December 8, 2024, Meeting

Our last meeting of 2024 was our annual holiday party, held at member Jan Irsfeld's beautiful home. She had decked the halls with all sorts of merry and bright holiday cheer.

 

Members brought a number of darling dolls to share. 

Member Myrna Loesch shared this cute composition Santa doll made by Ralph A. Freundlich in the 1930s. She had replaced his original faded cloth outfit and he certainly seems pleased with his new gay apparel. 

Member Jenell Howell displayed this petite Pukipuki BJD she dressed in festive holiday attire.

Member Sylvia McDonald shared this wistful all-bisque baby by doll artist Rebecca Clay Stewart, a gift from Jenell. Stewart was a preschool teacher who also not only made dolls, but also taught doll-making in her studio, for some 20 years. A skilled seamstress, Stewart also dressed her creation. Sylvia named the doll "Becky" after her maker. 

Member Pan Hardy brought this pretty porcelain angel garbed in white and gold. She said that she has had this angel for some 10 to 15 years.

Her Santa was a later acquisition. Pam said that she bought this nifty St. Nick because he matched the angel. 

Member Elaine Jackson shared this interesting ethnic doll in a wooden sleigh. The doll may represent a member of the Sami, an indigenous people found spread across Scandinavia and Russia. Traditionally, the Sami were a nomadic people, surviving by hunting, fishing, and herding reindeer. 

At the last holiday party, Jan had introduced this Madame Alexander Cissy she was dressing in an outfit inspired by the fashions of the early 1900s. The doll's elaborate ensemble is now complete.

Jan also shared these bedazzling bead-encrusted Christmas creations she had made.