Do you want to learn to make Ball Jointed Dolls?

- How long does it take to make this ball jointed doll from air dry clay?

- Well - roughly around two to three weeks.

- How long did it take you to figure how to make it this quick?

- Well - roughly around fourteen years...

So if you are a stubborn wannabe doll maker like I was and you have the time and the determination - you can figure it all on your own. It may even take you a couple of years less than it has taken me, because nowadays there is plenty of free info on internet. However - if think that it is way too long - just go and buy my tutorial, and you will get all my experience nicely systemized and put together for the easy and fun learning process.

The tutorial can be found on Etsy It is a downloadable file, so no physical item is shipped - yay for the environment! You can print it or read it on your digital devices (which I think is better, because you can enlarge the pages if needed). It also includes the wig, the eyes and eyelashes tutorials. And, not to brag, but I think my technique is easier than all what I have seen before. :)

Many news in one post

It's been a while since I have posted here, and I thought it's time to give some update for all my dear readers on Blogger.
First of all - I haven't disappeared, I am alive and working on dolls and doll related projects very intensly.
This year I have been busy trying to systemize and to document all my doll creating knowledge and experience that I have acquired through many years of daily work on dolls. The result of this enormous job - three more tutorials for everyone willing to learn: how to make doll shoes, how to make doll costume and how to make doll wig for their dolls.

I have also been working on making more space in my studio for new dolls, and I have decided to sell one of my most beautiful and most celebrated dolls from 2010 - The Winter Day Muse.

So if you are interested in learning all my crafting secrets or you were dreaming to add this doll to your collection - check my Etsy store for more details.

Sincerely
Dorote

p.s. More tutorials are coming soon - so let's stay in touch!

Red Queen of the Masquerade

Phew.... the last big work of this year is done!

Thanks to the help from my facebook and instagram fans, the doll has got a name - Many have suggested to include "red" in her name, and "Mask" and some royal title, so I have called her "Red Queen of Masquerade", which I think suits her very well and makes sense, because no one knows her real name, and who she is, and where she comes from, but today she is wearing red and she is the queen of masquerade ball.

And yes, I have made this doll, because I wanted to introduce you to the technique of making self standing dolls.
When I have started my career of a doll artist, I have been making this kind of dolls and loved them a lot, so I thought I should summarise my knowledge and make a tutorial for all of you who would like to learn.

https://dorotesdolls.etsy.com

Autumn is a time of Witches!

It's getting dark, and it's raining most of the time, and going out doesn't seem like a good idea anymore - oh yes, it is a perfect time for crafting!
For all my crafty friends and followers - a new tutorial! This time I wanted to create a doll making guide that would be easy to follow even for those of you who have never made a doll before. It is great for the beginners and with some help from an adult, even kids could give it a try.

So if you would like to have some stress free crafting time, to decorate your home with a cute "Pumpkin Witch" - this doll making guide is just for you. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Dorotesdolls 
And, the Pumpkin Witch, the decorative doll made entirely by me, will got to the lucky person, that will be randomly chosen from those of you, who will get their tutorial till October 23 2017.

happy crafting everyone!

Announcement of a Year

Hello everyone!
You most probably been wondering, where have I gone?
I must admit that I am more present on Facebook lately than on any other social media, but here I am back and bringing good news.
I have been working on a huge project since January - I have been making a tutorial for all of you who want to learn make a doll in my stile.
As it usually happens, from the planned couple of months it has taken me almost a year to bring it to the end, but finally - I did.
So here it is, listed on my Etsy Store .
I am revealing quite a few of my techniques there and explaining how to make all the parts of the doll and it's costume. If you follow it step by step, you should make yourself a doll like the one in photo below.

Happy doll making!
Dorote

Just trying to catch up

Hello my dear friends who are still following this blog of mine!

I am having a hard time catching up with all the social media as the variety is overwhelming...

Lately I am mostly present on facebook  and on my personal web page dorotesdolls.com . And of course - more I work on dolls, less I have social life, and less I am present on the web.... well I guess that is the price I pay for being an artist. :)

Anyway if you are following my works, and wondering where have I gone - you have the links above to find me :)

Hugs to all of you!
your Dorote

It is all about LOVE

Hello my dear friends and followers!
It's been a long while since I have been posting on my blog (shame on me of course). I find it quite hard to keep up with all this social media, as whenever I close myself in the studio - the time starts running extremely fast.
So enough of those words, and let present you my two latest dollies: Victoria and Albert - two happy shelf sitters who are made to be together.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

My doll for DABIDA day

The news of the day - My "Joy" is going to be exhibited at DABIDA day (Netherlands, 21st April)
It is one of the first 3 nominations at yearly Hannie Sarris Doll Award. http://www.dabida.eu/Award_UK.php
The last picture before closing the box.
Have a safe trip my little one!


More pictures here

Time is shamelessly running ...

...and autumn is back again. And some kind of light nostalgia is wrapping me like a spider cell, and  making me feel lazy and sleepy and dreamy... or maybe I just starting feeling tired after an intense work which kept me up since the begging of this year.  At the end the Tireless Artist appears to be not so tireless, but still keeps being the Artist hehe
Today I am coming to my blog to post pictures of my two latest dolls.

"The lady in Waiting" from August, and "White Coffee with Ice" which I have finished a couple of days ago.

 More photos on my Facebook and Flickr

 Have a beautiful day everyone!

I have been published!

Great news - I have been published again - this time it was an interview in this beautiful magazine called "Lost & Found" together with many other wonderful artists! 
You can Read it Online or Download

Sister - an art doll from midsummer

And she is complete! I must admit that I am very happy with how she came out.
The costume was a great challenge for my fingers - it is hand sewed from more than 50 separate pieces. then her shoes - another crazy idea - how to make it look like a shiny leather without using leather. And a little rat - a best friend following her in her journeys. I have never sculpted anything this small and detailed. The little thing is 3 cm tall, it is sculpted from air dray clay over wire armature and flocked with natural mohair. It has even tiny whiskers made from my dog's hair.

Hot Hot Hot!

It seems that summer took it seriously and after some refreshing rainy days it's hitting with all its force.
The thermometer is showing +40 Celsius and +30 in my studio is supposed to feel refreshing.
The good side of this enormous heat is that it is perfect for sculpting. The clay is drying fast and that makes it easier to work. So let's put the wet T-shirt on and get that clay :)
Hopefully the temperature will fall soon, as sweating hands is not what I want for sewing and embroidering.

Welcome to my Secret Garden

Everyone must have his own secret garden. A place where you can escape from the world and where you keep your most intimate thoughts. A place which is where only you know . A place deep in your heart. 

"Secret Garden " is a unique art doll bust.
It is 22 cm tall.
The doll is made from paper clay over wire armature, painted in acrylics/pastel/water color and sealed with protective varnish.
It is mounted on a candle holder which I have found in antique shop.
The hair of a doll is made from fine mohair fiber (not fur). Her head is decorated with paper roses which were hand painted and assembled on hand made "branch". 
The costume is made from flax and silk fabrics, decorated with embroidery glass and metal beads.
The doll is signed by author on her neck.

The head of the doll can be turned to the sides.

More photos can be found on my Flickr

The Butterfly Spirit

This is one of those dolls which just have to happen.
I have found a white dead butterfly on my window, and I have got the idea of this doll. I have been carrying it in my head for a while and the idea was getting stronger and stronger until I just couldn't resit making it. So she was born - an ephemeral fragile creature from a surreal world between a dream and a reality.

Olli

I have never made a teddy bear before... never was my thing to do... but this little one was so persistent that I simply couldn't resist the pressure and had to let him happen :)
Please meet Olli - my version of a bear :) 

Happy Easter My Dear Friends!

News from the workshop

It has been a while since I have been updating my blog, but I can explain why :)
I have been terribly busy working in my studio.
The 2012 has began with a new doll called "Snow White" - yes yes, the same Snow White from a fairy tale - a girl from a rich family, who is living with a stepmother, which is not much older than her and terribly jealous.
After another conflict between the two, young Snow White runs away from home. She lives in the streets until meets 7 men, who are living together and gladly accept her to their brotherhood house. How ever what kind of life can a girl have with 7 men who are way older than her? In that time her boyfriend, is desperately trying to find her. But my question is - why hasn't he protected her from her stepmother first of all??? When he finally gets to her - the poor girl is lying in coma (could it be because of drugs?)... Luckily all what is needed is a kiss - it solves all the problems and the two live happily ever after. ...erm...

Another new character born in my studio was lost in a dream.
Not sure if this is a bust, or a surreal creature without body, how ever it seems that the absence of body doesn't stop her from smoking and dreaming.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/96968024/lost-in-a-dream-art-doll-bust

Night Butterfly

it somehow becomes a tradition that I am finishing a year with a black doll.
In year 2010 it was Onix, and the very end of the year 2011 - Night Butterfly.

Night Butterfly represents my vision of Goth subculture - those romantic dark creatures with all their beauty and stunning outfits.
I have been planing this doll since a long time, and had her head and hands sculpted since summer, but then i kept working on other projects and could finish her just few days before the New Year. I felt that I came to a moment when i know already all the smallest details, and it was so easy to make her. She just popped out from my fantasy world and landed on my table. :)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/92036166/night-butterfly-gothic-art-doll

Voila!

And she is finally complete! :)
Let me present you the White Tender Demon - the doll with the whole costume, shoes and wig is around 53 cm tall. She is wearing natural silk dress hand made by me from finest crepe and antique laces. Her dress is pure softness and lightness - so pleasant to touch. 

Short update on the progress of the White Demon

I am finally done with the wig and slippers.

It took me a bit longer than expected, but I am happy with the result, which is most important of all. :)

The wig is made from natural mohair and decorated with glass beads and hand made silk flowers (those took some time! ). It was the first removable wig I have made, so I had to figure out how to make it not just good looking, but also easy to put on, and most important - firmly sitting on the head, which was quite a challenge, as it is pretty heavy. But at the end I can assure that it is really made well - it sits nicely and doesn't fall off even if the doll bents dawn.

The slippers was another story - the bottom part is made from a jewelry wire which is twisted in such complicated way, that I would never ever be able to repeat the design. How ever they are symmetrical, as they should be. The top part is made from flax fabrics, which I have chosen after trying out several different materials.
 I am still working on her dress and a special stand, which should complete the whole picture. :)

you can find some more pictures of her on my Flickr