Brief:
Doll for Harriet's 21st birthday. Black/white stripy top and red/burgundy skirt. She loves the All Time Low, studies at Durham University. Ombre/dip-dyed hair dark brown-light blonde.
Challenges:
Hair is made using wool, which is difficult to find in a natural BLONDE colour to begin with (I eventually found a good beige that I have been using for a few years) but it is just one flat colour. You can get wool with flecks or strands of different tones but to get it to gradient from one tone to a lighter one is a manual job.
Solution: Dyed the roots of the wool strands in tea to tea-stain it. Didn't work too well, ended up very gingery and smelling of tea. Coloured each strand with Aqua marker colours and worked much better - because they're markers they stained the hair the right colour but being water soluble, I managed to fade the colour down.
Response/Feedback:
Harriet's mum was really pleased with the doll and its likeness of Harriet!
The records weren't asked for but I thought it made the doll more personal to have some little props that are special to her. Didn't take long but a nice little extra.
Harriet also sent a message to say thanks and that she loves the doll.
Lessons Learned:
Don't post online until the order is received! Almost ruined the surprise.
PACKAGING IS WORTH IT. Take time to make the parcel look professional.
