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.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

"Cursalot II"

With this doll I was really trying hard for spooky.I used white gauze for the skin instead of the tea dyed I usually glue on. I also anchored the thread for the mouth much lower on the head and now I have gotten rid of that happy grin, the happier dolls have.

Her hair is dyed crochet thread, tied into bundles and sewn onto the head.
I sew in a couple of bundles in a circular pattern to build up the back side of the head and so the fabric underneath will not show through.
"Cursalot II" still has to get a haircut. I am just not ready to do that yet.

Monday, September 21, 2009

All Six Together

In the beginning there were six unfinished heads,
now there are six finished Top Hat Dolls.
I matched them up in order so you can compare.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5271522

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Top Hat and Blonde Hair

This is the 6th of the doll heads. Her hair is made from twistie paper.I unwrap the twistie paper and then wrap it around a dowel.
I wrap some paper around the back of the head to keep any flesh color from showing through. The first few pieces are short and folded in half or made into a loop to act as the under layer for the longer pieces.
All the paper is hot glued on to the head.After the paper is glued on to the head I will do some more twisting and some pieces will get glued to others to produce a more put together do.She is a blonde haired beauty. Waiting for her finishing touches.

Friday, September 18, 2009

SALE at Etsy Store

All of my Art Dolls are on Sale now
Up to 30% off many piecesPlease come by and take a look
Do some early Christmas shopping
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5271522

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Top Hat with Blue Hair

This is number 4 of all those heads I started with. He has some crazy blue hair. I got it real big and wild. Very happy with that!He is all decked out in his fancy top hat and funky bow tie. He is now for sale in my Etsy shop.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5271522

Friday, September 4, 2009

Awakened

I woke up early, 1am, and knew I heard something. Turns out it was 3 of my dolls. They wanted me to get to work on their hats and two wanted arms and they were also ready to put their shoes on.I don't mind waking up to please my dolls. They sat there patiently for 2 weeks while I played the slave. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5271522.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Blue Hair

Growing blue hair this time.
Again I start with the eyelash yarn. I make several bundles that I sew into the skull cap.I keep sewing these bundles until I have a full head of hair. I think it was about 8 bundles.Then I cover the exposed face and neck with plastic wrap, and brush fabric stiffener onto the yarn.She is not looking so hot right now, but in a few hours the hair will be dry and I can fluff it out with a steam iron and cut and style this new doll's hair. And then she will be beautiful. . . . . . .