So now that I've caught your attention with that snappy title, I'll have to admit that this post is about how to turn tiny fingers for cloth dolls and not something more salacious. I've had quite a few folks ask how to make such small fingers and as with many projects the trick is to have the right tools. Here are mine.. Sharp scissors Turning Tubes (available here scroll almost to the bottom of the page) Hemostat Fray check As you can see my turning tubes have seen some heavy use over the years but even bent and tarnished they still work great. I got the hemostats at one of our many trips to the emergency room...BOYS!...but you can avoid the trauma and find them at a doll supply store. So here's what you do... You need to make a template for your hand pattern. You'll want to trace the hand onto your fabric and then sew carefully right on the line you've drawn with a very tiny stitch. Make sure you have at least one stitch between your fingers so that when you cut them later you can clip a curve. Woven fabric is much harder to turn then knit but it makes smaller hands because it doesn't stretch so much when stuffed. Now you will cut out the hand but don't worry about cutting close to the fingers yet. Apply Fray Check on the seams of all your fingers. You can then let it dry naturally or hurry things along and use a hot iron. Once everything is dry, it's time to cut out the fingers. Cut very close to the seam and make sure to clip a V between the fingers like this... Now it's time to turn the hand. Place a larger turning tube inside the finger...the largest that will fit. Then place a smaller tube at the top of the finger and carefully slide the fabric UP the smaller tube...this is the tricky part so give yourself a few times practicing to get the hang of it. Once you have the fingers turned take the hemostats and grab the inside of the wrist and turn the hand right side out. I then use the wrong end of a small crochet hook to push the fingers the rest of the way through. So now you have hands with fingers, ready to be stuffed however you'd like! I usually use pipecleaners for the fingers so they can be posed. I hope this is clear, if you have questions don't hesitate to ask!

I have been fascinated with the Russian Rag Dolls for a long time now. I have been collecting information abou

Art Dolls by Du Buh Du Designs~Images © Christine Alvarado, 2016. Here are the seven new art dolls that will be up in my Etsy Shop today (December 19th) at 6:30pm Pacific/9:30pm Eastern time. If you are new to my...

Here's a pic of all four of the dolls that I've been working on these last few weeks. This little group will be listed in my online store from 10am (Sydney time), on Tuesday 28th February....

The temperatures kept on dropping and Melina kept looking out the window. I knew she wanted to go and see our chickens, the barn, the beautiful trees, to feel the wintery wind on her cheeks…so I had no choice but to take her out. I tried to bundle her as much as I could, and out we went.

Karly Perez' handmade art dolls - WANT!!!!!!!! . . . #beautifulbizarremagazine #karlyperez #artdoll #figurativesculpture #sculpture #doll

Finding ones way in this world can be daunting. When we graduate from high school or college we are supposed to know what we want to do with the rest of our lives. But what if we don’t? What if we fall into doing what comes at us rather than forging ahead in the direction we’d like to go? Assuming we know where that is! Finding our True North isn’t as easy as getting out a compass and following the arrow. But the compass is symbolically showing us the way. This piece represents that search. A former online class, 'Finding Her True North' is an art doll designed by NIADA Artist CINDEE MOYER utilizing both fabric and paper clay to achieve the end result. The head, arms and torso are fabric and the legs are sculpted in paper clay. Her dress is created using a large sheet of wrapping paper and she has shredded paper scrunches for hair.

This collection of one of a kind Monster Art Dolls represents a small range of current and past works. When I began making dolls years ago, my designs were simple and basic. Most of my dolls were made from single pieces of fabric — one for the front and one for the back. They have since evolved into more detailed works, including pieces that have been stained for an aged effect. From the beginning though, I have always used recycled fabrics as part of my art. I find vintage fabrics and clothing to be huge inspirations for me, and it even inspired my business name, Junker Jane. Many things inspire me to come up with my art doll characters, but my main influence comes from my childhood — images from make-believe stories and books that I read. Nothing compares to childhood experiences, and it is from this that I pull most of my ideas. As a child, I was always fascinated by anything otherworldly and supernatural, along with charming stories, such as Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. These influences have stood with me into my adult years, and I think this contradiction shows itself in my work, as my dolls seem to hold one foot in innocence and another in the shadows. I rarely begin a doll with a concrete idea. I usually have several loose images of what I’d like to achieve, and then I start grabbing fabrics and buttons.I find it easier to create in this fashion as a doll will seem to come together itself. Junker Jane® Is A Registered Trademark All artwork and content © 2007-2019 Junker Jane All rights reserved.

Set of 5 Blank Doll BODIES is 17 inches (42 cm) tall . Fabric doll body is made of white cotton and

Detailing and embellishing costumes is one of my favourite parts of creating dolls. I could sit for hours and embroider tiny ornaments, attach beads and sparkly elements to the dapper dresses. Embroidery can elevate your creations to the next level since you’re creating one-of-a-kind garments for your dolls. Sure, you can purchase pre-embroidered fabrics but nothing enhances the doll as custom embellishments made just for that particular creation. So today I want to talk about my favourite embroidery stitches and share some tutorials so you could easily apply them to your dolls!

As an artist, I delve into many forms of art and technique, depending on where the source of my inspiration comes from. Wisdom Keeper Art Doll by Jeanne Fry My paintings are often inspired by Nature, Animal Totems, my own Personal Growth, and Color. When the creative fire is lit, and my hand feels the urge to pick up the paintbrush, I can already envision what will come to life on the canvas - the sketch appears in my mind and quickly wants to be be transferred to the canvas. My Mixed Media work, creating Shrines, taps a different part of my creativity that is inspired by quotes, phrases, and the written word. This creative fire lives within my more "poetic" self, and seems to happen more during the Winter season for me. This is my contemplative time when I spend more time writing, reviewing where I have been and where I want to be. But the creation of my Art Dolls - this is most freeing form of art. The inspirations can come from anywhere; they can come from history, ancient culture, a found object, a skein of fabric, a glimpse of a woman and our phases of life. Wherever the inspiration comes from, there is no predestined thought in mind. That raw fire is left to its own devices to become whatever it is meant to become. Sometimes they go in a much different direction than I would have thought. Art Dolls are diverse and allow the artist to use one or many forms of art in their making, whether it be sculpting with clay, bead work, fiber art, wood carving, assemblage, felting, or using natural materials. The more diverse they are in the creation, the more complex their artistic value. Each art form allows for yet another aspect of the inspiration. Work in Progress - Gourd and Clay Hand stitching cloth body Clay Sculpted Faces I have always felt that being an art doll artist deserves more value and understanding in the art world. No matter the materials or techniques used, this creative form is depicting figurative sculptures of our human identity, and can be a part of our history and culture as they have for centuries. My art dolls are called "Wisdom Keeper Art Dolls", and are created as an empowering form of art for women. They come with short stories that focus on reminding us who we are and being supportive in our personal growth. They are meant to bond us as women and celebrate our diversity. This week I acquired some beautiful fabric and some wonderful vintage assemblage pieces that are calling me to the work table where my creative spirit can run wild. If you are an art doll artist, I would love to know what inspires you. If you are an art doll collector, I would love to know what attracted you to this art form. You can learn more about me and upcoming art doll workshops on my website here https://www.jeannefryart.com You can also see my current artworks in our online Etsy Shop here Jeanne Fry Art on Etsy