Dollmaking

My Name is Valarie Pacheco-VanVelzen , I started making dolls when I was 10, and chopping hair off my Barbie's, painting their faces, ect. I have always been an artist, I love and appreciate art, and went to college for a short time. i graduated High School, went to work, then got married in 1985, pursued dollmaking while I was living in Mississippi Under the name of Valarie Warman, I entered a doll contest and won 2nd place. I learned how to clean and fire porcelain, paint it, from a lady named Brenda, while living in Columbus Mississippi, I learned a lot from her, when it came to porcelain and ceramics. I also learned that when the student surpasses the teacher, the teacher becomes jealous and envious. After 8 months of Living is the South, which I hated, we got orders to England, my ex was in the Air Force. I continued to pursue my career in dollmaking, making dollhouse dolls, sometimes ordering the part from a catalog, or locally in England, and doll magazines. I ventured into sculpting with Fimo, Oven Bake Clay, which came from Germany, in 1986, i sold at several craft shows, and bazaars on the base. I experimented with making clothespins dolls, cloth dolls, porcelain dolls, and of course the sculpted dolls. I sculpted Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, A Man in Golfing Clothes, Old fashioned Beach couple, ladies, and many others. Made Barbie and doll Clothes and sold them. In 1988 I split from my ex, I stayed in England, did some crafting. Moved back to the states in 1990 and continued porcelain pouring, cleaning, firing and painting, for a little bit, before moving to Iowa in August of 1990, having two children kept me busy, but in between made time to make dolls, while my boys would play in the living room, and sell them at 2 craft shows. Working , raising kids and going to college for 3 years took a toll, but continued with my drawing and painting, while going to school, my boys lived part time with their dad, and part time with me, which was my second Husband I divorced in 1994.

I left Iowa In 2000 at the end of my 3rd year in College, I moved back to California, and went to work, In 2000 I discovered Ebay, and made and sold Jewelry, Costumes for SCA(Society of Creative Acronism) and Rennfaire. I did this between working for a payroll company and then quit and worked fulltime, making costumes, from 2000 to 2006 to sell on ebay. Also in between making OOAK Repaint Dolls, and sculpted dolls, Dollfie BJD Clothing, and went back to making my dressed skeletons, and selling those as well. I started making costumes, for Comic-Con, by advertising my seamstress skills, as well as wedding dresses, alterations, and exclusive costumes, I did this well into 2011-12. While sewing I still pursued Art and Dollmaking, Sold many art pieces, In Laguna Beach, California, Manitou Springs-Colorado Springs, Co and Waikiki, Hawaii in 2012. Painting mermaids, seascapes, drawing pen and ink mermaids and fantasy. In 2012 Sold One of my pieces at the Orange County fair.

from 2012 to 2014 I sold many works of Art, In Laguna Beach and Online, Etsy and Ebay, My sculpted dolls, and still made costumes for Comic Con, Alterations and Rennfaire Costumes. I moved to Colorado in August of 2014, with my Current Husband, I continued my sales online and artwork sales in local gallery's and shops. We moved to Kingman, AZ ,where I reside, with my husband, who in his own right is a awesome photographer and artist. I have and continue to Create OOAK(one of a kind) Dolls Sculpted mermaids, Fairies, Gothic, Gypsy, Witch, and anything my creative mind can dream up. I create my dollhouse dolls which I have been selling steady since 2016 on Etsy and Ebay, I have a huge customer base with the dollhouse dolls, dressed skeletons, and artist dolls.

Over the years since selling online I have experienced kindness from very nice and courteous people, I have learned to weed out the thorns from the blossoms, and ignored the ugly and embraced the beautiful words that come out of some people's mouths. I protect my work, as any artist does, I have sold my dolls under Valarie Warman, Valarie C, Valarie Pacheco, and Valarie Pacheco-VanVelzen, same with my art. My selling handles have been Rhiannon's dolls, Dolls by Rhiannon, Rhiannon Morghaine. I have been Bohemian Mermaid art studio for years and Bohemian velvet rose. I also am known as The Rasta Mermaid. I was featured in 2007 Feb-March Issue of Barbie Bazar featuring my Repaints and a brief background of my work, Barbara Jeffords headed the article, and because of that, I also was Invited to a Doll manufacturer's house party hosting a series of dolls and doll collectors. Which the owner of the company had purchased a repaint of one of her dolls. I adored the repaint so much, I was given 2 dolls, and of course she had paid for the repaint prior to the party. I remember her first name was Doris, I met the woman that came up with Clea Bella as well, but we did not hit it off as well as Doris and I, strange woman she was. I have repainted and costumed over 1000 Tonner, Gene, and other 16 fashion dolls and sold on Ebay. I have Restored over 1000 or so China Head Dolls and Bisque Antique dolls, giving them new bodies, and clothes, the dolls from the 1800's , had kidd leather bodies and over time, they rot, crack and loose sawdust.

I collect dolls, I have a certain style, I like China heads, antique bisque and old-world pressed face dolls, I enjoy making them, as well as collecting, what started out as a hobby, when i was a kid, is now my passion, my love and my successful business. Enjoy the pictures, and I am always available to answer questions, I will answer them honestly and truthful. I appreciate other artists, I don't tolerate copying, I realize the best for of flattery is imitation, but Artists do have to protect their work and respect other artists. I give credit where credit is due, and I ignore the cheap copycats.

To anyone that is a doll artist, or crafter, or artist, keep crafting, keep dollmaking and or collecting, because this is what keeps artists sane and keeps the world beautiful.

Valarie Pacheco-VanVelzen

The Bohemian Mermaid(c)

bohemianmermaidartstudio@gmail.com

Disclaimer: All my work is protected (c)copywrite Bohemian mermaid Art Studio/Bohemian Mermaid Art/Valarie. Pacheco/VanVelzen. Any reproduction, theft of pictures, or use of pictures on any site or venue will result in legal action. Any use of my Name: Bohemian Mermaid Art Studio in part or whole, my real name or usernames, will result in legal action. Anyone that uses my personal information for any purpose, is prohibited, and not allowed, this too will result in legal action. Resale of my items is allowed, however, anyone claiming to be the artist, there listings will be revied and legal action with Vero programs and property rights will be taken against the seller, person or company.