Whilst I have been making dolls I have deliberately tried to keep my attentions away from dolls that other people are making.

Normally I love browsing other clever makers’ wares and admiring their skills. But I didn’t want to end up copying anybody, so I have steered clear.

However, inspiration always draws attention to itself, doesn’t it?

And, as so often is the case for me, it normally presents itself in vintage form.

I find myself drawn inexorably to vintage dolls. Not fabric ones though.

I seem to keep seeing wooden dolls…

I haven’t copied any of them. I haven’t even really found my own making-style influenced that much by them.

But I do find looking at them inspiring.

I love the simplicity of their shapes, the styling the makers have brought to them.

I think it’s the sheer variety that impresses me most. I mean, there are just so many different sorts, from Japanese Kokeshi to peg dolls and early jointed dolls.

But my favourites have to be the little mid-century European and Scandinavian ones.

Those pictured here were all sourced from Etsy (click on the pictures to visit the source.)

These little pared-down people may be scaled down in size and detail, but they have just as much personality as the real thing.

Although, they seem to wear better, and in some cases, they might last longer than we do. ♥