There are many steps in creating a porcelain doll. 

We try to choose a mold that most closely matches the person for the look alike doll.  You help us  with the detail of eye color, hair color & any distinguishing marks.  Porcelain slip (liquid clay) is poured into the mold to the thickness of a nickel.  Excess is removed & when firm, fired to semi hard surface.

All green ware goes through a number of firings. One so it can be cleaned; one to bisque (hard porcelain); many for adhering paint to the surface.

Eyes must be set; then eyelashes added. Heads connected, if not a flange neck. Hair glued on. If porcelain body is used, it must be strung. Cloth bodies are sewn & wire or armature added to porcelain for shape.

Painting a face may take up to 10 firings; depending on the detail necessary.  Also the hands & feet also must be painted, we call it blushing the pieces,  so that they match the head.  Clowns take the most firing. 

The water method is used to clean all body parts of the doll.  This is also when any distinguishing marks are added, face shape is refined & nails are reshaped.  A variety of tools are used.

Step #1   Choose Mold

Step # 4  Painting

Last step -   Assembly of doll

Step # 3   Firings

Step # 2   Clean the green ware

The Creative Process