A handmade doll can be a fashionable accessory for the interior, a thing for the soul. You can meet your first doll by chance or search for a long time. It is important to understand exactly where you can find it. Look for the doll of your dreams in an author's gallery, at fairs, exhibitions and on specialized sites.
Dolls for beginners
Those who have not yet decided which dolls they like more should visit thematic exhibitions more often, including in the provinces. Excellent craftsmen live in many cities of Russia. Read professional literature - materials from the Internet sites of masters, special magazines for puppeteers. So you will find out the names of the authors, their manner, orient yourself in the matter of prices.
An excellent option for purchasing dolls is seasonal crafts fairs. They usually take place in the summer and before the New Year holidays. At such events, you can often find dolls in folk costumes, soft textile toys, amulets and so on. Fine porcelain beauties are usually not sold at fairs.
For interior dolls, contact specialized salons. Here you can find not only modern but also vintage items. Minus one - a rather high price. An alternative to conventional shops and galleries is their online version, where you can find works by both Russian and foreign masters. If there was no doll of your dreams in the gallery, but you liked the handwriting of a particular master, make an individual order. You can discuss with the author all the little things - from the physique and size of the doll to the nuances of her outfit.
What you should pay attention to
If you want to purchase a unique item, pay attention to the passport and product number. The document must indicate the number of copies made. Usually, handmade dolls are made in an amount of 10-20 pieces, and then the mold is broken. More valuable dolls are made in only 3-5 copies. The passport contains the name of the author, the material from which the doll is made and other important information.
Examine the product carefully. Good craftsmen take into account all the little things. For example, under the long dress of the doll there will be underwear, the hair will not be glued, but reliably stitched. Outfits of expensive dolls are made of natural materials - silk, velvet, handmade lace, thin leather.
The price of a product depends on many factors. The most expensive dolls are made by renowned international masters. Some Russian authors are also highly rated. Experienced collectors love to buy items from aspiring craftsmen. This is how real pearls get into their collections, which will increase in price in the future. But it is difficult for a beginner to navigate the sea of dolls. First, choose what you like. These spontaneous purchases are often very successful.
