Soiled Dove Puppet

This puppet is made of Yupo, with Yupo Octopus for the dress. The dress is three pieces: dress, neck ruffle and sleeve ruffles. The Octopus has a smooth top surface that allows for fine detail. I drew with Prismacolor marker and Sharpie. The back of Octopus is the adhesive quality of micro suction cups. The clothes stick to the puppet like magic.

Not the clearest photo here, but it shows the puppet undressed. You can see the structure of her body. This soiled dove is made of a rigid sheet of Yupo fused to the Octopus. This way, all the pieces are sticky on the back and there is no hardware for the joints. This gal ended up getting smaller hands. I also am doing test shots to see what backgrounds I like. The green floral here softens the overall look.

This is a mat of weeded, cut puppet pieces for my puppet.
There are right and left multiple hands with varying gestures. The weird poofy shapes will be feathered trim for her hat.

Although it was nice to avoid eyelets and brads, moving the pieces around was laborious. As my ultimate goal is to have her move, I decided to go back to hardware. She is much easier to handle when she is together.

Through my research, I found a technique where the puppet is jointed with the eyelet and brad method, but the top layer has no holes, covering the top of the brad, giving a smooth look. I am going to try this.

Paper Doll Poses

Posing for photographs to be used in designing paper dolls has a few requirements. The most important consideration is the silhouette or outline your body will make. A good pose is one where the arms are away from the body as above. I prefer this as it makes a nice form for sleeves and shows off the waist.

The face is at a 3/4 view, which is a flattering view for nearly everyone. I have designed several dolls in profile. A close-up is helpful in getting every fine detail of the face.

This model of yesteryear has an inspiring profile. She is a timeless and classic beauty. Were I using her for a paper doll, I would trim the hair from the neck to give the neck more style and make it easier to design necklines and hats.

Lucy's main pose is nearly ideal for me. Her legs are separated at the knee, making for a strong stance and feminine pose. Her hands are delicate, shoulders straight, waist defined and the expression on her face - that really sells it. Notice in both paper dolls how the shoulders are bare and the base outfit - shorts or lingerie are tight-fitting to allow the best building of clothes on the model.

The alternative pose is very popular. Not only are hands on the hips a sturdy pose, but it allows for the doll to hold items in front of her. However, it is not one of my favorites. I like to see the hands.

Dita is personification of the ideal feminine form and this pose would be perfect if her arms were posed another way. As for the body, I love the way she is standing, the waist is nipped in with the corset and her legs are fantastic. Look at the lines of her body against the background. The simpler the backdrop, the easier it is to visualize a cut-out.

When posing for a paper doll, keep in mind the shoes, hair and accessories. Would a doll of you wear heels, flats or cowboy boots? Are you known for wearing hats? Do you play an instrument, have a hobby or dig stripey tights? What kinds of clothes would you wear? Would your wardrobe be realistic, fantastic or casual and glamorous? Are you a Lucy or a Dita?

Paper Dolls: Evelyn Tripp

Evelyn Tripp

Evelyn Tripp

Evelyn Tripp was a favorite model of the 1950’s and ‘60’s, due to her dramatic features and willowy stature. She was uncommonly beautiful and graceful, exemplifying the glamour of postwar American fashion.

The enchanting couture of the day could not have found a better muse than Evelyn Tripp. She appeared on over 40 magazine covers including Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Her sleek, structured frame and easy, classic style showcased the tailored lines typical of the era.

Evelyn was considered one of the most versatile models in the world of fashion. She was photographed by the best. Original prints of her image command top dollar today.

Evelyn's beauty is timeless. Her stunning profile, swanlike neck and doe eyes still mesmerize.

Evelyn Paper Dolls

varnished glitter paper, glitter

paper, glitter

These paper fashions are inspired by the lines of the day. They are mechanically cut, then hand detailed and embellished.

foiled paper, pink dresden, glitter, tulle, silk ribbon, foil buckle

foiled paper, glitter

Each set is unique. The doll and clothes are magnetic.

Thank You to Karen Eaton-Hinz and Jennifer Eaton, Evelyn's sister and niece, for encouraging the design of this paper doll and her expanding wardrobe.

Paper Dolls

Evelyn dress, paper, bronze dresden

PAPER DOLLS

I have made paper dolls since I can remember. These are the latest of my creations. Evelyn is after Evelyn Tripp, 1960's supermodel. More on her to come. I am currently working on a twin set for twin sisters - her twin sisters.

The dresses are on my workbench, in various stages. Below you can see the dress changes with various details. Aren't Sharpies wonderful? The new generation of fine line pens and markers are so accessible and I like the results. I carry one with me at all times.

Little Retro Girl

little retro girl, new design!

I am finding fans of my paper dolls in little girls. I thought I would design a doll that was more like them - rounder, shorter, littler. I wanted a set that had simple lines. The retro prints on the market are perfect for her itty bitty clothes. This first set will fit in a tin, pocket sized, and is magnetic.

little retro girl with clothes and sunglasses - glitter-fied

Evelyn's Wardrobe, sneak peek

Evelyn wardrobe, twin dresses

Evelyn wardrobe twin dresses for twin sisters

These dresses are made with glittered paper that is laminated or varnished. They have a medium sparkle and no mess. Some glitter papers will fill your world with much reflective debris. Glitter gets everywhere.

At this point, I am probably a certain percentage glitter, but you might not want to be. Whether testing for loose particles or checking the weight of the paper, I recommend touching the paper whenever possible.