What kind of dolls can I make?
What kind would you LIKE to make? All Dolled Up has baby dolls, lady dolls, children, antique reproductions, male dolls, figurines, half dolls, and lots more! We have tiny dolls, medium dolls, big dolls, even a life-size manequin. There are dolls with cloth bodies, composition bodies, and complete porcelain bodies. Blondes, brunettes, redheads, and every-thing in between. Blue eyes, green eyes, brown eyes, even violet eyes. Simple frocks or fancy gowns. Dolls to love, dolls to share, dolls to pass on, even dolls to sell if you dare to part with them! Whatever you can dream, you can create! So come join the fun, and share the joy of making your own special dream dolls!
Is there a difference between these dolls and ceramics?
Absolutely! Ceramics are produced from earthenware clays. They are fired to a lower temperature, and produce a courser, more porous finished product. However, porcelain clay is a much finer composition, containing silica (glass). It is fired to higher temperatures thus producing a hard translucent bisque. Ceramic clay is used for household and decorative items, not usually for doll making.
I can’t sew a stitch! So what would I do about costuming?
Not to worry! There are lots and lots of ready-made clothes available for your precious creation. All Dolled Up carries a large selection of doll clothes, shoes, socks, hats, and accessories. Many baby dolls can even wear preemie-size (and larger) infant wear available at your favorite retailer. And you’ll even find that some of your fellow doll buddies are willing to share their creative talents. If you would like to learn how to make your own doll clothes, All Dolled Up also offers classes for the sewing impaired. Talk to your instructor for details.
I don’t have an artistic bone in my body! How do I know I can actually do this?
If you can hold a brush, I can teach you to make a doll! The truth is that it’s just a matter of patience and practice. The Beginner’s Special allows anyone the opportunity to test the waters, without a huge commitment of time or money. You will surprise yourself, guaranteed! Many of our newest students, who didn’t think they had any talent, have actually won blue ribbons for their efforts at local doll show exhibitions. So you just never know!
After the Beginner’s Special, I may not feel fully comfortable to continue on my own just yet. What should I do next?
After the Beginner's Special, you are not left alone to wonder what to do next. All Dolled Up is here to help guide you. We offer the novice doll maker an opportunity to advance and perfect their skills while building confidence in a unique initial doll making continuing education series. There are four advancing doll making skill levels which starts with the Beginner's Special. Once you complete all four levels, you will be awarded a certificate of achievement. Be sure to learn more about this continuing education series.
Is porcelain doll making very expensive? How much does it cost to make a doll?
Like any great hobby, it’s usually a matter of how far you want to go, and how much you want to spend. With our Beginner’s Special, your only investment is the cost of materials needed to complete your baby doll. You will use studio paints, brushes, cleaning tools, etc. This allows the student to get a feel for the joy of doll making. The budget-minded student can then purchase only what is needed, a little at a time (i.e. a brush here, a china paint there, a tool later, and so on.) Students may use studio items, if they wish, but most find that they are more comfortable having their own supplies and tools. Doll makers tend to get rather protective of their tools of the trade! Things such as eyes, wigs, shoes, etc. are available in a wide price range, and fabrics, of course, are limitless. So the choice is up to you. The sky is the limit!
I would like to make dolls, but I work and have a busy schedule. When would I be able to take classes?
All Dolled Up currently offers seven classes per week, to meet the needs of any doll maker. For those who work, evening and Saturday classes are usually best. Please review our Porcelain Class Schedule/Fees page for a time that best suits your schedule.
What’s the difference between a collector doll and one that I would make myself? Why shouldn’t I just buy a doll from one of the popular collector companies?
Typical collector dolls are usually mass produced overseas from inferior materials and workmanship. Their porcelain has a rougher texture, because it only has two or three firings with little to no polishing. Hand-crafted dolls are carefully cleaned, then polished, painted and fired many times. These many steps and attention to detail is what gives these dolls their life-like, one-of-a-kind personalities, and create heirloom quality creations.
I'm interested in making marionettes and non-traditional dolls. How would your class offerings help me in this regard?
You can learn all about porcelain, beginning with cleaning of the greenware. After cleaning, the greenware will be fired which will result in bisque/porcelain. You will then learn how to apply china paints, use of brushes, and brush stroke techniques. The studio firing is handled by All Dolled Up staff only, however, both firing techniques and use of a kiln can also be taught on an individual basis. Feel free to contact me for more details.
