My most recent custom order Kokeshi Dolls

 This little girl will be traveling to England as a gift for a lady from her sister here in Canada. I may even get a photo of her once she's there. If I do, I'll be sure to post it. Little world travelers - if only they could talk! 

The order was for dragon flies and wild grass along with the cherry blossom.  Dragon flies are special between the two sisters and so they add a personal touch to this Kokeshi doll.

 This Kokeshi girl is another one I made along with the one above.  Sometimes I will make two for one custom order if I want one for my own inventory as I prepare for shows. I get people calling  sometimes to see what I have readily available for special gifts, as well, so this helps keep my stock up. I love her long lashes!

She has dragon flies as well, with wild grass.  Her body shape shape is considered more traditional.  Both of the dolls have the note hole under the head so a personal message can go inside as a surprise for someone special.  (It's also fun to lift the head off to find a note inside - people like taking the heads off!)

Birch log and then...

Beautiful Birch!  That's where most of my Kokeshi dolls start.  I do use other woods, but my favorite is Birch.  It has such an incredible grain pattern that moves and swirls and yet is very uniform in it's firmness and texture overall.  Birch handles so well on my lathe and is great with my wood burner as well.  So - I turn the shape I want and then hold the "Doll Blank" in my hands for a while just to enjoy the beauty of the piece, and the feel of the wood.  I love to study the grain and color hues as well as I begin to "See" the doll on the piece.  Sometimes I have a Kokeshi design I've already sketched out and will choose the Doll Blank accordingly for that design, other times I let the wood determine what the doll will be.  I know - sounds flaky, but if you're an artist of any tactile medium, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about!  Once I have the inspiration for that pc. of wood, then I'm off to my sketch pad and my imagination...

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My Newest Kokeshi Doll

Welcome to my blog!  Creating a blog is a totally new venture for me so I hope you enjoy the ride along with me.  For my very first entry, I'd like to show my most recent creation.  This Kokeshi was commissioned for the Owner/Black Belt Master of three Japanese Martial Arts studios here in the Okanogan.  He wares the outfit of a 16th century Samurai Warrior going to court to visit the Emperor.  The research alone took a fair bit of time for this doll.  I feel very honored to have been asked to make such doll for such an accomplished Master.  If the Gentleman that received this doll permits, I'll be adding more photos to further show the workmanship on his doll.

Kokeshi dolls are my passion and making each one totally customized and one-of-a-kind excites me every time.  Over the next while I will try to post some of the dolls I've made in the last few years that I feel reflect my work well and are my personal favorites.  I make my dolls to sell and love doing custom orders.  If you see anything here that you'd like, contact me and I'll let you know if I still have that exact doll or not, and if not??? Then Custom Kokeshi Doll here we come!  Hope you enjoy my budding new blog!

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