peg dolls.

evolution.

After practicing on over a dozen squinty eyed spool dolls, I finally acquired enough skills to move on to wide eyed dolls. Although it seems trivial, the number of white reflective dots in their eyes makes a difference in capturing expression. Actually the length of eyelids also matters. This first doll looks fierce and mean with the furrowed, almost mono-brow.

Softer with eyelids trimmed and more white dots, Dahlia now radiates with glee.

Safira and Dahlia, bright and wide eyed!

Winka, Anika, Rane.

Spools dolls a la silver, buns and pigtails.

2.1.

Owl on a log.

Meet Carnation, the dreamy owl birdie. She enjoys red wine and sunsets and apples and cheese. She especially loves ball flowers, so she welcomes colorful pins aplenty in her log, creating a most wondrous garden for perching.

oh snap!

Heads are not secured yet with one coat of varnish. I painted the heads separately from the spools so the varnish doesn't pool around their necks. I also opted not to paint their bodies. I figured with the handling, it's better to leave these au natural. Plus, I kinda fancy the wood grain.

Couple.

Reidun, Winka, Nissa.

Sealed with a kiss - mwah!

plus 1.

Started the sealing process today. Applied wipe-on polyurethane instead. It's nearly impossible to avoid dust, lint, tiny hairs but ignoring these only ruins good work. Back to sanding...

Girls.

It's truly best to wait a few days for the paint to cure as most of the brush streaks flatten with time. It also helps to sand each doll entirely with a clean brown paper bag. As far as the sealer, I'm still doing tests to find the best way to apply varnish.

something old, something new, something borrowed...

Needs adjustments - a bit grainy with spray varnish.

Ruby - the owl pincushion.

Just when I thought I was owled out...