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.
Collector's Guide
Choosing Closures for Doll Clothing: Magnets, Snaps, Zips and Hook-and-Loop
The right doll garment fastener balances scale, fabric, security and ease of dressing. Here is how to choose among magnets, snaps, zips, hooks and …
Process
Armatures for Poseable Faux-Fur Art Dolls: Materials, Joints and Limits
Choose an armature by the pose, weight and handling a faux-fur figure must withstand—not by material alone.
Collector's Guide
How to Fix Mouth Seams on Soft Sculptures and Art Dolls
Clean mouth seams begin with the right construction plan, a full-fabric test sample, and careful control of marks, curves, tension, and turning order.
Care & Display
How to Display Mixed-Media Art Dolls: A Practical Care Checklist
Display a mixed-media art doll according to its most vulnerable material and weakest structural point, not its most visually prominent feature.
Process
How to Embroider Needle-Felted Sculpture Without Distortion
Firm the felt, control the thread, and adapt the motif to the curve before adding surface stitches to a doll head, fruit-like form, hand, or other …
Process
How to Build a Stable Wire Armature for Art Dolls and Wearable Figures
A stable armature begins with the figure’s load, unsupported spans, and intended movement—not a universal wire gauge.
Process
How to Embroider Smoothly on a Needle-Felted Three-Dimensional Form
Smooth embroidery on a rounded felted form depends on four decisions: a firm surface, a workable stitch map, controlled tension, and reliable access.
Materials
Are Upcycled Materials Safe for Art Dolls and Handmade Figures?
Upcycled materials can give an art doll character and a distinct history, but suitability depends on condition, compatibility, contact, and intended …
Process
How to Build Poseable Wire Wings for Handmade Figures
A practical guide to choosing an armature, covering it safely, attaching it securely, and testing poseable doll wings before display.