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Story by
blackeyedsuzie,
TeenAngster,
weirdwolf
Published on February 19, 2009 in This Handmade Life |
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YouTube | MP4 | blip.tv | Subscribe in iTunes
(music by Espers, animation by JuliaPott)
Canadian artist and writer Sarah Faber aka Blackeyedsuzie started making art dolls while she was living in the woods of Maine, unable to legally work in the States. Sarah tired of constantly being in her own head as she worked endlessly on her first novel, so she decided she needed to do something with her hands. She chose doll-making because she could build on her experiences as a young girl, helping her crafty mother make beautiful dolls. After buying some books Sarah started experimenting with polymer clay, and eventually paper clay.
Blackeyedsuzie's style was influenced by her love for Gothic novels, Victorian and Elizabethan costumes and Dame Darcy's comic Meat Cake. Her dolls are infused with the same elongated, wide-eyed traits as the characters of Edward Gorey and Tim Burton. However, Sarah's dolls have their own style: Victorian beauties with a dark side — card sharks, bourbon drinkers, albinos and vampires...
Sarah doesn't necessarily consider her dolls to be Gothic, although some are dark and contain elements of the supernatural or uncanny. She considers them to be "Victorian, with a certain edge." The dolls' descriptions tell tales of dire lives of Victorian England, but not without a certain playful wink.
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blackeyedsuzie
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TeenAngster
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weirdwolf
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113 comments Login to add your own!
FancifulForm
I have been a big fan of blackeyedsuzie.etsy.com for a while now. I sculpt myself and I just find the emotions she is capable of capturing in the dolls faces astonishing. They are beautiful works of art!
jessjamesjake
missbatch
Incredible! I love hearing about the process in letting the essence of the creation dictate it's form. Beautiful work, and stunning video!
CwButcher
isewcute
WOnderful video! I especially loved watching it after seeing the feature on Black Eyed Suzie in feb/mar/apr 2009 Artdoll Quarterly Magazine.
Such Talent!!!
:o)
ArchetypalTheatre
What a great portrait! I love seeing the influences behind the making of these evocative ladies. Their eyes really speak!
BabbidgePatch
oldworldprimitives
I am a fan of blackeyedsuzie's shop, so it was really fun to "meet" her in this video and learn more about her work. Fun feature!
PeppermintDaydreams
yowza! truly amazing work. hooray Canada! hee hee hee.
timesandchimes
Oh I just love Suzie's dolls! So unique and beautiful in the most eerie way!
waysideviolet
fricdementol
Sarah you are beautiful! :)
I specially love the 'sad' expressions, they are plenty of emotion and expressive feeling! Magnificent artwork!
vintagedchic
oo I love blackeyedsuzie's work! I built a whole treasury around her "Elspeth" that made front page in large part to her talent!
CoRneY
Recy
I love blackeyedsuzie! I hope to own one of her beautiful creations someday.
Speaking of doll-making... Inchelina is also very talented:
Inchelina.etsy.com
LittleCritters00
Work is amazing. I wish I could afford to by one. On may I love them all.
LittleCritters00
I love the other picks too, oh man this is such article
weirdwolf
Sarah was so wonderful and lovely and interesting to work with. Please read all the stories she writes for the descriptions. The little bios add a dark edge to these sweet, precious dolls. Fantastic!
mermaidsdowry
Very beautiful dolls!! I have had you as a favorite for months - I want to buy one some day :)
blackeyedsuzie
Thanks so much for watching, everyone, and for all the kind comments! And thank you, Tara, you video-star!
picklehead
amazingly beautiful dolls! I love how each doll has it's own melancholy story.
:D
dragonhouseofyuen
yes, Sarah's sculptures are so unique and full of character - and the bio's superb!
(I love stories, I do them too - it's all part of the creation process)
laurebelle
Love your collection! I love all things unique and close to the heart - it is evident these are both!!!!
Blessings!
artdollsbynat
You are definitely one of my favorite artist of any medium. Your dolls are really intriguing. Love hearing your inspirations.
NanLawson
wow so beautiful - im usually not a doll fan but you may have converted me!
thestapeliacompany
Oooh, I love her dolls, they're so dark and well-made.
deirdradoan
Oh thank you so much for adding Miss Marie A in her roses...she looks so lovely with the other girls!!!
I will come back and spend more time..oxo
worksofwhimsy
SpiritMama
jodieflowers
topsyturvydesign
I am soooo thrilled to see a portrait on Sarah & her a-mazing work! Congrats Ms. Sarah!
tinatarnoff
loopyboopy
Very very cool. Been a cyber friend of Sarah's for awhile and how special to get to actually see her!! Sarahs dolls are absolutely stunning, inspiring and just hard to take your eyes off of!!
loopyboopy
oh and thanks for including my Laura with this article, quite an honor!!!
twolefthands
ladyartisan
Awesome video, Sarah! It was delightful to see your studio space, watch you work, and hear a bit of your story.
bartonoriginals
Love Sarah's dolls and what a treat to view this video and get to know her abit! Unique
enchanting dolls by a unique and charming
artist!
BululuStudio
capturedimagination
The eyes are so captivating! Thanks for sharing a part of your story.
dancesippydance
great video.
when i come across sarah's creations on etsy they always stop me dead in my click,click,clickity tracks, they are so stunning and engaging.
kristensteinfineart
I enjoyed this so much. I love your dolls. Being 6ft tall and elongated, these are perfect for me. :)
VedaArts
FirstLove
Love her and all her creative talent!!!!!!!!
Too amazing, really :) I'm so glad to see lovely Sarah featured!!
Intres
itselemental
A wonderful artist-portrait, and hauntingly beautiful art dolls!
odiliafu
signsofmylife
oh, what a wonderfully executed video - enjoyed the viewing - the creating - the whole 9 yards! love edward gorey too - tim burton's work as well - need to look up meat cake...your dolls are mysteriously wonderful creations - such charm & what a story they can tell! keep up the wonderful work that you do & maybe one day i'll get to own one of your creations...soon! all the best to you!
staceyrebecca
Oh my gosh! Tara this is beautiful! Oh I want to be her best friend! Or at least go out to lunch once or twice.
1ofmykind
Absolutely sublime...num! Etsy please give us more more more. There is nothing more inspiring than sharing the studio and process of an artists work. Well done ALL!
weirdwolf
btw TeenAngster curated these fantastic related items. She's got the magic touch!
unconventionalida
EpicBones
gorgeous!!! my aunt makes dolls, i'll definitely have to show her that video. great work!
olivehuedesigns
blackeyedsuzie is one of my very most favoritest sellers! One day I hope to have her make a doll all for my very own.
yalipaz
That was so great to see how she makes her wonderful dolls. Thank you so much!
christinececelia
zwzzy
GreighdayVintage
deirdradoan
The video is wonderful...It is great to see how you work...and know more about you...I am so happy to know you and be included on this page of dolls!!! Thank you again!!!
LeLapinTriste
Sarah is one of my most favorite etsy sellers! It was amazing to see inside her studio and hear her talk about her work. Sincerely lovely stuff!
MakeMeOver
These are just SOOOOOO creative, I love them! They all seem to have such unique characters - I always wonder how you come up with them. Thanks so much for sharing!!!
sweetruin
Very talented artist. I love the little stories that she write for each doll. Beautiful!
pumpkinhaus
Sarah! I loved seeing you in your video! Your work is lovely darling.... and so are you!
silocurb
thankyou for this inspiring interview.
thankyou wolf and angster and beautiful blackeyedbeauty.
truly.
AmelieAPoulain
blackeyedsuzie
Thanks so much, everyone! Your comments are so lovely to read!
neawear
Oh you're gonna bring an Etsy crowd to Montreal now!! hehe ;) YAY!
Your work is fabulous, inspiring and intriguing! Keep it up :)
Inchelina
Sarah is a wonderful artist! I loved the video and seeing the process.. It makes it even more special as I own one of her wonderful dolls...
Isabelcards
I was just noticing these dolls earlier this week...they really caught my attention.
LaireMarie
Fishstikks
Wonderful segment on a great artist!
Thoroughly enjoyed that! You have some wonderful creations and I like that they tell you who they are.
NejellaPhotoArt
artdollsonly
artTherapy
i never realized how many different creative processes went into doll making. thanks for the education. your work is lovely and your passion for it shines brightly.
shewhomustbeloved
I can totally imagine these dolls being in their own animated tv show!
Signs
Suzeeez
Wonderful video and amazing artwork. Your imagination and creativity are an inspiration.
I love how you give personality to each and every one of your dolls. You can see it by simply looking into thier eyes. Keep doing what you are doing...your work is awesome!
Sue
Iammie
1AEON
PipocaHandmade
what awesome creations from blackeyed suzie! i loved hearing her approach to her craft. these would look fantastic in a 'brothers quay' film!
yaay canada!
TheLaLaLaShop
edessedesigns
I'm blown away. For some reason, this video spoke to me like no other one has--for so many reasons, I can't even begin to describe. Just amazing! Thank you so much for this. I really needed it.
MGMart
I loved watching your video Sarah! What a lovely artworks, they look a bit sad and tired, but even this, they are still so sweet. You look at every each of them and they really do tell you a story!!!
Thank you for sharing your story with us and thank you for Etsy to bought us artist together in this lovely handmade site!!!
I send my love from Hungary.
~Marianna
LANCERIKA
lwsilver
myzoetrope
I love these videos. It's so fun to glimpse into the "making of" process of her dolls!
coffeemonkey
feralchildren
What wonderful work! Hmmm... I was going to do persephone with a pomegranate too... not sure I can now :P
zJayne
So much talent! A pleasure to learn more about this artist and shop!
tanyap
This was sooo cool. I love seeing how other people create and work...what a cool block to live on!
plantelady
Sarah--You are a gifted writer, I can tell by your answers to their questions. Don't ever give up on that dream. I also love your dolls, they are quite different but that is what makes them special.
sunflowervalley
oh my gosh youre dolls are so magical and beautifull full of imagination , i love them . you are such a talented person.and my new inspiration thanks
SusannaMarie
These are just lovely. Keep us the wonderful work! It's inspiring really.
Thanks,
Susanna
ohsusannasjewelry
dizzymarmalade
DuBuhDuDesigns
Congrats to you Sarah on this fantastic video and for being recognized for the amazing artist you are!!!
~Christine :)
p.s. how is it you have such a clean studio..hmm? :)
ambitionsdesign
Sarah! I just got your newsletter and cannot believe I missed this! I have been living in a cave I swear! Congrat's!!
Dani~
matchiematchie
What an inspiration. It is truly amazing the work that you put into the dolls.
TheFeltElf
I loved this video, your openess and your beautiful home. Inspiring work, aaaaaaah now I want to make dolls
Walkingquail
What a super film about a very interesting artform. Sarah, you are fully as interesting as your creations. Thank you for sharing your story.
chubbycheeksweaters
dDryad
maggiemaescolours
I am amazed at the process that goes into making these dolls. You are a true artist. Thank you for sharing.
figure22
mizdarlin
I now am dying to make strange little hats for these fabulous creations-maybe I'll have to take up dolls to have an excuse! blackeyedsuzie, you are truly fabulous-congratulations!♥
chialudesign
I like the characters that you put in your dalls. Very good creayivity.
steampunkjunq
TieBeau
I used to live on St Urbain in Montreal. I can imagine seeing some of these women walking in the streets and climbing up an down the iron staircases. None of them look like they have ever tasted a yummy Montreal baggle however.
DappleGrey
these are so beautiful, i have to have one i just cant choose, really beautiful.
dollproject
Great video! I loved the insightful glimpse into your design origins and process :]. Thank you for sharing!
DawnAliceDesigns
LondonParticulars
Amazing! Thank you for making a video, your dolls are incredible, I love your Poe!
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