$1 Doll Giveaway

I forgot to mention yesterday that I am having a drawing for a $1 pocket baby. If you would like to participate please visit my Facebook Page. You have time until tonight 9 pm to enter.

My pocket babies are perfect for any occasion. Maybe you need one to put in a Christmas stocking. Or you have a friend who needs cheering up?

                                   
                      Wonder how I took this photo when this little doll is only 3 inches tall?
                                                                    Take a guess!

Happy!

It's time for a new report. Maybe some of you have wondered how I have fared in my new job? Have you missed my musings at all?

Well, if you want to know: I LOVE MY NEW JOB! It has been a great challenge but for the first time, in a long while, I am really happy.

I love working with kids. What kind of came as a surprise to me, is the fact that I actually enjoy teaching High School and Middle School students a lot.

Of course, it could not be helped that the matter of my accent came up. The question seems never far behind once I open my mouth and start talking to a stranger. Are you Irish? (never thought I sounded Irish). What country are you from? Germany! Wow, that is so cool! Can you teach us some words.

Well, that part did not go over too badly... They actually liked my accent. Smiles.

But there were some very hard moments. Like that moment when I had to teach an English class about  Art Spiegleman's Maus novel. When you are German, it appears, you can never get away from your horrible history. You have to live with that fear. Maybe it's just in your imagination. But you are always afraid that people stare at you and think: Her people did that. Or even worse, if folks cannot do the math: She did that... I actually came across a youngster last year who asked me what I did during WWII? Ahem, do I look that old? What are they teaching you in history class?

Anyways. I had never read that graphic novel about the holocaust. Then I had to read passages of it out loud to the kids. I kind of choked on the words. You know there is that part in the story where the Nazis bash little kids' heads into walls since they would not stop screaming as they were taken away to the camps... Tough day at work. I am not sure the kids noticed it. I almost cried...

But it is all good. We must never forget! We must constantly remind ourselves and teach others what can happen if humans don't study and remember their history. We must study it and reflect upon all of it: the Good, the Bad, and especially the really Ugly parts. For if we don't we may repeat the mistakes of the past.

On the days I go in to teach I get pretty tired. I find myself coming home and in need of a nap. Since I am only a substitute teacher I get called whenever there is a teacher missing. Kind of keeps the job very interesting. You never know what can happen. =)

On the days I stay home I  get to make dolls and reflect on the human condition. It's the perfect combination for  my soul. Like I said, for the first time in a long while I am truly happy.

I filled my doll shop with goodies for Christmas. I made tons of little boots because I have this huge stash of felt that needs moving. So if you need some doll shoes I'd appreciate it if you bought a pair. Let me know if there is a color you would like to see that I forgot to make...

ch ch changes....

Don't get me wrong. I love being a doll maker. And I have enjoyed every minute, or at least most of the minutes, I have been creating dolls over the last 15 years. Gosh! Has it really been that long since I made my first doll?

But this January I decided it was time to embark on a new journey. After all, one can't spend one's life, cooped up, talking to oneself and dolls. It is even harder when you have a good head on your shoulders and that head demands to be used.

picture by Jes Anthonis 

It took me many months to get my school records from Germany. Yes, I do have a Master's degree (see sidebar). But who would have thunk it could be so hard to get proof of it. That the mills of German bureaucracy are of such very low quality and extremely slow. That it would take seven months to find a person who could help me fill out some paperwork and attest to my education in American Studies, Economics, and Psychology.

Ah, the battles the lowly immigrant has to fight every day. They never cease to amaze me.
If only one had listened to one's parents' advice "Bleib mit dem Arsch zu hause!" is still ringing in my ears...

Alas, I made it! Success! My records have been received, translated, and accepted by the Colorado Department of Education. I have been fingerprinted and background checked a sufficient number of times. Now I am the proud holder of Colorado Substitute Teacher's License.

I love it. I get to work with children and use my brain! Change is scary but good.

A doll I am working on...

Now you may be wondering if this new job will impact my doll making? I am wondering that myself. But no worries: I am not giving up doll making, my friends!

I will probably make fewer dolls, depending on my schedule. Down the road I am planning to give up making doll clothes for sale. I will offer the clothes through the end of the 2014 Christmas season. After that I will only sell my dolls.

Wish me luck for my new career as a teacher!