Dolls of Diana Effner: description. Handmade Dolls

When making dolls handmade oftenthere are difficulties with the creation of an expressive and lively sight. The toy can look as if past or into the void, as a result of which something is lost that makes its eyes "alive". Such dolls do not cause a sense of "contact" and warmth. But the vinyl dolls of Diana Effner are distinguished by piercing, living eyes and soft, kind faces. When the future master of making handmade toys was five years old, she received as a gift for Christmas the first doll, playing with which, she studied the features of the doll world. But a serious hobby took possession of it only in 1971, when Diana began to work in a children's shelter and create her first masterpieces for local pupils.

Skills development and business emergence

A new kind of needlework was sofascinating, which completely absorbed Diana Effner and determined her life purpose. The master began to actively study the fundamentals of the puppet master's profession, to base various technologies and acquire skills that could help her in making dolls. The author needed to master new professions: potter, tailor, sculptor and designer. All this had to be studied in order to be able to create the body of a toy, decorate its head and make an outfit. In 1990, for the dolls of Diana Effner, a workshop was created in the city of Jamestown (Missouri). Assistant master, Jeri Uribe, became a co-founder of this enterprise. Now the puppet hobby has turned into a profitable business.

Handmade dolls by Diana Effner: master class on creating a live view

What is so unique about these toys?The peculiarity of the dolls of Diana Effner in a bright and expressive look. His secret lies in the special technique of drawing. If used correctly, the painted eyes should look at the viewer with love and warmth.

The technique is as follows:

1. At the first stage, you need to find a center in each eye and draw a thin vertical line there.
2. Then a horizontal line is applied, which divides the eye in half so that a cross is obtained.
3. For each eye, a centralpoint. One is selected by the presenter, he will set the direction of the view. And the second is to follow him. It depends on which way the toy will look. The center of the pupil of the leading eye is slightly higher than the central part of the cross. On the right eye, it looks like this: a vertical line, just above the middle, is dotted - this will be the center.
4. The point in the left eye will be slightly higher and to the left, slightly away from the direction of the main view.
5. At the final stage, a contour of the pupil and iris is applied to both eyes. Then the sight becomes aimed, aimed at the beholder.

Production of dolls from Effner

The bodies of toys are manufactured in factories, butthe list of persons is handled by the master or her students. How much are the dolls of Diane Affner? The cost depends on the specific baby, but on average - about 18,000 rubles. Order lovers of collectible toys can wait about a year, and sometimes more. Clothes for their dolls are often created by the owners themselves or bought separately, because they are sold in one underwear. The cost of dresses and shoes is comparable to the prices of an adult's wardrobe. Wigs for dolls are also being replaced, which can greatly affect its appearance and create a completely different image.

Features of Effner dolls and their benefits for a child

Dianna Effner dolls are very softan expression of the face, a kind and gentle look directed at the viewer's eyes, touching and soft silhouettes. Details of the wardrobe and accessories for them are carefully worked out, and decorations are selected with great taste. Handmade dolls created by a master who seriously approaches his work and puts his soul into each toy become true family members. The owner of such a doll cares for her, as a living person. If a child begins to communicate with such a toy, it educates in it important maternal qualities, responsibility, attentiveness to the needs of others. Children often choose one or two dolls, which become their favorite. They carry them everywhere with them, create clothes for them, make up a story. Dolls of Diane Effner most often fall into this category.

Dolls on a metal frame: manufacturing

Another aspect of the work of Diana Effner -making dolls on a flexible frame. They can be given any pose, since all parts of the body are bent in the same way as people do. Body parts are made of silicone and fabric, hands and feet are made up of two parts - the bottom part is silicone, the rest - a fabric cover. Frame of segments, but it is one-piece. The assembly of the doll begins with the shins - in them the lower part of the frame is placed, and the remaining empty space between them is filled with sinters, which is compacted with a wooden stick. From above it is fixed with hot glue.

Making the legs of a doll on a frame

Then comes the turn of the central part of the frame. It is gently wrapped with woven material, the edges are sewn together. The frame in place of the hips is coated with glue and wrapped with a roll synthepone, so that the base of the desired thickness is obtained. The edge is also glued and fixed. Under it are put pieces of soft felts to make the shape of the foot more natural. Then a fabric cover is put on the thigh. On the underside, it is tightly fixed with wire. Get panties for the doll. With the help of a long needle, a natural form of the knee is formed.

Torso stuffing dolls

Then the master makes out the "soft spot" of the doll. For this, the usual nylon socks and filler balls are used. The necessary number of balls is poured into the sock, it is tied and twisted so that the knot is not visible. After that, the sinters are given "roundness" and two identical blanks, made in this way, are placed in the right place.

At the next stage, the design beginstorso, but at first you need to sew up the fabric cover with a secret seam almost to the armpits. After that, the body is stuffed with sinters. The head for the Diana Effner doll can be made from various materials. To attach it to the frame, attach a special lace.

Final assembly of dolls

The forearm is made of cloth, but it is not sewn withthe main cover. To attach the hands, a wire is placed inside the fabric frame, and then the sleeve and the silicone preform are joined. Then he puts on the frame, but not to the end, but only the silicone part, and the voids are filled with sinters. The junction of fabric and silicone is fixed with hot glue. After that, the main part of the sheath is sewn from shoulder to shoulder.

Now you need to reuse the rollsintepon to shape the forearm. They wrapped around the frame. Then part of the cover with the forearm is pulled on the main part, the shoulder is formed and both parts of the fabric are neatly sewn together. The neck part is also made of silicone, it is worn on the soft part of the body, the head string is pierced through a special hole and fastened with pins on the back of the doll.

In the head of the toy there is a special hole,through which it will be possible to pass it and tightly fix it. The head should remain mobile - turn from side to side, sideways, downwards. The edges of the lace are placed inside the head. It remains only to cover the hole with a special lid, fixing it to the glue. After that, a thick rubber band is put on the head of the doll, so that the details will stick together well with each other. Then glue on the head and behind the ears and then put on the wig. Now you just need to pick up a handmade doll suitable outfit.