White Canvas

I have started 2022 by playing with porcelain slip, experimenting and inventing new techniques. It all rolled out into something unique and unexpected and I have ended up working on series of porcelain dolls (or should I call them pose-able figurines?) which I have named ”White canvas”.

Why white canvas? Because white canvas represents new start and millions of possibilities to paint it the way you want. With all the madness and turmoil that is overwhelming the world since 2019, I felt overloaded and suffocated and I needed that white calm space where I can sort my thoughts and start something new. This is how my white canvas was born. When you look at a completely white figurine, you can paint it in your imagination and see it differently everyday.

A little bit about the technique

My inspiration for this technique came from “Dresden porcelain figurines”. I am combining slip casting, lace dipping and sculpting. The figurines are partially glazed in order to make them stronger and also to reveal the beautiful texture of fabrics and laces contrasting a matt skin. My special touch – the possibility to change the pose of the figurine’s legs and head. Yes – this is what my “ribbon jointed” dolls have evolved in to.

The first white figurine of the series is “Dream”. Because it always starts with a dream. It is important to have a dream then to make it into a goal, to take an action and finally turn it into an achievement.

If you would like to order this figurine, please contact me.

Three Unglamorous Fairies

I can’t believe I have finished them… What was supposed to be a short and fun project, has turned out into something deep and meaningful that has taken me almost 2 years. If you follow me long enough, you know, that usually my dolls resemble adults, and these three childlike dolls have become an exception. During the time I was making them, I have sunk my thoughts deep into my early childhood memories and it brought up so many forgotten feelings and emotions which I had to sort out and to put in right places to be able to move forward. Better later than never…

Anyway – the three fairies are finished and now it’s up to them what story they will live.

Fairies – little humanoids living in wild and among people. They are gifted with magical powers and are known to be able to shape shift and fly. Often seen dressed up in rags and are grateful if presented with warm clothes. They express their gratitude with gifts, but can become dangerous if harmed.

Goddess of Bees – the tiniest doll I have ever made

Hello My dear readers.
It’s been a while.
2019^Th has passed in a blink of an eye, and I feel a little guilty for not showing you anything new.
I promise I will be more productive in doll field this year – I have so many dolls waiting to be finished and so many ideas of new ones to come.
This is my first finished project for this year. A little goddess of the bees.
When the world is sinking in chaos, my need for the soothing power of nature is bigger than ever. I cherish each hour spent among plants and bees watching their cycle of life and the impact that I make on them and they make on me. It’s beautiful and I feel lucky.

This doll was quite a challenge. I have never made such a tiny doll with so many details. At some moments it felt even ridiculous to fire my 43 liter porcelain kiln for the doll parts size in 1 cm. Embroidering the little dress took me for ever because my eyes are not as precise as they used to be, and I had to use magnifying glass. The dolls shoes appeared too tiny to make them in any other technique than embroidering them directly on her tiny feet. In order to make her metal heels, I had to learn to solder brass. I had also to learn to polish stone in order to turn this piece of natural stone into a doll’s stand. But at the end of all challenges and failures I feel happy. She came out just as I wanted her to, and now that she is standing on my table it feels like she is a little living creature that was meant to be.

Let’s celebrate!

The year is coming to it’s grand finale, and I am happy to to look back and to summarize my work.
My year was all about sharing. I have dedicated it to everyone who wants to have a glimpse into doll maker’s world, who is eager to find out how the doll’s are born, who wants to learn the techniques and to try one’s own hand in this magical process of creating a doll.
This year I have jumped into the teacher’s, and a little bit of writer’s shoes and wrote four tutorials about doll making and costuming.
And what about the doll’s? – Well I wish I had made more of them, but the day has only 24 hours – way less than I need.
My plans for 2019 – more doll’s of course! More tutorials for sure, and also I am looking forward to discover and to learn new techniques myself, because I need to grow too. I am so looking forward to it!

Meanwhile, let me present you my last doll of this year – I call her “Balance” she represents the piece of mind, the control over one’s thoughts and body, the concentration in a middle of chaos, the inner balance that keeps one from falling down and breaking.

The doll is already sold, but if you are interested on how she was made, or want to create your own “Balance” – you can find the tutorial in my Etsy store.

And one more thing:
I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has been with me all this year, who has been following my works and supporting me in my journey, there for, I have made a little gift for you. It is a little paper doll tutorial that will be available on my Etsy store (https://www.etsy.com/shop/Dorotesdolls) only during the winter holidays season. Make sure to read the description when you open the listing.
Merry winter holidays everyone, and Happy New Year!

Summer is a dolly time!

Hello my dear followers
I hope all of you are well and your summer is filled with blessings and you have a lot of time for your hobbies.
My summer is busy for sure. I am working on a new doll and making one more tutorial along the way.

Meanwhile my earlier tutorials are available on Etsy for everyone who wants to make their own doll in my stile and for those who like sewing for their ball jointed dolls.

Let’s have a crafty summer!

The Red Queen Of The Masquerade

I wish this year to be more productive, and fulfilling. So many goals are waiting there to be achieved – there is no time for doubts and hesitations.

So let’s have a good year, everyone! Let’s make our best!

I have created this doll to summarise the technique that I have been working in at the beginning of my doll artist career. Back then I loved creating static dolls which could stand on their own on their tiny dolly feet. I have taken hundreds of photos while working on this doll and I have put them all into a digital book that can be purchased on Etsy now.

The doll itself is also available for purchase, it is listed in my “For sale” page.

And here is a small double speed time lapse video for everyone interested to have a peek at my doll crafting routine.

Forgotten Pagan Goddess

I like to explore mythology and to look at the world through our ancestor’s eyes – their world was so colorful, full of gods and goddesses and magical spirits – a prayer to one, an offering to another – and your life will be surrounded by good luck and blessings, and if something still goes wrong – there is always a god or two to blame.

This time Budintoya (Budintoja) has caught my attention. Her main and only task was to wake everyone up from sleep. It seems a small task at the beginning, but can you imagine, what would happen to the world if everyone would fall asleep and no one would wake them up?… No bird would sing, no dog would bark, people would not get up to do their daily tasks… And now that I think — all those times that I have overslept and got up late – I must had offended the goddess of awakening somehow, and she didn’t wake me up on time.

And I think I have found a new hobby – I just love making short stop motion animation of my dolls. (more…)

Warm memories and dreams of summer

I have finally received two of my dolls that have been traveling the world and representing me in shows and galleries. After our happy reunion I am offering them for my dear collectors.
“The Fields of Gold” doll is telling the story about the late summer the bloom of roses and golden sunsets upon the fields of barley. I have made her tiny wings, because her fragile and delicate appearance reminds me of dragonflies that one can see only in summer.And here is a short video to show you how I was making the wings. (more…)