Making Storybook Dolls

Maida Dolls Group members are invited to join together in a Storybook Doll Making Challenge.  If you're not a member, you are welcome to join the group - it's free and is a great group of people.  Member Artis Corwin does a wonderful job making "Primer Dolls" based on vintage reading primers.  We all have our favorite stories - so come join the fun in the Maida Dolls Group! 

In the banner at left is the cover of a sweet 1885 small sized Little Red Riding Hood book I own.   The illustrations are so tender in this book, and the c olors in the printed illustrations are amazing.  It inspired me to again make a Little Red Riding Hood doll.  

Artis Corwin's lovely Primer Dolls

An Primitive Antique or Vintage Folk Art Cloth Doll

I bought this homemade cloth doll before Christmas from Edyth O'Neill.   Something about this doll appealed to me, with her almost faceless concentration.  Those piercing eyes!  This doll is made with a kind of twill flannel fabric.  She is about 21" tall. 

Today I sat her in the 1840's child's chair I bought when I went to the Withington Auction over a year ago.  I'm so glad I bought that chair!  I love it and my dolls in progress love it, too. 

The hands especially appeal to me with their folky-ness. 

Candyjacks recently sold a similar folk art doll on Ebay

which was a similar size and had an embroidered face. 

via Candyjacks on Ebay

via Candyjacks on Ebay

Even my dog Shelby thinks my version is a nice addition to our house. This doll will stay here a while and then will move on to a new home.  I have what I wryly call a "revolving collection" of antique and vintage dolls.   I might make her a dress.  I want to study her hands.

Maida Marketplace Open for Submissions

Artists and Artisans: 

If you have items available for sale which are antique inspired, you are invited to submit them onto the Maida Marketplace site.   It's easy. It must be for sale in another site - your website, Ebay, Etsy or another selling site.  Please read the instructions for how to self-submit your antique inspired creation in the Maida Marketplace.  

The Well Bred Doll An 1853 Book with Illustrations

For those of you who enjoy antique books, there is a charming 1853 primer book called The Well Bred Doll at Google Books.  You can download a digital file of this book.  It makes for fun reading and the illustrations are lovely.