Doll Heads - What can I do?

Question

I found a bin of these doll heads in a dime store. They were all 25 cents a piece and I really liked the delicate faces. Each package has arms included. I wanted to purchase them all but I restrained myself because other than making pin cushions with them I really don't know what to do with these treasures. I don't want to make dolls. Does anyone have any ideas?

Z · Answer

I have a few of these in a craft bin somewhere around here too. I'd make tassels using their heads as the top of the tassel. I'm not sure about the arms. I suppose you could add them to the upper sides of the tassels for a lady in a dress look tassel.

Kimberly C · Answer

I was also thinking you could adhere a cork to the bottom and make them wine/bottle stoppers, I'm not sure the size is appropriate or not.

B.J. B · Answer

I like both the tassel and the bottle top ideas. Thank you. I've never made tassels but I'm going to give it a go. I also have a number of bottles stored away that would be perfect with the doll head corks.

Sallie F Arnoult · Answer

My grandmother left me a doll with a similar look that was part of a pincushion. The base was a stuffed ball gown. It looks beautiful in my studio which has a shabby, romantic look.

Julia F Paul · Answer

I use these to make angels.

Shelly LaFrance · Answer

I made angels also, I found a pattern to make christmas ornaments, I glued the head and arms to a large bell, made or bought wings, used feathers, lace, pearls, and anything else I could think of and hot glued everything together. No sewing involved. They made fun gifts that year!

PAULA LOVELL · Answer

Make a dome type tea cozy that looks like a southern belle with a big hooped skirt.

Diane Ditzler · Answer

Glue on top of an old spice can! Remember to make a pretty collar for her. So cute.

DEBRA MCLAUGHLIN · Answer

wow,, what a great find.. i used a bunch of them to make angles for my christmas tree..bought losts of wings.. used surger cones i had saved.. lots of lace.. my best friend had stickers 'the one wiht the most fabric wins' she has me beat..lol... gave my 5 granddaughters one.. put one on all the ladies gifts i made for christmas.. if you can check pinterest check my page for them.. good luck.. you where in the right place for sure.. wow..debra

Jo N · Answer

I made pins. I took a shell and painted it. Then hot glued the shell towards the back making a fan sort of look coming from behind the head - this is the hat that looks like it came from the 20's or 30's. I then hot glued a costume jewelry pin on the back. You could dress up yours on the bottom a little to cover the arm holes...maybe a boa look. Good find.

Niki Hart · Answer

Take a look at santos and shrines on Etsy and eBay, there are a lot of uses for them~Have fun!

Nancy Hatcher · Answer

I would take gold & silver colored chain, maybe old necklaces that are broken, and cut a piece long enough to make a necklace. From there you can loop more chain hanging from the necklace, add some beads or interesting bits of old jewelry, etc. The hands would make a fun Halloween decoration. Drip some red nail polish or paint to look like blood and hang them around the house. Or put them in a foam based 'graveyard' so they look like zombie hands coming to get you.........RUN! ;-}

Xena Nierobisz · Answer

I am thinking about two things. First ( I am not sure if you sew but...) you can glue your doll to the top of the jar where you can keep buttons or laces. Second use your dolls for vintage shadow boxes. Of course if you like these kinds of crafts :)

Sandra G · Answer

Wow lots of fun stuff I think - - I found some old old silk in thrift store - bought old pillow with stuffing - - made beautiiful round gound - and glued doll head on top - neatest pin cushion - and I have made them for several friends - - - such fun we have here learning new stuff - -

Wendy K · Answer

I love all the ideas here. I like to put things into collages. I will have to look up the santoes idea.

153091 · Answer

Lucky you! I use these heads and arms to create Flower Faries. I only use 1 flower and have taught many years how to make them.

153091 · Answer

I just posted photo of what I do with the head and arms.....I also make beautiful Ribbon Angels with them as well.

Itsmeileen · Answer

ribbon angels are great tree ornaments. feather fairies or angels are also fun.

Rose White · Answer

I would group them together on top of a stack of old books and put them under a cloche.

B.J. B · Answer

I love these ideas!!! Jan B. do you have the directions for making flower faries, I saw your picture and it is so pretty. I have a cloche which will be the perfect place to put them until I use them, thank you Rose. I'm trying to picture the ribbon angel itsmeileen, do you have a picture? You guys are so creative. Thank you so much.

April E · Answer

what about refurbishing a dresses with these for the drawer pulls?

B.J. B · Answer

Oh my goodness what a great idea! I have an adorable pink and green room that I've decorated for my granddaughters when they come from out of state. It would look adorable. I need to buy more doll heads! Thank you.

Grace · Answer

I was thinking light pulls (attach to end of string), then I realized how creepy that might look...LOL So then I thought, what about putting the head and arms in a plant, or 'looking over' the rim of a planter? Or anything they could 'climb' over...

B.J. B · Answer

Hey Grace, I'm getting the picture. I think the 'climb over' ideas is cute! I'm going to have my doll head everywhere.

Becky P · Answer

all I can think of right now is creepy doll heads for Halloween decorations. lol

Debbie Stanley · Answer

I know you said you did not want to make dolls with these, but I wanted to share what I had seen when I was a child. My grandmother used to make 'Pillow dolls' out of them back in the sixties. She would make large elaborate ruffled or lace dresses to flow (like a southern belle) over the pillow skirt that the dolls were seated on. She made a pretty penny even back then. Every one loved them.

153091 · Answer

@B.J.B. I also make pin cushions

Sia@South 47th · Answer

I painted the heads with Glow in the Dark paint, put glitter in the hair, and hung them from my grand-daughters ceiling at different lengths. Of course the heads were literally a penny each at a 'Rumage Sale', so nothing as nice as these.

B.J. B · Answer

How creative you are Sia.

Steve Mason · Answer

How about cupboard door handles?

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