Two years ago I started collecting information about one of the oldest Christmas ornaments technique - spun cotton, learning and experimenting and fell in love forever.
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First spun cotton ornaments appeared in Germany in the second half of the 19-th century. Cotton wool was spun around a wire frame and sealed with a natural glue (starch or flour based). Figures made this way were quite simple but very nice and lightweight that made them ideal Christmas tree hanging decorations.
The technique didn’t live long. When industries started to produce festive glass ornaments (and then plastic :( ), nobody felt like bothering with spun cotton any more. But nowadays eco-friendly spun cotton trend came back to life. And me is one of this trend followers.
My spun cotton dolls are not exactly as before, I don’t feel like reproducing antique toys. I want to show how spun cotton art can live in the modern world and stay bright and durable, but still unique, keeping a piece of history.
I’m really passionate about what I do and I feel like showing my dolls to the world.
More info: Etsy
I make the doll body and outfit a layer by layer of pure white cotton (cotton wool) sealing each layer with a natural glue. I use non toxic paper-based air dry clay to make doll faces.
These dolls allowed me to combine my skills in sculpturing and painting and to produce something nice that reminds me of family traditions and childhood. Everyone is a kid at Christmas!
