I love going to thrift stores and every time I see the shelf of creepy porcelain dolls. For years I’ve looked at them and thought how haunting and eerie they look.
A few months ago I went with my sister to our fav thrift store and as a joke (because she says they’re evil and will bring bad fortune) I got one. >:) I made her a little outfit and then I actually liked her a lot. So I got another one. Oops.
So. Here’s a project. This doll had a sweet face but her body was falling apart. Head half off and chipped legs etc (forgot to take a pic of that)
So I decided to try to restore her.
I fixed the chips on her legs. Then I started with a wire frame and a rough outline of how she should be shaped. I glued the wire into her arms and legs, stuffing them with fabric to Center the wire.
Wasn’t sure of how to proceed so I went with cutting strips of quilt batting and wrapping around, padding areas that needed more. I figured this method would keep the wires in the Center while giving her structure. (Her original wire was only in the arms and shifted so it poked through her body)
Next she needed ‘skin’. Yikes. I had no idea how to do this. But after some thought I decided to cut 2 pieces of knit/stretchy fabric, sew one side directly to the doll (the pins would stick right into the doll so it should stay in place while I sewed). And then sewed the other side on top, creating an overlap. This turned out to be a perfect solution. The stretchy fabric made a perfect wrap around her, and it didn’t fray.
(I only had pink but figured this was skin toned enough. Plus it would be under her outfit).
I tied the ends to the dolls arms and legs with thread and then turned the edge over and added a tiny bit of fabric glue to keep it in place.
Next I removed the crusty eyelashes and gave her face a bit more definition with watercolours and sealed it. (It was my first time so please be kind)
I gave her the original outfit from the previous doll because it wasn’t too ugly and I didn’t want her to be nakey while I sewed a new outfit. But I actually don’t mind how it looks in the end.
Oh, I also washed and brushed out her matted hair.
Her name is Hazel and while I made her I watched lots of doll repaint videos on YouTube and now I have a new hobby.
And yeah. She’s still haunted but maybe she’s happier now? Idk.
I was commissioned to recreate a look shared by the official Rainbow High Instagram account of Jade Hunter with a green skull face paint (shown below). It was quite the journey to get here, and a learning experience too. At first, I was completely confident I could do it quickly and easily only to then be paralyzed by numerous problems and self doubt. Never again will I look at a “simple” concept and underestimate it. Even the simplest looking designs require so much work.
I am so happy with how she turned out! I am also very glad I bought that fluorescent green paint. Oh, and this is my first acrylic only face up! It helps I didn’t have to paint the eyes, haha! She is now on her way home and I hope her owner will be happy with how she looks.
Back at it with some goregeous new triclopses! Meet Annie and Oakley With sharp style and sharper eyeliner These two are a darker colour palette than I normally work in, but I was in the mood since I’m working on a gothey swap doll! Their faces were so much fun If you’d like to adopt Annie (Frankie) or Oakleigh (Jane-Twyla hybrid) shoot me an email (beautifulparallel @ gmail.com) or dm us on Instagram
Daisy’s always been a bit darker than her sisters. Her petals are not a pristine white, but rather a deep and robust violet. Nevertheless, her bright sisters love her for all her unique qualities, and know that our differences do not divide us but instead make us stronger Surround yourself with people who accept and love you for who you are
Rainn is wearing her gumboots and ready for puddle jumping ☔ She’s a Monster Exchange-Program Lagoona, dolled-up with a new face and outfit, and topped off with glitter Another triclops because I’m hopelessly in love with them DM for purchase enquiries, payment plans available as always~ She can be reserved after the first payment and sent after the last
