clay dolls

The elementary class had admired the clay santo inspired dolls created by the preteen class in the studio while they were in process. While they were finishing their own projects, they asked if they too could create some clay dolls and so I pulled out the supplies and gave them the opportunity to create their own beautiful air dry clay dolls.

Starting with a papermache cone, they  wadded up some newsprint and taped it together to create a head shape. They then used the masking tape to attach the head to the cone. At that point I brought out some air dry clay for them to begin sculpting their dolls.

They quickly realized this was easier said than done but each young girl got there in the end.  Each doll took a week to dry and so the following week they painted and decorated their dolls.

10 year old

Each girl had a clear vision on color choices and hair color. Each girl mixed their own skin tone too. I think the most challenging part of painting the face for them was the eyes. I was very proud of the girls as they never gave up and just painted out the eyes they didn't like and tried again until they were happy. Each doll got a bit of rouge and lipstick before calling the faces done.

6 year old

They had a wonderful time rummaging through the boxes of 'doodads' I had to gussy up the dolls. Tulle skirts were mandatory as far as they were all concerned as it was one of the things they had admired most on the dolls the preteen class had made. The discovery of sequin ribbon in the ribbon box was also a must for each girl.

9 year old

The pearls the girls found were self adhesive and from a project my youngest daughter did for her "big" in her new sorority. I was thrilled that the girls found a good use for the leftovers on their dolls. Feathers became 'de rigueur' for headwear, along with hand crafted crepe paper flowers.

6 year old

And what doll would be complete without some rhinestone bling? Definitely not these girls! 

Because the cones were larger than what the preteen class had used, I did not put these dolls on candlestick bases. I worried they would be too unstable.

The artist were thrilled with their creations in the end and quite proud when it came time to take them home. It was fun to watch a younger age group problem solve through this project and I'm thrilled to see that this idea captures the imagination of a wide span of age groups.

Such a very cute collection of grande dames, don't you think?