October 12, 2025, Meeting

Jan Irsfeld gave a program on goddesses, celestial, movie, and royal, using examples from her collection of Cissy dolls by Madame Alexander. She explained that Madame Alexander was fascinated by powerful and successful women. Peeking out in the far left corner is a Cissy, dressed by Jan, representing  Hatshepsut, a female pharaoh who reigned in the fifteenth century B.C.E.; she qualifies as a goddess because the pharaohs were considering living deities. The dolls on the table represent more modern goddesses of the silver screen. Starting from the left, the luscious lady in white represents Hollywood, while the others are Madame Alexander's  interpretation of actual actresses; Grace Kelly in icy blue, Vivian Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara, Marilyn Monroe, and Elizabeth Taylor.

Elizabeth Taylor models a hand-beaded gown designed by Jan.

Alexander also created many queens. This is an all-original Queen Elizabeth II.

Elizabeth I is represented by a Cissy dressed in authentic Elizabethan garb by Jan. Next to her is "Royal Reception" by Alexander.

French queen Marie Antoinette in her original bejeweled and embroidered gown by Alexander.

In opera, a "diva" is a celebrated female singer, and the word is derived from the Italian for goddess or divine. This Cissy represents Madame Butterfly from the famous opera by Giacomo Puccini.

However, this sassy swashbuckler is more devilish than divine. . . .

Jan shared two more scintillating Cissy dolls, including this flamboyant flapper. . . 

. . . and her favorite Cissy, reduced nude from an Austin doll shop, whom Jan has since restored and elevated to a goddess.

Elaine Jackson shared this wooden Hitty, currently the queen of her Hitty House, carved by member Elaine McNally. 

Jenell Howell brought this goddess of the night, Evangeline Ghastly by Robert Tonner.

David Craig had an earlier example of the eerily beautiful Evangeline. 

Another Tonner doll belonging to David is Ellowyne Wilde, ready for trick or treating in a Halloween outfit made for her by a friend of David's.

Bette Birdsong brought another movie goddess, a Gene doll designed by Mel Odom. In keeping with the season, Jenell shared this Sasha in fall colors.

Sharon Weintraub displayed a trio of little bisque fairies by the German firm of Hertwig and Company, noting that fairies were the subjects the fairy queen and the elfin court.

She also shared this bewitching bisque witch. Witches were thought to worship Hecate. Hecate was originally a Greek goddess, who was the protector of liminal spaces and borders, such as thresholds and doors, and was associated with the night, the moon, and magic. 

Myrna Loesch displayed this doll dress created by the Milwaukee Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.). The W.P.A., which operated from 1939 to 1942, provided work and job training for thousands of unemployed Americans during the Great Depression. While the W.P.A. created large public works such as roads, parks, and schools, it also operated handicraft projects aimed at teaching women skills such as sewing. The Milwaukee W.P.A. handicraft project produced dolls designed to be used as teaching materials in schools, as well as for children in hospitals or as Christmas gifts for children on the relief rolls. This dress was designed to be worn by a cloth doll.

 

August 5, 2019, Meeting

 Members Jenell Howell and Myrna Loesch gave a presentation on their adventures at the United Federation of Doll Clubs 70th Annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee, which took place from July 23rd through the 27th.  The convention theme was "Starstruck."

This is the convention souvenir doll, Little Miss Star Struck, a felt character doll created by doll artisan R. John Wright.

They displayed their various convention purchases, projects, and souvenirs.

Jenell shared her latest BJD acquisitions from Ruby Red Galleria.  This is Shan, dressed as the legendary Monkey King from the Chinese epic, Journey to the West.

This is his female counterpart Yu Ping, dressed as Princess Iron Fan, also from the same epic.

Shan and Yu Ping garbed as ordinary children

Big sister Ten Ping is dressed for the Dragon Boat Festival.

Another Oriental doll Jenell acquired at the convention, but from an earlier era.  This is the all-bisque Chin-Chin Baby by the German company of Gebruder Heubach.

Many convention attendees look forward to the various workshops teaching all aspects of doll crafts. This sheepskin wig and beautiful be-flowered gown were created at the convention workshops.

Member Sallie Howard shared her convention acquisitions as well.  

Melody Brite is the creation of Judy D. Porter.

This is Pat Moulton's interpretation of country music legend Minnie Pearl.

And this is her Dolly, dressed in her coat of many colors.

This lithe and elegant lady is from the Robert Tonner convention dinner, entitled “Walking the Red Carpet.”

Members also brought non-convention treasures. This is Madra Lord from the world of the Gene Marshall fashion doll series. She belongs to Jenell and was dressed by member Jan Irsfeld.

Elaine Jackson shared the newest addition to her collection, this wonderful antique papier mache boy.

 Visitor Mary Beard made both this cloth doll, dressed in antique and vintage fabrics, and the miniature crazy quilt.