Clothespin dolls- a lost art?

[Debbie Ritter]

Don't know if anyone else does this or anyone who knows a lot about it , but I started crafting these dolls when my husband put together a large doll victorian dollhouse as a gift for my mother one year. I thought she needed a lot of interesting characters to put in there.
I had a hard time finding anything on the internet about making them...not the simple kind of dolls, but some fancy dolls with elaborate costumes etc. I found out quickly not many make them, so I invented my own style to create what I wanted,

I make them and design them by hand, including the costumes and hair, and even paint the face. I was curious if any one else knows more about this branch of art, or has ever attempted it themselves.............. Debbie @ Uneekdolldesigns

[Berít]

The closest I have come to attempting dollmaking is when I was around 11-12ish I started making Barbie doll clothes. My grandmother would even display my creations in her china cabnet. As I got a little older my mother realized that I was still making Barbie doll clothes and decided to get me my first sewing machine! SO I would say that I owe a lot to Barbie dolls, funny as it may seem, that is where I started out as a fashion designer!!

Who would of thought that dolls would determine the career path in ones life? haha...

[Debbie Ritter]

That is so neat that is how you started! How has it been for you, do you have your own shop yet or do you plan to? I certainly wish you the best in your career- it's very admirable to do something you love and make it your life's calling!

[Debbie Ritter]

[Berít]

Hi Debbie,

WOW.. Are these new? Wonderful set up and I love the materials you are using...it seems that you just keep getting better and better at this art form! I bet you could make any historical character you wanted :)

Oh and to answer your question about owning a shop I do have an Etsy, DaWanda and personal domain website but my ultimate goal is to one day have a brick and mortar store :)

[Debbie Ritter]

Thank you for your kind comments Berit,
I think anytime you do something over and over you get better and better at it.
Yes, I believe you are right about making historical characters...The only thing I don't like making are any charcters that wear suits...suits just don't work out on that small a scale- but anything else is fine...I 've done quite a few custom orders such as King Hemry VII, Elizabeth of York, Young King Henry and Anne Boleyn , and more.

I certainly hope you get the brick and mortar store you are shooting for, that would be wonderful for you! Just keep at it and I know you will get there!