Wednesday

I have been working on a fun project for the Etsy shop...though it is turning out to be a particularly lengthy one!

I'm making a set of paper dolls. They are still in the planning stages, and their wardrobe is in the process of evolving.
There are two of them so far, and their outfits are interchangeable.
To my surprise the Q (not, to say the least, a girly-girl) has taken a liking to them, and has anointed my printed samples with many a sticky fingerprint as she solicitously pats them down or replaces their hats when they fall off. There is even, if you look closely, an affectionate bite mark at the top of one of the pages ;)

I really didn't consider at the start quite how involved such a project might become, and as a result, after the past several work days, I feel a bit as if I've been on a 'round the world nonstop flight.
The fun is in creating the outfits, of course! It's like designing your own closet, if money were no object ;)

Then, however (like everything else in life) there are the niggling details...finding the perfect cardstock. Dreaming up packaging options. Making sure each piece prints consistently and fits properly (snip, snip, snip! I think I have a blister on my scissor finger).
Making paper dolls, lets just say, is no afternoon lark!
But oh, the fun! Outfits pour into my head faster than I can get them down on paper.

I'm not sure how many girls there will be in all, and whether they will all share wardrobes, or whether there will be a second set with a different form. In the end, I can tell you that each girl will come with an animal friend, a smattering of accessories, and a story. Yes, a story. How much fun will that be??

Keep on eye on my Les Voyageuses blog for new outfits and progress on the completed sets!

17 comments:

sk said...

oh wow, these are RAD! I love that little fox.

Katie said...

This is seriously darling. I can imagine a very groovy little one drawing endless enchantment from these special dolls. How do you go about pricing something like that? On the one hand, it's a toy, but on the other, it's artwork. Look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Yoli said...

I definitely want two, one for each of my girls! I want that swan one and please make sure (some where) there is one with a sword and parrot! You know that such items and creatures are in abundance at my house. See, costumers are already annoying you!

caramelcaramelo said...

lovely. and the little model has the same adorable mischievous look as Q! kenza

Di said...

These are absolutely amazing......I would have loved clothes like that as a child.....

Sophie said...

I love this project - cool girls and great outfits and stories and animal companions all together is such a satisfying package. I can't wait for niece Isobel to be grown up enough for things like this.

Palmer and Co said...

Oh!! Ok, these are definitely my favorite!! Your mind and hand have an amazing connection!

Kaylovesvintage said...

looks wonderful, love your art

Gretchen said...

to die for! love the striped sox & underpinnings; and I gotta have that little fox... the oxford shoes! and little scout-of-sorts uniform; nothing cuter!

Kickcan & Conkers said...

Oh these are great! Love paper dolls and that Swan is wonderful.

FDChief said...

Not sure why these little dolls make me think of Sally Bowles - perhaps its the little hat - but I've been humming "Cabaret" all evening...

Jeanne-ming Brantingham said...

oh darling! this is soooo fun! I wonder if QQ thinks these girls are her?

Your print of JiaLi is now hanging with great honor in the office of Bunnies By THe Bay, Hong Kong Ltd over the desk of my daughter Leigh, our Director of Corporate Responsibity and Social Affairs and our link to Half the Sky. She had been watching the posts of QQ and BAo Bao and the Evening but did not know what was at the other end.

Many happy tears and love were shared.

Daan said...

Those are superdupergreat! Love them!

nativekee said...

these are just lovely! so tender & sweet!

Mom-Friday said...

love your well-dressed dolls! if only i had one of her outfits! ;)

nath said...

I love that idea...

Kate Neckel said...

these are amazing!!