Pierrot and Pierrette Commedia dell'arte FOGLEBERRY Dolls

A very rare pair of Meissen figurines were the inspiration for this pair of Fogleberry needle-felted dolls. The figures are part of a set that is the key to the mystery in The Affair at the Victory Ball --- one of the first episodes in the Poirot TV show starring David Suchet. The set used features six of the most famous characters from the Commedia dell'arte.

These dolls are based on Pierrot and Pierrette --- the characters who have inspired a lot of well-known clowns and ballerinas. In the TV show, the costumes from the figurines are made into real-life costumes for some of the actors. Those costumes aren't exact replicas from the figurines, though, so these dolls are patterned after both. The picture above shows the dolls and both sets of "models".

Elizabeth and I have admired the set of figurines for years and have tried to figure out a way to make dolls of them. We really wanted to make a set of Minikins, but we couldn't come up with a good way to capture the details of the costumes. Then, I learned how to needle-felt. Wow! Perfect. This technique was really the way to go. It was the masks that really made them fun. Pierrot even has his trademark tear. We've talked about making a Scaramouche doll in the future, so that's on a "back burner". 

I took artistic liberty with portions of the dolls, particularly with Pierrette's hat. I just thought that she needed a real French beret instead of the little flat. Making these dolls was very enjoyable, and they are the only ones that I've ever done as a matched set. Be sure to check them out in our Etsy store (use the link at the top of this page) --- and you'll be able to see more pictures in the listing. Thanks for looking!

Indian Brave: A Needle-Felted FOGLEBERRY Doll

If the bright colors of Merino roving were so perfect for a doll based on Carmen Miranda (see previous entry), then the beautiful earthy tones were ideal for a little Native American Indian Brave. Elizabeth and I had come up with the idea of a needle felted Indian doll when I first learned how to felt, but it was some time before he materialized.

The two of us have always been crazy about old Westerns. We like Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Jimmy Stewart, Audie Murphy. The list can go on and on. Indians always play an active part in Wild West stories. The thing that always intrigues us is the Indian sign-language. In fact, we've acquired a couple of books on it over the years and learned a few words. When I finally got ready to start felting on this doll --- well, it wasn't a far step to think of designing him in a sitting position as if he was in the middle of signing a message. Paging through a book of Indian signs (illustrated by pictures of Iron Eyes Cody performing the signs), we decided on the work "chief". What could be more important than that??

Unlike the Carmen Miranda doll, this Indian Brave is not based on anyone in particular. What's funny is that I was actually inspired to work on this after watching the 1938 film, Listen Darling. Nine-year-old Scotty Beckett receives a really cute Indian costume from movie friend, Alan Hale. That did it. I was really in the mood to felt an Indian doll.

Elizabeth and I sat down with bags of roving and decided on a selection of "earthy" tones. To give some color to this little gent, I felted a bead trim along the sleeves and a wampum belt. These were loosely based on original costumes owned by Iron Eyes Cody. His headband is made from genuine leather and his necklace is made out of wood and metal beads.

Of course, no real Indian Brave would want to be seen without his own genuine Buffalo mat. This little man's mat is needle felted from genuine Buffalo fiber (boy, is that different than Merino!?) and backed by a piece of suede.

This proud little fellow is available in our Etsy shop --- and he is certainly a one-of-a-kind creation. You can check him out by visiting our shop via the link in the bar at the top of this page. Thanks for looking!

Carmen Miranda: A Needle-Felted FOGLEBERRY Doll

Wool is amazing! It looks beautiful in earthy colors and vibrant colors. Take that beautiful wool and needle felt it, and the results can be pretty fun. When admiring the vibrant tones of Ashland Bay Merino roving, it wasn't a far jump to think of that famous Brazilian 1940s movie star in the Tutti Fruitti Hat: Carmen Miranda.

This Fogleberry doll stands at the impressive height of 10-1/4" (inches) from the bottom of her classic platform shoes to the tip of her pineapple hat. She has that big smile on her face because of winning the "Best of Show" award in the Felting category at the Ohio State Fair in 2012.

Making this doll was great fun and a nice chance to use a lot of color. Every pom-pom on her dress was individually felted and attached to her outfit. She is felted in position and is solid wool --- no wire armature or anything like that. I enlisted my sister to make Carmen's jewelry. It's handmade from jewelry wire and glass beads.

The real "crowning" touch to this Brazilian Bombshell is her fruit-laden hat! It's complete with a whole pineapple, a large bunch of grapes, two bananas and a Naval orange. Be sure to check this Fogleberry doll out by visiting our Etsy shop (use the link in the bar at the top of this page). Thanks for looking!