Inside the Studio
A Day in the Life of Mira Petkova's Workshop
Light, repetition, and carefully timed pauses shape a working day in Mira Petkova's Sofia studio.
ArtDoll archive
Stories
Studio visits, artist conversations, collecting guides, and essays on material culture.
Materials
Turning a Sentimental Garment Into a Memory Doll
A memory doll from clothing works best when the original textile is assigned a role it can safely carry, rather than being forced to bear every …
Care & Display
How to Store Handmade Textile Dolls Without Crushing Clothes, Hair, or Embroidery
Support each doll individually, separate materials that may snag or transfer color, and use a roomy box in a stable indoor space rather than a tight …
Process
Needle-Felted Doll Faces: How to Sculpt Features Without Weak Spots
A firm head core, broad fiber joins, and slow, balanced refinement help wool facial features stay clear and integrated.
Collector's Guide
Documenting Handmade Art Dolls for Provenance: A Maker and Collector Checklist
Build a linked record set that keeps a handmade doll connected to its maker, materials, edition terms, condition, and known history over time.
Materials
Wire Armatures for Art Dolls: Choosing Gauge, Joints, and Safe Padding
Choose an armature as a complete structural system: wire, joints, feet, padding, finish, and the intended limits of movement.
Process
Needle-Felted Doll Faces: How to Shape Features Without Weak Spots
A durable needle-felted doll face depends on a dense head core, deliberately anchored forms, and proportion checks before details become too compact …
Care & Display
Documenting a Handmade Dollhouse or Figure as a Family Object
Document first, then preserve the record: a careful baseline can keep family knowledge connected to a fragile handmade object.
Materials
Wire Armatures for Handmade Figures: Choosing Gauge, Joints, and Padding
Choose armature wire by what the figure must hold and how often it will move—not by height alone.
Process
Needle-Felted Doll Faces: How to Sculpt Features Without Weak Spots
A structural approach to sculpting wool doll faces that stay coherent through handling, finishing, and attachment to the body.