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.
Process
Wire Armatures and Balance for Art Dolls and Hanging Figures
Prevent sagging, twisting, and unstable display by planning the load path, choosing wire for the job, and testing the unfinished armature in stages.
Process
How to Embroider Curved Felted Surfaces on Art Dolls
A practical method for transferring, stitching, correcting, and planning embroidery on three-dimensional felted forms without distorting the …
Materials
How to Choose Recycled Materials for an Art Doll Costume
The best reclaimed material is not simply the most beautiful one, but the cleanest, most stable option for the costume’s scale, function, and intended …
Process
Embroidering Curved Felt Forms Without Wrinkles or Broken Threads
Support the curve, map the surface, and let short controlled stitches—not force—do the work.
Process
Wire Wings, Ears and Limbs: A Practical Guide to Supporting Handmade Figures
A reliable wire support depends on scale, load and attachment—not simply on using thicker wire. Here is how to prevent sagging, exposed ends and …
Materials
How to Use Recycled Materials Safely in Handmade Dolls and Figures
Reclaimed materials can bring character to a figure, but only when their condition, cleanliness, stability and role have been properly assessed.
Collector's Guide
What to Record When You Make an Art Doll: A Provenance and Materials Checklist
A dated, living object record helps makers and collectors identify, care for, repair, and transfer a handmade figure without confusing documentation …
Materials
How to Prevent Polymer Clay Cracking in Small Bird Figures
Durable polymer-clay birds begin with balanced silhouettes, supported projections, strong joins, and baking that follows the exact instructions for …
Process
How to Choose and Secure Wire Armatures for Art Doll Wings
Choose wire by load, scale, body material, and movement—not appearance alone—and test every attachment before covering the armature.