Clea Bella- Nocturne

This early design for Clea Bella I titled 'Nocturne' after the works by Chopin that are, traditionally performed as a 'Ballet Blanc' (Les Sylphides).

I was still experimenting with length and fullness. I was/am privileged to have TONS of fine, white tulle left over from my wedding decor. The weight has the perfect drape for this scale.

Welcome!

When I first discovered Clea Bella dolls I was so excited- can't sleep on Christmas Eve kind of excited! The doll was the ballet doll I had always wanted. Clea had none of the inauthentic things that you find on "ballet" dolls that, as a dancer, drove me nuts (things like no turn-out)!

I had been a Gene collector, and created a few things for her, but when I met Clea I went into creative overdrive. This was creatively perhaps the most prolific time in my life. And during this period, Clea would introduce me to some wonderful friends, have one of my costumes mass-produced for the market, be featured in a doll magazine, and do some further development work for the Clea Bella doll company that I hope someday comes to fruition.

Eventually I moved on to other passions, but occasionally I still find myself drawn to the sewing machine and whipping something up for my original muse. This blog is to celebrate that time in my life and perhaps to send inspiration out into the future.