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
Adapting Vintage Textiles for Doll Costumes: Preservation and Construction Techniques
A practical guide to selecting, preparing, cutting, and sewing fragile vintage fabrics for art doll garments while protecting their integrity.
Materials
Scissors for Doll Makers: A Comparison of Precision Cutting Tools
A guide to choosing between heavy-duty shears, embroidery scissors, and micro-tip snips for doll-making tasks, with tips on ergonomics and …
Collector's Guide
How to Document Your Handmade Art Doll for Provenance
A step-by-step explainer on building a credible provenance trail for your handmade art doll—from process photography to signed certificates—so …
Process
Building a Small Animal Sculpture: Wire Armature and Wool Surface Techniques
Learn to build a small animal sculpture from wire and wool, from armature to final surface texturing.
Collector's Guide
Handmade vs. AI-Generated: How to Authenticate Art Dolls
As AI-generated and machine-made dolls enter the market, collectors need reliable ways to tell true handcraft from digital mimicry. Here’s what to …
Care & Display
Five Mistakes That Damage Collectible Plush Dolls (And How to Fix Them)
Avoid the five most common errors that collectors make with plush toys—direct sunlight, plastic bags, overstuffing, overhandling, and pest …
Process
Building a Wire Armature for Articulated Art Dolls
A stable wire armature is the backbone of any posable art doll. Learn how to select wire gauges, create flexible joints, and build volume with core …
Care & Display
Reviving Damaged Plush Dolls: Repair, Cleaning, and Customization Ethics
A balanced approach to restoration that respects both the original object and the desire to give it new life.
Process
Building Miniatures from Scratch: A Beginner's Guide to Dollhouse Props
A practical guide to making your own dollhouse accessories from everyday materials, with clear steps for scale, tools, clay, fabric, painting, and …