Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Never too old for paper dolls...



When I was a little girl, I loved paper doll books.

In my doll club, there are some serious grown ups who have the most amazing collections...



Modern paper dolls can be arty, elegant. humorous, glamorous...anything that you want them to be. My doll hero--Edith Flack Ackley--wrote a very popular book on paper dolls. I really cherish this book.



Nowadays there are hundreds of articles in magazines and on line that are about paper dolls. Instead of commercial paper dolls, artists-- young and old-- make their own.

Here is a set I made for a swap a few years ago....in its own envelope.




Here is one that was made from fabric.
When I gave this one away, I kept a scan of her, so I could make her again for myself as paper doll!



Year ago I made these for an ATC swap...from jig saw puzzle pieces...



These had movable parts...



My friend and I swapped paper dolls last week. (We both love paper art dolls...and we both have made dozens of them over the years.)

It fold up and fits into the background booklet...which is made from a box canned tomatoes came in...using my own little character for the chef.





This one is made from large jig saw puzzle pieces and magazine photos.



Paper dolls...never too old to make them! You can make them, too...cut out family photos for the faces...make them from magazine photos...the varieties are endless.


As always,


enjoy the day!

11 comments:

Beth said...

DEElightful, Helen :-) I love paper dolls as well; they provide great inspiration for making dolls.

Here is a link to one of my favorite paper doll artists on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ribonita/5902027684/in/contacts/

Have a lovely day!

Beth

DollZandThingZ said...

WOW...Beth that link has REALLY cute stuff as well as paper dolls! Thank you!

Helen Priem said...

Helen, you made some beautiful things ! You can do anything !!
And I loved paper dolls as a child, made hundreds of them for all the girls in my class :-)

April said...

SO MANY FABULOUS PAPER DOLLS YOU HAVE MADE!!! Oh my gosh!!! Each set is Wonderful and I cannot pick a favorite!!! You are AMAZING my dear!!!!!You Inspire ALL OF US!!! And make me extra happy.

Flutterby Patch said...

I used to love paper dolls and had some really pretty ones when I was little. It's surprising how they are so collectible (more in the States than the UK I think).

Lizzie said...

You are clever, I love all of the different versions of your dolls. It inspires me to do some too.

Elizabeth said...

Love paper dolls too. I remember getting the Betsy McCall on in the magazine. Nice story.

Lena said...

I used to enjoy looking at paper dolls as a child, but I didn't enjoy playing with them much for some reason. I still love to look at them though, and I appreciate them, very much.

I love your jigsaw ATC's Helen. Very creative.

l.wilks11 said...

I also enjoyed paper dolls as a child and thought they were a thing of the past, but last Christmas my daughter in law suprised me by giving me a Queen Holden paper doll complete with clothes. I haven't used it yet but after reading your post i am going to get it out and show it to my 3 year old grandaughter im sure she will want to play with it.......xx

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

The movable ones are extra cute.

Colleen said...

What a cool paper doll Helen!