I've been making dolls for as long as I can remember - used to make funny little dolls and tiny clothes and leave them out for the fairies, who would leave me a little gift in return. My dolls are known as 'Real Characters' because so many times when they've been on display at shows etc. people would look at a doll and say "That's a real character, isn't it!" I tend to make some fantasy fairies, elves, goblins, pixies, etc. as well, but mostly they are character dolls, tending towards realism.

My dolls have evolved a lot over the years, with help and assistance from a lot of people, not the least of which have been the very generous American doll tutors who have visited Australia from time to time Doll making is such a fascinating art - after all we are in the business of reproducing and reworking ourselves.

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The Sugar Plump Fairy
Two Day Class
Wednesday/Thursday
208

This is a complete cloth doll, with full instructions and pattern provided for students to complete and dress the doll if they don't finish it in class. She has an internal stand which goes up inside one leg and into her body and has free machine embroidered wings. Students learn how to build a doll over an internal stand and armature. Face and body sculpting (learn to make an elegant female figure without internal aids such as pins, styrofoam balls). Free machine embroidery wings (using water soluble waste). Sculpting elegant and realistic hands and feet with 'real' finger and toe nails. Face, limbs and body painting. Hair - best ways of attaching and 'doing' hair.

Level: All
Sewing Machine
Sewing Kit
Kit: $5.00 includes timber, aluminium tubing etc. for
stands, already constructed. Notes will be provided.
Preparation: Some pre-class sewing

Making an Oven Baked Clay Face
Ready to sculpt felt over
Half Day Class
Tuesday
001

Students will learn the basics of sculpting their own oven-baked clay face so that they will have an 'original' sculpture over which to mould felt or other fabric masks to make cloth dolls.

Techniques:
Basic face sculpture and feature placement,
how to use and bake polymer clay.

Level: All
Kit: $3.00 - containing polyclay and other supplies. I will also
bring sufficient tools for student use. Notes will be provided.

Felting Techniques to Make a Mask
Half Day Class
Tuesday
002

Making a felt doll face over a sculpted mask. Techniques: Basic felting. Attaching a felt mask to head. Use of gesso to give a smooth finish. Level: All Basic hard doll's head - either manufactured or made by student. I will provide a complete list of other requirements and will have wool for felting available at cost price. Notes will be provided.

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