Doll Pins by Lorna Paris

Leather doll pin by Lorna Paris

They are tiny, approximately 3 to 4 inches tall, all leather (including the clothing) with hand-painted facial features.  They are doll pins or brooches made by the exceedingly talented and gifted artist, Lorna Paris.  After seeing a doll pin posted on Lorna's Facebook page, not knowing if it was sold or still available, I messaged her to inquire.  That one had been sold, but the one shown above was available.  I purchased it as a gift for a doll friend several months ago.  Additional photos follow.

At the time the above doll pin was purchased, I told Lorna I would need another one in late July/early August.  During the first week of August, Lorna sent photos of additional doll pins she was working on.  I chose the following pin as a gift for another doll friend.

The pin on the back of the doll can be seen from the back view.

Constructed of a darker leather, this one has short curly hair.  Lorna uses mohair, lambskin, and other natural fibers for the hair.  The multicolored dress this one wears is also made of leather.  Lorna also hand makes the jewelry (earrings, bracelets, anklets, etc.) used to adorn the pins.

I received a doll pin gift from Lorna several years ago that I love and cherish.  Based on the feedback from the two people who received the two pins featured in this post, they both love them, too!

To see more of her doll art, visit Lorna's Facebook page here.

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Music Dolls by Lorna Paris

Music Dolls, a.k.a. Music Box Dolls by Lorna Paris

I saw the photo of the above trio of 8-inch Lorna Paris music dolls after a former doll group member purchased them from Lorna at the 2007 Philadelphia (Philly) International Black Doll Show and Sale.  I fell in love with them and had to have one for myself.  I just had to.  I contacted Lorna by phone to see if she had any left, and she did!

This is the music doll I purchased for myself in 2007.  She has the sweetest face.  Each of them have the same music box in their bottoms which plays Brahms' Lullaby when the key is wound.  As the music plays, their heads sway from side to side.  They are made of cloth and all have hand-painted features, which makes each a one of a kind.  Their shoes are painted to match the color of their dresses or an appropriate color that complements the dress color.

Since 2007, my doll has had several temporary music doll sisters as I have commissioned Lorna to make additional ones as gifts for others.

My doll poses with another music doll that is dressed similarly, but their complexions differ.

Later in 2007, at my request, Lorna made the music doll shown on the right in the above photo.  She is now enjoying life in a Midwestern state of the United States.

My doll is joined in this photo by dolls wearing blue and yellow dresses.

Purchased in approximately 2009 for two other doll friends, the music dolls in the blue and yellow dresses left their sister doll to move to a western state and another state in the Midwest, respectively.

This is the most recently commissioned Lorna Paris music doll; she too wears blue, as I did not specify a color for her dress, leaving that up to Lorna.

My girl wanted to pose with the newly-created music doll before she departed to yet another Midwestern state.

This past June, I commissioned Lorna to make the above-shown music doll for another doll friend who recently received it for her birthday. Said friend had mentioned wanting another doll by Lorna but she did not have her contact information. Now she has another doll by Lorna and the artist's contact information. (I sent Lorna’s business card to her along with the doll).

In her new home, the latest music doll is joined by Sheria (a 10-1/2-inch leather doll by Lorna) from the 1990s.

After this friend received her doll, she shared the above picture with me and also shared it with Lorna (having her contact info now to do so).  Her original doll, Sheria, is one of Lorna's one-of-a-kind leather doll creations, purchased in 1994 at the Philly doll show.  In the doll community, Lorna is better known as a leather doll artist, but as illustrated by her lovely cloth music dolls, she works in cloth as well.

In 2011, Lorna made one-of-a-kind leather sister dolls for members of my online doll group.  Those dolls can be seen here.  She also makes leather doll pouches.  See more of Lorna's dolls and her other artwork in the photo album of her page on Facebook.


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Standing Firm But Just Had to Get This Out There

Once doll buying resumes, whenever that occurs, I have added several dolls to my wish list.  Some were already on my mental wish list before my self-imposed doll-buying hiatus commenced.  I am writing them all into existence now.

I am always, always on the lookout for any vintage black Barbie clone similar to the ones shared with me recently by Facebook friend Escobar Artforall and Emmanuel Perez.  Emmanuel is very knowledgeable on the subject of Ken, Barbie, Tammy, and other clones and competitors from the 1960s - 1990s and has a website to prove it.

The first groups of dolls was shared by Escobar Artforall:

The above two groups of photos are of a mohair clone that has been restyled.

Lovely Hawaiian Bild Lilli clone

Restyled and painted Bild Lilli clone

More Bild Lilli clones

The next doll, shared by Emmanuel Perez, is a 1960s ponytail African American Polly by Valentine.

I would welcome into my collection with open arms any of the dolls Escobar Artforall and Manny shared with me.

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Also on my wish list, even though they lack articulation, are the following two Barbie Fashionistas.  They quite possibly will be the first two dolls I purchase after doll buying resumes.   

Stock photos of two 2015 Barbie Fashionistas

Vanessa recently shared a new guy she purchased that interests me.  See him here.  He, as well as a new set of ungloved hands, is on my wish list.

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Life-size all-leather one-of-a-kind baby dressed in leather, by Lorna Paris

A molded-face all-leather doll by Lorna Paris (not necessarily a life-size baby like the one shown above, but I'd be okay with a baby by Lorna) would be wonderful to own.  Also on my wish list from Lorna is one of her Crown Head necklaces.

Crown Heads by Lorna Paris

The heads of the Crown Head necklaces are sculpted in polymer clay and are strung on leather cords or silver or goldtone chains.    I want one with open eyes, similar to the one shown below, and have already voiced this desire to Lorna.

Close-up of a Crown Head necklace by Lorna Paris - lornaparis916@gmail.com

I already own a Rock Head pin (brooch) by Lorna, but aren't these following ones lovely?

Rock Head pins/brooches by Lorna Paris are all one-of-a-kind with hand painted faces (on rocks/stones); each wears jewelry hand made by Lorna; some with headpieces made from shells.  Just lovely!  lornaparis916@gmail.com.

I haven't seen very much else in the way of dolls that strikes my fancy so I think I will be pretty safe as I ride this thing out and regain and maintain focus in other areas of my life.   Additionally, I have several doll projects that need to be completed.  Here's hoping I find the motivation to see them through to completion. 

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