Cupcake Cactus

© Melissa Gaggiano

Are you looking for end of year presents with a touch of indie pop? How about a cupcake cactus?
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Need to Learn

© Melissa Gaggiano

    From machine stitch to hand sewing. From rag dolls to armature. From mermaids to fashion dolls. From felt pattern pieces to needle felted sculpting… My journey in doll making has been varied and expansive. 

    More than a decade ago I fantasised about constructing my own china dolls. I imagined modern dolls made with old school doll making techniques. Nothing came of this, as these thoughts were before the dawn of the online crafting renaissance. Then two years ago I discovered there were artists achieving this very thing. It gave me hope and with gradual research have discovered resources that can demystify these doll making techniques.

    After at least a year's worth of um-ing and ah-ing I began practicing and teaching myself how to sculpt. This is no easy task, as I am back where I began when I first tried making dolls. When you are learning from scratch the path ahead looks scary and bumpy. There will be mishaps and the outcome seems so far away. Despite all this there is something inside that says 'just give it a go'. 'Surely a couple of steps forward wouldn't hurt'.

    My first sculpted doll head was simply fugly. Though with each attempt at sculpting, while rough, it comes closer to what I need it to be. I've still got a long way to go with this sculpted doll making, and ultimately it may not be the right thing for me, but for now it's what I need to be learning.

© Melissa Gaggiano

It's a Cactus

© Melissa Gaggiano

    I can't be stopped. I'll find a way to create something. I may not be destined for greatness, but I was destined to make neat things.

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.

Nothing's Gonna Stop This Doll

© Melissa Gaggiano

    As I progress on my latest pose-able fashion doll I am almost a little amazed when I see it coming together. Usually when I am at the stage of creating the armature there is always a moment of 'I don't know about this'. The truth is anything can happen during the doll making process. And it is only when that final stitch is tied and cut that a doll maker can rest.

    The next stage for this doll will be wig making and designing the costume. Stay tuned…

    Since I'm bringing a doll to life it is only appropriate that I share this eighties music video by Starship [awesome]. Mucho love for Kim Cattrall and Andrew McCarthy from the film Mannequin.

Rockabilly Belle

© Melissa Gaggiano

    Now that the Journey doll is complete I am ready to begin working on something new. Once a project is finished I have to quickly move on to the next thing. No time like now!

    The next doll will be a gift for someone who as a child loved Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Of course I will be giving this doll a rockabilly twist. Stay tuned to watch the progress.

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.

Week of the Dolls

My youngest daughter with her Journey inspired doll.

    Over the past week there has been a fair share of doll making in this creative environment. I continue to work on a Journey [That Game Company] inspired art doll. It has been a matter of sculpting the pattern pieces bit by bit. Building up the doll a little at a time. The process for making this doll really has been so very different to my other designs. It is an experience I am learning and growing from.

    My youngest has watched me make the Journey doll and naturally she wanted to make one herself. I took a break from my doll making as I encouraged and guided my daughter in designing and sewing her own Journey inspired doll.

My Journey doll: A work in progress.

My Journey doll: A work in progress.

    I pulled out one of my older doll designs, made her a bag and off she went on her merry way as birthday gift for a lil' girl turning five. I love this doll design. I remember making it while watching the Elvis Presley film Roustabout. Ah, happy memories!

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

My Crafter's Companion

    Recently I added a wonderful paper crafting package to my design, crafting supplies. With all the OOAK doll making I do it became increasingly important that I consider portability and presentation of my designs. I was always able to find boxes to suit my smaller pieces, but it was another story for my longer, more narrow dolls.

Top Score Multiboard
Crafter's Companion

    I got my answer when I came across a Crafter's Companion kit – Top Score Multiboard which provides me with templates and instructions to build my own gift and product boxes. It even comes with instructions, a DVD project guide and a template for making envelopes. How awesome is that!

    I've already begun playing around with the scoring templates which allow me to form straight embossed lines and cute ornamentation. There are so many things I can do with my Crafter's Companion kit – card making, boxes, envelopes, catalogues, miniature books. But for now I can hardly wait to make my first box. Oh boy! It's going to be great. 

Tropica

© Melissa Gaggiano

    This week I have been working on a birthday present for a lil' girl. Since the theme of her party is tropical I went with that concept when accessorising the doll.

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano