Loveo the Roller Derby Pirate

© Melissa Gaggiano

Meet Loveo! This Loveo design has an unusual story. She started out as a fabric pattern test (hence the lack of skin tone colouring and only making one arm and one leg). Afterwards, one of my kids asked if I was going to keep the doll. I told her that I would very likely recycle the doll filler for future projects. My daughter then said I should keep the doll, and because of that the doll is still here.

The doll was developed into a pirate themed roller derby athlete. With a very simple, obvious twist. Inspired by the fact that the doll was already without an arm and leg, the doll became what she always was, an amputee. I made a detachable peg leg (pirate theme), and for the amputated arm I used fabric that looked like a floral tattoo. Check out that knee-high quad skate. Don't you wish you had skates like that?

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

Catalina the Photographer

Catalina the Photographer
© Melissa Gaggiano

Meet the latest art doll piece in my collection. Her name is Catalina and she could be yours. For more details visit my online store.

Red, Blue & Glitter Too

© Melissa Gaggiano
Etsy store

No two dolls of mine are ever exactly the same. This is a perfect result for me. As a cottage industry doll designer my aim is that each doll stand alone in her/his uniqueness. And with each doll that I create I am evolving with the dolls.

My latest art doll creation makes use of a variety of craft disciplines, including: sewing, crochet, armature, painting, needle felting, clay sculpting. Her body has an endo-skeleton (armature wire) allowing poseable positioning. Her clay shoes are a new evolution in my process. The shoes are hand sculpted, decorated with glitter (sealed with a topcoat). Facial details are hand painted. The shirt decoration is a granny square pattern in miniature.

This OOAK art doll is available in store right now. Check her out!

Magnifique Bleu

Doll design
© Melissa Gaggiano

When things are quiet here, it usually means I am being busy in other departments. The past several weeks have been devoted to new design development. One of those designs happens to be this new armature prototype.

I am proud of all that has been achieved, but with this new design I feel I have reached a tall peak. Here's to today's success, and to the next mountain.

Luna Lovegood Inspiration

Doll making by Melissa Gaggiano

    I am one of the masses who enjoys the Harry Potter universe and for this very reason I constructed a Luna Lovegood inspired textile sculpted art doll.

    I am so proud of the little-big details that went into making this doll. She has wire armature, is sculpted with felt. I've hand painted fabric, needle felted, blanket stitched and even curled yarn to bring this Luna to life.

    This Luna is currently available in my store. Check her out!

Pinkie the Roller Disco Turtle

© Melissa Gaggiano

    Looky-looky! There's a new turtle in my store. She's Pinkie the roller disco turtle.

    Pinkie is a handmade felt crafted OOAK turtle. She is sweet. She is awesome. She is awesomely sweet… and she's pink. Check her out!

Something for Laodicea

© Melissa Gaggiano

     One of two projects I was working on this past week is this mermaid. I have made mermaids before, usually of the big cuddly variety. This time I designed a removable fishtail for my fashion armature doll design.

    Another reason for me to be getting excited about this design is my use of needle felting to make the hair. I love this technique. It's my new thing.

    I made this doll as a response to the lovely Laodicea who kindly illustrated a caricature of me recently. You can read about the drawing here.

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

Constructing Beauty

    Constructing Beauty… sounds like the title for a fashion industry documentary, doesn't it. In actual fact I am celebrating the finished work of a rockabilly inspired Belle doll [think Beauty and the Beast]. She comes complete with rose, and a book titled 'Embrace Your Inner Beast'. Now although you can't tell by these photos but Rockabilly Belle sports a wilting tattoo on her left arm [hidden below her coat]. Isn't she a darling?

    If you are interested in commissioning a cloth art doll, check out the details here.

Journey's End

Journey inspired game art doll.
Based on Journey by That Game Company.

    It took me a while, but look I got there. I just finished construction of my Journey doll. For those not in the know Journey is a soul moving game by That Game Company. After playing the game only twice I was inspired to make an art doll, which is what you now see.

    The doll is made from felt, thread, stuffing and armature. A variety of sewing stitches were used to pull the doll together. There was much trial and error in getting the pear body shape just right. Along the way I realised that the wire I was using for the doll's skeleton could be used in the ribbon that trails from the body, to make it look like it was floating behind.

    It was an exciting experience bringing this doll together. It was like putting together a three dimensional jigsaw puzzle, but one that not yet been created. Get  your mind around that.

Journey inspired game art doll.
Based on Journey by That Game Company.

The Clueless Collection

© Melissa Gaggiano

    Inspired by the film Clueless, the Clueless doll collection has landed. 

The film Clueless
This scene was the inspiration for my dolls.

    These art dolls stand 42CM tall [head to foot], and have armature [bend arms and legs]. The dolls have been made from felt, cloth and include hand painted facial details.

    Contact me via my About page if you wish to buy one or both of these dolls.

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

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Miss Dionne

© Melissa Gaggiano

    Miss Dionne from the Clueless doll collection is now complete. She is has a hand painted face, is made from plain weave cloth, felt and has internal armature for movability of limbs.

    If you are interested in buying this collector piece simply send me a message via my About page.

Slow Progress is a Beautiful Thing

© Melissa Gaggiano

    I have been working on these two Clueless cloth art dolls for a couple of months now. Three winter viruses slowed my progress right down. And now I'm almost there. The only thing left for Cher and Miss Dionne is to trim their hair and make accessories – one bag and one hat.