Mini Izannah Walker Inspired Doll Finally Finished

Some time ago (!!!) a kind collector asked if I would make an 8 inch Izannah Walker inspired doll.  I told her I would try and here is the result.   She is slightly over 8 inches, measure about 8 1/3" tall.  The spice jar is added into the picture to give an idea of scale.  I find that taking pictures of small items can be deceiving.


She is SOLD. 

This small Izannah Walker inspired doll is made with the same process I taught in my Izannah Walker Workshop class, although I used a newly developed body pattern.  The head and shoulders are sculpted with paperclay, and then a fine knit cloth was applied over the paperclay.  She has teeny tiny cloth applied ears, just like original Izannah Walker dolls do.  Once the ears are applied, the knit head covering is painted with quality artists paints.   She has a second body covering just as original antique Izannah Walker dolls do.  Her small hands have tiny attached thumbs, just as Izannah Walker dolls do.   Her petticoat is trimmed with antique lace, and she wears an apron that is a reproduction of an antique apron I own.  Her dress is made from a reproduction cotton fabric.  She will be bringing her dress pattern with her to her new home, in case someone wants to make her a dress from other fabrics.  

Do you see the original Izannah Walker Hope sitting in the background?  





Michi Ball's wonderful little lamb gives this mini Izannah the perfect spot for sitting and leaning.  Michi's lamb states here.  ;-) 


Some closeups of her head - 
note the tiny applied fabric ears!  

  

  

Here she is with a simpler arrangement 
sans apron and petticoat. 



Her petticoat is hemmed with a shell stitch. 


This doll is ready to go to her new home.   This experience, and the time that it took me to make this doll, is one of the reasons that I do not take orders any more.  


I really like her and it will be hard to say goodbye to her. But she has a "cousin" waiting in the wings for me to finish. Here she is again, with her spice jar prop.  :-) 



19 comments:

Jan Conwell said...

Yay! She's a work of art, Dixie...so tiny and wondrous.

Judi Hunziker said...

She is very nice Dixie, sweet Izannah in miniature!

Martha said...

You sure did a great job on this little girl. I didn't take the time to make seperate thumbs for my little doll, but I should have, yours are great. Her new owner will be thrilled.

Simply Shelley said...

I love her...she is wonderful......blessings

Deborah Darling said...

shes wonderful Dixie, you really are a master dollmaker xXx

Rebecca said...

Dixie, she is one of your finest works! The softness in her face, she look like she hopped right off of a very old painting!

A Magical Whimsy said...

She is a jewel of a doll! I can imagine the painstaking efforts working in miniature details to create this little beauty. Soooo Sweeeet!!!!

Anonymous said...

She is so adorable and sweet! Love her! Send her to my house please!!! ;-)
Valerie H.

Susan At Glen Oaks Primitives said...

Hi, Dixie. How wonderful she is!! You did a fantastic job on her, I know how much work goes into one of these gems. I have your E-Book on Izannah Walkers, and I'm having a very difficult time sculpting the head and getting the proportions right. A lot of sanding off and starting over. The new body pattern should help. I'm just not very good working with clay. But, I'm thoroughly enjoying the whole experience, and I'm determined to finish a doll in time for my sister's birthday on May 19. She'll have my first Izannah Walker repro and she'll be adoringly loved to pieces!
Oh, about your doll's apron. Is that blackwork or is it paint, the design?
Hugs,
Susan

Dixie Redmond said...

Thanks, Jan! I like that she is DONE. ;-)

Dixie Redmond said...

Thanks, Judi!

Dixie Redmond said...

Thanks, Martha. The thumbs were a beast. I have some ideas of ways to make them easier.

Dixie Redmond said...

Thanks, Shelley!

Dixie Redmond said...

Aw, thanks, Deborah. One thing about having a blog for 6 years, you get to see your progress (in public!). ;-)

Dixie Redmond said...

Rebecca, thanks so much. That means a lot coming from someone who has "known" me since I started doll making.

Dixie Redmond said...

Thanks - there was definitely a lot of crossed eyes at times. :-)

Dixie Redmond said...

Thanks, Val. I appreciate your kind words.

Dixie Redmond said...

Hi, Susan - the sculpting part comes with time. I have tried different ways to approach it, and it really does come from looking at lots of pictures of original dolls from various angles and also you own sculpt from those same angles. Your sister will love to get a doll of yours and will treasure it, I'm sure.

The apron is a reproduction on fabric of an antique apron I own. So it is printed, just like the original.

Inna Razuvaeva said...

Dixie, I like your dolls. This sweet little girl is very beautiful. Apron - a dream! You get a small Izanah!


"Do not let what you cannot do
keep you from doing what you can do."

John Wooden