Hope Is A Teacher


A while back, I very, very carefully covered my antique Izannah Walker doll named Hope with a stocking and made a mold of her face. I did this in a way where I did not press at all on her face, so the impression I took was not very detailed. I then made a face impression using that mold.


I added paperclay additions to that face impression, filling in where the nose is worn, sanding some here and there to create more definition. Then I made a mold of THAT face creating a second generation face mask.You could make subsequent generations as well from the masks from this mold.

I attached that face mask to a cloth doll head embedding it into a base of paperclay. You can see that doll above. I'm making this doll as a gift for my friend and mentor Edyth to paint. I do not intend to sell dolls made from this mold. I found trying to fit the molded mask on was almost as much work as sculpting from scratch. Also, I enjoy sculpting - I like how each sculpt is their own individual person.

The unpainted doll needs a body covering (today!) and then she will go to her new mama to be painted. She will join a family of wonderful antique Izannah and Izannah inspired dolls.

I also have an original sculpt cousin doll I was making at the same time and several other dolls that will be finished.  It has been a busy busy season here in my house for other reasons, so I am wedging in creative time when I can.  But I also am finding I just have to go down to the workroom sometimes even if I'm not feeling creative. 




5 comments:

Atticbabys said...

I'm so excited for you Dix! Your mold/impression turned out beautifully! I cannot wait to see what Edyth does with her next!

Katie J. said...

I love this! I'm trying to do this same thing with some Schoenhuts I have. Did you use papaerclay in the mold to make the face? i used Amazing Mold Putty to make my molds, and have been trying to use liquache' to make the faces, but I'm getting lots of bubbles.

Dixie Redmond said...

Thanks, Nan! I'm looking forward to what fyth does as well!

Dixie Redmond said...

Fyth=Edyth. ;-)

Dixie Redmond said...

Hi, Katie,

Yes, I'm using paperclay. I've never used liquiche. The great thing about the amazing mold putty type molds is you can put them in the oven with the paperclay in them. I'm still learning about the best way to use these materials.


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

John Wooden