These Dolls are Whack

I had to escape from my apt. today so I went to the library and worked on Dammit Dolls. Sometimes they are called 'whack dolls', because you whack them on things when you need to express some pent up hostilities. Then when I got home I stuffed them. Next I'll figure out the hair and eyes. Since these are going to be smacked around, I'm not going to add anything fragile.

In doing the research some commenters said that they didn't want to hurt the doll's feelings by smacking it on things. The doll doesn't mind if it can heal you from stress related diseases. The doll knows you really love it no matter what.

If you think you might want to buy one of these when I'm done, and you have a favorite color in mind, let me know and I'll try to get your favorite color into my Etsy shop. These 3 were sewn by hand because I didn't exactly have a sewing machine at the library. But future ones will be done on the machine because I think it's more durable and faster to make.

Archery Shoot

Fog on Sunday morning.

Woven dolls

striped doll

This one sold right away.

Muddy road on Thursday.

The smoke is from my friend's wood burning stovepipe.

On the last day of the archery shoot in the last few hours, I hung up some of my new woven dolls and sold the red orange one right away.

Two More Woven Dolls

A mint green doll and an orange and green doll just joined my doll family. Soon I will explore making faces for them.

Woven Dolls

I learned stick weaving long ago and always wanted to know how to make something other than belts and scarves. Today I learned how to make a doll. I can't wait to make more and try out different faces and clothes.

Gourd Doll With Pyrography

Happy Leap Day. I've been working on a new gourd doll. I'm enjoying it but it's wearing out my right hand. The wood burning tool is like drawing with a very heavy pencil with a cord on it. After three days of burning whenever time allowed, I think I'm 98% done.

Art Doll Ideas

Last night I was cruising around Flickr and found these cool art dolls here: Art Doll. It got me thinking about art dolls all over again. I'm fascinated with the concept of making art dolls out of things I already have in my stash of found objects and craft supplies. It's a great way to upcycle all kinds of fabric scraps, clothing, tinsel, glitter, beads, ornaments, broken jewelry, gourds, balls, and all kinds of other things. You just have to keep an open mind. If one thing doesn't work, try another and another.

Here's a video on making an art doll: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTJZ34vIqN8 I should make my own videos some time.
Primitive Folk Art Dolls: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTJZ34vIqN8

Doll Making Runs in My Family

A random post I saw on the Internet reminded me that my Granny Flippin used to make dolls from dish soap bottles. For a time I owned one. But with many moves, I'm sure it got tossed at some point (not necessarily by me). She used to make them and sell them to friends.  I remember mine has a pale blue gingham dress and a pre-made doll's head with blond hair and felt feet. She wore little granny glasses. My grandmother also did crocheted afghans. I didn't really get to know her until she was already elderly. She had 9 kids and my mom had five kids so I don't even know if my grandmother new who I was. Maybe I should try to make a few dolls with soap bottles to carry on the family legacy of folk art.