Articles for the Month of September 2014

Taking Orders For “Googly Hand Mirror” Kits!!

"Googly Hand Mirror"

“Googly Hand Mirror”

In February 2012, I held a workshop here at Land Of Oz Dolls featuring a “Googly Hand Mirror”. Everyone had a great time assembling this whimsical “Googly Mirror”. I have had requests for two years now for kits of these cute little “Googlies”, but have just never had time to get them completed. On September 27th, I will be teaching this workshop at the Oklahoma City Expo 2014 Doll Show. I am getting together extra kits so I will have some available for purchase after I get back from the show. Here is a brief description of the kit:

Doll Lover’s will delight in this whimsical “Googly Mirror” Kit.  Kits come complete with a “Googly” head painted by Connie Zink.  Eyes have been set and the heads are ready for assembling.  Several kit colors and head styles are available.  All supplies to complete the mirror, (fabric, lace, trims, hand mirror, batting, and pate), as well as detailed instructions, are also included.  Mohair wigs are available for purchase, or you can use your own.

Supplies needed to complete kit (not included in kit): Hand sewing needle, ecru thread, large eyed needle, scissors, white tacky glue, toothpicks, bow maker, and mohair wig of your choice.

Cost of Kit: $90.00 U.S. Shipping $8.00 International Shipping is Available.

"Googly Mirror" Workshop 2012

“Googly Mirror” Workshop 2012

Finished "Googly Mirrors"

Finished “Googly Mirrors”

Finished "Googly Mirrors"

Finished “Googly Mirrors”

Finished "Googly Mirrors"

Finished “Googly Mirrors”

Finished "Googly Mirrors"

Finished “Googly Mirrors”

To order your “Googly Hand Mirror” Kit please contact me at 815-565-0024 or email landofozdolls@mchsi.com . They will make great Christmas gifts for your “Dolly Friends” or insert one into your own Christmas stocking this year! Have a great Dolly Weekend!

Dolly Hugs, Connie Zink

Touring the Doll Room – Final Installment

My tour of the Doll Room is coming to an end with this final installment of thirteen photos. I hope you have enjoyed your tour of Land of Oz Dolls. Some day, I hope many of you can stop by for a visit. If you are traveling through the area and would like to stop by to see us, as of September 2014, we opened Roberts’ Roost Country Guest House. We would love to have you stay with us a few days! We have just been featured on Carroll County Illinois Tourism’s website. Here is a link to the article: http://visitcarrollcountyil.com/roberts-roost-country-guest-house/ .

Until next time, have a great Dolly Day!

Dolly Hugs, Connie Zink

“Tour of the Doll Room” Continues On!

Good evening all, I am posting another nine photos of my doll room, continuing on with the tour. I know many of you are too far away to ever be able stop by for a visit and some of you had asked for a tour on the website. The response has been tremendous and thank you to all who have taken the time to comment or send me an email. There are still many photos to share, so until next time, have a great dolly evening! Dolly Hugs, Connie Zink

Tour of the Doll Room at Land of Oz Dolls Continues!

Good morning everyone! Today my tour of the doll room at Land of Oz Dolls continues. I know most of you are too far away to ever be able to visit in person so I have had many requests to add this virtual tour to the website. I hope you enjoy your look around and more photos coming yet another day! Dolly Hugs, Connie Zink

Roberts’ Roost Country Guest House Opens in Savanna, Illinois

Land of Oz Dolls is very proud to announce the opening of Roberts’ Roost Country Guest House in Savanna, Illinois. After always wanting a quiet retreat setting for my seminar students and visitors to the doll shop, that dream has become a reality. We have transformed a former family property into a beautiful country garden retreat with two bedrooms, living room and dining room combination, complete kitchen, bathroom, and outdoor entertaining area. You can read about the history of Roberts’ Roost Country Guest House at: http://robertsroostcountryguesthouse.com/about/ .

Roberts' Roost Country Guest House

Roberts’ Roost Country Guest House

Roberts’ Roost Country Guest House has two bedrooms, one with queen size bed and one with full size bed, living room /dining room combination, complete kitchen and one full bath with tub and shower. Here are some photos of the inside of Roberts’ Roost Country Guest House:

Bathroom

Bathroom

"Birds and Blooms" Bedroom

“Birds and Blooms” Bedroom

"Burgandy" Bedroom

“Burgandy” Bedroom

Kitchen

Kitchen

Living Room

Living Room

 

For more photos of the inside of Roberts’ Roost Country Guest House you can visit the “Rooms” page: http://robertsroostcountryguesthouse.com/rooms/

Many of you know that I am into “Nature Photography” and Roberts’ Roost provides the perfect back drop for many of my photos. Here are a few photos of some of the birds, blooms, and flowers of Roberts’ Roost.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Song Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swallowtail Butterfly

Swallowtail Butterfly

Grandpa's Tiger Lilly

Grandpa’s Tiger Lilly

Red Admiral Butterfly

Red Admiral Butterfly

Giant Swallowtailon Sedum

Giant Swallowtailon Sedum

 

For more Nature Photography you can follow this link to the website: http://robertsroostcountryguesthouse.com/photos/

I currently have a promotion running where you can sign up to win a free two nights stay at Roberts’ Roost Country Guest House. Just go to the website http://robertsroostcountryguesthouse.com/ to register for the drawing. Drawing will take place on December 31st, 2014 and the winner can use their prize anytime in 2015 (availability permitting) .

The next time you are planning a trip to visit Land of Oz Dolls or the surrounding area please consider a stay at Roberts’ Roost Country Guest House. I guarantee you will enjoy the peaceful serenity that Roberts’ Roost has to offer.

Until next time,

Dolly Hugs, Connie Zink

Starting my Tour of the Doll Room at Land of Oz Dolls!

Good morning all! During my Open House last week, I had many requests from people for an online tour of the doll room for those too far away to attend in person. So today will start my virtual tour of the many displays within the doll display room. Most of the dolls are for sale, I only have a few dolls in there that are not. My 5 foot Lady Grace is not for sale as I will probably never get another one totally completed. I also have a few antique German dolls mixed in for display purposes only that I have purchased reasonably at doll shows. If you see a doll you are interested in or have questions about just email me at landofozdolls@mchsi.com . Some dolls are no longer available and have been sold since I took these photos.

Land of Oz Dolls Doll Display Room

Land of Oz Dolls Doll Display Room

 

Land of Oz Dolls Doll Display Room

Land of Oz Dolls Doll Display Room

Land of Oz Dolls Doll Display Room

Land of Oz Dolls Doll Display Room

Land of Oz Dolls Doll Display Room

Land of Oz Dolls Doll Display Room

Land of Oz Dolls Doll Display Room

Land of Oz Dolls Doll Display Room

Land of Oz Dolls Doll Display Room

Land of Oz Dolls Doll Display Room

 

Land of Oz Dolls Doll Display Room

Land of Oz Dolls Doll Display Room

Land of Oz Dolls Doll Display Room

Land of Oz Dolls Doll Display Room

 

I will continue the “doll Room” Tour in the upcoming days, until then have a great Dolly Day,

Dolly Hugs, Connie Zink

“Fall” Open House Continues Tomorrow!

My “Fall” Open House continues through tomorrow until 5:00 pm. Here are a few of the visitors who stopped by today.

Open House September 5th 2014

Open House September 5th 2014

 I am the first one on the left, then Sue Sharp, Pam Willits, Jo Lovig , and Conni Lynch on the right. Pam and Sue make a lot of the costumes I show on my dolls. Conni and Jo were my first official guests at Roberts’ Roost Country Guest House. To learn more about Roberts’ Roost visit www.RobertsRoostCountryGuestHouse.com

It was great to see them all today!

If you are in the area please stop by tomorrow from 9:00 to 5:00!

Dolly Hugs, Connie Zink

 

“Photos of the Day” 18″ April Modern Painted Eye Dolls

Good morning all, the Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014 “Photos of the Day” are three of my 18″ “April” modern painted eye dolls. The original sculpture was created by Dianna Effner and the mold sold through Expression’s Dolls. Back in the winter of 2010 I taught an online eye painting class using these three dolls as my samples. “April” has intaglio eyes incised in the mold making her a little easier to learn the placement of the eyes. She is so much fun to paint and has such a sweet expression. All three dolls are wearing wigs from Monique Trading and the costumes were made by Sue Sharp of “The Sharp Needle”. I do have this doll available in soft-fired greenware, blank bisque and as a finished doll by order. She has her own all porcelain body (Portrait Body). I do have the CD Workbooks for Painted Eyes available on my website here.

"April" By Connie Zink

“April” By Connie Zink

"April" By Connie Zink

“April” By Connie Zink

"April" By Connie Zink

“April” By Connie Zink

 

Have a great dolly Wednesday!

Dolly Hugs, Connie Zink

“10 Inch Little Lou” “Photo of the Day” September 2nd, 2014

Good morning all, my “Photo of the Day” for September 2nd, is one of my favorite modern dolls. I mainly do antique reproductions but every once in awhile I will get to do a modern doll with painted eyes. “Little Lou” was originally sculpted by Diana Effner and the molds produced from Expressions Dolls. “Little Lou” stands 10″ tall on her own little all-porcelain body. She has very expressively painted blue eyes. She is wearing a costume that was made by Clara Pelfrey. “Little Lou would be available in soft-fired greenware, blank bisque or also as a painted doll. This little beauty is no longer available for sale as she has been sold, however I do take orders for finished “Little Lou’s”. My CD Workbook on Modern Eye-Painting is also available here on the website.

10 Inch "Little Lou"

10 Inch “Little Lou”

I hope you enjoyed this photo of “Little Lou”, until next time, have a great dolly day!

Dolly Hugs, Connie Zink

“Fall”Open House at Land of Oz Dolls

Land of Oz Dolls

Land of Oz Dolls

Land of Oz Dolls will hold their annual “Fall” Open House on Friday, September 5th and Saturday, September 6th, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day. View the fabulous doll displays and take a stroll through the “Gardens of Oz”. Special discounts on selected items will apply and refreshments will be available. Discounts will also apply to mail order sales for people out of the area, who are unable to attend the two days of the Open House.

Special sales that will apply to both those attending the open house and mail orders are as follows:

10% off NYDP Composition Bodies In-Stock and Special Orders Placed During Open House

20% off all In-Stock Greenware and Soft-fired Greenware

40% off all In-Stock Synthetic Doll Wigs From Monique Trading

10% off all In-Stock Mohair and Human Hair Wigs (Bravot wigs not included)

20% off all In-Stock China Paints and Mediums

20% off all Metal and Wooden Base Doll Stands

20% off all In-Stock Doll Patterns

Other selected items too numerous to mention will also be on special for those attending!!

If you are planning on attending the open house that weekend and have some extra time, it will also coincide with weekend events at Picket Fence in Lanark and Prairie Path Sampler in Mt. Carroll. You won’t want to miss these two great shops. If you want to spend the night in the area to enjoy some of the other attractions, please contact me on the availability of a room at Roberts’ Roost Country Guest House. Currently Thursday night is booked but Friday and Saturday is open for rental. Please call me at 815-565-0024 for details or to learn more about Roberts’ Roost Country Guest House visit www.RobertsRoostCountryGuestHouse.com

I hope to see you September 5th or 6th! Dolly Hugs, Connie Zink