Laura Jean – The Artist

As a child I was always trying to make dolls from socks, sticks, paper and anything I could find. Playing with dolls was definitely my favorite pastime.

I worked in miniatures for about 10 years. My favorite was theme room boxes. My “Potting Shed” room box was published in Dollhouse Miniatures Magazine. Some of my theme boxes included Christmas themes, my Grandmother’s Kitchen, and my son’s college room.

My formal training is in sewing and cooking. I earned a Bachelors Degree in Home Economics and English and a teaching credential. I taught mostly cooking and sewing at the middle school level. I returned to college and earned a Master Degree in Education and a Counseling Credential.

My background in sewing helped me tremendously. I design most of the costumes. It has been my experience that many of the directions for doll clothes patterns are incomplete or inaccurate.

When I first started making dolls I used a few different patterns and modified them to my liking. After awhile I realized it was much more fun to create my own patterns. My counseling peers challenged me to make the school counselor and the Spanish teacher. I worked from photos of both people. The personality determined the body build, wig, clothing and accessories. There was my answer. If I stick with real people, celebrities, cctactures or entertainers no two dolls will ever be alike. Each doll has its own challenges, face, wardrobe, etc.
My latest challenge has been working with vintage patterns.

Some of my work has been published in Art Doll Quarterly Magazine.
All of my works are one of a kind. They are considered works of art and not to be used as toys.

Laura Jean’s Dolls were featured in Art Doll Quarterly  Autumn 2006 and Winter 2007

Read more about my dolls at www.laurajeandolls.com

Dolls on Etsy

Muppet doll for sale on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/ljnuccio

Clown dolls for sale

My doctor, nurse and bag lady clown dolls are for sale on etsy. They are cloth with wire armatures. Very fun to pose. Check it out at //www.etsy.com/shop/LJNuccio

Dolls for sale

A group of my OOAK celebrity dolls are now on sale on ETSY. The direct link to my store is http://www.etsy.com/shop/LJNuccio I would love for you to leave comments and advice. Thanks, LJ

Dolls on Etsy

Check out the dolls I have put up for sale on Etsy. They are listed under Art Dolls.

Janice – Muppet look a-like

Janice is a gift for yet another two year old friend of mine. I had so much fun making Prairie Dawn, that I decided to try yet another Muppet. Janice has 5 separate body parts that a joint together with heavy thread. Her muppet mouth is made with a circle of plastic from the bottom of a storage container. Her fingers (all eight) are wired with pipe cleaners. Her hair is silk yarn. She stands at about thirty inches. Her skirt is a reconstructed pair of baby jeans,as is her top (both are 0-3 month). Her shoes are from Baby Gap. Sure hope my friend loves her as much as I do. Please leave comments and questions and I will get back to you. LJ

Praire Dawn

My two year old friend could not find a doll like her favorite Muppet charater, so I made a pattern based on pictures. The doll body made in one piece. She stands (not without support) about two feet tall. Her clothing is purchased in size nine months. What fun she was to create. I am told that she sits at the table during famity meals. Any questions or comments are very welcome. LJ

Julia Child – One Amazing Lady

Julia is my latest and possibly my favorite celebrity caricature. During my early adulthood, as I was advancing my culinary techniques and teaching Home Economics in middle school, I was thrilled watching her perform. I remember her as the most entertaining chef. She was definitely a pioneer in cuisine television. No one has even come close, as far as I am concerned. She was born in 1912 in Pasadena, California and grew to 6’2” tall. She led a life filled with adventure. She was even a spy during WWII. Her biography reads like a novel.

My Julia is made from cloth covering a wire armature. She is stuffed with polyfil, and she can stand alone. She stands at a height of 21”. Her features are needle sculpted, as are her hands and arms. Julia’s clothing is my original design. I studied many photographs of her during different time periods, and this was more or less a composite. Her hair is doll hair tied into bundles and glued and felted to her head. The shoes were purchased a long time ago, but they just seemed perfect for her. Julia’s “cabinet” is a wooden box frame. I stained and painted it to look like a butcher block kitchen work table. The food and accessories were purchased. The pattern for Julia’s body and head are my original designs. Enjoy her as I do and feel free to write me with any questions.

Laura Jean Dolls

www.laurajeandolls.com

SELF EXAMINATION

Lollie takes a close look at her 63 year old figure. “Not bad”, she thinks. The hair is shinny, the nails are good and the eyes are bright, if not a little impaired. “Thank God, maternity style tops are all the fashion. It seems I have developed some unwanted belly fat”. All in all, she is satisfied with what she sees (or doesn’t see). Life is good!

15” seated, cloth covered wire armature (includes seat and mirror) For display only, not appropriate for childs play.

My first attempt at nudity

Lollie in Self Examination was a real challenge. Not having clothing to “cover up” any imperfections and having to be more specific about her anatomy were some things new for me. She like most of my dolls is a caricature of real life. They are meant to entertain. She represents a mature woman, who is not concerned with the group of “30 something” that weight about two pounds. “If you can wear a thong, so can I”, says Lollie. She wouldn’t go back a day! Been there done that, is her motto. She is an original pattern, that I made by experimenting. The first pattern had one large breast in the middle of her chest. Now Lollie is a very self confident person, but even that was too much. Her hair is a store bought ponytail piece that I took apart, sewed and glued to her head. The seat is made from foam and cardboard and the mirror is a picture frame. I took the frame and had the mirror set in and a friend made the stand for me. Lollie is captured here doing her monthly breast exam and of course as long a there’s a mirror why not check out the rest.

Sarah Who? OOAK Sarah Palin doll

Back from the campaign trail, Sarah tries to integrate her new Washington wardrobe into every day life. Is it working? I think not. She arrived back in Alaska and was inspired to try a new hair color. “Those women in Washington are sooo sophisticated”. The color change was easy, but changing the style was a bit too drastic. She is enjoying hunting, soccer, her kids and of course her husband. Hopefully she is now too busy to worry about Katie. ” Get over it girl”, I say, “life’s too short.   19” painted cloth over wire armature