Enchanted Dolls by Marina Bychkova.....

A chance to win an amazing doll by Marina....

You will have to register in forum at:

http://www.biscuitshouse.com/Enchanted

Then you need to fill out an entry form. Simple as that :)

I came across Beautiful works of Marina via needle and clay blog (thank you for sharing)

I was wowed by her work - take a peep :

marina uses springs in her ball jointed dolls

http://www.enchanteddoll.com/galleries/vessel/vessel.html

Above is one of my favourites...

BJD making ....(ball jointed dolls)

Helpful book: Martha Armstorng-Hand, "Learning to be a doll artist"

Martha goes through it step by step.

Available on Amazon.co.uk/com

forum is dedicated to making BJD's: http://www.bjdartists.com/joints/index.php

Here are some by Susan Oroyan

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw...oroyan&x=0&y=0

Yoshida Style: Ball jointed dolls making guide by Ryo Yoshida is a fantastic book in Japanese website: http://www.aimi-doll.com/ also in Japanese- wonderful pics

& non firing materials

Deity Dolls - Doll Creation Forum

Arm Makinghttp://batchix.livejournal.com/826827.html

Head Makinghttp://noxiv.cool.ne.jp/dreamscreato...ecord/eng.html

BJD Guide (Broken English - a bit hard to understand)http://www2d.biglobe.ne.jp/~dhnoah/make_00.htm

Learning to be a Doll Artist from http://www.miniworlddolls.com/ $17.95

The process she describes is particularly suited to porcelain, using metal springs etc.

http://dollbooksandmore.com/Titles.a...Category=Books

Contents of "Learning to Be a Doll Artist"

Chapter 1 Ideas and Plans. From Dream to Reality; Developing an Idea; Choosing a Medium; Why I Work in Porcelain; Determining Size.

Chapter 2 Drawing. Why Do we Draw? Drawing a Human Figure; Putting the Measurements on Paper; Outlining the Drawing; Refining the Drawing.

Chapter 3 Making the Armature. Sizing the Armature; Choosing the Materials; Shrinkage Chart of Sculpting Material; Constructing the Armature; Supporting the Armature.

Chapter 4 Modeling. Tools and Materials; The Modeling Process; Getting Ready to Make the Molds.

Chapter 5 Mold Making. Tools and Materials; Making a Rough Shell Mold; Casting Words of Wisdom.

Chapter 6 Mold Design. Principles of Mold Design; Keys; The Spare.

Chapter 7 Making Molds for Porcelain Slip Casting. Special Tools for Porcelain Casting; Making the Mold for a Porcelain Cast; Cleaning, Drying, and Trimming the Molds; Mold Repair.

Chapter 8 Wax Work. Making Your Own Wax; Making a Wax Cast; Wax Work: Setting Up the Work Space; Improving Your Forms. [8-page color photo gallery of Martha Armstrong-Hand dolls.]

Chapter 9 Body Works. The Decision to Make Joints; Conditions for Moving and Posing; Designing Joints That Work.

Chapter 10 Stringing Design. Stringing Material; Designing the Stringing System; How It All Works.

Chapter 11 Casting in Porcelain. History of Porcelain; Some Chemistry and Physics (Ingredients and Transformation); Casting; Tools.

Chapter 12 On Kilns and Firing. Parts of a Kiln; Choosing Your Own Kiln; Loading the Kiln; Controlling the Temperature; Firing.

Chapter 13 Porcelain Painting. Tools and Materials; Choosing a Brush; Brush Glossary; Setting Up a Painting Space; Step-By-Step Face Painting; The Art of Face Painting; Things to Remember.

Chapter 14 Stringing Production. Lining the Joints; Setting Up for Metal Work; Preparing and Fastening the Bars; Connecting the Legs to the Body; Attaching the Upper Body; Assembling the Arms; Fastening the Extremities.

Chapter 15 Hair and Wigs. My Adventures With Wigs; Directly Attached Hair; Fur on Leather; Conventionally Manufactured Wigs; Making Your Own Wig; A Doll Hairstyling Salon.

Chapter 16 Clothing Design. [General Remarks]; Finding the Right Fabric; Creating Patterns; Of Sewing Machines and Sewers.

Chapter 17 Shoes. Tools and Materials; A Five-Step Process (The Last, the Upper, the Soles, Shaping the Upper to the Last, Joining the Upper and Outer Sole); The Reward.

Chapter 18 Accessories.

Chapter 19 Display.

Doll wig making: They use glue to stiffen gauze, then glue mohair to it.

http://www.fantasydollsbyd.com/new_page_57.htm

Hope this was helpful :)

love and light

Trace x