'by THE  EMPORIUM'
TRADITIONAL  HAND MADE  CLOTH  DOLLS

by Adrienne Norbury

I  have been making cloth dolls for years and years, they have evolved to how you see them now. I aim to make them 'English' in style and by that I mean understated in style and colours. The faces are handpainted.

They are 18 inch dolls intended for big girls (over 14 yrs) or collectors, they sit around rather than get played with.

There are a few simpler dolls, for children over 8yrs old, they can be undressed and put to bed.

The stuffing is fire resist polyester hollowfibre, and the fabrics used are new and carefully chosen. The dolls often have a William Morris print or a Laura Ashley fabric incorporated into their clothing or bodies.

They are individually dressed with removable dress and underclothes.
I paint the individual faces in acrylics on a moulded face which I make from permanent artists materials.

I give each doll a name which is written on the label on its back Emporium label. I started at 'A' and I am working through the alphabet. When I get to 'Z', I start at the beginning again. I record permanently the name and an outline of each dolls clothing in a book, so each is individually recognisable to me.
They are my own design and if treated carefully will last more than one lifetime.

You may email the contact below for any enquiry or discussion on the dolls.

If you have any questions or comments on this site please contact Adrienne Norbury
Last updated on 1st May 2012