What materials do you use for your art dolls? 

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I use a custom blend of air dry clays, and embellish each doll with a variety of mixed media techniques, and materials. I truly love using good quality materials, so if you purchase a doll with ribbon embellishments, for example, it's likely that the ribbon is silk! I have been sewing and embroidering since I was twelve, so even tiny touches, like the drape of a ribbon, are incredibly important to me. If the doll is wigged I used unprocessed locks from sheep and alpaca, if there is a braid, or a more whimsical hairstyle, it is likely needle felted with corriedale or merino wool roving. Witch's hats are wet felted with wool roving and sometimes silk "hankies". 

Please note, that although my dolls are quite sturdy, they are not toys, but art, and should be treated with care. Also know that unless clearly specified they should not be exposed to the elements, and are not suitable for outside decoration. Air dry clay means that they are not fired in a kiln, and therefore if exposed to water will dissolve back into they form from which they came! 

How long does it take you to make a doll? 

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Forty three years! Everything I've learned as an artist over my life comes into play with the dolls I create, and because I'm always learning, I'm constantly evolving in style and skill, adding new touches to my dolls. 

I individually sculpt each doll by hand. I believe in rigorous honesty regarding the use of molds and I will clearly indicate if a mold has been used to make a doll's face, even in that case, I sculpted the original doll face, and created the mold myself. I do often use molds to make embellishments for a doll's headdress, or other adornment, but I pride myself on creating truly one of a kind art dolls, it's important to me that you, and only you, will possess that particular creation! 

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For that reason, it can take as few as eight hours, not including drying time, and as many as forty hours to create one doll.