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
How to Choose Safe Embellishments for Art Dolls
The best art doll embellishments are not simply beautiful: they must suit the figure’s scale, construction, handling, storage and future care.
Collector's Guide
What Provenance Records Should Accompany a Handmade Art Doll?
The most useful record for a handmade art doll is not a certificate alone, but a dated file that connects its maker, materials, marks, condition, …
Care & Display
How to Display Mixed-Media Art Dolls: A Light, Dust and Humidity Checklist
Start with the most vulnerable material, then build a shaded, stable, low-dust display away from heat, moisture, vibration, and pressure.
Materials
How to Make Durable Air-Dry Clay Accessories for Art Dolls
Careful material choice, even construction, slow drying, and thoughtful attachment can make air-dry clay props reliable decorative additions rather …
Care & Display
Textile Offcuts for Art Doll Costumes: How to Test Vintage Fabric Before Use
Vintage suit cloth, lace, embroidery, and remnants can make compelling art doll costumes—but condition, colour transfer, scale, and contact risk …
Process
Making Miniature Food for Art Dolls: Choosing Materials by Scale, Detail, and Handling
Build believable food accessories by measuring the doll first, then matching material, texture, finish, and support method to the scene.
Materials
Air-Dry Clay for Art Dolls: When It Works, When It Cracks, and How to Seal It
Air-dry clay is a useful mixed-media material for supported decorative doll parts, but its limits around shrinkage, moisture, impact, and flex should …
Process
Miniature Food for Art Dolls: A Scale, Material, and Attachment Guide
A practical guide to making tiny meals and kitchen props that look proportionate, stay secure, and protect handmade dolls.
Care & Display
How to Display Textile Art Dolls Without Damaging Embroidery, Beads, Lace, or Metallic Thread
Match the display support to the doll’s construction, keep embellished surfaces free from pressure, and make light, dust, handling, and contact …