Magic Dance

The OTHER coolest (nerdiest, most fun for me and the client) order I got this holiday season was this, a set of nesting dolls in the likeness of the crew from the movie Labyrinth. I ask you, how could I turn that down?! I got the order just two weeks before Christmas, and had a few things to finish up first, but I was determined to make it happen, and I did, with just a few sleepless nights. I delivered them on the 22nd of December, just before leaving for my own holiday down to Kansas to see the family. These were so fun to make, and got a good reaction as I posted production photos on Instagram (I'm benrum, if you'd like to follow me).

Frankie, the client, and I had met at Renegade Craft Fair in September, and when he emailed me I remembered him wigging out over the Alice in Wonderland dolls I had made a few years ago (I showed him photos). He was very excited to give these to his girlfriend, and I hope she was just as excited to receive them. I know I was to paint them!

I think my favorite comment on Instagram was my cousin Margo, who asked if the infamous Bowie Bulge would be its own, separate doll. Great idea, but I went in another direction, just in case.

When we talked, Frankie agreed with me that, although Jareth is the main guy in the set, Ludo made more sense as the largest doll, as it wouldn't really make sese the other way around. After that it was an easy and logical descent to the protagonist, Sarah, Hoggle, one of the more prominent Goblins, and baby Toby.

Rock... friend.

 

It is always fun working in details like this snake, the owl on Mr Bowie's back, and the crystal ball. Those details are half of the fun when designing from a movie or series that I love, for someone who will catch and appreciate the little jokes.

One big, happy family/kidnapping-villain/nice-monster/turncoat-troll... Thing.

For all of the fun I had painting the others, this guy remains my favorite. He's the one who screams "Shut up, shut up, shut up!" when the horned goblin asks, "did she say it?" I love that part, though it spooked me out when I was a kid.

So... That's that! There's my fancy logo on the bottom, and I close the book on yet another Christmas miracle. Hopefully she liked them!