The Black Apple's Paper Doll Primer: Activities and Amusements for the Curious Paper Artist [Paperback]

Emily Martin (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 2, 2010

Join the creator of The Black Apple, Emily Martin, on a trip through her magical world of paper dolls, imaginary places, and clever craft projects.
 
Inside this book you'll find 21 sweet, mysterious characters with clothes and accessories all their own--from a busy beekeeper's daughter to a bird-loving librarian. You'll also find 16 dolls ready to be designed and brought to life by you! Emily will show you how to draw, paint, and personalize your way to a little paper replica of anyone you'd like.
 
With basic art supplies and the instructions in the book, you'll also learn to:
 


   * Make a custom wedding invitation or holiday card
   * Color, cut, paste, and frame a unique family portrait
   * Design your own paper clothes, shoes, glasses, and the like
   * Cut and fold an armoire for doll-sized clothes
   * Build a paper theater using one of the illustrated backdrops
   * Direct a stop-motion film with jointed paper doll actors
   * And so much more!
 
So sharpen your scissors and get ready for a unique and wonderful adventure.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for The Black Apple’s Paper Doll Primer:
“This book is packed full of loveliness—stunning paper dolls, creative paper projects, even a stellar toy theater, all with Emily's unique blend of irreverent sweetness. Please be seated with smelling salts nearby: Fainting might occur. It's that good.”
--Amy Karol, author of Bend-the-Rules Sewing and Bend-the-Rules with Fabric
 
“A trove of great imagination, and many fine diversions.”
--Rob Kalin, founder of Etsy.com
 
“It's like getting to play with the characters of Emily's paintings and step a little closer into their world.”
--Jenny Hart, author of Sublime Stitching and Embroidered Effects
 
Praise for Emily Martin:
“…sweet and appealing…”
--Rob Walker for The New York Times Magazine
 
 “The world of Emily Martin is enchanting, exquisite, and ethereal. Behind the soft hues and the peaches-and-cream palette, one can see a lively and fertile mind at work. An aching and mysterious sweetness blends with beguiling touches of the enigmatic and the peculiar, and the results are often remarkably sublime.”
--Richard Sala, author of Peculia, Delphine, and Cat Burglar Black
 
“The Black Apple is the perfect place to turn to for a little taste of culture.”
--Alternative Press magazine
 

About the Author

Join the creator of The Black Apple, Emily Martin, on a trip through her magical world of paper dolls, imaginary places, and clever craft projects.

 

Inside this book you’ll find 21 sweet, mysterious characters with clothes and accessories all their own—from a busy beekeeper’s daughter to a bird-loving librarian. You’ll also find 16 dolls ready to be designed and brought to life by you! Emily will show you how to draw, paint, and personalize your way to a little paper replica of anyone you’d like.

 

With basic art supplies and the instructions in the book, you’ll also learn to:

 

   • Make a custom wedding invitation or holiday card
   • Color, cut, paste, and frame a unique family portrait
   • Design your own paper clothes, shoes, glasses, and the like
   • Cut and fold an armoire for doll-sized clothes
   • Build a paper theater using one of the TK illustrated backdrops
   • Direct a stop-motion film with jointed paper doll actors
   • And so much more!

 

So sharpen your scissors and get ready for a unique and wonderful adventure.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Potter Craft (November 2, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307586561
• ISBN-13: 978-0307586568
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.6 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,951 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Emily Winfield Martin makes paintings, books, and other things. She is the author and illustrator of a paper doll epic called "The Black Apple's Paper Doll Primer" (Potter Craft, 2010) and an illustrated novel for children, "Oddfellow's Orphanage" (Random House, 2012). When she was small, she spent every moment drawing, reading, dressing rabbits in fancy clothes, and having many peculiar daydreams. When she grew up, she began to illustrate those peculiar daydreams, and in 2005, she created a cottage industry called The Black Apple, which sells all manner of art and etceteras.

She works in a tiny nook of a studio filled with old children's books, wind-up toys, and stacks of fabric. Her work is inspired by fairy tales, carnivals, vintage children's clothing, her favorite films, and autobiography. She likes to bake, hunt for old treasures and tend her flower garden.

She lives in Portland, OR.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing doesn't begin to describe this book! November 2, 2010

By M. Miller

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I just got this in the mail this morning and love it even more than I was expecting. As a lifelong paperdoll lover, I'm still in happy awe that a book like this was even made -- it really is absolutely delightful from cover to cover. All the finished paperdolls are creative and unique (and adorable, obviously). The customizable ones are so fabulous I can't wait to make our 'family portrait!' In fact, I'm seriously contemplating getting another copy to keep 'in tact' while I cut up this copy, it's just that much beautiful fun.

The projects that are for the paper dolls -- a stage, armoire, etc.-- also look great. I'm envisioning many lovely hours spent with my daughter this thanksgiving and Christmas vacation. She was my excuse to buy this book, but really I would have bought it anyway! Thank you Emily!

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming and Imaginative November 17, 2010

By VeraP

Format:Paperback

When I saw Emily Martin's The Black Apple's Paper Doll Primer, I was instantly transported back to my childhood. Emily is a #1 handmade seller on Etsy.com and her shop, The Black Apple, enjoys quite a following. She's now bringing her creativity to the Paper Doll Primer book, which is chock full of dolls, clothes, craft projects, scrapbooking tips, and much more!

The Black Apple's Paper Doll Primer starts out with 20 characters created by Emily, each complete with a back story to spark one's imagination. There's the adorable Cora in a sailor dress who enjoys "looking over the night ocean", the woodsman Henry who "prefers honey to syrup", and many more. Following the characters is a section with hundreds of paper outfits that correspond to each doll. Emily notes that all "beautiful things are made to be used" and in the case of her dolls, cut out and played with, but I just couldn't bring myself to cut into the beautifully illustrated pages!

Emily also provides instructions (and drawings) for building back drops and scenes for the paper dolls, creating an armoire for their clothes and mounting the dolls onto Popsicle sticks or stands for easier use. My favorite part of the Paper Doll Primer are the 16 customizable dolls on card stock that can be made to resemble anyone, including the owner of the book.

The Black Apple's Paper Doll Primer is too charming for words and will provide endless entertainment for an imaginative youngster...or an adult who wants to play along!

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars super cute! November 29, 2010

By Jodie Cord

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

LOVE the artwork! Lots of great ideas and projects to keep a young lady (or young at heart!) busy for hours on end. I especially love the Siamese twins paper doll and the sweet little background stories for each character;) However, you may want to plan to scan/copy the dolls on thicker paper so they will last longer and not be too flimsy, this is why I give the book four stars, despite it's marvelous-ness and unique artwork. If it was printed on a thicker paper I would give it a 5+!!