My Medusa

I loved Medusa when she was a child,
Her rich brown tresses heaped in crispy curl
Where now those locks with reptile passion whirl,
By hate into dishevelled serpents coiled.
I loved Medusa when her eyes were mild,
Whose glances, narrowed now, perdition hurl,
As her self-tangled hairs their mass unfurl,
Bristling the way she turns with hissings wild.

Her mouth I kissed when curved with amorous spell,
Now shaped to the unuttered curse of hell,
Wide open for death’s orbs to freeze upon;
Her eyes I loved ere glazed in icy stare,
Ere mortals, lured into their ruthless glare,
She shrivelled in her gaze to pulseless stone.

-- Thomas Gordon Hake, The Infant Medusa.

As told by Ovid in Metamorphoses, Medusa was a beautiful young woman whose crowning glory was her magnificent long hair. She was desired and courted by countless suitors. Yet, before she could be betrothed to a husband, Poseidon (Neptune) found her worshipping in the temple of Athena (Minerva) and ravished her. Outraged at her sacred temple being violated, Athena punished Medusa by turning her beautiful tresses into snakes and giving her the destructive power to turn anyone who looked directly at her into stone.

My Medusa holds a stone heart in her palm -- blazing red with the torment that burns within her.

My Parvati

For a long time now, I have been looking at the film-still from Devdas and dying to create a doll inspired by Parvati played by the beautiful Aishwarya Rai.

Parvati is dressed in a classic Bengali style: a peacock-blue sari embellished in jewel tones. Her hands and feet are painted in alta, a very traditional adornment used by the women of Bengal. Her ornaments include necklaces, bangles, earrings, anklets, ring and tiara.

To read the story of Devdas, visit:
http://devdas.indiatimes.com/story.htm

My Princess Suhana

Princess Suhana: as dazzling and regal as the star that is her namesake. She is an incomparable beauty of the Orient, dressed in Indian brocade and exotic jewelry. Her wrapped dress, draped in the style of a sari, is made of a chocolaty plum silken fabric shot with gold: an intricate floral design woven on the achal. Her jewelry is accented in faux turquoise. Her hair is arranged in a braided chignon, but most of her thick shimmery copper curls flow freely about her shoulders.

In Hindi, Suhana means beautiful; in Arabic, it is the name of a star. Princess Suhana will grace a Persian Harem as befittingly as she would an Indian Palace.

I had a wonderful time making this doll, but the journey has been strange to say the least. When I started out, I was quite set on making a blond beauty wearing a Regency styled gown. I had even set aside the goldenrod chiffon fabric for the dress, and made yellow polymer clay roses to make into a bouquet. But when the doll was ready to be adorned, it was almost like she insisted on wearing a different dress: very much like the princess she is! I had been saving this fabric for later, but had to give in. She preferred copper curls to blond that I had in mind for her. And she had to have all the jewelry: even the anklets although they are normally covered up by her long skirt.

My Princess Sabah

Princess Sabah: as beautiful as the glow of the rising sun. Her pearly complexion, dreamy brown eyes and soft pink lips have stolen the sleep of many a prince. Her ebony hair falls unbound to her waist. She is a vision of innocence in her billowy white dress trimmed in gold.

My Keira

This is my new doll, Keira. Her pink lips, soft brown eyes and delicate brows make her a diamond of the first water. Her coppery brunette hair is partly braided, and the rest cascades down her back. Her nails are painted in cranberry red, and she is dressed in a gown of cream lace. She wears golden bracelets, ear bobs and necklace.

Keira is on auction on eBay right now. To see details, visit:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item
=290161552064&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:11

A Suitor for Miss Mary

Remember Miss Mary? Well, she had found her new home with my friend Joan in January. And now Joan thinks Miss Mary is old enough to marry, and asked me to look for an eligible bachelor. So here he is, Sir Alan.

He has long brown hair and brown eyes. Joan might give him a haircut later, or tie his hair back. He is dressed in tight-fitting slacks and tunic for now. But Joan probably has more elaborate plans with him. Dearest Joan, if you are reading this, please please please send us photos once you complete the roombox!