Offbeat Art Dolls
My art dolls are made of cloth and/or felt. The felted people are needle-felted, often with a mixture of fabric and wet-felted clothes.
On this page are art dolls I have created over the years.
Some are new to the world and for sale, some have been around for a while and are already in new homes, and a few are happy living with family.
One or two even stay with me.
They all have their own pages, so you can read more about them and peruse more pics.
They are all OOAK - handmade and unique.
Cloth Art Doll - beaded & beautiful
OOAK Art Doll - 17" / 45cm tall
The doll features beaded details and rather fine boots. Vibrant and beautiful shades of red, orange and gold - I love her confident and colourful nature!
FOR SALE
Cloth Art Doll drama in black & red
OOAK Art Doll - 17" / 45cm tall
This dramatic cloth art doll is a feast of red and black, richly decorated with beads and chains. Big boots and unruly hair create a look I wish I had worn myself (maybe a few years back...)
FOR SALE
Cloth Art Doll in search of a circus?
OOAK Art Doll - 17" / 45cm tall
This rather dramatic OOAK art doll looks as if she should be riding a circus horse. It’s odd how these dolls gradually take shape - I had thought she would be sporting a full underskirt (not to mention overskirt), but it wasn’t to be. Rather risqué for such a genteel looking girl.
FOR SALE
Cloth Art Doll in search of a stage...
OOAK Art Doll - 17" / 45cm tall
I love the simplicity of this doll (compared to a few others I've made). Understated theatrical and with a dancer/circus feel. Colourful and uncluttered. I have a few other dolls that wouldn't be out of place in a circus ring or trapeze.
FOR SALE
Cloth Art Doll - a feast of colour
OOAK Art Doll - 17" / 45cm tall
Big hair, great boots and a feast of colour! She has layers of lace underskirts and is adorned with flowers and a sprinkling of fine gold glitter. Currently hanging out in the garden before speeding off to a new home.
GIFTED
Felted Man in sumptuous purple
OOAK Needle-felted person
Part magician (I think) and part wandering soul who vaguely resembles a pirate... This characterful man was created to accompany another felted person on her journeys. Wet-felted clothes and jewellery add a touch of luxury.
SOLD
Feedback - custom made felted person
"I use my felt sculpture as a focus point, a pathfinder for what I am trying to manifest in my life. I create an altar, or scene to depict what I am trying to bring into my life. It could be for an art exhibition or a trip to Italy or to receive an insight. When she is not busy manifesting for me, she is a reminder of who I would like to be. A serene, strong, wise woman in her vibrant colours travelling through life ready for her next adventure. Just looking at her makes me smile. Thank you, Barbara, for bringing her into being for me."
Claudia Roche, Artist. Ireland.
Needle/wet-felted woman
Created over many hours of needle and wet felting, this gorgeous woman is made for striding across moorland. I'm tempted to keep her... But I won't. I have my own needle-felted woman, and she's been with me from the very beginning of my journey.
FOR SALE SOON
Needle-felted avatar for an artist
A commission for an artist in Ireland. This gentle, but wise, woman now spends her days in communion with, not only an artist, but a second commission - a rather magical-looking man. I think they work well together.
SOLD
Beautiful hippy chick
OOAK Art Doll - 17" / 45cm tall
One of the first to ever sell and happily re-homed and named! I relived a period of time when I used to have long hair and was not averse to headbands and beads. Happy days.
SOLD
Winter woman
Needle/wet-felted person
So called because she's dressed for winter - even down to her red mittens. An air of magic surrounds her and, when I finally stop tweaking, I'll upload more pics of her sumptuous wet-felted attire.
FOR SALE SOON
Cloth art doll - another one in search of a circus!
OOAK Art Doll - 17" / 45cm tall
Stunning colours and seriously theatrical! This one was a joy to make - revisiting a lot of glitzy fabrics frpm theatre days. How much trim can one doll need? A lot, it seems.
GIFTED
Cloth art doll - a bit punky
OOAK Art Doll - 17" / 45cm tall
Currently spending her days exploring the great outdoors (by the look of things). This doll was named Aella by her new companion. An unusual and fitting name.
SOLD
Notes on materials and construction
The base body fabric and stuffing I buy new, but I like to re-use & recycle whenever possible, so various fabrics and trim are sourced - some new, some from used garments, for 'clothing' and decoration. In the same way, I use lace, trim, beads, and jewellery gleaned from many places! Hair is often a chunky acrylic yarn, but can be a silky bambook yarn, or other fancy threads. I use paints, chalks, varnish (for a shiny boots look) and glue.
My dolls are made with button-jointed hips and shoulders, allowing for some movement for sitting and moving the arms. The knees and elbows are also designed to give a small amount of movement.
Note: This is not a toy and shouldn't be given to children to play with. You cannot take it apart or brush the hair.