Pretty in Pink

This lovely reproduction china head looks really pretty in her new pink flower print cotton dress. I usually take the simple approach as I find really fancy dresses too overpowering on this style of head. I didn't use a pattern for this one as it's a simple empire line dress with full sleeves and a pintucked skirt for a little extra detail (the pintucks are good for helping the skirt to keep it's shape too).

I've actually managed to finish quite a few dolls now so I'm going to put some on Etsy and Ebay as I've run out of display space...again!

The same...but different....

I'm always fascinated by the way different artists approach the same subject...these 3 heads are different sizes of the same style head mould, but have been treated quite differently by the artists. The largest is the most simple, with shiny glazed, pink tinted bisque, the eyes and cheeks look as if the colour has been sponged on. The middle head is white bisque (not quite as shiny as the large one) and nicely painted in the antique German style with pink lines on the eyelids. The smallest head is more detailed in parian style with pink bisque and paler features (my favourite of the three).

FREE PATTERN china head doll body...

Your first 'freebie' of the year!!

This is a very simple body which is ideal for these small china heads...it also fits the small metal 'minerva' heads beautifully, too.

I have stitched across the elbows and knees for this doll as it means I can pose her better, though I haven't shown this in the pattern as it's entirely optional.

To give you a rough size guide, this head measures about 2 1/2 inches across the shoulders and is about 3 inches high, the body makes her total height about 11 1/2 inches.....you can download your FREE PATTERN HERE....enjoy!

Thank you...

I just wanted to say thank you to all you lovely people who have been sending such nice comments, they're very much appreciated (especially when I'm frustratingly busy with non-doll stuff!!).

I'm back....

I'm back....finally...after a mad few months where Christmas took over (still in the job I was supposed to be leaving....looks like I'll be there a little longer too!) ahh, the joys of working in retail...everything else had to take a back seat, including my costume business dreams...though I haven't given up on them just yet (just feeling a little fickle at the moment!!) so to start the new year I have finally completed the doll body patterns and I have just put the first ones in my Etsy shop as a digital download...I'm feeling quite pleased with myself now!

A bee in my bonnet!

I made quite a few of these bonnets for the Pudsey fair, thinking how nice they would look on the wooden peg dolls...and sold most of them to teddy bear artists..turned out they looked lovely on the little antique style bears too!

All the fun of the fair...

I had a lovely day at the recent Pudsey Doll and Teddy Fair, I received lots of lovely comments and had several very interesting conversations. This repro parian doll was probably the most remarked upon, though I found myself unable to part with her and ended up putting a sold sign on her so I could bring her home...think I need a little work on my sales techniques!!

How exciting...

I have just launched my new blog http://starlightcostumes.blogspot.com/ , where I can concentrate solely on my costume making (while keeping my dolls here, of course). I intend to keep adding to both blogs as I am planning to continue with the doll making as well as launching my costume business...I can see it's going to be a very busy time...

a fashion first....

Well, I'm a bit rusty, but my first attempt at new designs didn't turn out too bad! I finished these figures in watercolours, (my favoured medium). This is my first commission (though it's a 'freebie' so I can test my new pattern software) for a salsa style evening dress for my daughter...I have already printed the pattern, so it just needs making up!...but I can already feel myself being pulled along the paper doll route....oh,oh...

Folksy...Folksy...Folksy...

I've recently discovered FOLKSY a UK site that runs along the same lines as ETSY (where I have my other online store). You can find all manner of wonderful hand crafted items there, including my new shop!! You can find me at: http://www.folksy.com/shops/AuntPollysdolls
Please pay me a visit when you can.