Cernit Dolls by Sarah Niemela

Name: Dolls by Sarah Niemela (Aisha, a doll with a doll, and Tinashe*) Made by and When: Sarah Niemela, 2021 Material: Cernit (a modeling clay) Marks: Hand-signed by the artist with the year made on a signature strip attached to the dolls’ waist in the back Height: 8 inches (unjointed) Hair, Eyes, Mouth: The artistContinue reading “Cernit Dolls by Sarah Niemela”

‘Her Minajesty’ Nicki Minaj Barbie

Photographs courtesy of Stephen Sumner Name: ‘Her Minajesty,’ Nicki Minaj Barbie, a one-of-a-kind Made by and When: Mattel, designed by Stephen Sumner in 2011 Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Pink straight hair with bangs/brown painted eyes/smiling mouth with painted teeth Designer’s Description: Created as a one-of-a-kind, the Nicki Minaj doll, ‘Her Minajesty,’ is wearingContinue reading “‘Her Minajesty’ Nicki Minaj Barbie”

She Wears it Well

Name: She Wears It Well Made by and When: Frantz Brent-Harris of Sona Dolls, 2017 Material: Resin and silk with a steel base Height: 3 feet Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Natural texture fibers create an upward Afro/brown painted eyes with applied eyelashes/closed mouth with luscious red-painted lips Clothes: Elaborate headdress of a red slave ship with red chainsContinue reading “She Wears it Well”

Black Dolls Journey Through Time With Denise Bond

This is a still shot from the video: Black Dolls a Journey Through Time exhibit that was held in September 2018.

One-of-a-Kind Maya Angelou

Name: One-of-a-kind Maya Angelou Photo Face Doll Made by and When: Debbie Behan Garrett, 2014 (revised in 2015) Material: Vinyl with mask face made of T-shirt transfer molded over polymer clay Marks: (On the head) ©BIG BEAUTIFUL / DOLLS INC. 2000; (on the back) BIG / BEAUTIFUL / DOLLS / INC. / ©2001 Height: 12Continue reading “One-of-a-Kind Maya Angelou”

Hallelujah Sisters Esta, Vesta, and Rose

Name: Hallelujah Sisters Esta, Vesta, and Rose Made by and When: Wyatt Hicks, 2015 Material: Sculpey, cloth, and wire Height: 6 inches Hair, Eyes, Mouths: Hats cover their hairless heads, and their faces are without features. Clothes: Yellow knit dresses and floppy hats Other: Limited-edition posable praise dancers sold in sets of three, inspired byContinue reading “Hallelujah Sisters Esta, Vesta, and Rose”

Black Artist Dolls Video Presentation

In July 2019, doll enthusiast, Deborah Butler Johnson, conducted a comprehensive live presentation on Black artist dolls at the 2019 United Federation of Doll Clubs Convention. The live presentation was recorded. It was so well received that the video was aired during the 2020 Virtual UFDC convention held in July 2020. Click or tap theContinue reading “Black Artist Dolls Video Presentation”

Mini Baby with Doll

Name: OOAK Polymer Clay Mini Baby with Doll Made by and When: Teresa Churcher, 2010 Material: Polymer clay head, arms, and legs; white cloth body; doll baby is made of polymer clay Marks: None Height: 7 inches and 3 inches Hair/Eyes: Glued-on synthetic black hair, black inset eyes; doll baby has molded-on polymer clay bonnet,Continue reading “Mini Baby with Doll”

Rashahn by Lorna Miller

Name: Rashahn Made by and When: Lorna Miller (Toridan), 1994 or 1996 Material: Resin head, arms, and legs; cloth body Marks: ©L/M (the L is above the M), Rashahn, Toridan; signed “Lorna Miller 9/21/94”; the 4 looks like a 6, year made might have been 1996. Height: 18 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Hand-applied human hair, painted eyes,Continue reading “Rashahn by Lorna Miller”

Cally Sue and Doll

Name: Cally Sue and Doll Made by and When: Once Upon a Time by Terry Stone, 1994 Material: Head, shoulder plate, hands, and wrists are polymer clay the body is white leather; the arms, legs, and feet are cloth; her doll is cloth with painted facial features. Marks: Unmarked Height: 25 inches and 8 inchesContinue reading “Cally Sue and Doll”