It Never Hurts To Ask - A Paper Doll Story

Last month's receipt of my portrait paper doll (a depiction of me at age 10) by Diana E. Vining of http://prettypix4u.com prompted me to ask Diana if she could reproduce it in magnetic form. She could and she did!

My magnetic portrait paper doll's fashion doll

The magnetic portrait paper doll duplicates the paper version but also includes an African American fashion doll for the paper doll (shown above).  The fashion doll wears a peach dress with WLBD initials on the bodice.  This dress matches the extra peach dress made for the magnetic paper doll.  (Diana knows that peach is my favorite color.)

The addition of the African American fashion doll recreates history because I did not own any black dolls as a child. 

Magnetic portrait paper doll with AA fashion doll, five magnetic fashions, puppy, and personalized storage tin
by Diana E. Vining

Unlike the paper version, the magnetic set does not require scissors, it has a tin storage box with a head shot of the paper doll on front.  My name, moniker (Black-Doll Enthusiast and Author), and my web site address are on back.

I love it!

Diana included a thank you card that reads:

Thank you, Debbie!

You sure do make a gorgeous paper doll!

Enjoy!

Dolly hugs,

Diana E. V.

I attribute the paper doll's appeal to Diana's artistic expertise and interpretation. 

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I Am a Paper Doll -- You Can Be, Too!

During the end of December or beginning of January, I received a flyer in the mail from paper doll artist, Diana E. Vining, announcing her portrait paper dolls of children.  Using a suitable photograph of your child, grandchild, or other young girl, Diana fashions a portrait paper doll which includes the original artwork, the paper doll, a colored sheet of fashions, and two extra fashion sheets to be colored by the child.  There are three age groups from which to choose: 2-3, 4-7, and 8-12.

Using a photograph of me at age 10 (I might have been 11), Diana fashioned my portrait paper doll.    Of course I am not a child, but I do collect paper dolls and thought it would be neat to have yet another portrait paper doll of myself as a child (my husband and son made my first two sets). 

The photo used and actual paper doll created by Diana are shown below (click to enlarge).

You too (or a real child) can be a paper doll. Visit Diana's website for details.

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Tutu Precious Wooden Ballerinas

Photograph courtesy of Diana E. Vining (taken before the dolls were shipped to me)

I ordered these girls in April of this year, allowing enough time for the artist (Diana E. Vining, well-known for her paper doll designs) to complete them.  My plan, which has been successfully executed, was to send one as a gift to a friend this month.  They were completed in record time, arriving in June.  Now that the recipient has received her wooden ballerina that she absolutely loves, I can share these "tutu" precious girls here.

These large 18" wooden dolls are part of a series of  one-of-a-kind "Tutu Precious" dolls that Diana is creating. They are each hand-painted, with "real" yarn hair, and come with 3 tutus, 3 bracelets, and a stand!

They can share their accessories with slim-bodied dolls of similar size, and can model some doll clothes (such as Magic Attic, etc). According to Diana, "They can even be a fun way of storing your little girl's hair bows (just clip them all the way down their long hair. Fun to play with, fun to display, they somehow bring the doll and paper doll worlds closer together... They are works of art, and do include small parts so I recommend them for ages 8 and up."

The Tutu Precious Ballerinas are completely designed and handmade by Diana, here in the USA. Price is $28 plus $5 shipping, within the USA. For ordering information, contact Diana or visit her paper doll shop.

Here's a picture of my pretty-in-peach Tutu Precious Ballerina that I also absolutely love.

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DOLLS' Offerings in Paper and Wood

The February 2010 issue of DOLLS magazine features "Felicia's Fabulous Friday," a printable paper doll  by paper doll artist, Diana E. Vining. Felicia has one outfit in the publication, but extra downloadable outfits are available at the DOLLS website.

Also featured in the same issue of DOLLS magazine, is an article I co-authored with renowned, master doll artist, Floyd Bell. Bell discusses his "Fabulous Entertainers" captured in wood. (At left is his Las Vegas Showgirl doll.)

DOLLS magazine is presented in the traditional hard copy format as well as a digital version via subscription. Individual copies can also be purchased at major book stores.

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