The Friday Archives – Polymer clay dolls
I have had a seriously crazy, running all around the place, kind of day. But I did manage to get to IKEA to get another table and I bought a cute set of those drawers (helmer – just like Maisie has) to fit underneath for all the nicknacks which usually clutter my desk.
But it’s Friday Archives time. This week I have cheated a little and am republishing something which I put up on Loobylu in 1999 (or maybe 2000?). I made Phil a “Big-P Action Figure” for Christmas that year – and its place in history is nicely marked by the Segway tshirt (ahh… remember those days?). I made a whole crew of little dolls, all about 15cm hight. I was seriously inspired by Dame Darcy’s dolls at the time. I remember they were very fiddly for a novice like me – I made soft bodies from fabric and stuffing and polymer clay heads, arms and legs. I remember that each doll took me about a day to complete. Looking at some of the Dame Darcy dolls again – I feel inspired to make some more. I wonder if she still uses human hair? Mine was nasty acrylic stuff which never really worked
I am really enjoying all the Friday Archives entries that are popping up (it’s as simple as posting some of your past work – be it art, craft, writing or photography – to your blog). It is so interesting to see where people have come from with their work.
There’s an awful lot of work in those dolls! They are amazing.Hope everyone in your household is better now.
i am so in love with your dolls, they reflect your personal style perfectly. more! more!
Great dolls!Hope your Mom’s Day is swell!
Very nice, I don’t think I’ve ever run across such creative looking dolls made by hand before. It’s a lost art I think.
Such great dolls! Is that a little goatee on Big-P’s chin? Love it!Oh and here’s my contribution to Friday Archives:
http://www.sanaeishida.com/weblog/archives/000167.html
Well Claire, you just keep surprising me. Those dolls look awesome. I have this idea in the back of my mind of taking the traditional porcelain dolls and designing them to have a modern pop-rock look about them – with bright stage makeup, green or pink hair, and crazy out there clothes. I keep telling myself maybe, one day…By the way the other day I was randomly looking at some of your archives and found a useful recipe for baking chips – with rosemary and garlic. I was so excited because I wanted to cook chips in a different way. And I actually had some rosemary in the garden. It was the first time I got to use it in my cooking, so I’ve been feeling rather proud about last night’s dinner.
Love your dolls! I especially love their outfits. Just great!
Claudine’s coat is so tres chic. Perfect feet too!xx Betty Jo designs
I love working with polymer clay as well, your dolls came out great. Participating again:http://ilovegreyskies.blogspot.com/2008/05/heaven.html
I love to read your blog! I am so glad I have it to read again! I love your gocco prints, I had such a hard time using it. Maybe I will get the hang of it soon! 😀 Keep up the awesomeness!
Here’s my first Friday Archives post!http://daniellecarey.blogspot.com/2008/05/friday-archives-my-first-journal.html
i just discovered Dame Darcy…tho i have made dolls similar. she has a dvd from 2005 about making these dolls. i ordered it so will soon get her take. your version is so cute and hip!