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Bendy Doll Tutorial

Natural Kids: Bendy Doll Tutorial

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Bendy Doll Tutorial


This week's How-To is a 6 1/2" Bendy Doll Tutorial
by Melissa from Coppermouse Waldorf Dolls.

I love those bendy dolls that are used in Waldorf schools and toys. I am making a small doll of the Virgin Mary for Epiphany for our nature table. So instead of spending six or seven dollars on just one bendy doll, I spent the money instead on supplies to make my own. Please enjoy this tutorial. I hope it helps you in your Waldorf journey!


Supply List:
Drill
Drill Bits
Wood Glue
Bonsai Tree Training Wire 5/32”
Wire Cutters
(2) Wood Split Egg 7/8 x 1.26”
(2) Wood Round Beads ½”; 1/8” Hole
(1) Wood Ball Knob 1 ¼”; 3/16” Hole
(1) Piece of Wood 1” x 3” x ½”

Body: Take the 1” x 3” x ½” piece of wood and mark where you will drill the holes.

Next, using a drill with a 5/32” drill bit, drill the holes for the neck, arms, and legs.
Drill all the way through the wood for the arms and legs (two holes on each side).
For the neck hole on top, trill until you reach the arm holes.

Arms, Legs and Neck Wire:
Measure the bonsai wire and cut with the wire cutters.
One wire will serve as both arms and one wire will serve as both legs.
Neck - 2”
Arms - 7.5”
Legs - 8”

Feet: Take the split egg and drill 3/8” from the heel on top of egg.

Assembly:
First put some glue into the drilled holes of the head, body, hands, and feet. Next, insert wire for the arms in the body. Continue for the legs. Insert neck into body. Now attach head bead, hand beads and lastly, the split eggs for the feet. Bend the legs down into a standing position. Find the doll’s balance. Leave the arms straight so the hand beads will not slip off as the glue dries. Allow the glue to dry overnight or use an oven on the lowest setting and stand the doll on a metal pan and cook for a couple of hours. You are now finished.

Supply Resources:
Wood Pieces are available at Hobby Lobby, or you may order from www.craftsetc.com.

Bonsai tree training wire was purchased off of eBay a long time ago. You may find it at better home and garden centers. A personal note about this wire and why I like it so much is because it is capable of taking a lot of abuse. It can be bent over and over again will not break. So one may pose it over and over again and not worry about it breaking at an elbow or knee. Great for doll house dolls in my opinion.

This tutorial is brought to you by Natalie, of Woolhalla.

Please visit Melisa at: www.thecoppermouse.blogspot.com and
www.cmwaldorfdolls.blogspot.com or in her Etsy Shop.

Melisa is a dollmaker and describes her work as "I make grumpy and ill-mannered dolls of small moon-faced children and trolls" which might make you wonder... but I assure you those trolls are super cute!!


Labels:

16 Comments:

Blogger mrsbeccijo said...

How fun is that! I will have to try it!
TY!
Beccijo

January 6, 2011 at 8:55 AM  
Blogger kat said...

so cute! and i've asked the birthday elves for a dremmel, so it's perfect timing.

January 6, 2011 at 11:13 AM  
Blogger BirchLeaf Designs - Wendy and Mojo said...

Sweet! Thanks for posting this awesome tutorial!

January 6, 2011 at 11:27 AM  
Blogger Yarn Miracle said...

Oh neat! I have to go and charge the drill...

January 6, 2011 at 12:10 PM  
Blogger Laura Jeanne said...

That's a nice clear tutorial, thank you. :)

January 6, 2011 at 3:57 PM  
Blogger germandolls said...

Now how about putting some clothes on that dolly? I got lots of scraps over here. ;)

January 7, 2011 at 6:31 AM  
Blogger Natalie/Woolhalla said...

Those scraps can sure come in handy now!! Thank You Coppermouse Waldorf Dolls for sharing your post~ Natalie

January 7, 2011 at 11:05 AM  
Anonymous EvesLittleEarthlings said...

Great tutorial with clear photos and instructions.

January 7, 2011 at 12:48 PM  
Anonymous EvesLIttleEarthlings said...

Great tutorial with clear instructions and photos!

January 7, 2011 at 12:49 PM  
Blogger Rebecca Varon said...

Super cute, even if she says their grumpy!!

January 7, 2011 at 3:33 PM  
Anonymous cutelittlething said...

so fun, great beginning woodworking project for my 9 yr old and an excuse to use that manual drill :)

January 7, 2011 at 8:46 PM  
Blogger PurePixie said...

Great tutorial! Thank you!

January 7, 2011 at 10:08 PM  
Blogger LittleElf said...

Love this tutorial, thanks so much for sharing. ^_^

January 8, 2011 at 12:34 PM  
Anonymous deena said...

I've been wanting to make this style of bendy doll for some time, but haven't been able to find the "blanks" anywhere online for a reasonable price.
I have everything I need to make dozens using your tutorial.
Thank you so very much for this!

March 2, 2011 at 2:12 AM  
Anonymous tyranid said...

Very creative! It is really interesting doing your own toy. It could be a display too.

April 29, 2011 at 7:08 AM  
Anonymous plumbing said...

So cute. Thank you for sharing. I wish i could try it too. You have here so nice tutorial and very educative one.

May 4, 2011 at 11:52 PM  

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