Resfeber

The Traveller

Traditional Nautical tattoo's could be read off the body of a sailor like a symbolic book. Each inked image illustrated a hard earned badge of honour; a swallow for every 5000 miles travelled or a turtle if you'd crossed the equator. For the suspicious, certain symbols represented goodluck talismans; The North Star to keep one on course or guide you home, a spyglass to keep goals in sight, and Marina's lantern serves as a guiding light in dark or uncertain times. Banners and anchors were emblazoned with the names of those who kept you steady, or in this case - words of courage and strength for the lonely traveller. Pinups kept a sailor company, and were sometimes the only companion for months for a sole traveller.

Inspired by Marina's love of vintage illustrated maps and my own shared passion for world travel. "The Traveller" is a fragile being, literally too delicate to live out her namesake, echoing many of our own fears of setting out into the dangerous unknown. She herself becomes an illustrated map: perfect skin engraved with her strengths and fears, her achievements and deepest desires laid out for anyone who meets her on her journey to see.

Further Details

Painted in delicate layers of sealed watercolour on porcelain Enchanted Doll: Fern.

Once Upon a Blythe - Exhibition Opening

I was lucky enough to get to travel to the opening night exhibition for August Clown Gallery's international Blythe customiser exhibition "Once Upon a Blythe"

All the dolls were beautifully displayed, 

I was very happy to be a part of the show, and I was so happy to arrive and see a red sticker on Briar Rose, knowing she has gone to a loving home!

Here is my flickr gallery of Briar Rose, as well as photographs of the other dolls in the exhibition, too

Auguste Clown have a great flickr gallery from the opening night, too

Nicolle (from Nicolle's Dreams) made a wonderful video of the exhibition, so you can feel like you went to the show, too!

Briar Rose

Once Upon a Blythe


International Blythe Customiser Exhibition


Auguste Clown Gallery

"Briar Rose"

The sleeping beauty cursed to dream amongst the crumbling ruins of a bygone

era until she is awoken by the kiss of true love. Wild brambles crawl up her

pale legs, threatening to ensconce her forever. Beneath her long flittering

lashes, she dreams for a-hundred years of the one to wake her.

Custom Work Undertaken:

*Base Doll: Takara Chocolate and Spice Neo Blythe

*Modified Pure Neemo S body replacement

*Carved Lips, Nose, Philtrum, Chin, Eye-Sockets

*Engraved and painted brambles on legs and chest

*Sleep-Eye added, eye-mech gaze-adjusted

*Pastel and Acrylic faceup and body-blushing

*Lace and Tulle removable dress, wild-rose wreath

*Monika Viktoria art-cameo illustrated pull-rings

*Bespoke Doll bed with adjustable bed-head and storage

*Adjustable mattress, lace blanket and pillow

Artist Brief:

Orchid's Designs (Monika Viktoria)

Orchid's Designs creates unique Haute Couture costumes for Artist BJD and

Blythe, as well as crafting bespoke doll beds and furniture. Monika placed

first in both the fashion and photography category at BCUK 2013, and in the

BlytheFest Au 2014 competition.

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Mesmerising eyes the colour of blood-red roses. Briar Rose has 4 pairs of metallic hand painted chips befitting her character... oh what dreams they have seen these long years?

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And finally, her pull-rings to allow those sleepy lids to open, two cameo's with Monika Viktoria illustrations from my 'of lace and moss' watercolour series.

Midnight Blush - Lingerie Set

This gorgeous lingerie set was crafted using delicate silk ribbons, nylon hosiery, black lace, ruffles, peach netting matched with a soft bandeau bra. Elegant and stylish, the perfect suit for these masterfully created Artisan Dolls who have such beautiful bodies and expert posing range.

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Unavailable.

This set was a private commission.

Bespoke Bed and Mattress are available in my -etsy store-

Naughty but Nice Lingerie sets

I find the broody expressions and posing abilities of the Popovy dolls the perfect models for adorable boudoir lingerie sets. I DO love making the frilly "naughty but nice" peephole panties, and hope to make a small range available for purchase this year. Keep your little eyes watching my etsy shop

Silk, satin, lace, organza ribbons and soft hosiery.

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Unavailable
Both these sets were private commissions.

Once Upon a Blythe

Featuring over 30 international doll artists, "Once Upon a Blythe" International exhibition at Auguste Clown Gallery in Melbourne, Australia will showcase the finest talent in Blythe customisation and artistry, http://www.augusteclown.com/blythe-dolls.html

Opening February 20th, all dolls will be available in person at the show and online. To be added to the special preview mailing list for information and photos, contact the gallery directly at:  info@augusteclown.com

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Orchid's Designs is thrilled to be included amongst some of the top names in the Blythe world for this incredible curated show. For our entry we chose to interpret the tale of "Briar Rose" - the sleeping beauty who is cursed to stay in the world of dreams in a crumbling ruin until she is awoken by the kiss of true love. Brambles crawl up her pale legs, threatening to ensconce her forever.
beneath her long flittering lashes, she dreams.....

Briar Rose is a full art custom, painted and blushed with acrylics, artist pastels and sealed with UV and yellowing protectant. Her eyelids feature brambles and roses, hiding her dreams. 

She has 4 pairs of metallic hand-painted eye-chips, and her base doll was Takara official release Chocolate and Spice.

Her pure-neemo body has been modified with a new technique of burr-engraving the plastic, then setting, painting, and sealing. She wears a tattered lace dress of layers of tulle and vintage lace.

Please enjoy the preview photographs of her, until we are able to unveil her official photo series!

Late Start to 2015!!

Oops, a belated Happy New Year to everyone!! 

January is always my favourite month, and it is already almost over! I feel this year will fly by as well, just like last year.

Unfortunately I am noticing many of my older blog posts are having the images disconnected, and not able to be viewed. I think this is a problem with the varying hosting sites I use, whether it's flickr, facebook or tumblr. Sincerest apologies, I am trying to find a better solution to being able to continue blogging in 2015 - and have my images stay up here for many more years to be enjoyed!!

In the meantime, you can always visit me on these sites where I post frequently my newest work and glimpses of progress pieces:

facebook - www.facebook.com/orchidsdesigns
instagram - @monikaviktoriaart

flickr - www.flickr.com/photos/orchidsdesigns


In other news, we are preparing for a great Blythe themed exhibition next month here in Australia (more info in a future post very soon) and will be attending Blythefest AU in October, held in QLD, which I am very excited about!