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Following the success of the first KDF online showcase in July, I'm pleased to be participating in the Christmas Showcase. Sadly, none of the usual pre-Christmas fairs are taking place this year, but, thanks to technology, artisan exhibitors, past and present, are able to show off their work.
Our new website has gone live this morning (EEEEK!) and I will be updating it on a daily basis during the showcase, so do keep checking back for new additions!
I'm also delighted to formally announce the launch of my new book, Making Miniature Mignonette Toy Dolls....!
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Available now on the website!
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The word ‘Mignonette’ has its origins in France, dating back to 1690-1700, and means ‘small and delicately pretty’. Mignonette dolls are therefore particularly pretty petite dolls.
These tiny dolls have a special appeal to miniature collectors, and although their small scale can be challenging, it is not difficult to acquire the skills necessary to make your own heirloom creations.
From tools and materials, through to mastering basic techniques and costume elements, the designs described in my book will provide you with all the information you need to begin creating your very own tiny, toy dolls.
Once you have mastered the basics, you can go on to experiment and design your own unique costumes. The Projects chapter features different costume styles, from very simple to more elaborate, with ideas for variations.
All of the patterns can be mixed and matched to create a wide variety of styles, from historical dolls of the 1700s, through to the most elaborate doll fashions of the 1890s and on to 20th century toy dolls.
This book is written with the beginner in mind, but I hope that experienced micro doll dressmakers will also find inspiration.
Woven throughout is the whimsical story of La Mignonette, a French doll shop where the talented hands of Mademoiselle Emilie, bring her beautiful creations to life...
As a special 'thank you' to purchasers of my book, I'm adding a free gift....a kit to make three tiny, wee, doll-sized, fully illustrated, Christmas-themed books, reproduced from my own private collection.
I've been making tiny dolls for over 30 years and am as much in love with them now as I was way back then. As a collector of miniatures, diminutive dolls tick many boxes, as they can exist in the most doll-phobic doll's house, portraying as they do, children's playthings rather than people.
My dolls are completely handmade, beginning life as a few thimblefuls of porcelain slip, then undergoing up to 6 kiln firings to transform them from fragile greenware to impermeable porcelain, complete with multiple china paint firings.
They have jointed arms and legs, which allow for movement....
Costumes are created using sumptuous silk fabrics, many of which I design myself and are professionally printed. Similarly, to achieve just the right shade I often hand dye silk ribbons, trimmings and lace to complement specific outfits.
Dolls have silk underwear, dainty leather-soled shoes and lace petticoats, while dresses and jackets are carefully fitted onto the tiny dolls.
Finally, I use delicate ringlets and curls to create elaborate coiffeurs, often finished off with be-ribboned and feathered hats and bonnets.
Once complete, I make a colour-coordinated box with illustrated lid, which is lined with tissue paper and the doll is nestled inside. Each doll also comes with its own signed and dated Certificate of Authenticity.
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| Dolls come with a lovely, bespoke box to match their costume. |
I hope you can visit the new website during the showcase. It is still a work in progress so I would appreciate any feedback. 🙂
1 comment:
Congratulations on your new website Sandra. It is so pretty and fresh! Celia X
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