the shape
is not right, I re-draw whichever pattern piece appears out
of proportion and start over. Sometimes, though rarely, the
shape appears perfect on the first try. More often, I will have
to re-do it three or four times before I'm satisfied with the
result. Occasionally I throw it against the wall and give up.
When I'm finally happy with the basic shape, I begin to add
the details---ears, eyes, tail. Only then will I know if the
pattern I've created will do justice to the animal I'm attempting
to emulate. The very small scale demands perfection, as mistakes
are magnified, and an error of one sixteenth of an inch appears
very large. |
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 When
the basic design is completed I move on to producing the animals
for sale. My tools are very simple. I sew on an electric machine
that was made by Singer in the 1950's; it does nothing but
go forward and backward, and is perfect for my purposes. Scissors,
needles, pins, and a fine instrument for turning pieces right
side out after they are sewn are the basic tools of my trade.
I use mostly synthetic materials, as they allow me to work
with a very small seam allowance and will not unravel or rip
apart as easily as natural fibers.
I'd like to invite you
to follow me through a step-by-step creation of one of my
animals. I've chosen a llama, as it is a relatively simple
design which also shows the importance of detail.
Click
here.
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 In
recent years I've sold my little animals almost exclusively
at art fairs. This has made for an exciting marketplace as
well as a fascinating lifestyle, combining freedom with a
certain amount of insecurity. Both the cameraderie among the
artists and the input and praise from customers are inspiring
and fulfilling. My participation in these shows has blessed
me with a loyal group of people who collect my work. They
make their annual pilgrimages to my booth to add to their
collection, some of them carrying lists of pieces they already
have to avoid duplication. I greatly enjoy hearing their stories
about how they use and display the animals they purchase.
Some are tucked safely away, to be brought out only for special
occasions; to trim a Christmas tree, to celebrate the arrival
of spring or a special birthday. Others are displayed year-round
in shadow boxes or glass cabinets, and, in one case, under
a Mason pint jar. An especially tiny piece occasionally finds
its way into a dollhouse. Collectors with a playful nature
use stones, bits of moss, or any of a multitude of small objects
to create a little environment which brings the animals to
life.
And finally, a word about care
and feeding. Feeding your collection should present no problem,
but you may wish to exercise a bit of care to ensure that
your animals remain in pristine conditions for many years
to come. Try to display them away from direct sunlight, as
the colors may fade over time. I suggest keeping them out
of the reach of dogs and cats, as I occasionally hear tales
of tiny pet-related tragedies. Also, most of my animals are
not appropriate for small children and may be damaged by too
much enthusiastic handling. A piece of tape will remove dust
and lint, and some spots may be removed by rubbing gently
with a clean damp cloth. An ounce of protection is worth a
pound of cure, however, and I recommend that you protect your
collection in a cabinet.
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I hope you've enjoyed learning
a little about Alice's Animals. Thanks for visiting!
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Check out "Step-by-Step"---The
Making of a Llama >>
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