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.
Care & Display
Why Your Glazed Ceramic Doll Looks Ghostly: Translucent Glaze Troubleshooting
A fired glaze that looks ghostly is usually not blocking enough light. Here is how to find the cause and make the next doll's finish predictable.
Process
Resizing Garment Patterns for Art Dolls: A Fit-First Checklist
Measure the doll, make a toile, and reset ease, seams, and closures before cutting final fabric.
Process
Scaling Miniature Rooms for Unusual Doll Proportions
When a doll does not fit standard dollhouse scales, the doll's own measurements must set the scale. Here is a calculation-first workflow for rooms, …
Materials
Making Plant-Dyed Wool Predictable for Needle-Felted Figures
A practical pre-project swatch method for testing dye absorption, water fastness, and rubbing fastness on the exact wool you plan to felt.
Care & Display
Documenting Repairs on Collectible Art Dolls: A Preservation Checklist
A practical checklist for recording repairs so the doll's later history stays legible to future owners and conservators.
Materials
Fabric Choices for Art Doll Costumes: Drape, Bulk, and Edge Finish
At 1:6 and 1:4 scale, fabrics that drape well on people can turn stiff and bulky. Here is how to compare materials and test swatches before you cut.
Process
Tailoring a Lined Jacket for an Art Doll: Managing Bulk, Pockets, and Miniature Zippers
The same techniques that make a human jacket crisp will bulk out a doll in miniature. Underline, trim, and press your way to a clean silhouette.
Process
When Fabric Prints Won't Repeat: Cutting Doll-Scale Costumes
Stop matching a repeating grid. Choose a motif, place it with intention, and let doll-scale seams work with the print.
Materials
Sealing Hand-Painted Doll Surfaces: Finish Options Compared
No sealer fits every hand-painted doll. Compare acrylic varnish, urethane topcoat, wax, and fabric medium, then test on scrap before you commit.