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
How to Pack Art Dolls for Shipping or Storage: A Material-by-Material Checklist
Document the doll, immobilize its vulnerable parts, then cushion the box—adapting each layer to the materials and construction of the work.
Materials
Choosing Paint Markers for Custom Art Dolls: Adhesion, Sealing, and Wear Tests
Crisp painted details depend on a compatible surface-and-finish system, not on a marker’s promise of permanence.
Care & Display
How to Repair an Embroidered Cloth Art Doll Without Flattening the Design
Reduce pressure, support the stitched surface, and repair only as much construction as the doll truly needs.
Care & Display
How to Display Art Dolls Safely: Light, Dust, Supports, and Enclosures
Match the display method to the doll’s most vulnerable material, then manage light, dust, stability, access, and documentation.
Materials
Beads on Art Dolls: Attachment Methods, Weight Limits, and Handling Risks
Choose bead attachments by substrate, load, and expected handling—and plan for snagging, balance, inspection, and repair before the first bead is …
Process
How to Add Hand Embroidery to Art Dolls Without Distorting the Surface
Stitch major motifs while pattern pieces are flat, then reserve finished-form embroidery for small, low-tension details that do not fight the doll’s …
Collector's Guide
How to Photograph and Document a One-of-a-Kind Art Doll for Provenance
Build a neutral photo baseline and a dated object record that can follow a handmade figure through display, care, repair, and transfer.
Care & Display
LED Lights Inside Art Dolls and Miniature Lamps: Heat, Batteries, and Safe Access
The most durable illuminated work treats LEDs as a serviceable low-voltage system—not a permanently sealed effect.
Process
How to Add Bead Embroidery to an Art Doll Without Distorting the Base
Keep beadwork flat, balanced, and repairable by treating it as a supported structural layer rather than surface decoration.