Greetings All,

We are still here and doing well. I'm in school taking medical billing/coding classes and Spirit (left) on her way to Lexington, KY to a new home. I'm still working on my latest Diva Saffronia and should have her completed by the end of the week. I'm looking for fabrics that I can dress her in that are in the yellow range. For me sometimes it's harder to dress them than to make them. I will post later, now I'm on my way to do some review homework before today's class.

Divas Furniture

Greetings All,
I often look for furniture for my Divas/Friends and what I found is usually in the plant sections of stores. Here are two examples of items that I have use as stools.

Below are other examples that were found, but I couldn't see putting a plant on them, but the Divas look great.

In the past I did find some great doll furniture at discount store made by a company called Kingsgate, but couldn't find them on the web until now and can't wait until I can place an order.

We are still here

Greetings All,

Yes we are still here. We have been hanging out at Artisans 21 Gallery (above) and meeting all types of people.

Duchess (left) and the gang hosted our annual open house show/sale in November (above). I also finished Kemba, who is named after my daughter and Philomena (below right/left). I'm working on Saffronia in honor of Nina Simone song Four Women that I saw on You Tube sung by Lizz Wright, Dianne Reeves and Simone (Lisa Celeste Stroud) who is the high priestess daughter.

My latest Diva

Greetings All,
This is my latest diva "Fallon" who was created by commission and she's named after a wonderful young woman that I met on-line and who came out while we were at the Chicago Jazz Festival and spent the afternoon with us. We enjoy her company so very much that I had to name a diva after her. The garments that she's wearing were created by the owner fabric because wanted her to matched her bedroom.


The fabric came from "Global Mamas" that was created in Ghana and I supplied the lining fabric and shoe soles. Global Mamas is a nonprofit organization helping small women-led enterprises in Africa. Do check out their website. So here's to you Fallon.

Artisans 21 Grand Re-opening

Greetings All,

Artisans 21 had their Grand Re-opening this past weekend and the Darling Divas/Friends were in attendance and had a great time. I was their all day Saturday met some wonderful people and some old acquaintances. I look forward to have a long run with the gallery and thank them for allowing me to be a member. The Divas/Friends had an awesome time and we will keep you posted.

Chicago Jazz Fest - Part II

Greetings All,

Well the "Darling Divas/Friends" survived another weekend of vending and Ms. Pumpkin (right) found a new home on the east-coast in DC. She will be missed, but much loved in her new space/place. All the other divas were oohed and awed over and welcome with open arms. They met people from all over the planet, England, Ireland, Spain, China, South America, and Canada to name a few.

We had a great time hanging out with my first born, Kemba (below left) and she's a diva too. The music was just awesome, the weather could not have been better and I would love to do it again.

Chicago Jazz Festival Art Fair

Greetings All,

The Darling Divas/Friends are getting ready for another road trip. This time they are off to a 3-day event at the Chicago Jazz Festival Art Fair. This is a 1st for us and we hope/pray not the last. We will be in downtown Grant Park at the north rose garden between Jackson Blvd and the wonderful Buckingham Fountain, Sept 4th, 5th, and 6th from 11am until 9:30 each day. So if you are in town come on downtown and stop by and say hello.

The artists/artisans that are participating are: Nnamdi African Origins, Wire Art Jewelry, Avril's Designs, Pretty Afrika Designs, Samsara Boutique, B&N Designs, Out of Africa, Ernani Silva, Cheryl Toles, Peter Hurley Studio, Sam Thread Art, Chester Allen, Patrick Crouch, Chris C. Crystals and More, Gallery Guichard, Third Generation Jewelers, Paul S. Benjamin, Kerream Jones, JJB Silver & More, Bayo Studio, Window to Imagination, Kit Enterprises LLC, and Semmerling & Schaefer Masks Studios.

The music line-up is just awesome and some of my favorites are: Muhal Richard Abrams, Dee Alexander, Fareed Haque, Esperanza Spalding, Nicole Mitchell Black Earth Strings, Von Freeman, and the Archie Shepp Quartet just to name a few. So come on down the Divas/Friends /I will be waiting to see you.