**I have also put this tutorial over on Google Docs, it is easier to edit, looks cleaner and is easier to navigate, I hope it will be more useful for everyone. Here's the link to my new tutorial: docs.google.com/document/d/1NR…  ...I'm not done typing the whole thing up yet... shhhhhhhh, I'm just excited to provide a more useful tool for ya'll that I'm proud of(cause this here is a hot mess).**

How I Art Doll

By Kelsey Wilkins
Storybook Creatures
A reference for poseable art doll crafting basics.

    I have been making art dolls since 2015. They are very complex projects that require skills in multiple art fields and take a lot of patience and perseverance. The style of doll that I make requires the use of these skills: painting, sculpting, basic construction, sewing, trimming fur, understanding of anatomy, problem solving, and I suppose you could include photography in the list too. You’ll also need knowledge of many tools and materials. The fastest I ever made a doll was 2 weeks, my sheep doll in 2015 with a very simple design. I meticulously timed the making of my Halloween dragon made in 2016, for a total of 30 hours. Generally, a doll will take me about a month or more to complete. Surely I will get faster with experience, but I will always take time and care to make something excellent and special. If I’m gonna spend a long time making something, I’m gonna make it good! When I made my first doll, I was impatient so I rushed and cut corners, and I later regretted that I could have done better. Make something you can really cherish and be proud of, for yourself, cause you’re awesome. ♥

What is an art doll? They are dolls that are hand made pieces of art, often made with a wide variety of materials. I’m not sure where the line is that seems to cross into plush/stuffed animals and sculpture.
Although they are not toys, some artists make their dolls sturdy enough to be handled by kids.

    The way I make my dolls is not the only way to make dolls, it’s just what works for me, the creative methods that I enjoy. Experiment and find what works for you! The purpose of this guide is to help you get introduced into making poseable art dolls.

    My goals for my guide have always been: 

    1. To hopefully save others from heartache caused by catastrophic crafting failure. My first doll was a bit of a disaster and fell apart.
    2. To hopefully save others from wasting money on doll materials that end up not working. It can be expensive to get started, especially if you have to keep replacing parts.
    3. To encourage others to create and explore creativity.

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