Art Dolls Archives - Page 30 of 32 - Ruffing’s Artist Dolls and Toys

Posted on September 14, 2007 by Elizabeth Ruffing

Hieronymus Bosch

At first glance I thought this looked like a pile of intestines, or a sketch for an Hieronymus Bosch painting, or maybe even a scene from CSI, the fairy version. It’s just a pile of doll parts, an exhausting pile of flower baby fairy bits and pieces. I always think it will be much easier to make the bodies up in groups, but that always leads to my thinking that I will never make one of these again! I still have six wings to hand quilt before I can even begin assembling them. I may go mad. I hope not, but I may.

In other news, I made a new banner for our eBay About Me page, and redesigned the page. I added new picture links to click on and some other content, like buyers’ feedback. It’s much brighter and more eye-catching now. Our eBay My World page now has a guestbook you can sign and a mini-blog that points to our Ruffing’s blog.

I’ve been fiddling with our Ruffing’s home page and our art doll gallery page as well. My goal is to get pictures of our available dolls up with links to their purchase information. I’m still in the process of editing Max Bailey’s kitty cat art doll photos, and I’m adding them as I go to our ruffingsartdolls Flickr album. I love “Crabby Alice” so much I can’t help hoping that she stays with us. The thought of her leaving makes me very sad.

Posted on July 13, 2007January 26, 2019 by Elizabeth Ruffing

A(nother) Star is Born

“Leah”, my new star baby is born! Leah is a one-of-a-kind original art doll, made from my own design and pattern. She is jointed at the hips and shoulders so she can sit or lie down. Leah’s body is made from 100% cotton fabric, which is entirely hand painted with acrylic paint and sealed with matte varnish for protection.

Leah is a very friendly, good-natured, and happy baby.

Please click here to visit Leah’s web page.

I took the colors for Leah from my “Moon and Star” watercolor painting. I have a giclée print of it available in our Ruffing’s Etsy shop, It makes a great a companion piece for Leah.

Posted on June 1, 2007June 20, 2019 by Elizabeth Ruffing

Rosa the Original Baby Rose Flower Fairy Art Doll and Fairy Watercolors

Rosa the original baby rose flower fairy art doll is finished!

I cast Rosa’s antique reproduction baby face using liquid papier mâché. I sculpted her head and ears with paperclay. I made the pattern for her body, and sewed it in 100% cotton cloth. I quilted her periwinkle butterfly wings by hand, and hand painted her with with acrylic paint. She will is sealed with matte varnish for protection.

I took my color inspiration for Rosa rose flower fairy art from my watercolor paintings, “The Fairy and the Dove” and “Fairies and Butterflies,” and chose a pretty soft orchid color for her onesie. I added peaceful blue and purple and yellow to her wings.

Posted on May 22, 2007February 2, 2019 by Elizabeth Ruffing

More progress on my fairy original art dolls

I’ve made some more progress on my flower baby fairies, and my Spring fairy, who may turn into a Summer fairy as time goes by. I made her a skirt today, and tried Wonder-Under for the first time to fuse fabric layers together before I cut out individual petal shapes for the skirt.

I’m going to paint the “petals” of the skirt so they will compliment the pastel green of the fabric petals around her head. I also permanently attached her wings so her stand can be inserted in the opening between her wings and her body. This way I no longer have to tape her to a stand, which will allow me to paint her. She needs a little more paperclay as well.

The painting on the babies is already under way. I will add a lighter layer of color over their onesies to give more detail. I will have to plan butterfly wings for all three. I’ve already hand quilted the wings on each one.

I have also been experimenting with mini plaques. I have mounted reproductions of my original watercolor paintings on hand painted 6 by 6 by 3/4 inch solid poplar wood. I wanted little companion pieces of art to offer with my fairy dolls and I wanted to make them so none would need a frame. These will have hangers on the back. I think all the pastel colors will look lovely together.

Making these up reminded me that I have unfinished paintings that would look great in this format. I am fishing out my reference drawings and hoping to get those projects organized. It amazes me where I find things! I often have no idea what is in those piles on my desks and tables! Lots of good ideas just waiting for me to find the time.