"D" is for Dollies

I began making cloth dolls in 1989. Bunnies, cows, baby dolls, Raggedy Ann and Andy. In 2009 I began dabbling in creating the primitive dolls with a Raggedy Ann look.  Most dolls are made from muslin or cotton broadcloth with the baby dolls being made of craft velour. Little girls just love the hug-ability of this fabric. 

We have dolls of all sizes ranging from 10” to the huge and loveable 36” Raggedy Andy.

My current project is with my first design – a 12” tall prim bunny with hand painted features, long floppy ears and big big bunny feet. I am going to be featuring this doll as a boy or girl and offering seasonal/holiday clothing. We are working on a web page specifically for this doll at Holly’s Dollies.

Recently I have begun dabbling in sculpting dolls in polymer clay. A fun challenge but really not getting anywhere fast. The eventual goal is a 14” ball-jointed-doll who can model the 14” doll clothes line for me.

I have a very small collection of dolls. Two Galoob Baby Face Dolls, a 25” crow doll, 1 Berenguer, 2 unknown vinyl dolls, 1 CBK, 2 DinkyBaby dolls, 1 MoxieGirlz the blonde and 5 Barbies.  I am hoping to find some dolls this coming Yard Sale season. Only two thrift stores in this area so findings are rare. I am looking for Skipper, Crissy and any inexpensive dolls needing TLC of various sizes so that I can use them for making sure the doll clothes fit.

A is For Acrylic Paint

One of the materials I use when crafting (painting a model horse or painting eyes on cloth dolls), is acrylic paints. The brand I use varies.
For the model horses I use Liquitex Brand in concentrated form. The closest retailer for me is 180 miles away! I buy the big tubes in basic colors to last a year or so.

See more model horses at Sweetwater Creations.







 
For painting dolls, I use the inexpensive big box store brands. I always make sure the brands I use are non-toxic waterbased.

Visit Holly's Dollies to view handmade dolls and doll clothes that are available.

Handmade Doll Easter Bunny

Welcome to another Shop Hop Saturday post! At Shop Hop Saturday we share our business related blog posts for the week. And help others who have shared their posts by following their blogs, commenting and sharing the ups and downs of online business.

This week's challenge is to promote one product I sell and try to encourage others to purchase the item. I have chosen my very first original doll. I drew up the design myself. I always use other peoples patterns for my dolls, so this has been a big milestone for me to create my own item. 

     

       

This adorable little bunny stands 12” high. 

Her ears and facial features are hand painted. Her body has been lightly stained with a coffee/vanilla/cinnamon mixture. Her dress and bloomers are removable so that she can be dressed for different holidays and occasions.  Her bow can be easily removed.

 

This bunny is a one of a kind doll made by me, Holly Gordon, of Holly’s Dollies. As she is the prototype doll for this line, she will be highly collectible. 

Polly is dressed in a yellow Easter Print dress, matching bow and white bloomers. The dress, bloomers and bow were not stained. She would be a great addition to your home as an Easter or Prim decoration. I will be offering a line of dresses and outfits for various holidays and seasons for this doll. Watch for her sweetie, Peter, coming down the Bunny Trail.

Polly is currently available at my Etsy Shoppe. Please stop by and show her some love. She told me this morning she is lonely, so I will be creating some sisters and brothers for her. Of course, each will be different in it's own way, from staining to facial features.

All dolls are signed by me, Holly's Dollies, and dated with month/year created.

Note: This doll is not meant for a play doll for children. It is only as a decoration piece for adults to love and cuddle and display in their collections.

New Prim Cloth Doll Finished

This adorable little girl turned out so nice!
Her body is made from hand dyed muslin to a wonderful walnut cocoa brown. Of course, I saved the dye mixture for future dolls! I've tried so many times to get a nice brown color. Mostly always ended up with a maroon or purple-ey black.
Hand painted features with gorgeously shaded brown eyes done in acrylic paint and colored pencil.
Featured in my Etsy Shoppe.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65779458/prim-african-american-doll-raggedy-10