Demonstration and Fair...

I really enjoy these sorts of events...I'll be demonstrating doll making techniques with a varied programme (and sale of work) for the three days. I'll even be working on some of my china heads this time!

Pale and interesting...

I don't come across many dolls heads made in the UK, but both of these heads are marked 'House of Nisbet fine bone china 1980 made in England' (the House of Nisbet was founded by Peggy Nisbet in 1952, she died in 1995). They are unusual in that their colouring is very pale, (the china is almost white like the original china heads), I think they were probably originally sold in kit form.

Impulse buys....how guilty are you?

Okay, so hands up all those who are guilty of buying on impulse...then wondering why? Yes, I'm just as guilty as everyone else (we've all done that at some point, haven't we?)....you only have to look at this head to see it was a spur of the moment thing!! I can't use any of my usual excuses like...'felt sorry for it'.....or 'couldn't resist it'......it would be more like...'it was cheap, no one else wanted it' or maybe...'oops, look what I bought'!! So I'll have to dig deep to create a character around this one...I'm already thinking along the lines of a drag queen, complete with sparkly dress and big red hair....Then, perhaps at the next fair someone will come along and on impulse.....

A couple of my smaller dolls, these are both made from painted calico with rowan wool hair. They have both found new homes...and I can't help making more because they are sooo cute...though I really need to complete some china heads...and costumes...some patterns need finishing.....

My favourite doll...

This little primitive doll is my favourite of all of the cloth dolls I have created. I took her to a doll fair and discovered that I couldn't part with her and ended up telling everone she was on display only and not for sale! She now resides in my old rocking chair...

A little intrigue...

This beautiful little parian head was sold to me as an 'unsigned artist's original'. She was very grubby with a large black ink stain on the back, but after a careful clean up I found this makers mark under the ink! I haven't been able to identify it so far, but I'll keep looking...

Wooden tuck comb doll

Among my small collection of wooden dolls is this wonderful old tuck comb doll. She measures 18 inches tall and she has a fairly crudely painted face, but really nicely carved hands and feet with painted red slippers. At some point she had earrings, there are tiny fittings still in her ears. I think she will look lovely once she is redressed.

Reproduction China Head

This is a beautiful reproduction china head made in 1964. She has all the detailing of the 1890s lowbrow and is very good quality. I have designed her a new calico body (along with using a rather nice pair of vintage white porcelain legs), then dressed her in pretty cotton prints.

The waiting room...

Here are some of the reproduction heads, all waiting for bodies, many of them need a good clean and some of them are waiting identification (it's always good to know what you're working with), alas some will always remain a mystery as they have no markings at all.

It's always helpful to know the era these heads have been made to represent so that the costuming is authentic. I have the added challenge of 'guess the age', as some of them have child like features, so the body designs will need adjusting.