Dolls made of polymer clay - a new world hobby

Such a thing as "dolls made of polymer clay", entered our life relatively recently, but already firmly occupied its niche during the "handmade" and was truly a kind of art.

Today, the doll is not a toy for children, it is the fruit of a painstaking, refined, long-lasting work.

Modern needlewomen and craftsmen are happy to use polymer clay for making dolls, costume jewelry, decorative items. A slightly warmed polymer clay is easily liable and facilitates the manufacture of various parts and their easy connection with each other.

In order to get started, we need:

• Conventional foil;
• wire;
• Plastic (polymer clay);
• acrylic;
• Brushes;
• sandpaper;
• Knife, pencil or pen;
• glue;
• Thread, loose silk ribbon or yarn for "hair";
• Fabric for clothing.

How to make a doll made of polymer clay? First, consider all the details, imagine the future doll, and then draw its external appearance. Schematically, without details. Determine the proportions, posture, appearance.

To make a frame for a doll, you must roll a ball out of the prepared foil, slightly less than the future head. But before that, insert a spiral into the inside of the foil from the wire, and bring its end outward - it will then connect the head and trunk. Gently sculpt on the ball part of the face of the doll - nose, chin, cheekbones, eye sockets, forehead, mouth. In case the ball is very small, you can use a pencil or pen. In the eye sockets, insert the eyes, previously purchased in a specialized store.

The trunk, arms and legs for a doll made of polymer clay are made just like a head. Do not forget to leave the end of the wire from each part to fasten the parts of the body to each other. By the way, parts of the doll's body can also be made rags. To do this, you just need to cut out parts from the fabric and fill them with sintepon or wool.

Before you start working with polymer clay, you must thoroughly wipe the table, tools and wash your hands. This is done so that dust and small debris do not spoil the material. Depending on the size of the doll made of polymer clay, we separate the necessary amount of plastic. Polymer material must be kneaded well in the hands, then it will become much softer and supple, and unwanted air bubbles will leave it. You should be very careful, as the bubbles left undetected during the firing can crack and spoil the look of the product.

Gradually slowly begin to cover the frame with clay, diligently smoothing irregularities and roughness. Joint the joints in less visible places (for example, on the folds) and rub against each other. The thickness of the polymer layer should not exceed five millimeters.

Small details, such as facial features or fingers and toes, are made with a thin stick. You just need to pinch a small piece out of a common piece of clay, press it tightly against the doll so that it sticks, and give it the necessary shape.

Dry the doll in the oven at a temperature of approximately 100-130 degrees. Cool it down. Then sand the finished product with sandpaper. Draw the face of the doll with acrylic paints. To the head with glue, glue the hair. Dress her up. A doll made of polymer clay is ready!

A little patience, time and effort, and what you once seemed absolutely impossible, looks at you with beautiful, wide-open puppet eyes!

Over time, dolls made of polymer clay can become a real work of art and a masterpiece that will be admired not only by your family members, but also by other admirers of your talent.