Since 2007, I have been re-creating 16 inch (Tonner) doll costuming for various movie inspired characters. My particular interest involves Star Wars prequel costuming of the character Padme Amidala. However, as my sewing skills have been discovered by doll collectors over the last several years, I have been diverted by several genre. My costuming has been sent to England, Australia, Italy and Canada as well has here in the USA. It has been my honor to collaborate with several repaint artists by creating costuming, artist credit is listed below next to the pictures.
I didn't start out to become a doll collector in early 2007, though I was in search of how to repaint a doll’s face. I did however, find and communicate with Laurie Leigh, of Beautifulfaces.com, who suggested that I join the Prego doll board. What I found on Prego, is a large community of doll collectors and also talented artisans who created for the fashion doll community! Repaint artists, wig makers, couture clothing design, furniture design, doll jewelry, you name it, it’s being done!
Robert Tonner dolls which produced a wide variety of sculpts and body types are the very "canvas" that lend themselves to create character repaints. These dolls are considered 1:4 scale or averaging 16 to 17 inches.
I didn't start out to become a doll collector in early 2007, though I was in search of how to repaint a doll’s face. I did however, find and communicate with Laurie Leigh, of Beautifulfaces.com, who suggested that I join the Prego doll board. What I found on Prego, is a large community of doll collectors and also talented artisans who created for the fashion doll community! Repaint artists, wig makers, couture clothing design, furniture design, doll jewelry, you name it, it’s being done!
Robert Tonner dolls which produced a wide variety of sculpts and body types are the very "canvas" that lend themselves to create character repaints. These dolls are considered 1:4 scale or averaging 16 to 17 inches.
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Collaborations the past couple of years with Laurie Everton, artist of the Barbie Canvas, for The Repaint Society Project shows current to summer 2019. Pivtures courtesy of Laurie Everton. |
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Fall 2015, Outlander Wedding Jamie and Claire
Commission/Collaboration with Susan Hook-MyImmortals.com. Jamie's leather accessories by Dalila's Dolls. Pictures courtesy of MyImmortals.com |
Laurie Leigh and I collaborated on Regina from "Once Upon a Time" Fall, 2015
Pictures courtesy of Beautiful Faces, LaurieLeighart.com |
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Tonner 25th Anniversary Doll Convention, June 2016
my entry "Decades of Fashion Challenge" Competition entry The criteria for the category- needed to be 3 dolls dressed representing 3 fashion decades. I had 2 dolls which could represent the earlier decades of the 20th century, a repainted "Claire" and a Judy Garland/Dorothy sculpt,I just needed the 3rd doll.As a young woman in the 70's I knew pretty much what I needed for the 3rd doll. I also chose 30 years apart to show how much fashion had changed. Much research went into each decade, not only style but also fabrics produced at that time. It was a very interesting bit of research and fun as well! I ended up dying the fabrics for the 1915 and 1945 costuming and I wanted fabric that would have been used during each decade. And yes, I used polyester knit for 1975. Other than the boots or shoes, sunglasses and a little brooch, I hand created all of the items seen. 1975's shoes were also a creation. Some interesting notes for 1915 and 1945, the hands were covered permanently but 1945 had an extra bare hand included. The dolls were repainted by Deborah, Just Creations. 1915 and 1945 are in private collections. I do have to say that this was a true labor of love. I do miss Claire and Judy when I see these pictures! |
Tonner Doll Convention
"2015 Guilty Pleasures"
Competition Dolls Awards
ROBERT'S CHOICE, Voted PEOPLE'S CHOICE, First Place entry
"The Pages Come Alive!" Category
"An Outlander Wedding"
"Rockn' Rococo" 1st place entry at the 2010 Tonner Convention. Kit has had her hair restyled and her complete outfit
created by me. This is now in a private collection as it was donated to the
Clevelend Doll Club's Luncheon Sept. 2011.
Eclipse Spice Antoinette1st place entry at the 2010 Tonner Convention I repainted and styled the doll as well as created the outfit for her.
2011 Tonner Convention
I created another Rococo ensemble that I did enter it in the Tonner Convention May 2011 as an entry. It is now in a private collection but the final result is what you see below.
CDC 2011 Ellowyne's Wilde about Paris Luncheon
CDC September 2011 Ellowyne's Wilde about Paris Luncheon entry- I called Bubbles and Baubles. She placed 2nd in her category. She is now in a private collection.
Tonner Doll Convention 2012 competition Entries- Both shared 1st Place! It was the Ellowyne Category-Flights of Fancy
Ellowyne is dressed in multicolored separates. Her bolero jacket is trimmed with 6 colors of ribbon. The back is actually woven and the front ran diagonally. Her skirt is inspired by "pinwheel" design. To complete the outfit, she has a strapless body suit, red belt yellow boots and a multi colored bead necklace. Her beau, Rufus is dressed in yellow, orange and green with blue and yellow sneakers.
 Backside of in process bolero jacket-I realized I didn't have a completed back side picture until after I had sold the outfit! Which was a complete and wonderful surprise to finish out the Convention! Spring 2013 preparing for Tonner Convention competition and Cleveland Doll Club Luncheon. OOAK Ellowyne for the Cleveland Doll Club Luncheon 2013 Charity Raffle doll. Money raised was donated to the Ronald McDonald House in Cleveland, OH.
Ellowyne and Prudence for the TDC "State Fair" competition category. Star Wars Han and Leia in the "Romantic Couples" category. Han and Leia won "Robert's Choice Choice" Award! Ellowyne then was redressed and repainted for the Cleveland Doll Club's Luncheon and presented as the Charity Raffle doll.
October 2014 Wilde Imagination convention competition.
"Thanksgiving Misgiving" placed 2nd and is now in a private collection. Pru has dropped the turkey and Sybill is to pounce! |
Collaborations with My Immortals.com - Susan Hook: (pictures courtesy of My Immortals.com)
In May 2010, I attended the Tonner Convention and had been in contact with Susan who is a repaint artist (extordinaire) who asked me to create one of Padme's
outfits. She sold the doll and outfit quickly and to my delight to a mutual aquaintance we both have!
For the June premiere of Eclipse, Susan had painted Edward, Bella and Jacob for Ebay Auctions. She asked me to create Bella's Birthday ensemble for her Bella. The doll and outfit traveled to Italy! Picture is courtesy of Susan of her dressed and repainted Bella.
For the Modern Doll Convention in Winston-Salem, NC, Sept. 30 through Oct. 2,2010, Susan planned to attend and have a vendor sales table. Among her lovely creations, she wanted to do Star Trek's 7 of 9 and asked me to create the spandex uniform worn by 7 of 9. Picture courtesy of Susan of My Immortals.com.You can see more pictures of Seven at Susan's web page MyImmortals.com
Susan had a very special sculpting request and asked if I could provide 4 very specific outfit requests for the male doll she was sculpting. The project was completed by fall of 2011.
In Spring 2011, Susan wanted to do another Star Wars character we all know and love, Luke Skywalker. She asked for the outfit which includes the top, pants and belt. She resculpted and redesigned his hair in addition to repainting. I might add that she created his boots also. Picture courtesy of Susan.
OOAK Hunger Games Katniss Everdeen original head sculpt by My Immortals is on ebay right now! Her OOAK head is on a Tonner Tyler BW body and her head functions just like a Tonner head.
On EBay as of July 19,2012-This doll can be yours!
Fall/winter 2013
Susan had a sculpting commission for Doris Day's movie, "Calamity Jane". I created the costuming for both dolls with Susan embellishing the dress with trim as the dress was sewn on the doll body. 
Not really a collaboration, Susan sculpted Luke Skywalker and I dressed him. He is part of my collection. 2014
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