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6/15/13

Santos Doll

I finished the Santos cage doll I was working on. I think it turned out pretty good for a first attempt. This is "Our Lady of Fatima" It really didn't take that long to make. Had I been more diligent and worked consistently on it, I could have finished this in about 3 days total--- including drying time for the clay. But you know, life happens. *wink*
 I didn't follow any particular face or style of any I'd seen online while looking at the antique ones. 

 I wanted this to be my own... I made articulated arms using copper wire to hinge the pieces together. The bones of the arms are Popsicle sticks I covered in clay. I cut the popsicle sticks with my wire cutters, rounded the cut ends and then drilled a hole in them to feed the copper wire through.

 I made the hands out of smaller pieces of popsicle sticks that I taped wire to and then formed into fingers. Once the fingers were formed, I wove some floss through the fingers and around the popsicle stick for added strength. Lastly, I covered the hands in clay...


The arms I added to the torso with a peg joint. If I were to make another Santos doll, I think I would have the shoulder joint flush against the body. I might redo the arms at a later date... who knows.
 
I have my Lady of Fatima Santos cage doll standing on my dresser in front of a beautiful wooden cut piece. This amazing piece was cut from one solid piece of very thin board--- there is the Hail Mary prayer cut into it surrounded by beautiful scroll work. I found this piece years ago at a thrift store for only $3.00....
 I have half a bag of clay left.... I need another project to work on before I get withdrawals!
big hugs,

5 comments:

  1. What a great job you did on the Santos doll! Thanks for the tips about using the popsicle sticks under the clay. I've been wanting to try to make one of these for a while now.

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  2. Cheryl,
    Oh my, you have done so much work on this doll, and it has paid off because it's adorable. I have seen these Santos dolls before, and I am really starting to like them. You must give her a name.

    Love,
    ~Sheri

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  3. Too cool! Love how you got the great look of antiques!

    You go girl!

    xo

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  4. Wow -- what a great project. I love that you did it all yourself! I want to make one someday, too!

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Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
Chaste hugs & air kisses!
~Cheryl