I have been working hard on my craft since 2004, and I think I have a skill level that shows in my work. I am the do over queen and there are many heads without bodies to suggest that these mistakes drive me to the perfect end. The finished doll always seems to lead to the next doll, one is born out of another. This is why I love making dolls. It is the air I breathe and pretty much defines me. I am a doll maker.

This may sound strange but these bodiless heads and headless bodies speak to me. I have control over the parts and pieces individually, but the position involved in the connection is revealed at the moment the pieces touch one another for the first time. The head moves me to sew it in a certain pose, same with the hands and arms. The whole doll forms itself to be expressive according to its idea of itself.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

'elle c'est Dominer'

Here she is.
She came from an act of expression . . .A need to release an emotion . . .
and she told me what she is . . . a Domme
'elle c'est Dominer '

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Not a Whip . . .

Well if the laws in Alabama don't get me I am sure some lightening bolt will . . .She has this power over me and I must do her wishes.But I stop at making a doll for her to abuse.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Dominatress???

I had started this doll a couple of months ago and had to set her aside. I couldn't grasp the direction to take her.The only thing that worked on her was the bustier or corset that I had made. Her head did not even work. So she was sent to the closet . . .But with some encouraging words and a wine bottle to form the shape of the skirt, I have a new direction. What she seems to be telling me is she is the dominant force here and I will do what she wants, because she will not go back in to the closet. . . . Do I dare add a whip?

Monday, December 7, 2009

'Sittin in Blue Jeans'

So here is the finished doll.I made his hair out of 18 gauge aluminum wire which I coiled up around a dowel.
The only way I could figure out how to attach the coils to the doll was by putting a big screw in his head. . . . Ouch that had to hurt!

Saturday, December 5, 2009

'Sittin in Blue Jeans'

No more nakedness.I am working on finishing the shoes, and his shirt needs a collar.I will probably do the hair last after the dreaded sewing the body parts onto the body. Kind of like the legs not being crossed.

Friday, December 4, 2009

'Sittin in Blue Jeans'

So his flaired blue jeans are done. And he has a great casual, laid back feel about him.He's coming along. Sometimes getting the right body angle that looks natural can be a challenge. Somehow, if he doesn't fall over, I feel that he must be in the right position.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Sitting in Blue Jeans

I am making blue jeans for this guy to wear.
I have sewn his thighs to his butt, which is always a little tricky. Still have to make the bottom leg portion of the jeans. Hopefully I can accomplish some flaired jeans.
So after posting these pics I notice how dirty my cloth grid top has become. My mother can't stand this (she kind of only loaned it to me), but I can't do anything about it now. It hasn't hurt anything, and mom won't be wanting it back now . . .

Saturday, November 28, 2009

He is a sitter

My new doll is inspired by a friend who likes to go and sit along Mobile Bay. Some days I am lucky enough to join him.If you notice, the legs are in two pieces. Makes it easier to pose and from past experience, much easier to stuff. The arms are my next decision. Not sure if he will lean or hold on to the knees or both.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

New doll on sale at Etsy

'Winter Chills IV'This girl got some pretty green hair. Too much swimming in the old pool. Does that happen anymore?She is now on sale at my Etsy Store
http://www.etsy.com/shop/artdollsbynat

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Saturday, November 14, 2009

"Winter Chills II"

2nd doll in the series. Love this hair.I again made a fabric tube, and sewed a seam down the middle. I put a pipe cleaner in both pockets and did an accordion fold and then twisted. Came out perfect.I would love to know your opinion on which you like best. The eyes on the dolls open or closed?
http://www.etsy.com/shop/artdollsbynat

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

"Winter Chills - 1"

This doll is ready for the chill of winter with his top hat and scarf.The head is constructed out of four pieces, this allows me more room for stuffing. This is also the first time I put the skin fabric on in 2 halves. A front and a back.
This gave me a finished back to the doll's head.
I am planning to put 'Winter Chills - 1' on an Ebay auction soon. So hopefully you all will want him for Christmas.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

'Winter Chills'

So I have this friend with the perfect curve about her nose. This new series, I call 'Winter Chills', all have this exaggerated feature.The eyes on these guys have only half the needlesculpting. This face took me a while to become happy with. There are half a dozen one eyed doll heads laying around. What do I do with them?Oh and look, these guys have ears. I am trying to create a winter theme for this series, and using a 'less is more' approach on them. I really like the faces and the eyes are just right.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5271522

Thursday, October 29, 2009

'The Greeners'

Green is an inspiring color and my my little green non human doll is inspiring me to a new style and new ideas.These three are the first at a group I call 'The Greeners'. Not at all human, not at all perfect, but all very green. I am teaching myself my own path here. It is all very experimental when it comes to the anchor points for the needlesculpting. I am not at all caring if the features are beautiful or strange. These guys are individual and have no rules. Hope you all like this new direction I am heading . . . . .

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Lost and Found

While doing some therapeutic cleaning, I found this doll hiding behind a curtain. Not sure why I hid him because he is really a wonderfully funny guy. He is one of my original first attempts at making a doll.And yes I think he is making that 'farting' noise with his hand.He has inspired me to work in a new style of doll. One that will allow me to do whatever I want without the restraint of the human form . . . . . . Because this guy a'int human . . . . .
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5271522

Monday, October 26, 2009

Rosie in New Orleans

Rosie, myself and Allie took a trip to Lafayette Cemetery in New Orleans.The cemeteries there are all above ground and they are referred to as 'Cities of the Dead'.I just love cemeteries. If Rosie and I could travel the world and visit just graveyards, we would be very happy.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Cursalot III

This is the third of the Cursalot dolls. This time I am making the full 24 inch version.I am again working in the 'Steampunk' theme and hoping to create a dark elegance to her.Her costume has been a bit difficult to come up with, but I came across a tutu skirt in a shop in New Orleans that this is inspired by.And since this doll is definitely female she is going to have some boobs.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5271522

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Two New Art Dolls on Sale at Etsy

"Fancy in Black Tie"
"Fancy with Scarf"
Both dolls are on sale now at my Etsy store.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5271522

Saturday, October 10, 2009

On Sale at Etsy

Both Cursalot dolls are now on sale at Etsy.
These are two elegantly dark beauties.

Spooky enough for Halloween. They would also make great Christmas gifts.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5271522

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

"Cursalot II"

This doll head has inspired me to create a whole doll. I love the direction she moved me in.The tilted top hat and the elaborate collar were the perfect finishing touches.She came out very "steampunk" which I love and she has this subtle spookiness about her. Something is definitely lurking beneath. She just might surprise you with a bite on the neck . . . . . .

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

"Cursalot I"

Maybe her name should be "Big Haired Southern Goth"I worked out something different with her collar. I like that it comes off more old world and somewhat regal.
I hope you all like the less than happy face my next few dolls will have. Just wanting to explore the "gloomy side".

Friday, October 2, 2009

"Cursalot I"

My next spooky doll head's name is "Cursalot I"I again used twistie paper for the hair. All the paper is cut and unwrapped. Some pieces I put a wire in the middle to create a tight curl, while others I just wrapped back around a dowel to create the curl.The pieces are folded in half and then I glue them to the head.
With a few pieces on the head I tacked the ends back into the head area to create a fullness.Added a few bangs to soften the face.She did end up with lots of hair, maybe on the big side for spooky.But I love her. She is the perfect
'Big Haired Southern Goth'