Hi,

First I want to thank you for giving so much helpful information on the internet. have a bunch of questions! I want to make a few dolls (that look like normal portrait dolls, fashion doll?) for gifts, etc. From what I've read, I think I can do them in polymer clay. I want to make them from 16" to 24", with a cloth body. I have made a doll face I want to use, I may vary it a little, but I have the base one done. I think I want to use Miracle mold to duplicate it and cast in a mix of Premo & Cernit. Will this work so far? OK, Here goes the questions.

1. I was going to try to use just the face part of the head and attach it somehow to a cloth head & body. But I can't seem to come up with a method for this. I think I would have to mold the whole head & neck in order to attach it to the body part. Your thoughts please.... I was originally thinking of using cloth over the shaped face, but I'm concerned about painting on the cloth, wrinkles, and the product (glue?) to attach it with, also how to finish it, to waterproof it. So I'm thinking it would be simpler to just stick with the poly-clays, for now. Any thoughts on that?

2. I want at least one of them to be waterproof, as unbreakable as possible, etc, because it will ride on the back of our motorcycle (My guardian angel). What would be the best methods for that?

I also want them to be flexible and posable. I realize there are some pre-made cloth bodies out there, BUT I'd rather do it myself! Do you know what they use? I don't mind using the wire armature method, but is that the best way? I've seem some beads for sale, but have no idea how they would work on my size dolls. The idea of the jell-wax is appealing for the legs & arms. Any new ideas on this? Should I go with regular joints? What about buttons. It was mentioned at another site, but do you know how they would work?

3. Also, how thick would you mold the head. I see 1/4 " mentioned a lot. Is there a good way to back the face part with something to make it more "unbreakable"? How can you tell if you've baked it enough? I plan to use acrylic paints, is there any more tips, on making sure it doesn't peel off down the road?

Whew, I know I have more questions, but these are all I can think of right now. So I'll probably pester you again, poor you! Thanks in advance, I need lots of advice, as you can no doubt, tell.

Barbara Allen