I didn’t have to wait long to see if Bee could make our girl’s somber expression brighter.
Two days later, on May 7th, Bee wrote:
“Great article Sandy, love how it’s all coming along.
I’ve shaded two more layers and nearly finished the face; she has a smile now and looks much happier. I will be doing at least another 6-7 more layers of shading to the body, so a ways to go. I use Pan Pastels for the shading, fixing each layer with a non toxic UV Matt varnish spray which needs at least 30 mins of drying time in between.
Here’s a couple of pics of the progress so far . . .
I’ll be adding more and more green to the tattoos. This is the base shade and her eyes need more green too.”
She’s smiling! And looking so close to what I imagined!
I was thrilled!
Zora and Lily loved her too. Both commented: “Who does she look like?” Lily (who has a film degree) said a combination of Angelina Jolie and Faye Dunaway. I just think she looks like herself. 😉
Superhero power stance! (Notice Bee’s cute bee-themed fabric/ doll styling center wallpaper.)
Now I was holding my breath. We were at the final stages. I was happy, but what would the final doll look like? What would her hair be like styled? Would the tattoos look awesome? I was shocked to hear that it took so many layers of coloring. A truly labor-intensive project! A labor of love. I told Bee how happy and grateful I was. I also mentioned that I’d researched the USPS (United States Postal Service) site after seeing one Etsy artist comment on international mail experiencing big delays. On the USPS site I read that some deliveries to Europe were now taking as much as 4-6 weeks as there were fewer air carriers and much of the mail was being transported by ship! I told Bee I wasn’t worried; that this pandemic has been a lesson in cultivating patience.
Bee wrote back:
“My dolls are actually getting to their owners with in 2-3 weeks because I send them via International ‘track and sign’ post. They are also insured so I think that it’s just Standard shipping you’re looking at maybe for the long delays?
I’ll be finishing your doll over the next few days and will send it to you on Tuesday the 12th, after our bank holiday. I’ll send you pics for your blog after it’s all completed.
Have a good weekend.” ^.^
Two to three weeks would be fantastic!
And then . . . four days later (May 11th), the final photos.
Bee wrote:
“Here she is all finished, apart from glossing the eyes and lips. I think she looks amazing, especially up close, so much detail. Hope you can see it all in these photos. I’ll wrap her up and send her to you on either Tues. or Weds. next week.”
The back design was all Bee’s creation. Again, excellent!
I love these garden photos!
Gorgeous.
And, last but not least, the creator’s hand at work . . .
My response? I was a tad excited:
“OMG. SHE LOOKS SO EFFING COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m over the moon!
Thank you so much!!!!
I know it’s evening there, so I will write and gush some more tomorrow.
She’s really beautiful and it just looks fantastic.
I cannot wait to show her off to the world!”
Our Greenwoman is now on her way. We just have to wait for her to cross the Atlantic Ocean, go halfway across the United States, and arrive, safe and sound, in Colorado!
Then the real adventures begin!
Stay tuned for the naming contest!
Have a beautiful weekend, everyone!
—S. K.
P. S. Thank you again, Bee. You have made a dream come true. There’s still magic in Cornwall and throughout the world. You’ve proved it. ❤
florasforum 