bridal spirit dolls in the snow

white on white on white on white.  gorgeous!

spirit doll bods!

headless dolls!  oh no!  i tend to work like a little assembly line - here in the process all the bodies are awaiting the perfectly matched faces.  this group of dolls was for a floral-themed show last spring.  

memory doll for judy

a close friend asked me to create this spirit doll using one of her mother's scarves.  it is adorned with one of her mother's pins as well.  a very elegant doll indeed...

madame joyce

the purple quilted fabric used for this dress came from the costume workshop of a wild and wacky woman in key west.  she invited me in and let me loose like a kid in a candy store.  the fur collar is salvaged from my mother's closet, circa 1950.

dipped doll

a couple summers ago i started dipping my "retired" dolls in exterior latex house paint.  they become outdoor sculptures, and i've been watching their progress through the seasons.   i have a few in my backyard, and i will be observing one that has been outdoors since last year in a key west garden.  it's an art experiment!

the mini ones

these dolls are about 7 inches high.  very cute, but not as easy to make as i'd like.  

faces

i've always handpainted my doll's faces.  they've gone from having eyes closed (dreaming) to eyes open, and this latest style is one that i am trying for now.  it's a bit less detailed, and also the haircolor is lighter than earlier dolls.  i work best when i have all my "ingredients" ready to go - all the dresses, all the faces, all the elements needed to put together a doll.  i'm always happy when the trusty glue gun is hot and ready to go!

spiritdollsbypaula.com

this shot was taken at harrison gallery in key west, june 2006.  my work is still there, even though i have left the tropical sunshine.  i miss being able to ride my bike over to the gallery, with spirit dolls in the basket and my daughter in the bike seat.   i'm grateful to have those memories!

detail

this one has a plush furry collar to keep her cozy all winter.

glam bride

i love this doll with her feather boa.  she's bigger than most dolls i make...usually they're about 10 inches high; she's double that size.  her dress fabric is chenille and makes me think of old fashioned bedspreads.  

brides galore

here's a bunch o brides.  

angel bride dolls

i've been making these dolls since last winter.  the first ones were photographed on a snowy background.  i have a gorgeous tree in my yard that serves as a frequent backdrop.

angel bride dolls

the francine doll...