Beauty of Creating - eBay Store Open for Business!

For over two years Beauty of Creating occupied a tiny space at eBay.  We watched our growth and decided the time is now to build a larger room for the shopping convenience of our customers!

We value your views and feedback.  For the next few weeks we expect to donate several hours to improving our visual look.  Grant us your patience and we promise to reward you openly!

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2019 Hawaiian Islands Adventure

The Journey Girls shall continue to travel the globe, passports in hand, despite the official Toys R Us departure from toy-making.  And in this travel season, for Beauty of Creating's maiden adventure we are headed to the Hawaiian Islands...

Beauty of Creating presents its
2019 Journey Girl Doll
Hawaiian Islands Adventure

Why an Hawaiian Islands Adventure? Here are some fun facts about it: 

• Hawaii is the 50th state of the United States and the most recent to incur statehood, August 21, 1959

• Hawaii was an independent nation prior to statehood (one of few)

• Hawaii is the only state located outside of North America

• Hawaii is an archipelago (cluster of islands) spread over 1500 miles

• Hawaii is comprised of an Asian plurality, a diverse array of natural scenery, beaches, tropics, ocean-fronts, historic parks, and active volancos

• Hawaii's eight main islands are Ni'ihau, Kaua'i, O'hau, Moloka'i, Lāna'i, Kaho'olawe, Maui, and the Island of Hawaii (big island)

• Hawaii's summers reach an average high of 88 degrees and lows of 75 degrees, while their winter high's reach 85 with lows of 65

• Hawaii's main languages are English and Hawaiian, though Tagalog, Japanese, Ilocano, and Hawaiian Creole English are popularly spoken languages

• Hawaii's aboriginal culture is Polynesian

• Hawaii's cuisine melds from its diverse immigrant population, fusing American, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Polynesian, and Portuguese

• Native Hawaiian, the late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole whose rendition "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" made him the 'voice of Hawaii' by NPR (2010)

• Pearl Harbor National Historic Landmark, Honolulu ( hosts four attractions: WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument, Battleship Missouri Memorial, USS Bowfin Submarine Memorial, and Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor) 

• As of 2009, the state of Hawaii insures 92% of its residents

• U.S. 44th President Barack H. Obama was born in Honolulu

• Other famous Hawaiian-born entertainers are Bruno Mars, Jason Mamoa, and Nicole Scherzinger 

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Chanisha Martin, MD

My niece, Dr. Chanisha Martin who studied at Wayne State University (Detroit), a 2010 graduate of Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine (East Lansing), with an internal medicine residency at the University of Illinois (Chicago) is an American board certified physician, practicing medicine in Hawaii.

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Interpreting Adult Patterns to Fashion Journey Girl Dolls

Two weeks ago I brought to you a design re-imagined from McCall's (one of my all time favorite pattern makers) and etched an interpretation for Journey Girl Dolls.  I sold two of those outfits in 2 days!  eBay customers could not get there fast enough.

Beauty of Creating re-imagines McCall's 7781, Blouse View A.

A question that often comes up is 'how do you do this'.

Well this post is going to hopefully answer that question.  If you desire to purchase the pattern McCall's 7781 as your base, you are free to do so.  However I do not purchase patterns.  With today's technology and the power of the internet, McCall's showcases their patterns in an online look-book, which is very similar to the large catalogs on the tables of craft barn's like JoAnn Fabric.

What you need from McCalls 7781...

The online showcased patterns usually include pictures to view, the options, sizing information from the back of original envelopes, and a flat monotone rendering of the options.  What I am most interested in is the model photography and the flat monotone.  Sizing is not important here nor are the actual pattern pieces, at least not for me.  You are welcome to scale if you choose, but I typically draft new or flesh out existing ones.  Just remember that a doll cannot contort its body as a human, so it must be drafted to simplify assembly as well as easing the doll into it.

McCall's 7781

McCall's 7781

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Now dump it!

After making the selection (View A) of the design you want to recreate for your doll, head over to your drafting table.  Here is where you decide what has to go!  This is where you eliminate the fuss of the original and simplify it for dolly!  Even if she has moving joints she cannot contort as a human. 

On this blouse a zipper was used for closure.  You can keep it, use a velcro closure (my favorite) and/or you can embellish with mock buttons.  You can create your own button holes too and have actual working buttons on your blouse.  I have hundreds of buttons in a variety of shiny pretty colors just waiting to be used.  I decided on the velcro closure with mock buttons.  These buttons favor the cherry prints in the fabric.  I thought that was pretty cool!

Beauty of Creating mod doll is Journey Girl Meredith (the athlete).  This blouse
has peek-a-boo shoulders and they are stunning!!!

On the McCall's 7781 blouse there is a ribbon fed through the top of the sleeves, likely forms a casing.  I opted to place bows on the center and keep this simple, but did place a 1/8" elastic cord gathering there instead.  For the lower edge of the sleeves, I did interpret a 1/4" elastic casing, which forms the bubble sleeve. 

The fabric was purchased last year.  It is pretty but it is lightweight and shifts a lot.  I opted to stabilize it with interfacing and make this part of the character of the blouse.  The interfacing is lightweight as well and does not bulk up the fabric.  If you decide to ever do this, buy a lightweight interfacing to stabilize your projects.

I loved the slits on the sides and they work well because they allow (at this length) for Meredith's hands (thumbs) to ease into her pockets! 

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Get ready to draft but don't reinvent the wheel.

Because I have a deep catalog of patterns designed for Journey Girls and as I learned from the tricks of the trade of commercial patterns from years of sewing from them, you do not have to reinvent the wheel.  It is not necessary to start from scratch.  Take your original, place it on the graph paper and make cuts as necessary with your pencil, then your scissors.  

I started with the BOC Shirt Dress Pattern 50621, shortened it a bit and dumped the sleeves.  Because the blouse closes in the back, I simply turned it around and whallah!  In instead of the sleeves from the shirt dress, I pulled up the BOC Off Shoulder Series 40210 and borrowed this version of cut shouldered sleeves, which allows the shoulder to peek through, thus giving you 'peek-a-boo' shoulders!

Beauty of Creating, sleeve assembly, the 'no-fuss' way!

The sleeve assembly was a snap!  The one thing I always do is keep notes!  They are not always consumable for public use, but they make sense to me if I can find them.  Often I pin them to the fabric I plan to use.  I recently picked up a tiny note book to jot down my mind melds and it stays on the drafting table.  

These notes will help build the instruction sheet for future use.  If you do not use it often you might forget how to construct the project.  The notes/instructions will be there to save you from frustration! 

Additions and accessories to complete the look

The model in the original is donning a bracelet, very simple and does not take away from the look.  Meredith is wearing blue crystal earrings.  Her fish scale braid is pulled up into a side knot, topped off with a bright pink heart barrette.  The listing will also include a silver heart charm bracelet, but nothing too fancy.  We want all of the focus on the blouse and her gorgeous face, so we stayed with white shorts and gave her a pair of new cork sandals in white vegan leather instead of a caramel color sandal as in the McCall's view.  Caramel would have worked, but for this pretty girl, I wanted her to showcase a new color shoe that we could add to a separate listing!

Beauty of Creating presents, BOC #30724 Bubble Sleeve Top
Front Pocket Shorts from the BOC Pattern 60713 Caribbean Festival.
White Vegan Leather Cork Sandals from BOC Pattern 40705,
which debuted in Caramel, Spring 2018!

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There you have it!  If you have any questions post them below or on our instagram : dronella_jgdolls. We are only making 1 (okay, maybe two) and it will list soon on eBay!  Stay tuned and keep watching!

In case you were wondering about our IG handle name change, we wanted something that told a story but did so in as few characters as possible.  Hopefully it does not inconvenience you.  Feel free to give the post a shout out when you see it!  Thanks!

In this 18th year of Beauty of Creating...

This weekend, I will be attended a baby shower of someone I knew back when the business first launched.  I find it so surreal that I am gifting this expectant family from the origins of Beauty of Creating. 

Yes.  When we launched, it was 100% babies and graphics.  Since this baby is coming short of the fall, and could perhaps enjoy a bunting, I opted for something that the parents could use 'right now'. 

Even though we do not push advertising for babies, we remain committed to them! :)

Consider Beauty of Creating for your baby showers, sprinkles, 'sip and see' events!  Thank you in advance~

New Listings for Spring Summer Collection 2018

Hello!

If you visited the eBay site this week and you could not find the new listings I promised you last weekend, I am so very sorry!

We just keep growing everyday and the demand to pack and ship kind of forced us to assess inventory.  Now those listings are here and we are so happy to showcase them for you in time to celebrate Christmas in July!

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Beauty of Creating presents the Shirt Dress Collection.
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Offered currently in denim and khaki, includes
the wedged sandals (brown), panties, black rimmed glasses,
along with earrings, and two bracelets (one beaded, one silver charm)

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Beauty of Creating presents "Butterflies are Free"
a dollinspiration tribute to Sandra Epps, Founder of Sandy'sLand Entertainment,
the Detroit Doll Show, etc.
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Ensemble includes off-shoulder dress with bell sleeves, caramel cork wedged sandals,
panties, earrings, Butterfly Set (necklace and bracelet)

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Beauty of Creating presents "Ladybug!Ladybug!",
a 4 PC tied tube top, red shorts, and red wedged sandals,
&
to complete the look, a charm bracelet & earrings!

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Beauty of Creating presents the inspired look of McCalls Pattern
"Caribbean Festival" 4PC floral capri's, doubled ruffle off-shoulder top

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Just click each photo and travel direct!

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VIP Continues...

Beauty of Creating welcomed two new VIPs via our Accelerated VIP Program that promises up to 30% off your order.  Special rules apply.  But we welcome you all as our listings become fixed but your savings persist!  And free shipping!!!

Normally to become a VIP Member, shoppers must purchase $75 in merchandise over six months.  But since we are eliminating the option to 'make offers' in order to stack collections, we now offer the Accelerated VIP Program where shoppers can begin to save up to 30% off their order of $25 minimum!

Like Wow! How cool is that? I don't know about you, but that is a huge acceleration.  There are a few listings that remain to make offers, so get to them quickly, because by August 1, our eBay shop is going 100% Fixed Price.

As a VIP member, you have earned the privilege to shop your coupon savings for one year!  You also have exclusive access to preview listings before they arrive to our eBay site and other rewards, bonuses, and gifts throughout your term as a VIP.

Adopted. Misty Copeland tribute Firebird Ballet

Adopted: July 15, 2018

2018 Doll Inspiration Icon - Sandra Epps

Beauty of Creating is proud to announce our 2018 Doll Inspiration Icon is

Sandra Epps, of Sandy's Land Entertainment.

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Sandra is beauty personified...from her inspiring words of thought, 

to the hustle of her brand, she deserves so much more!

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We honor her with this outfit, created for Journey Girl Dolls, as she continues to inspire us daily!  

Contact her through the links to her social media pages on Facebook.  

She specializes in face-painting & hosts pillow paint parties, and she brings the party to you!!!

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This outfit will be featured on eBay. Shop today!

BOC Doll Inspiration 60713 from McCall's 7757

this Beauty of Creating #BOC60713 doll inspiration 

comes courtesy of McCall's #7757 

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Our Doll Mod: Journey Girl Mandolyn aka "Mandy"

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The top is originally from #BOC40210 Off-Shoulder Series

We liked the top but added an additional row of ruffles.

For the bottom, we went straight to the design table to graph

an entirely new pair of pants with pockets.  

Maintaining most of the original,we kept the flare leg, 

but raised the hem to form capri's to showcase shoes!

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The struggle to complete this outfit with shoes, was real!  There are so many colors in the bouquets beset on the fabric that everything and nothing looked perfect!  Mandy has beautiful blushing sun-kissed tones to her skin so we focused on pinks and buff yellow!

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This outfit and many more from our design table 

will arrive shortly at our eBay location! 

Trivia:  How does Beauty of Creating numerate their patterns? Write your answer below for a chance to win this outfit!

Going, Going...Almost Gone!

This listing will soon be minus a beautiful Journey Girl Doll.  😢

Journey Girl Chavonne's value is unprecedented and I have decided to pluck her along with other "featured dolls in listings" off the eBay site.

The outfit alone, will replace this listing at a special price.  Those who desire just the outfit will be able to purchase it!

We're Changing to Make More Room for Newer Listings!

In our effort to better service our regular shoppers who enjoy the adventures of seeing newer listings, we made the executive decision to move many of our listings to our ETSY shop!

But because we are growing so fast, we must continue to seek strategies that will enable more listings to come to you!  We would like to continue to give our customers the option of making offers, however our space is limited.  It is time that we all move out of our 'holding patterns' and grow!

The demand for Journey Girls clothing and accessories is steady climbing.  With the recent closing of Toys 'R' Us we strive to answer the call in providing millions of Journey Girl customers the pleasure and opportunity to obtain our products and services with the least amount of friction in the shopping experience.

We recognize that our partner eBay has vowed to discontinue the built-in 'collection' option for customers and this lengthy transition toward its end is making it quite difficult for new customers and existing shoppers to find us and the many similar options we have in our listings.

One of the ways we are maximizing our efforts to improve your shopping experience is by pulling 'collections' of similar items and stacking them in a 'drop down' menu for you! 

Unfortunately in order to do this, we must sacrifice the "make offer" option we typically provide our customers allowing them to negotiate up to 30% off of our listed prices.

One of our featured Collections in this movement is the Academy Collection!  Instead of trying to locate every option in this collection which may not be shown in succession, one after another, we are making your experience worth the trip by presenting a gallery 'select' view for you to make your choices and view from a pull down menu!

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We have a gift for you for being patient with us through our transition. Starting August 1, 2018, we will fast-track our new and occasional shoppers to VIP status!  VIP status formerly enabled our regular and 'bulk' shoppers the liberty to make purchases at a standing price.  Additionally they receive bid/offer priority along with other savings and gifts for being our most valued asset!  Now everyone who shops a full price listing will be offered VIP status for up to one year for both eBay and direct sell orders!

It is quite an offer but we feel we owe it to you for helping us make the changes we need to continue delivering an A-1 shopping experience and a variety of listings!

We ask at this time and up until our supplies deplete, that you jet right over to our listings and make your offers now while the opportunity remains.  We will still offer free shipping so do not worry!

Happy Shopping!   Thank you for making us your Journey Girl shopping experience!

Happy July 4th - Save up to 30% off!

At your request, we are celebrating Independence Day the entire month of July, and giving shoppers up to 30% off (by request only) on these adorably cute Journey Girl Patriotic Celebration Outfits!  When this promo ends, our celebration continues, but at a fixed price, no offers accepted!

To receive this promotional special, make an offer up to 30% or purchase at full price and receive a bonus gift package and a VIP pass to join our family of friends for more savings the entire year long!!!

Just click each image, and you will travel directly to each outfit @ eBay and your savings is on the way!