Porcelain doll making is an exciting and diversified hobby, one that will give you hours of pleasure and creativity that you may not know you have.

Since this website has been available to dollmakers and people interested in dolls, I have decided to answer some of the most frequently asked questions.  They are as follows:

Q:     What is greenware?

A:     Greenware is the raw porcelain after it has been poured into a mold, removed and allowed to dry.  It will melt if           placed in water.

Q:     What is soft fired greenware?

A:     It is greenware that has been fired in a kiln to a low temperature to harden it just enough to allow it to be placed in water safely so that the seams from the molding process can be removed.

Q:     What is a Kiln?

A:     It is a special oven that can be fired at extremely high temperatures to harden and mature the greenware piece.

Q:     What is included in the kit?

A:     The kit includes a fired and painted head with eyes and a body pattern so that one can assemble it themselves and dress it as they wish.  The wigs are available but are not included in the price. 

Q:     What is a blank?

A:     A blank is a high fired piece that is ready for you to china paint, set eyes, attach a wig and assemble.  To do a doll from a blank you would need some experience and also have access to a kiln for firing the china paint.

Q:     What is a finished doll?

A:     It is a doll that is completely finished and ready to display.  You can have your choice of eye, hair and clothing color.  Since some people like to make the clothing they are also available undressed and ready for you to design and sew the clothes.  Patterns are available if you need them for the specific doll.

Q:    Do you do doll repairs on antiques and collectable dolls?

A:    Yes, although it depends on whether it can be repaired or whether it should be left as it is to preserve the value.   I believe in keeping the antique dolls as close to original as possible and therefore restrict myself to restringing, eye-setting, cleaning , hair styling, and dressing in appropriate clothing.  Each doll is evaluated as to the repairs necessary before a price can be given.

Q:    Can you make a doll that looks like my child or grandchild?

A:    Yes,   I work from a photograph and sculpt the head from earthen clay, make a mold and reproduce it in porcelain.  Please call the 800 number for more information if you are interested.

Q:    Do I get all the doll parts such as hands, feet, shoulder plate if necessary, body if neccessary, or is the price for the head only?

A:    Yes, you will recieve the parts that are necessary including the body pattern for the cloth bodied dolls.

Q:    Why is Michael listed twice?

A:    Because some people only want to buy the arms and legs for other dolls.  If you want the whole doll you need to order both as they are listed.