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500 Handmade Dolls: Modern Explorations of the Human Form (500 Series)
 
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500 Handmade Dolls: Modern Explorations of the Human Form (500 Series) (Paperback)

by Lark Books (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)

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Frequently Bought Together

500 Handmade Dolls: Modern Explorations of the Human Form (500 Series) + Designing the Doll: From Concept to Construction + Creative Cloth Doll Faces: Using Paints, Pastels, Fibers, Beading, Collage, and Sculpting Techniques
Price For All Three: $51.41

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Contemporary and unique, these handmade creations range from representational to abstract, from skillful realism to provocative surrealism—and they’re made from every conceivable material, including beads, gourds, and polymer clay. Juror Akira Blount, a pioneer in the “art doll” movement, incorporates vines, twigs, and carved wood in her fabric dolls; with their expressionless faces and closed eyes, they appear absorbed by inner worlds. Dutch artist Marlaine Verhelst’s porcelain designs seem to have sprung straight from a medieval painting. Chris Chomick’s strange and slightly scary figures feature amazing detail and elaborate costumes. Dollmakers, crafters, collectors, and anyone who loves beautiful objects will love the amazing diversity showcased here.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 396 pages
  • Publisher: Lark Books (November 1, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1579908675
  • ISBN-13: 978-1579908676
  • Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.8 x 1.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #184,457 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #88 in  Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Toymaking

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Customer Reviews

41 Reviews
5 star:
 (32)
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 (6)
3 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (41 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A phantasmagoric display!, December 27, 2007
This rugged paperback book (one of those great Lark books) is 8-inches by 8 inches and packed with color photographs of dolls. This has no doll-making instruction but is more like a huge museum exhibit that you can pore over without having to stand in line and have other people breathing down your neck while you're examining each display.

Here, each doll gets a lush, color, full-page photograph. Many dolls get a second close-up photo to reveal the tiny details. There is a three-page introduction and an index of contributing artists. The rest of the book is the photos of the 500 dolls, divided into the categories of Non-Traditional, Fantasy, Found Objects, Traditional, and Cloth.

None of these are "kid's dolls" in any sense of the word. Rather, they are artistic, folkloric, and eerie, expressing layers of meaning through both their symbolism and the sophisticated human expressions on their amazingly detailed faces. You will not believe the materials you start to recognize in these dolls: pinecones, chicken bones, scraps of cloth, beads. It's a dreamlike experience paging through this gorgeous book.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful eyecandy!, November 19, 2007
If you love art dolls you will love this compilation. This is not an instructional book, but rather an inspirational one. It is a pictorial page-turner. I am not given to buying books that are not for reading, but in this case, since I love the art of the doll, I have to say I will cherish this book with its photos of such beautiful creations. Thank you to all the artists whose works are displayed.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars If the Art Dolls end of the spectrum is your thing ..., January 18, 2008
By Aroha Mahoney (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
The sub-title of this book is Modern Explorations of the Human Form, which gives a better indication of the content than the actual title. In her introduction, Akira Blount, a doll-maker herself, ponders the question as to what exactly is a doll? She then briefly traces the development of "dolls" from their traditional origins as children's playthings through their branching out to include the evolution of dolls as art forms in their own right. Most of the images in the book are from 2000 onwards, giving a comprehensive overview of current trends. I could not find any indication of how the artists were selected, other than it was a juried process, so I don't know if submissions were called for from anyone, or whether the artists were selected first then asked to submit. I suspect the latter, because there is an overall standard of rigorous professionalism in the images chosen, and a merciful lack of arty-crafty whimsey (I realise that this may grate on some readers, but it is not meant as a criticism of this genre). As Blount says, the definition of the doll has certainly expanded, and the whole spectrum is here. There is much to challenge, impress, inspire and move in these avatars of the human spirit.

I have two minor quibbles. Many of the photographs could have had improvements in their shadow areas, as the detail was sometimes hard to discern on the paperstock chosen. And the arbitrary classification system baffles me; I couldn't grasp many obvious differences between the dolls in the Non-Traditional, Fantasy or Found Objects, Assemblages & Toys sections.

However, overall a serious book, well worth looking out by both collectors and practitioners.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars 500 Handmade Dolls
Beautiful book for the price. Many gorgeous dolls. To view them is inspiration . If it was hardback, I would expect to pay a fortune for it!
Published 1 month ago by Katrina Parker

4.0 out of 5 stars Yes and No!
The book is loaded with dolls of every nature, beautifully illustrated, and inspirational. But there was a little too much nudity for my taste. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Deb White

5.0 out of 5 stars amazing photos
the photos in this book are amazing! the artists involved are nuts, of course - with imaginative images
and themes - not for someone who wants to know HOW to make the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Janice M

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for all art doll lovers
There are tons of pictures, tons of imagination, and lots of interesting dolls in this book. I never knew dolls could be made this way. Some of the artists are true genius. Read more
Published 4 months ago by sarasn1derland

3.0 out of 5 stars Was hopoing for more variety
Probably should have researched this book more before I bought it. I was looking for a variety of perspectives on handmade dolls--this is all about the type on the cover of the... Read more
Published 6 months ago by P. M. Campbell

3.0 out of 5 stars Handmade art
This is a great book for anyone who loves hand made dolls. Pictures are great. Not alot of info for the doll maker but the art work is excellent.
Cendylou. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Cynthia M. Matheson

1.0 out of 5 stars Handmade dolls: Modern Explorations
Not very interesting. If not for Lisa Lichtenfeld it would be unbearable. Would not buy again or give away.
Published 6 months ago by Bertha S. Whittemore

5.0 out of 5 stars Best money I have spent on a book
I LOVED this book. I loved the fact that it is full of fantastic pictures of art dolls- not just traditional dolls. Read more
Published 7 months ago by L. Anderson

5.0 out of 5 stars Coffeetable Piece
This book is a wonderful collection of art dolls and would appeal to guests in the home as a "browse" book. I love it!
Published 8 months ago by Dana J. Wegner

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book
"What exactly is a doll?" With that question doll artist Akira Blount begins her introduction to the book. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Helen Wharton

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