What do you use to make your doll?

[MeandEweKnits]

Do you make cloth dolls, polymer clay, paper clay, crochet?
Most of my dolls are polymer clay - often with a cloth covered wire armature and are mixed media, others are all polymer.

Do anyone do goth dolls or babies or whatever?
I can't see to pin do anyone category. I feel like I am a beginner, each doll is still a fight to get the bascis like head and hands right.

[Rhissanna]

Hi, there, Susan!

Most of my dolls are paper clay and cloth, although I do make some all cloth dolls. I basically make two sizes, little ones and big ones. I make mostly adults, male and female, and some children but no babies.

I understand how hard it is to get a style when you still feel like you're working out the basics; if it's any help, how you solve the problems of sculpting is how you define your style, your category. I love it when a doll teaches me something new!

Rhissanna

[FaerieRags]

I've been making dolls for a very long time, (about 45 years), and I've never felt the need to stick with just one style of creating. I do tend to return to cloth more frequently than other materials, but I really enjoy learning new skills and seeing how others create. I've never limited myself to one category, either. If I did, I would have a more uniform looking store and an easier time with branding. :) In the last 10 or so years, non-toxic has been my guiding force and it's created some real challenges to the creative process.(non-toxic for me means all natural materials, no synthetics at all) Anyway, I'm really enjoying flannel and milk paints on paper clay. It is sometimes helpful to spend time with your material of choice just making shapes instead of focusing on a finished product. That way you can find it's limitations and areas where it excels without feeling the pressure to achieve something that your material might not excel at. But above all, enjoy what you're doing, even the frustration can be enjoyed.

Sinéad

[adelepo]

Hello! I just wrote a blog post about air dry clays I use for my dolls. If you're interested give it a look!

http://adelepo.com/2016/03/doll-making-how-to-discover-the-best-clay/

I create two types of dolls: OOAK art dolls and plush dolls. For OOAK dolls I use air dry stone clays like La Doll or La Doll Premiere on a wire frame. For plush dolls I use plaster for faces, while the rest of the body is soft plushy type. I couldn't choose just one style. I love to experiment with different materials and genres. Good luck in your creative path!

[FaerieRags]

Thanks Adele, for your blog link. I'm going to give Premier clay a try. I use paper clay primarily and I've been wanting something with a smoother finish. Here I am assuming it's non-toxic because it's air dry. I guess I'd better read some specs before I buy. :) TY
Sinéad

[adelepo]

Definitely non-toxic. :) Here's a quote from their site: "100% safe, non-toxic and meet all the U.S. and European testing standards." If you give it a try, share with us how you liked this clay!

[Rhissanna]

Thank you so much for the blog post, Adele! I love your dolls and the wide range of artist expression. I use Premier, too, I love how it can be dissolved in water and how light it it. Heavier clays won't work on my dolls, as they have a cloth base.

Rhissanna

[ToadstoolsNTreestump]

I generally make dolls with cotton fabrics (and sometimes silk - I have a great deal with friends who make hand dyed silk clothing and I get some of their scraps). Though recently I've started working with wool felt.

When I'm in the mood for other materials I generally switch to other mediums/art forms.