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.
Responses
9th May 2008 at 8:55 pm
i am so in love with your dolls, they reflect your personal style perfectly. more! more!
10th May 2008 at 3:28 am
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.
10th May 2008 at 3:35 am
Such great dolls! Is that a little goatee on Big-P’s chin? Love it!
Oh and here’s my contribution to Friday Archives:
10th May 2008 at 9:03 am
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.
10th May 2008 at 11:44 am
Love your dolls! I especially love their outfits. Just great!
10th May 2008 at 12:01 pm
Claudine’s coat is so tres chic. Perfect feet too!
xx Betty Jo designs
11th May 2008 at 11:05 pm
I love working with polymer clay as well, your dolls came out great. Participating again:
http://ilovegreyskies.blogspot.com/2008/05/heaven.html
14th May 2008 at 11:02 am
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!
16th May 2008 at 1:15 pm
Here’s my first Friday Archives post!
http://daniellecarey.blogspot.com/2008/05/friday-archives-my-first-journal.html
30th May 2008 at 1:54 am
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!
9th May 2008 at 3:58 pm
There’s an awful lot of work in those dolls! They are amazing.
Hope everyone in your household is better now.