Artful Paper Dolls

A glimpse into the rich history of paper dolls is accompanied by many charming manufactured and handmade examples.

With nostalgic glances to the past and visionary gazes into the future, Lynne Perrella and the contributing artists follow inspiration rather than tradition to present dolls that are charismatic, colorful and full of surprises. Technique related details are provided in each chapter's details dossier, where we are invited to go behind the scenes, into the artists studios. Take an up close and personal look to get the inside story on how the artists used paper and other exciting mediums to create their dolls. Artists include Nina Bagley, Lesley Riley, Judi Riesch, Lynn Whipple, Teesha Moore, Karen Michel, Jane Cather, Akira Blount, Laurel Hall and Maria Moya who expolore the human form to create paper personas that are expressive, innovative and insightful.

This celebration of nine art dolls and the artists who made them offers a colourful look at an unusual project that spanned 19 months and took the dolls on a journey all over the United States. Each doll is a one-of-a-kind work of art, made by women who contributed something to each work-in-progress and offered unique perspectives on womanhood and images of dolls. Professional doll-makers as well as a quilt maker, a metalsmith, a woodcarver, and a sculptor created dolls that evolved into vivid characters as they travelled from artist to artist with handmade journals that served as a combination diary, travel log, and artist's canvas. From Joe the Wandering '60s Beatnik to a made-over Madeline sure to be kicked out of her French boarding school for her outrageous attire, each doll is accompanied by photographs, excerpts from the journals, and essays by the artists about the joys, challenges, and frustrations of working on the project.

Contains techniques for creating altered books, boxes, cards, and more.

Even today, with the proliferation of fancy electronics, computers, and video games, people are still enchanted by the simple, funny movement created by a flat, two-dimensional paper puppet; they are automatically, and inherently, amusing. This book teaches readers how to make a wide variety of moveable paper puppets, charming toys, and novel, artful gifts. The projects are beautiful, magical, whimsical and will appeal to readers with many different craft interests. There is something very childlike about puppets, yet they are not easily dismissed into something strictly ‘for children’. Paper puppets are versatile, easy to make, and can be used with many types of artwork such as on cards or in shadow boxes.

Paper dolls might seem the height of simplicity--quaint but simple toys, nothing more. But through the centuries paper figures have reflected religious and political beliefs, notions of womanhood, motherhood and family, the dictates of fashion, approaches to education, individual self-image and self-esteem, and ideas about death. This book examines paper dolls and their symbolism--from icons made by priests in ancient China to printable Kim Kardashians on the Internet--to show how these ephemeral objects have an enduring and sometimes surprising presence in history and culture.

Monsieur Degas likes to paint the students while they practice in ballet class. But one day he mistakenly leaves his paints in the dance studio and instead takes a young ballerina's bag, which contains her new tutu. And so the ballerina begins a great chase to find Degas before her recital. Full color.

Introduced on a grand scale at the 1925 Paris International Exposition, the new Art Deco style expressed modernity and new technologies that were changing the world. In the realm of fashion, it was the new "chic," representing glamour, luxury, and a sleek style. Tom Tierney captures fashion highlights from that period in this spectacular paper doll review. Two dolls and 28 costumes focus on an array of dramatic creations by outstanding designers of the early twentieth century. Included are a fur-trimmed cloak with an abstract modern design by Paul Poiret; a tightly pleated and richly colored gown by Mariano Fortuny; Helen Dryden’s day dress in stark zebra stripes; a daring, two-piece knit swimsuit, featuring a bare midriff; as well as dramatic designs by Sonia Delaunay, Jeanne Lanvin, Coco Chanel, and other noted designers. An additional page features hats of the period — everything from an exotic Poiret turban to Schiaparelli's novel "shoe" hat. An exciting display of elegant style and cool sophistication, this collection will not only delight paper doll fans but will also thrill collectors and devotees of Art Deco.