Approximately one year ago (January 14 to be exact),  I posted the first-ever interview for BJDcollectasy. The article’s subject  was grace of gracefaerie designs and her Imagination in Flight project.  I had recently purchased some of gracefaerie’s patterns, and based on her friendly and helpful emails, decided to ask her if she would be interested in being in a new on-line magazine for BJDs. Little did I realize what a fortunate choice I made.  Not only was gracefaerie a wonderful person to write about, she has since been very supportive and generously introduced me to many talented people.  Over the last year, some of these people have also graciously consented to interviews.  In addition, grace contributed a project for the site; a lovely no-pattern dress for 1/6 size dolls made from a handkerchief and bits of lace.

gracefaerie is amazingly talented, hard working, and easily the most prolific pattern producer for BJDs and similar-types of dolls. This year has been an especially busy one for her, so I thought I would talk with her again to review what gracefaerie designs has been up to since last January.

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Q: grace, how many patterns did you make over the last year?  (I counted 10?)

A: Yes, #34 through #44 were designed and produced during 2009.

Q: Do you have any favorites or ones you felt especially satisfied with?

A: Serafuku #34 was especially expansive for me as I needed to do a lot of research on Japanese sailor style school uniforms for girls (cat helped tremendously with the research),  #35 Don’t Pin Me Down, and #44 Seasons for Seola.

Q: Is there any particular doll or doll company that you find inspiring to work with?

A: Any association with Paulette Goodreau is inspiring! Her sculpts have inspired many designs, and I have most of her dolls in my personal collection.Paulette has been endlessly supportive of my work. (her generosity is legendary.) The beautiful Goodreau ad in Doll Crafter and Costuming, January 2009, looks like an ad for  gracefaerie! Paulette featured my patterns in her stunning full-page ad.

Then, she invited me to design the July ’09 Doll Crafter and Costuming cover and pattern for her Queen Azure. Paulette sent me her own prototype – the only extant Queen Azure at the time -  to use for my drafting model and the photo shoot.  I love Queen Azure’s mature face and mystical gaze. She was truly the muse for this pattern.

Berdine Creedy’s Melody inspired the #35 Don’t Pin me Down pattern. She is an exceptionally versatile little model. Berdine’s Kisses is a marvel of engineering and expression. The #39 pattern is sized for these two wonderful sculpts.

At the end of 2009, Dollstown Seola (on the DT elf body), arrived at my studio. Within a few weeks, she inspired 5 new dresses for the pattern, #44 Seasons for Seola. I can hardly wait to design more outfits for her!

I would like to add that my work is continually inspired by all of the talented members our bjd community – everyone! I feel so grateful for your enthusiasm and creativity!

Q: This year you started working on projects with different people. How did working with other seamstresses (Charie, Nancie, Jozel) come about?  How many projects have you done with them?

A: Last summer, I initiated a Guest Artist Series, and discovered a whole new world of excitement around producing patterns.

Nancie of Nankatts resized the #30 Play Day MSD pattern for Berdine Creedy’s 12”-10” BJDs, Melody and Kisses. Nancie invented seven adorable variations for her pattern, #39 Play Day Variations.

Jozel’s adorable #40 Clarissa’s Closet captures the charm of the Goodreau ABC girls. For this pattern, Jozel redrafted  four designs to fit the ABC girls’ adorable bodies, adding her special gift for bringing out their robust personalities.

Charie Wilson designed #42 Planet Luxe for 43cm PD and (happily) it fits most MSD girls. This is an amazing pattern, a wardrobe of elements that can be combined in endless ways. Charie also designed  a charming pattern, #43 Bewitched, Tattered, and Transported for 27cm Planetdoll girls.

Q: What projects will you be doing with them in the coming year?

A: Nancie of Nankatts is currently working on #45 Seasons for MSD; five custom-sized dresses for 43cm Planetdoll girls and Goodreau’s Miss Turry.  We are also planning a special project for KazeKidz Annabella, by Kaye Wiggs.

Charie Wilson will also be re-sizing some patterns for the new Impldolls in the near future.

Q: Can you describe (or at least hint) about upcoming pattern releases?

A: I am currently working on #46 Seasons for Estella, five dresses for the Dollstown 13 year body.  A coat pattern is also “in process”.

Q: Tell me more about your generous donation to IDEX.  What patterns will be sent?

A: Jill Jackson (Editor at Large, Doll Reader Magazine) invited me to be one of the sponsors for the BJD event on Saturday. One hundred participants are expected to attend this special event. When attendees enter the room, a gracefaerie pattern will be at the center of each place setting.  Thirty-one different designs!

Another little “surprise” will await those who attend the American BJD Meet and Greet event at IDEX.

Previous gracefaerie articles:

gracefaerie ~Imagination in Flight~

~No Pattern Handkerchief Dress~ by gracefaerie

Gallery Photo Albums:

gracefaerie designs

gracefaerie designs Ideas in Flight

Pattern Designs © gracefaerie designs, Photography © Laura Downing.

gracefaerie patterns can also be found at : Jpopdolls, Denver Doll Emporium, eBay Store BJD SD Patterns Clothes Jewelry and in Europe at Dolls Department 25 in the Netherlands.

Seasons Pattern #45 for Planetdoll and other 1/4 size dolls by gracefaerie and Nankatts

#39 Play Day Variations by gracefearie and Nankatts on Creedy Kisses

#43 Bewitched Tattered & Transported for 1/4 size dolls by gracefaerie aand Charie Wilson

New #46 Seasons for Estella

#42 Planet Luxe for 1/4 size dolls by gracefaerie and Charie Wilson

#34 Serafuku for 1/3 girls

#40 Clarissa's Closet for Goodreau ABC dolls by gracefairie and Jozel

Planet Luxe by Charie on Kimberly Lasher Anya

OOAK outfit by gracefaerie