UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 15, Page 6
December 15, 1994
Lifelike treasures; Employees create made-to-order porcelain dolls

     Mother Goose, wearing a cone hat, granny glasses, wedding ring
and a twinkle in her eye; enchanting young Lucinda, with a look of
concentration as she holds onto her hat and puppy; glamorous Pearly
Mae, with flowing black hair and a red velvet gown; delicate Joet, a
fairy out of A Midsummer's Night Dream, with wings, flowers and a
butterfly; cuddly, chubby brother Joey and sister Lida Rose-these are
but a few of the creations of dollmakers Helen Arrants, records
specialist in Systems Security and Access, and Pat Duncan,
administrative assistant in Sponsored Programs Administration.
     As they create the porcelain dolls, which can take several weeks,
both Arrants and Duncan admit they become attached to them.
     "In fact, in class, when you are casting a doll, it's called
birthing," Arrants said.
     The dolls all are named, and many have special meanings. For
example, Arrants has made dolls who resemble her children when they
were small and are dressed in their clothes. Duncan has made dolls for
each for her grandchildren, naming the dolls after them.
     Two dolls who will never be "adopted" are the women's first
efforts-a pair of small train engineers, both named Jimmy.
     The two women met about seven years ago while working in what was
then Academic Computing and became friends. Both enjoyed crafts and
creating unusual gifts for family and friends. Three years ago,
Arrants happened upon a doll store. While chatting with the owner, she
became interested in attending a dollmaking class. She invited Duncan
to join her. The two women, with the support and interest of their
families, have been busy creating porcelain dolls ever since.
     Currently, they are attending a class at the Haus of Dolls in
Maryland, where their teacher has molds for more than 400 dolls, not
including old ones she has stashed away. With another teacher, they
are learning to make replicas of historic dolls.
     "It is a hobby that keeps expanding," Duncan said.
     When a doll is selected, greenware is poured into molds. When it
sets, the molds are removed and the women clean the dolls and fashion
such features as eye and mouth openings, pierce ears for earrings,
refine details on hands and feet and smooth the seams. Then the dolls
are fired for several hours in the kiln.
     The next step is painting-applying skin tones and highlights and
painting eyelashes, eyebrows and lips. After each application of
color, the doll must be fired. The average doll is fired about four
times, they said. Painting eyes may require several colors and
firings. Hair is then selected, the doll is assembled and the women
make or buy clothes.
     Some of their work involves making dolls to resemble specific
persons, and for these, they work from photographs to customize the
dolls.
     Many dolls are "up for adoption." The cost ranges from
approximately $25-for small, simple baby dolls-to over $200 for large,
lavishly costumed, custom-ordered dolls that involve weeks of work.
     The women frequently work on consignment, and many of their
creations are living with satisfied owners around the country.
     Arrants and Duncan have participated in the University's craft
fair and hope to enter their dolls in a doll show in the future.
     For further information, contact Arrants at (410) 398-8348 or
Duncan at (302) 366-1718.
                                                   -Sue Swyers Moncure