Creating a Dollie
“I try to create the fond memories that girls have of their first doll within the concept of my work,” says Maggie. “I make the basic form from either wire, cloth or, most recently, old-fashioned wooden clothes pegs. From there the magic begins, depending on my mood. The doll may be a wild funky one or a sweet one with perfect hair and subtle make-up.”
The wire and cloth dollies are always made to sit like a dog and will adorn any shelf or chair they feel comfortable in. For her cloth dollies, Maggie meticulously cuts, sews and stuffs them even though they take a longer time.
Her main source of inspiration comes from flowers in the garden, a piece of colored fabric or memories of the places she has lived in. For example, she has made local dollies dressed in abayas and adorned them in jewels.
Once she starts to create, the doll comes to life and that’s when Maggie bestows the doll with a name.
The Final Touches
“No matter what the doll is made from, she will always end up with a hand-painted face and sometimes with false eyelashes,” says Maggie. “The face is left until the end so I can match the make-up with her style.”
“I love hand-painting the eyes which are then decked with long eyelashes. I firmly believe that the eyes are the window to the soul and it’s so true in these particular dolls.”
However, Maggie does not like taking commissions. “I feel they inhibit my creativity and that doesn’t work for me,” she says.
Get Your Own Dollie
Find out more about Dollie Day Dreams on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dolliedaydreamsdubai
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Jan D’Sa is the artist-designer of Janys Dé mixed media (www.janysde.com). Follow this handcrafting advocate’s trips ’n treats at the Cultural Arts Travelogue (www.culturalartstravelogue.com)
