Spring Paper Doll Swap

Does this mean embellish the pre-printed punch out paper dolls? Or draw our own doll and cut it out?

This sounds fun. Do you have any links to examples? I haven't made a paper doll, although my mind is spinning with ideas, and I'd love to see some finished.

I'd like to see pictures, too. I loved paper dolls when I was a kid, not sure what these are though.

I am also interested but would like a picture or better description of what kind of paper doll we are talking about.

here is a good paper doll template http://www.ruthannzaroff.com/mirkwooddesigns/paperdoll.htm

How creative can we be? What are the limitations? Don't wanna offend anybody...

Be as creative as you want! Though you want to be careful not to offend some body like using a pagan symbol and sending it to someone who is very Christian, and vice-versa.

Remember you have to mail it, so maybe not too fragile, and put some effort into it. No sloppy stick figures decorated with just crayons or markers.

Hold on, I post some links in my next comment.

Okay, so think like artist trading cards + alternative art + a hint of New Age ideas (art as healing or therapy)...

http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/dolls.html

http://fairies.forthedead.net/

http://www.artdolls.info/2005_05.html

Here are a few to get ya'll started. I'm on a group on Yahoo where I was first introduced to paper dolls like this. It's really cool and a lot of fun!

Also, if anyone wants a pattern or would like to see some of the ones I've managed to collect lately, let me know and I can email them to you.

I have a mermaid, jester, a little dancing figure, and a self-portrait one...

Mereridkat, thanks for all those links, it's great to get so much inspiration. I am really looking forward to this swap. I used to play with paper dolls as a kid, and I love the new "art doll" approach to paper dolls these days.

I recently made a paper doll chain of "nine ladies dancing" for a 12 Days of Christmas post on my blog, if anyone wants to see, go here: http://www.sharonscompendium.blogspot.com and look on the righthand column, then click on Nine Ladies Dancing.

I don't plan to make a chain for this, but it's just another type of paper doll.

sharon

mereridkat, would you mind sending me templates, i actually have never heard of these before but they sound like sooooooooooo much fun!!!!!!!

i am excited!!

Hello, dolly!....Oh, yeah...I'm in. I've been "playing with art paper dolls" for several years now. I was a paper doll freak as a little girl...like so many middle-aged men who wish they'd saved their baseball cards and comic books, I wish I'd saved all my paper dolls! I'm doing a workshop for teachers in March called "They're Not Your Grandmother's Paper Dolls". This is great fun for kids to do, using a photo of themselves for the face!

It has been interesting to do a bit of research on the history of paper dolls.

I have a few dolls on www.flickr.com/photos/scottgirl/

An excellent book that shows this new/old art form is: Artful Paper Dolls by Terry Taylor.

Thanks for all of the links! I see an obsession coming on! I, too, played extensively with paper dolls as a girl, and still have them somewhere...the best, though, was that my mom still has HER celebrity paper dolls--30's and 40's actors. She and I used to spend hours sorting their clothes and admiring them!

Told you I was obsessed! I'm supposed to be writing now, but I'm searching to learn more about these lovelies. Here's a cool link (http://www.opdag.com/)

Noel, I tried emailing you a couple of the templates, but the mail bounced back. I'll try again later! (gotta work now, boring!)

bummer, i wonder why, my last e mail swap went fine, well thanks for trying anyway:)

I'll try again when I get home, Noel. Don't worry! Be happy. :)

I'm really looking forward to this one - all the pictures I've seen look so so cool! KathyC I love your paper dolls - really lovely!

I would like to try your templates as well... What format are they on? Word? Adobe Acrobat?

Would you please be so kind as to email me some as well? I only have 1 that's the one I offered and a stamp, but the stamp one is really tiny...

I felt so out of the loop when I started Swap-bot and Flickr. I didn't know what ATC's were and until this very moment I thought I would get hooked on them! However, I think this just might be my doing in!

Do you remember Richard Scarry's paper dolls?

Not only did I play with all types of girly paper dolls, but I was so into those Richard Scarry's worm in the Apple car, Bear police Officer etc ... Bunny's, cats and baby buggys ... ok, well ... I'm in!! :)

Yes PoMo Golightly! I will use your quote "I see an obsession coming on!"

Happy making and swapping everyone!

Thanks for the kind word, pootle! I DO love creating these little "paper personas".

For a walk down memory lane, try browsing the paper dolls on ebay. Dangerously fun...!

Wow this sounds really fun, loved the links, think i'll sign up.

I'm on for this one, too.

This is another great pool where you can see what other people have done: Flickr's Paper Doll Sanctuary

http://flickr.com/groups/63626514@N00/

Coffeelatte, thanks for that link.

What do people use to make the moveable joints? I think my spring girl wants to be able to dance...

PoMo,

There are three ways to make your parts move. Let's say you attach an arm to a body: 1.) punch small hole in both body and arm (the hole should be the size of an eyelet you want to use), then in the body piece you would apply the front part or longest part of the eyelet, then place the arm behind it and add a "washer" or the back part of the eyelet and press these two pieces together ( i use a spring loaded tool). Visa versa, the arm can be in the front and body in the back. Ue care not to press the washer and eyelet to close together or it will be too tight for the two pieces to move. 2.) This method if you don't have a "washer": punch holes in both. On the front of the body add an eyelet and press it closed, the raw part to the back. Then add an eyelet from the backside of the arm towards the middle of the two pieces and press it down. Now you have two pieces with raw parts touching and you can now add a brad, wire, ribbon, etc through the holes. 3.) punch a very small hole and use a brad through both pieces winging out the tabs at the back of the body. This method is risky with paper, thus the paper could rip easily. I would use this method on cardboard or metal. Hope that helped and I explained it well enough.

Willow Tree, Great explanation! Thank you so much.

That is a great explanation, Willow Tree! I usually poke a hole with an awl or a art knife, and use a brad. So far I've just used cardstock or cardstock covered with fabric (for making dolls)... margaret

I posted a picture of my "holiday star doll". I did this for a swap on yahoo... margaret

I have a question, is the doll supposed to be on an ATC? The swap is listed as an ATC swap but the doll is to be between 5"-12" and an ATC is only 2.5"x3.5".

Sorry, I am just a little confused about this swap. I'd like to participate in a swap with a paper doll on an ATC.

No, it does not have to be on an ATC. I just said ATC because that's how I found out about paper dolls. Don't be confused, just relax, don't over think it, and have fun!

I have mine half done and it was not any of the patterns that you sent, Mereridkat. Although I was very inspired by them :). My daughter had my first, the mermaid, and she loves it. Then I made a goddess...

I am almost done and cannot wait to get the addy of my recepient. :0 I hope they like it as much as I do, so far.

That is really cool, Nanu! I'm glad you are having so much fun. Goddess dolls are cool. You can do so much and they don't have to be like Barbie. LOL

I had so much fun making my doll! She\'s all ready to go in the post tomorrow. Originally she was going to be a he, but then I found the perfect piece of fabric to clothe her with! :)

It was hard to part with my doll... Here she is: http://zakerna.homestead.com/craftsnstuff.html#anchor_107

Hope she reaches her new mommy safely! Was huge fun.

I\'m going to miss mine too - Samantha Kocsis she\'s on her way to you!

Erna, your doll is beautiful! I love your webpage!

Okay, I couldn't resist (it's an illness!) I started a paper doll group on Yahoo. Just a simple group, nothing fancy. If you are interested, please join.

[email protected]

There is also the original group I joined for art paper dolls- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ATC-ArtDolls/

This is a great group, and I love it. We do the flat paper art dolls and ATC art dolls. Fun stuff!

AmoreCards...Your paper doll is on her way. shechanges

Hey, Lisa (catgirl!) As promised, your spring doll will be in the mail right after she shows off at my class on Saturday! Perhaps she will be a talisman for some real spring around here...we just got our second snowstorm in a week...now looking at a total of about 30 inches!
Kathy C.

Erna...all the way from South Africa...the most wonderful, whimsical flower girl...WITH HATS! She is a delight and I thank you for sharing your creativity with me. She is a reminder that spring WILL come to Minnesota. We just have to be patient a little longer...

Kathy C.

A fellow Minnesotan here -- I just got a beach babe paper doll in the mail from Katie in North Carolina. Even though I already e-mailed Katie to let her know she arrived safely, I thought I'd post it here too. When I showed my husband the doll, he whistled! That ought to melt a little snow! (She's actually quite decent, too, I'll post a picture.)

sharon p

I sent off my springy paper art doll to Erna today. Erna, she should reach you in about a week or so. I hope you like her! :)

Hi all - thanks for the messages here. I think the bug has bitten - I'm off to join Mereridkat's (WHAT is the etymology of THAT nom-de-group?) paper-doll club

I copied & pasted - but the URL did not work... how can I get into your paper-doll group?

Love the Babe on the group photoshow!

Anthea, I have my Spring Angel ready to be mailed to you first thing tomorrow morning. I meant to send it Saturday but we got another foot of snow Fri. night. Couldn't bring myself to get out before the 12 noon closure of the Post Office. I hope she gets to you ok and that you like her. moonlady

Just finished making mine. It is a bit strange looking. I will post first thing tomorrow morning.

I am running a bit late have been out of town but I will get it in the mail on Monday sorry for the delay carolyn h

Received a very cool doll from Jan W - I'll take a pic later, thanks Jan!

I loved the pictures in the gallery, what a great swap!!!