SIGNUPS OPEN!!! mysterious/creepy mini art dolls - tis the season!

[Lmcbride]

I was wondering if anyone thinks it would be fun to do a special little doll swap with a theme of intentionally weird/creepy/dark/mysterious/otherworldly, and just plain offbeat kind of dolls...?  Like maybe for delivery around the time of Halloween/Day of the Dead?  Think zombies, skullies, ghosts, spirits, something like that? 

I'm thinking cloth or mixed-media, in the 3'-5" size range, and you would be able to say where you draw the line in terms of certain types of "dark" not being acceptable (for instance, I definitely do not appreciate dead or maimed babies, or chainsaw horror, but I do love creatures that are half human and half animal, or pale, wandering, long-haired ladies endlessly searching for their lost lover)

This is inspired by these recent doll swaps only with a decidedly darker focus:
 
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=257571.0;topicseen
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=250388.0

Here are some great inspirational dolls from the mysterious realms of craftster :

spirit dolls made by Craftster knickertwist
http://www.labonadea.com/artsyfartsy_sdolls.html

two-headed creepy cute
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=253306.0

creepy pope doll
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=261955.0

slightly scary butterfly doll
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=254077.0

voodoo-doll-along
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=134396.0

[superhooker]

I love this idea!

now, Lmcbride, I know you have a lot of these little art dolls...can I ask what you do with them/how you display them?  I LOVE art dolls, but I need to think of something better than just sticking them on a random shelf!

[Sarcastra]

This is a great idea for a swap!  I need some creepy little dollies to line up on the window sill so they can stare at the Trick-or-Treaters on Halloween. 

[Lmcbride]

I hang them from my chandeliers.  No really.  I'll try to post a picture sometime soon.

[carrieme]

When I was working on my dotees at my Mom's house I would hang them on her chandelier when they were done.  They looked great and she didn't want me to take them back home! 

[craftylittlemonkey]

love it.

[superhooker]

Have you guys seen the new "Art Doll Quarterly"?  There's a whole section about creepy dolls, and another one with all witch dolls! 

[Lmcbride]

Have you guys seen the new "Art Doll Quarterly"?  There's a whole section about creepy dolls, and another one with all witch dolls! 

Gah!  Must find this item!  Never heard of it but it sounds like something I need to know about.  Heading for online search now!

[AlwaysInspired]

This sounds so fun. I'd be game for it!

[tiltcreations]

oooh, this would be perfect...I've been wanting to try doll/stuffie/plush whatevers...and if it's supposed to be dark & creepy - even better..."mistakes" are merely more injuries/boils/mutations/science- experiment-gone-wrong kind of thing 
And who doesn't love  nontraditional dollies? except maybe Chuckie - killing bad.

[edelias]

Well I've never made a 'doll' before, but I'm certainly game for this swap!  This is my areaaa.  :]

[Lmcbride]

Cool!  They are pretty easy to make, depending on what style you do.  Make sure you check out all the links so you can see the wide variety of styles from rustic to sophisticated! 

And, while I have everyone's attention (assuming that I do, he he... ) I am totally open to ideas on structure/requirements of the swap, timeframe, etc.  I have never actually *run* a swap before but I'm willing to give it a shot - I'm pretty sure I will meet all the criteria and be eligible to do so.  

I was thinking about a sign-up period around the end of August, with a generous crafting time, so people can get their dolls by mid October?  Any thoughts or words of wisdom from anyone?

 

[The Platypus Project]

I am so down with this!
I'm still waiting for feedback from my first swap so end of August sign ups sound groovy.
I think a mid-October showing would be great!
I've never made a doll either, but I'm looking forward to creating a creepy one!
I've never been a swap coordinator and I've only done 1 swap, so I don't have any words of wisdom, but I'm happy to help you if you need help coordinating.

[AlwaysInspired]

I'm organizing my first swap as we speak and it isn't very hard. My swap is still in sign up mode, but I think all is going to go very smoothly. I think you should just set it up like the regular dotee doll swaps. Groups and everyone sends a doll to each person in the group. If ya need help just let me know.

[Lmcbride]

Thanks, AlwaysInspired!  Yes, I think the group structure has worked really well for the dottee doll swaps and it's wicked fun to get and send several dolls instead of just one.

AND FOR MORE INSPIRATION
 holy moly, everyone check out edelias work!
It's unbelievable.

[craftylittlemonkey]

[quote author=Lmcbride link=topic=262071.msg2948204#msg2948204 date=1218563703

AND FOR MORE INSPIRATION
 holy moly, everyone check out edelias work!
It's unbelievable.

[/quote]

heh, i told ya!

so how many people in a group? i don't mind making more than one but i like to put in a LOT of details so i'd have to balance that with number of pieces i'd be making. three is really different than, say, six so i'd have to do some planning...

[AlwaysInspired]

I think how many per group will have to be determined once sign ups are over. It might be helpful to know how many are going to sign up total.
In the dotee doll swap we were in groups of 7 so each person made 6 dolls.

[superhooker]

is this for dotee style dolls?  I thought it was for more detailed dolls.

[AlwaysInspired]

I believe it is dotee size dolls. In an earlier post LmcBride said that the dolls would be about dotee size I think.

[craftylittlemonkey]

i don't even know how big that is. i have never made one, i just love dolls and small things and details so this appealed!

[AlwaysInspired]

It says 3-5" in the first post.

[Lmcbride]

I said 3"-5" thinking that it might be easier to make multiples of smaller dolls.  I have seen amazing dolls that run from very simple to very complex.  How about if we say 6" or less?  Also in terms of numbers of dolls, I would be glad to offer a choice to people - do you want to make one doll or 2 dolls or 3 dolls or 4 dolls etc.  and I promise I will try my very very best to accomodate people but of course there has to be an understanding that I can't make any promises.   So I'll probably ask what is the MAXIMUM number of dolls you are willing to make (which could be "one", and then make sure nobody has to make more than that number.  I'm already seeing a wide spectrum of art styles represented in this thread and I want everyone to feel free to create whatever their specialty is!

And by "dolls" I don't see why we can't think in terms of any type of figure, not necesarily human for instance as I mentioned in the first post I like human/animal hybrid dolls.   The whole idea is to go creepy here in some way.

So, if anyone has suggestions for what questions I should put in the questionnaire, please post them here or pm me!
Thanks, everyone, I am certain this is gonna be one glorious, creepy dollfest.

[craftylittlemonkey]

that sounds great! thanks for the options.

[AlwaysInspired]

Sounds like good terms to me. I can whip out a doll pretty fast, but after embellishment it takes a while. I'd love to make 6" dolls for this.

[pinkleo]

Hmmm...I could use more practice in making the creepy dolls.
  If I have a spot open, I'll probably join.
:::bookmarking:::

[Devilfloss]

I'll join this, though I don't really know how the swaps work. I could do with more dollmaking practice.

[Lmcbride]

I'll join this, though I don't really know how the swaps work. I could do with more dollmaking practice.

Ooh, Devilfloss I hope you can make it!  Read this: (if you haven't already )
http://www.craftster.org/swapsinfo.html
it explains about the need to be a member for at least 30 days I think, and have 15 posts I believe it is, before you can sign up for a swap.
Timewise, you can probably get in because I am thinking to do the signup period August 22-Sept 8 (although I am open to other ideas if anyone has opinions!)  - so maybe if you fall in love with craftster the way people usually do and can't help but be active in posting things, you could be in!
 

So yeah, I'm thinking signups Aug 22-Sept 8 and sendouts Oct 6.  Sound good to anyone?  Or not good?

[AlwaysInspired]

Sounds great to me. I'll be just about finished with the swap I'm organizing and I'll have time to make some creepy little dolls. 

[pinkleo]

timeline sounds good...
I should have a spot open...
always waiting for that spot to open

[craftylittlemonkey]

great timing. i'm definately in!

[AlwaysInspired]

I've already started!!!!! I just got this itch to try something tonight and I had to do it. It is turning out great!!! I might keep this version and make another one for the swap.

[Lmcbride]

timeline sounds good...
I should have a spot open...
always waiting for that spot to open

Yeah, I am currently "in" 5 swaps but have mailed out for three of them, just waiting for everyone to receive and get my feedback before the signup period for this one is over!  So I can sign up for my own swap!

So everyone tell your friends about it, I will be posting the signups for this on Friday!

I checked out the Art Doll Quarterly magazine as suggested earlier in this thread - it's really amazing, and I'm saving my pennies now to actually buy a copy of it!  It's more like a book, really, and only $10.  There are some truly amazing dolls and lots of ideas in there!  If anyone has any other interesting links or galleries feel free to share them here so we can all get more inspired!

And wow, AlwaysInspired!  I admit I've been thinking of different design ideas in my mind, but probably won't get started with actual crafting until at least the signup period!   Our questionnaire will ask people if there is something in particular they don't want to get (like maybe someone doesn't want a figure with a knife stuck in its head or something...) but other than that I say let creativity rule!

[AlwaysInspired]

I for some reason cannot really get tooo scary. I try, but everything comes out creepy cute. 

[craftylittlemonkey]

me too and i don't know why. very strange!

[Lmcbride]

True Confessions: the real reason I want this swap is to practice making real creepy things.  But since I've been doing research for it I have high hopes that I'll be able to pull it off.  Course it doesn't help when I show stuff to my family and they think it's horrifying and then it gets onto craftster and people go "awww, how cute" so I'm all confused.   One thing I know I'm going to do here, because I've had good luck with it on a larger scale, is model 3-d heads with set-in eyeballs. Oh yeah.   Model Magic and paper clay are my two favorite cheap materials for this.
Ooohh I'm getting excited now. pant,pant. 

woo hoo I just came from a visit to Etsy where I did a quick search on "altered doll" because that's where my travels in cyberspace have taken me as I think more about "creepy dolls" - and not to rip off any hardworking artists' ideas or anything, but man there is plenty of food for thought over there... everything from the eerily beautiful to heartbreaking to avant garde to just plain disturbing.  Check it out and buy something if you can!  I know I will!

[qazicat]

Watching.  I may participate depending what else is happening in my life at the time of send outs.

[Lmcbride]

Yay!  Signups will start this Friday, and I've had some inquiries about suitable materials/types of dolls/figures and I guess I'm just gonna say "anything goes" as long as we keep it mini, and think creepy.

[AlwaysInspired]

Yay!  Signups will start this Friday, and I've had some inquiries about suitable materials/types of dolls/figures and I guess I'm just gonna say "anything goes" as long as we keep it mini, and think creepy.

Or creepy cute in some of our cases. 

[Lmcbride]

Of course, just let your personal style shine through!   

[onthinice]

Oh! oh!  I am so glad I found this - count me in when sign-ups come 'round.  I was just lamenting having missed the beaded art doll kit swap, but this could be even better. 

I have finished only two art dolls, but I am a huge fan of them.  No one around me understands my fascination with them, and a creepy doll will just give my family cause to think me a psycho.  This will be a huge obsession in my immediate future 

[carrieme]

I am going to sign up for this, but creepy will be a major stretch for me.  I'm more of a sugary, pink, cupcake kinda girl    But I'm excited!!  I think I'll start doing some "research".....

[Lmcbride]

I am going to sign up for this, but creepy will be a major stretch for me.  I'm more of a sugary, pink, cupcake kinda girl    But I'm excited!!  I think I'll start doing some "research".....

Yay, and welcome!  I have tried for creepy on various kinds of little dolls and figures in the past and come off only '"so-so" at best.  This time I am really stretching myself and won't be afraid to try new things.  Only my partner(s) will be able to say if I am succesful.   Sadly for me, I guess we can't all be blessed with inate creepy-talent like some of the more amazingly artful craftsters around here.
(cough*edelias*cough)

I can't help it, but now I have images of sparkly cupcake people with like worms coming out of their eyes or something.  And oh oh oh, check out this:http://www.camillerosegarcia.com/Pages/galleries/creep.html
it's Creepcakes Bakery by Camille Rose Garcia, it actually has a little movie which is so way cool beyond words.  I was turned onto this artist by one of my first swap partners but had sort of forgotten about her - trust me it's worth a look!

Signups start tomorrow aternoon!

And my granddaughter gave me a trash bag full of dead barbies, hmmmm.....

[Lmcbride]

Signups are open!

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=264735.0