Spring and Doll Making

 4-14-18

I accidentally cut through the stringing hole on the waist but it turned out it was better than what I had. At first all I wanted was the doll to turn at the waist left and right. I realized I would still need a bead in the waist to make the 2 halves work as one and not completely slide apart. So I bored out a bead size hole and put a wooden bead in for stringing. Then I was trimming the waist and exposed the bead with a little notch in the back. So I put a match stick in the bead and twirl it around, realizing that I have a little trigger I can use to raise one part and lower the other and pose the doll a little more at the waist. The match stick was just the idea and too thin. So I go outside (in the beautiful weather in NC) and start cutting a key for the waist. The key will be hidden so there is just enough to move it with my fingers and will act like a lever to lean the doll into different poses. It will rest in the accidental notch I made.

 This is how I estimate the fit by eye. Draw something on the rock and hold it to where I'm going to use the part.

I move the match stick around, deciding how much I want the doll to lean in all directions. And should I have more notches. It won't be visible once the doll is dressed.

 My phone pics are blue but I use my phone to take notes of my idea.

 I can see the wooden bead and wanted to make a bead from matching alabaster. 

 The leftover chunks of rock are used for small parts.

Next I drilled out some of the shoulder joints to fit the upper arm I am working on. I am going to use a slanted joint in the arm holes so I can maneuver her arms to go in front of her and hold things. And not just raise and lower like any doll. It may not be as attractive but hey, she's a little old lady and isn't going to go for a bikini contest.

So many hours go into just studying the pieces and working with anything I got to make her pose, look like a human form, stay on the scale I am targeting. I have been making her dress already and am determined to keep her shaped to fit the dress, without removing too much of the rock.