DIY Network

Wire Basket Doll Visit DIY's Craft Lab to learn how to make a wire basket doll. From "Craft Lab" episode DCLB-126

Guest Patricia Anders joins host Jennifer Perkins and demonstrates how to create the body for an art doll using a wire hanger and wire mesh. She then attaches the body to the wire basket. Finally, she covers the form with paper clay and attaches floral sticks for hair.

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Learn how to make an edgy art doll like this one.

Wire Basket Doll

Project designed by Patricia Anders.

Materials:

paper pulp
paper clay
wire wall basket 12" or 14"
wire mesh
wire hanger
masking tape
napkin
wallpaper paste
aluminum foil
wire cutters
butter knife or palette knife to apply the pulp to the surface
scissors to cut mesh
floral picks
black matte spray paint
acrylic paint
metallic powder
paint brushes
Angelina fibre
black color polymer clay
white glue

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

1. Following the manufacturer's instructions, mix paper pulp with water in a bowl.

2. Cut the wire hanger where you want the arms to end, at the left and right angles, cut leftover piece in half to use for making hands.

3. Cut wire mesh 2" wide by 19" long (length of roll).

4. Fold mesh in half, cut a "V" in the fold at the middle for the neck, slip over the neck and shoulders. The neck and shoulders are inherent to the shape of the hanger already constructed (figure A).

5. Stuff cavity with napkin, shape torso, and attach to wire basket. The wire mesh is very flexible and is folded over strategically on the wire basket, this is enough to hold the torso in place (figure B).

6. Form and attach a foil football shaped ball for the head to the stem from the hanger. Cover the foil and mesh with masking tape.

7. Apply paper pulp with a spatula or butter knife and allow to dry for two to three hours.

8. Add a second, thick layer of pulp to the head so that the floral sticks can be inserted. Insert floral sticks while pulp is still damp (figure C).

9. When dry, spray paint the entire piece black. Use a spray paint that adheres to metal.

10. Cover the face with paper clay (just a veneer).

    Option: for a smoother surface you can sand the paper clay when it is dry.

11. Knead a piece of polymer clay until soft and roll out snakes for fingers, and cut ten fingers. Flatten a small ball of clay for the palm and attach the fingers to the palm. Attach the hand to the ends of the cut wire hanger pieces and bake in the oven at 275 degrees for about 20 minutes. Pull the hands off of the wire and attach to the dolls arms using white glue.

12. Paint the eyes and mouth. Apply metallic powder as accent to the dress, arm and face by dipping a small brush into water or medium of your choice (some powders already have an adhesive built in and only need water. If the powders being used don't have a binder, however, then use liquid gel medium.

13. Prepare Angelina fibre by ironing it flat between two pieces of tissue paper. Attach to the skirt using white glue (figure D).

14. Add ribbons to basket for embellishment.

Tip: Store leftover pulp in plastic baggie in the refrigerator.

GUESTS :

Patricia Anders
Art Propensity
Website: www.artpropensity.com