Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a very happy holiday season and hoping you make many wonderful memories with those you love ♥
I will be back after the new year!
XOXO
Melacacia

Love146 Charity Auction

This collaboration was created by my friend, Stacie, in an effort to help the wonderful organization, Love146, do their important work of helping to abolish child slavery and recovering and rehabilitating victims of this horrendous crime. 100% of the proceeds (minus shipping) from this auction will be donated to this organization.

I customized the doll, Eloise, and many others in the doll community contributed their time, talents, and money to make this happen.

Click HERE to check out the auction: http://www.ebay.com/itm/150719962894?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Here is the link to the organization we are donating to: http://love146.org/?gclid=CPGf8avHhK0CFasaQgodBFV8UQ

Thank you for checking it out!

Melacacia Custom #100 ~ Winter Dream

I have finished my 100th Custom Doll Creation,

Winter Dream



I have listed her on Ebay and her auction will end on Sunday, December 11th 2011.

Please click above image to view her listing ^__^

Thank you for looking!

Melacacia's 100th Custom doll!

My current WIP:

I am currently working on my 100th custom doll creation!

I plan to have her finished by this weekend (December 4th, 2011)!

More updates coming soon ^__^

Away...

I will be on vacation until the 27th of November. My dolls will travel with me so I will be sure to get some photos of them while I am away :)

Wishing you all a wonderful week and a happy Thanksgiving! I am tremendously grateful for all of you ♥

au revoir!

Meet Ingrid ^__^

This sweetheart is my newest addition, Ingrid. I made her out of a bunch of random doll parts that I pieced together. Two different SBL plates (both slightly damaged, poor baby), an EBL eye mech (also a little bit damaged), a PN body, and a beautiful two toned alpaca scalp.

Ingrid is named after the incredible singer/songwriter, Ingrid Michaelson, because she was inspired by her song "Be OK" with all of her "broken parts" ;)

I did the following work on her:

Fully sanded
Carved mouth and nose
All new makeup applied in natural tones and sealed with MSC
4 new sets of my Melacacia hand painted eye chips
Alpaca rerooted scalp that I commissioned Piparrot to do for me (Thanks, Pip!)
I painted her eye lids to say "BE OK" to represent the song ;)

Here is the song:



Ingrid is happy to "be OK" now ^__^ and happy to meet you all!












Thanks for looking ^__^

Artist Statement... It's been a couple of years and this needed updating :)

Melanie “Melacacia” Matteoli
Artist, Doll Customizer and Photographer

My goal in my work is to bring these dolls to life. I am inspired by emotion and try to give each girl her own unique personality to match the emotion I would like to convey.

I graduated from HSU in 2003 with a degree in Studio Art and I feel so lucky to be able to use that experience for something I truly enjoy doing and am successful in. I am able to combine my skills in painting, sculpting, photography, graphic design, sewing, and communication to get to the end result. I love creating things and this niche is the perfect way for me to express my creativity and share it with people worldwide.

My dolls are recognized in the Blythe Doll community as true works of art and I have sold my work all over the world. My dolls have been purchased in places like Japan, Australia, South Africa, Russia, Sweden, France, Italy, Brazil, Canada, and here in the United States. I have met so many wonderful people and have been fortunate enough to acquire a very loyal following. I have created 99 custom dolls thus far.

For more information and photos of my work please visit the following sites:

Facebook Artist Page

Flickr Photostream

My Etsy Shop

Thank you!

I am happy to present Sequoia!

She is my 98th custom blythe doll creation.

As she emerges from the icy cold waters of the pacific ocean, Sequoia can feel the wet sand forming fleeting shapes between her toes.
A cool breeze presses against her back as if urging her into the redwood forest.
She can't wait to get back home and feels as though her legs can't move fast enough.
Finally her feet begin to recognize the mossy forest floor beneath her. She pulls back the branches of an enormous redwood tree and enters into the foggy scene.
Pausing to run her fingers along the thick coat of ferns, she inhales a deep cool breath of coastal redwood air, taking it all in....
Home at last.




I will be taking more photos of her and her accessories throughout the week and adding them here.

Thanks for looking!
You can view her listing here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/160674288285?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Sequoia ~ Melacacia Custom #98

Her name is Sequoia ~ She is the spirit of the coastal redwood forest

Inspired by my hometown which lies in all of it's natural (and foggy) beauty between the redwood forest and the pacific ocean ^__^



.....................................
Her story and more photos to be presented this Sunday ^__^

© All rights reserved ~ Melacacia

.....................................

My Etsy Shop

I am trying to make an effort to add things to my shop as often as I can (which sadly isn't very often these days). But each time that I do, I will post a link on Facebook so my contacts can know ASAP:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Melacacia/156425967747038

So please join me there in order to be the first to know when things go up in my shop. They disappear quickly, and as grateful as I am for that, I also feel bad for those who miss out on things... So don't miss out and please "like" my page for the most recent updates!

Thank you!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/melacacia?ref=si_shop

Rowan wishes you all a happy week!

Running behind.....

This week ended up being a lot busier than I had expected, with a few twists and turns in between, so I just wanted put out a little message so people know I haven't forgotten about you :)

For anyone who is waiting on me for anything (eye chips, email reply, ANYTHING), I am way behind and I apologize. If you don't hear from me (or you feel worried that I forgot about you) by the middle of next week, please send me an email @ melacacia@hotmail.com or comment here :D


Have a great weekend, everyone!

Longer version of my "Petite Poupee" dress.

Modeled by Sami. Cute!

Melacacia Custom #96 ~ Rag Doll

A couple of outdoor shots from today :)

Auction ends tomorrow, October 2nd: http://www.ebay.com/itm/160657196711?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Thanks for looking and happy October to you all!

Rag Doll ~ A few details....

I just wanted to point out a few details, which I forgot to point out in the listing:

Fist, in the listing I mentioned that Rag Doll comes with a separate slip that goes underneath the dress, however I forgot to post the picture of it >_<

It is quite simple and just an undergarment, but I still should have shown the photo :)

I also failed to talk about the custom box that she comes in. Similar to my previous custom doll, Mathilda, I made this special box out of an unfinished wooden box that was then distressed, stained, and decorated:



As you can see from the images, Rag Doll has a custom body. It is a Pure Neemo body which I love because it is so expressive. I forgot to mention this in the listing too :P

You can click on any of the above images to be taken to the listing!

Thank you for visiting my blog ^__^

OOAK Custom Blythe Art Doll ~ by Melacacia ~ Rag Doll

My newest Custom Blythe Doll Creation, Rag Doll

Melacacia Custom #96 ^_^



Custom Work:

Completely sanded and all new media was applied
including sweet freckles & custom stitches
Her mouth, eyes and nose were carved
All of her eye chips were replaced with my signature hand
painted eye chips and one pair of special button chips
She was boggled, gaze lifted, and given sleepy eyes
with new pull charms/beads
She has new delicate black eye lashes and is sealed w/ MSC

Her scalp is rerooted with beautiful silky black alpaca hair
Her dress(es) were designed and made by me using new fabrics that I
distressed to make look old and tattered. I also made her a seperate slip
underneath as well as the hair accessories and stockings (2 pairs).
The little teddy bear was hand made by my mom, TutuBella, just for this doll♥

She will come with the custom doll stand and box which are both made of wood.
Both were stained and designed/created by me.

All items were made by me (except for the shoes and the bear :)
with love, inspiration, and great attention to detail
♥

She is listed for auction on Ebay for the course of the week. from Sunday September 25th - October 2nd 2011

Please click link to see her auction: http://www.ebay.com/itm/OOAK-Custom-Rerooted-Blythe-Art-Doll-Melacacia-Rag-Doll-/160657196711?_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D280741775965%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D3040135714128107218

Thanks for looking!

Natural dyes

Natural dyes, a photo by ☆ Melacacia ☆ on Flickr.

I had a lot of fun experimenting with different types of berries and teas today to use as dyes. Some of the colors came out so gorgeous!

This is part of my current creation which should be done by the end of the week :)

Remembering...

Remembering..., a photo by ☆ Melacacia ☆ on Flickr.

10 years ago today. It will never be forgotten.

Melacacia Middie Dress ~ WIP

Melacacia Middie Dress ~ WIP, a photo by ☆ Melacacia ☆ on Flickr.

The first one always has some issues, but it turned out pretty good for a first attempt... Just a few adjustments and I should have a pretty cute little Angel dress line for Middies! (Blythecon 2012, anyone?) ;)

Love146

Did you know that for every ONE minute, TWO children are sold into commercial slavery and exploitation? I learned this horrifying stat while researching an organization called Love146, a nonprofit my friend Stacie had told me about.

A few months ago, she shared this organization's website with me, and together we knew we wanted to do something to help Love146 in their mission to abolish slavery and rescue and restore these victimized children's lives.

Over the next couple of months, we'll be working on a very special customized Blythe doll, and 100% of the auction proceeds will go directly to Love146.

We are looking for others who would like to collaborate with us on this doll and donate their time and talents in the following areas:

* Mohair reroot services

* Sewing custom outfit to go with theme

* Design of props, stand, and/or special case

Stacie is donating the doll and I will be customizing the face (face-up) and painting the eye chips.

Thank you in advance to anyone who would like to help us with this cause!

Please contact Stacie: http://www.flickr.com/people/stacieblu/
or myself if you are interested :)

Love146 site: http://love146.org/

Hi. I'm Rowan.

Hi. I'm Rowan., a photo by ☆ Melacacia ☆ on Flickr.

My newest creation, Rowan (meaning "Little Redhead").

Melacacia Custom #96 (Cinnamon Girl EBL)

Mohair scalp was rerooted by Piparrot. Fringe/bangs added by me ^__^

Sorry, she is not for sale.

Featured Artist on KerriaRosette.com ^__^

Thank you for contacting me and for featuring me, Sharon!

Click here to read my interview on her blog: kerriarosette.com/2011/08/melacacia-giving-dolls-a-little...

♥

Mathilda ~ a little bit of history ;)

Mathilda ~ a little bit of history ;), a photo by ☆ Melacacia ☆ on Flickr.

In this photo, the focal point is of course, the box.. As that is what the photograph is about.. However I thought I would point out a couple of details just for fun :)

This doll, Mathilda, was named after my great grandmother, Mathilda.. And she is the woman in the photograph on the left.
Her daughter, Lorraine (my grandmother) was my inspiration for the dress style which some of you may already know as my "Lorriane dresses" and that is the dress that I made for Mathilda (the doll)...
The medium format camera in this photo belonged to my grandmother Lorraine. She passed away less than a year ago and is dearly missed. She, like my mother, my sister, and myself, was an artist..... She was also a very intelligent and strong willed woman.. I can find much inspiration when I think of her and I did when I created this doll, Mathilda.
I just wanted to share, as I realize that no one would know the significance of this photograph (or this doll) unless I pointed it out ;)

Mathilda ~ Melacacia OOAK Custom Blythe #94

Mathilda ~ Melacacia OOAK Custom Blythe #94, a photo by ☆ Melacacia ☆ on Flickr.

While sifting through old items in the attic of your great grandmother's turn of the century home, you hear a thump in the corner of the room.
As you get up, you hear it again and follow the sound to a small wooden box sitting on top of an antique dresser.
Brushing away the cobwebs and dust, you see an image of a doll affixed to the top of the box with the name Mathilda above it.
Mathilda, that was your great grandmother's name.
With trembling fingers, you open the box slowly, as if in a trance.
Instantly struck by her human-like beauty, you see a magnifinent doll who appears to be sleeping in her cozy little box.
You pick her up gently and her eyes blink open. She looks at you and you can not stop staring into her eyes, it's as if she can see into your soul.
Have we met before in a dream? you wonder... Holding her close to your heart, as your great grandmother once did, you know this doll will once again be treasured.

Please click here to see all of her details: http://www.ebay.com/itm/160640729872?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Mathilda and her special wooden box :)

I created this box using an antique chest that belonged to my grandmother as
my inspiration.
The original box was unfinished, so I distressed it using a hammer and a knife
and then I stained it before adding the photos, etc.
It is a nice little wooden box and I thoroughly enjoyed creating it especially for
this doll.
I hope you love it as much as I do :)

Before:

More info on Mathilda to be updated soon!

Preview of Mathilda

Preview of Mathilda, a photo by ☆ Melacacia ☆ on Flickr.

She will be listed tomorrow! :)

Melacacia Custom Art Doll #94

Suze Orman is not a fan of my work.... But, that's OK because Karen is! :)

Watch clip here: Can I Afford It? Karen

For Amy ♥

For Amy ♥, a photo by ☆ Melacacia ☆ on Flickr.

Although I am not taking commissions, I couldn't turn down the chance for a custom dolly trade with my talented friend, Amy (Zaloa). So, here is the girl that I created for her.
Amy did the reroot using that beautiful pink mohair shown in the photo... She will reveal this girl as a whole once she is home. Can't wait to see her all put together! :)

Hiding in the dress box ^__^

Hiding in the dress box ^__^, a photo by ☆ Melacacia ☆ on Flickr.

As I continue to work on my own projects, I am going to make an effort to get a few dresses and eye chips listed in my Etsy shop as often as I can... Hopefully about once a week or so I will have something in my shop for you guys :)

Thank you for all of the custom requests, and I am sorry that I am not able to do it all at this time. I appreciate you all so much!

♥

Melacacia's Etsy Shop

Sakura ~ OOAK Melacacia Custom Blythe Art Doll #92

Sakura's auction ends in less than 24 hours! Please click on the image to go there:



Thanks for looking!

*GASP* What did she say about us?

*GASP* What did she say about us?, a photo by ☆ Melacacia ☆ on Flickr.

Tomorrow night on the Suze Orman show you will find out what Suze herself thinks of Blythe dolls.... Warning: It sounds like we should be prepared to not like what we hear O.O

It will air tomorrow, Saturday July 30th at 9pm PST.

One of my wonderful and loyal fans called in to the show to ask Suze if she could afford a OOAK Melacacia Art Doll.... Apparently for this portion of the show Suze either says "yes, you can buy that item" or she simply says "DENIED".

We will find out tomorrow what Suze says!

Sakura ~ Melacacia Custom #92

A few new pictures of her :)





click any image to go to her auction <3

Sakura ~ Melacacia Custom #92

She is finished and now listed for sale :)



Please click image for more info and to go to her auction, or click HERE

Thank you for looking!

Sakura

Sakura, a photo by ☆ Melacacia ☆ on Flickr.

Representing the fleeting nature of life, the Sakura (cherry blossom) is a very beautiful & delicate flower that blooms for only a short time.
While briefly in bloom, it leaves us in awe of it’s quiet yet powerful beauty.

I created Sakura with this symbolic and unforgettable flower as my inspiration.

Melacacia Custom #92
More info (and photos) coming this evening :)

Finishing up the last of my custom orders and keeping very busy

Finishing up the last of my custom orders and keeping very busy, a photo by Melacacia ~ Busy and very behind! on Flickr.

I am no longer taking custom orders, as some of you may have seen my announcements last week. So once I finish up with these orders over the next few days, I will be focusing on my current creation which I am very excited about!

Inspiration is like a new love and I can hardly wait :)

Slump-er party

Slumber party becomes Slump-er party, a photo by ★ Melacacia ★ on Flickr.

Carsten and Miranda thought it would be fun to have their own little private "alpaca girls" slumber party where they braided each other's hair and looked at magazines....
But they just ended up feeling guilty the whole time for excluding the others and once again, Carsten is in tears.
This slumber party has now become a slump-er party for two.

Melacacia's Shop Announcement

I will no longer be taking custom orders after today, July 13th, but I will be adding items to my Etsy shop when I can and of course, creating custom dolls each month :)

Thank you so much for all of your interest and support in my little creations! I appreciate it very much ♥

xoxo
Mel

Front page news!

Front page news!, a photo by keyinherpocket - Parasol Doll on Flickr.

Blythecon made the front page news of this Portland newspaper... And I am honored that my doll was used for the cover photo... It is funny to me that they used my doll as a way to show how "Creepy" Blythe is... She has to be one of my least "creepy dolls" to date :P

Article: http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/uncanny-valley-of-the-dolls/Content?oid=4205186

Melacacia~ gone until July 11th

I will be offline until the 11th of July, so if anyone sends me a message I will get back to you then :)

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Blythecon came and went

We had a great time in Portland and Blythecon was such a wonderful experience. A room full of people who know what I am talking about when I say EBL, Reroot, Pure Neemo, and Boggled? What more could a girl ask for! :)

I was so busy the whole time that I didn't get a chance to take as many pictures as I would have liked. I also didn't get to see half of the room! So I know that there were a lot of people that I didn't even get to meet. But the people that I did meet were so sweet and I really appreciated when Gina Garan came over to my table so I could say hi to her... If she hadn't done that I don't think I would have been able to see her! Thanks to everyone who stopped by my table to introduce themselves and/or purchase some of my dresses and chips! Thank you also to those of you who put a bid on my Sailor Doll, I really appreciate it. Congratulations to Karen for being the one to bring her home ♥

Overall it felt like an inspiring group of creative people. Actually it felt like a room full of friends as I already "knew" so many. It was refreshing to finally meet the human behind the dolls that I would recognize at one glance, I just loved it. And I truly appreciate all of the hard work and time that went into it. Thank you Julie, Maggie and Kyle!

I hope there will be another Blythecon soon, I will be much more prepared the next time around :)

I created this gallery from photos that other people took of my table (and dolls, etc): http://www.flickr.com/photos/melacaciadoll/galleries/72157626898850175/#photo_5860463119

Thanks for stopping by!