Nice words and now a challenge

[susandennis]

I just got this email from the bear/doll adoption agency lady who has never sent me an email before. So I was shocked when I got it and delighted when I read it. But, now I've got to get creative!

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Hi Susan!

I got a call from a nurse that's using your dollies a LOT. The kids are thrilled with them & they're a great help to her with her caseload. (Most of her patients are CPS cases & being given a dolly really helps---especially if the child is being removed from the home for cause.) Her question was if it's possible to get some of the dollies to look like African-American, Asian-American and/or Native-American kids? (Also boys!) I told her that I could ask. I have no idea just what all goes in to the creative process, so having changes made might take some time.

Your dollies & Teddy Bears are a great help & are used every day in crisis circumstances that the littlest children are found in every day. It's not that there is any kind of a "rush" on this. She's just asking if there is a possibility of adapting the dollies to the minority needs of some of the kids. (The ones with the pink & blue hair are wildly popular!) Your dolls & Bears are sturdy & cuddly & take quite a bit of the hard use that little kids can give toys.

Anyway, the nurse also asked me to pass on her deepest thanks for your creative genius. You've helped so many kids. She's just hoping that more will be able to be helped if some "special modifications" can be added to what you already are making up. What do you think? No rush---just think on it & let me know. Thanks mucho! :-)

As always,

Jeannie Jaybush
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I've not tried any other ethnicities because it just felt kind of weird for white me to do. I don't mind exaggerating/characterizing little white girl dolls, but it didn't seem respectful to dip my toe where I got no skin. But, now I feel like I've been given a bit of a license. So, I'll give it a go. And I do need to love those get more boys in the mix.

I love that the funky colored hair is a hit. I love those my own self!

So... tomorrow, it's off to the fabric store to see if I can find good skin fabric for different colored skin.

I really am gratified to learn that the dolls have a fan. I was afraid that Jeannie was just taking them so she could get more bears which was fine but made me feel a little guilty. No more guilt. Just more dolls!!

Comments

[slinkslowdown.livejournal.com]

This is just the sweetest ever post.

As for the dolls' skin colors--personally, I'd just change to a different fabric but leave their eyes, hair, etc. the same as you'd do on another doll?

[ani-mama.livejournal.com]

I would vote for just changing skin colors as well. As an Asian, it always bothered me to see exaggerated "slant" eyes on dolls as a kid.

[susandennis]

Oh! I'm glad you said that about slant eyes. I wouldn't do that but I was considering eyes like this:



Maybe just a little less round than the eyes I have been using instead?

And what about skin color? I'm thinking whiter than what I have been using. Yes? No?

I really appreciate your chiming in!

[ani-mama.livejournal.com]

Yeah, those eyes still look a bit odd to me. At most I would say oval instead of round?

As for skin color, experiment with lots of different colors! We come in all shades of tan and brown.

One of the ways that we get around that issue in animation is to have character's skin colors be in all sorts of unnatural shades, haha. In MLP Equestria Girls, we have kids with purple skin, grey skin, light blue...

[susandennis]

Gotcha. Thanks and thanks for the tips. Good guidance! I appreciate it.

[ani-mama.livejournal.com]

Thank you for making all those dolls for kids in need! I may not comment on every one, but I always enjoy seeing your newest creations.

[susandennis]

:)

[susandennis]

Isn't it?

Good thought on fabric colors. Thanks.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'm certain your dolls provide much joy to these children in need. It must be gratifying to get acknowledgement for your creative good deeds when you weren't really expecting or desiring it. Well done!

[susandennis]

Thanks

[venta.livejournal.com]

What a lovely letter to get!

Just yesterday I was wondering whether you'd ever think of making dolls of different races. I almost commented, then figured it was a whole can of worms to open on someone else's LJ!

I'd definitely second whoever suggested making crazy non-human dolls with blue or green skin as well, that sounds like it could be fun :)

[susandennis]

Ok ok. I would have never thought of green, blue, purple skin but ok. I'm now getting convinced. Why not, I guess.

Thanks

[venta.livejournal.com]

For reasons I totally can't justify, I expect boys to be more into weird-coloured dolls. Maybe because they'd look like aliens? I know basically nothing about small children, though, so might be way off!

[susandennis]

My small children knowledge is on par with yours but I think you might be right!

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

This is so freaking awesome. I love seeing these dolls. My daughter has seen a few and loves it when they have crazy hair.

I agree that you can just change the fabric and keep the eyes and mouth since they are so simple. Kid will dig that so much.

[susandennis]

Oh, I love that Miss Biscuit likes them and the wild hair. That's very cool. You did tell me i should try different colored dolls. You were right!

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

I think kids are drawn to how bright and colorful they are. And they look like fun little kids like them. Huggable looking too.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

I think this doll face (http://jacqsgirlsdolls.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Chloe-face.jpg) is a good example of doing an African American doll right.

[susandennis]

cool example. thanks!

[daphnep.livejournal.com]

That is so sweet! I didn't realize what the dolls were being used for--that's incredible.

That gives those charming faces a whole new level of admiration. Good for you.

[susandennis]

Thank you.

[kayre]

How wonderful!

Also, I saw this last night and thought of you:
http://maryellenproducts.com/Best-Press-Lavender-Fields-The-Clear-Starch-Alternative.html

[susandennis]

That starch looks incredible! I wanted it to help stiffen the dolls. How cool to make them smell like lavender, too! Thank you!

[kayre]

JoAnn's sells it. Lots of different scents, too!

[susandennis]

cool

[becomingkate.livejournal.com]

Aw, that is great! I think you can totally do different skin color and hair color! Kids love dolls that look like them-I had a My Child where you could pick the skin, hair and eye color and it was so cool to have a doll with strawberry blonde hair, lol. And boy dolls is a great idea!
Congrats on this recognition :)

[susandennis]

Thank you.

[mindyklasky.livejournal.com]

Another comment from an LJ reader who loves, loves, loves finding your posts of new dolls! (And I think you could work wonders doing a whole range of skin tones -- assorted browns, blues, greens, purples, etc.) Also, I liked the one boy you showed us, and I wondered if you were going to make more.

Thanks for brightening my day so consistently with your handiwork!

[susandennis]

Thanks!!

[jwg.livejournal.com]

How great to hear how much your work is appreciated. You have fun doing it and the recipients get lots of joy from having them.

[susandennis]

It's really gratifying, that's for sure.

[rsc.livejournal.com]

The suggestion about boy dolls leads me to point out, somewhat over-literally, that anyone of any gender can wear any clothes and/or hairstyle, and there's nothing visible that unequivocally marks your dolls as male or female. And that all parties concerned would surely prefer to keep it that way.

Also, what a sweet letter! Your creations are definitely making the world a better place.

[susandennis]

So so true about gender wardrobes. I hope some little girls find themselves in dolls with pants and short hair!

[mac-arthur-park.livejournal.com]

That's so great! Yay!

[susandennis]

Thank you

[soon_lee]

That's terrific!

[susandennis]

Isn't it?!

[colestainedpage.livejournal.com]

This is incredibly cool! Go you :D

[letmesaythis.livejournal.com]

I keep thinking that one weekend I'll tune into Sunday Morning and see you featured for your bears and dolls.

Regarding the skin color, I think your other friends have offered excellent advise and I'm glad that you got the nudge that encouraged you let yourself off the hook for going multicultural. You can use all sorts of eye shapes on all of the dolls regardless of skin tone, but those eyes that you showed in comments, without seeing them on a human-like face, look like cat eyes to me.

Yay Susan!!

[susandennis]

Yeah, I'm sticking to good old round eyes but watch out for new skin colors. The beast has been unleashed!!

[badrobot68.livejournal.com]

I love this so much! As a kid, my stuffed animals were my favorite toys and I still have them 40+ years later. It's amazing to think of all the kids you've made happy with the bears & now the dolls!

[susandennis]

Thanks.