20 September 2014

Butterfly Doll

Hello!
When is an Art Doll not an Art Doll?..... um.... when it's a butterfly attached to a canvas on legs?!
My project today is a variation on a theme...yes it's a doll, but this one isn't a free standing piece by itself, it's an embellishment..

I'll show you how I made her...
The three main bits are made from clay. As I wanted holes through them, I poked a bit of wire through in the appropriate places! 
The clay then got painted and stamped a little...
The easiest way to get a detailed design on a curved surface is to use stamped tissue paper. I stamped everything, then made sure the ink was dry...
(I stamped two faces as I wasn't sure at this point which one I was going to use!)
The stamped images were then cut out and glued onto the clay using Mod Podge..
It's really useful having holes in the clay, as the wire can be pushed through again and rested on something whilst the Mod Podge dries!
Once the Mod Podge has dried, we can start to assemble the doll.
You'll need lots of craft wire for this! Cut two pieces, then thread both through the horizontal hole...
Make spirals at the ends of the wire (you can always fiddle about at the end and make these smaller or larger if you need to)
 Next, make a loop at one end of a long strand...
Thread on the large 'body'..
Thread on the 'head'
Tightly coil the remaining wire around and around the top of the head, both creating a design feature and securing the head and body of your doll...
I wrapped more wire around her neck...
Now, adding on the 'bead' at the bottom requires a bit of jewellery making technique... but really, just practice making loops and wrapping wire around things. We're not making jewellery, so it doesn't matter if it's not perfect!
Thread a bit of wire through the hole in the bead, and bend like so...
Make sure one 'tail' is a lot longer than the other at this point. Make a loop with the shorter tail, and join it onto the loop under the body...
Wrap both ends loads of times around the wire and the top of the bead. Messy is good!
Now for the wings! Stamp the Stampotique wings twice, once onto acetate, and once onto painted cardstock...
Cut out, bend the acetate then glue together....
Once the glue is dry, glue on the clay body...
Now the butterfly doll is finished, it can be attached to whatever you fancy!
I painted a canvas, stamped it with dots (Darkroom Door) and glued the doll to the front..
The doll gives a fabulous 3D look to your work..
I used painted spools as legs..
and added thick wire as a hanger. More thin craft wire was wrapped around to echo the wire elsewhere on the piece, and a cut out word added...


Phew...! Hope you like her!
Trish xxxx








9 comments:

Unknown said...

Wowzers she is fabulous, knew it was one of Trish's dolls without checking, they are amazing! Elizabeth xxx

Julie S said...

How fun! She's a wonderful new 'take' on your art dolls too. Your dolls inspired me to make something for the latest Stampotique challenge this week. Thank you!

Caroline said...

Phew indeedily! Your dolls are just getting more & more character as you develop them

Caroline said...

Apologies. My comment published by accident before I had finished....
Anywaaaaay..... Yes, full of character, absolutely beautiful butterfly wings (loving acetate right now), clever work with the clay (I have a full packet awaiting my time & confidence). Where do you get your spools from? I can never find "the right kind"...
There is a lot of work put into yr creation & great imagination too with all the wire wrapping. Great job & another unique "Trish Special"! Tfs :)

jaine drake said...

I love your art dolls Trish, you make it look so easy. One day I'll be brave enough to give it a go.

Tracy said...

So glad I popped over, she is amazing Trish, loving the step by step ... love her! xoxox

Tracy said...

Whooops my comment vanished ...glad I hopped on over she is amazing Trish, loving the step by step! xoxox

Cocofolies said...

Fabulous doll Tracy, just wow!!!! Coco x

Carol said...

Love the doll - um butterfly and thanks for the how too x