Wooden base (I bought mine from Spotlight). You can use any shape you like and you can also find wooden coasters which are suitable for smaller/lighter dolls.
I already had 12 gauge (2mm) aluminium wire (from Over the Rainbow) however, I'm using their 1/8" (3.2mm) Armature or Modelling Wire which is a little more expensive, but will hold most dolls.
Hollow aluminium tubing (the hole should be large enough to insert the wire doubled, I bought 10 x 1mm from Bunnings).
Needle nose pliers and side cutters.
Hack saw to cut the tubing and drill to make a hole in the base (borrowed from hubby's workshop).
Glue and trims (optional) the one I am making here needs just a little batting to create the illusion of snow, but you could use faux grass or carpet depending on where you imagine your doll to be standing.
Firstly take your wire and using the pliers to help you bend it into this shape (left) and bend it over and squeeze it tight, then cut it off a little higher than the bottom of the "U".Insert the wire you just bent into the tubing (right), which will give your stand stability.
Sit your doll in the "U" saddle (left) and mark the base level, then cut the tube a little higher. To get the exact distance measure the depth of your base.
Now take your base and drill a hole the same size as the tubing, make it slightly off center so you have enough room for your doll's feet to stand. Sorry I forgot to take a photo of this.
Next you simply push the tubing in the hole and if necessary glue the tubing in place. Allow the glue to dry and decorate your stand however you wish. Mine was a tight fit, so I didn't need the glue.
You can also make a different type (as you see in the 1st photo) using dowel, however, this doesn't have a "U" saddle for the doll to sit in, it just runs up the back underneath the dolls clothes. It works quite well with some dolls, but not for those with very loose joints.
I know sometimes dolls don't come with stands, especially if you pick one up on the secondary market, so I hope this tutorial helps in some way and you have fun making a few stands of your own.
Big hugs,
X
Big thanks for this tutorial, I'll certainly try to find some aluminium wire now. I've been wanting to make stands for many of my dolls in all sizes as it would really save some space if they'd be able to stand in the shelves and I just can't pose them well enough to trust they'd stay standing. Maybe except for Tinyfairies. XD They' mostly stand like a rock.
ReplyDeleteHey you most welcome Xaya, I'm pleased to be of help. I don't think you will have too much trouble finding the aluminium wire in your local craft shop or hobby store, it's used quite widely for creating things. I agree if you can stand dolls, it provides more room to add more dolls. :)
DeleteBig hugs,
X
The stand turned out great! And I like how you covered it in the snow too. I usually just erase the stand digitally using Photoshop hahaha, but I've never had a photo where I could hide it I think.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea and tutorial, thank you for sharing!
Thank you Alejandra. Let your imagination run riot . . . you can cover the stand in whatever you like. You might like to try plaster with silver glitter, that comes up well as snow too! Photoshop is pretty good at deleting things not required, but not quite as much fun as experimenting with stuff.
DeleteHey you're welcome, we all help each other where we can. :)
Big hugs,
X
Great tutorial. :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, the one I photographed here was pretty rough, the next few turned out much better . . . and you are very welcome. :)
DeleteHugs,
X
Thank you for the tutorial Xanadu, I think it's very useful. I often don't take photos of a particular doll because I'm worried she'll end up flat on her face, or I take them very quickly....and it shows.
ReplyDeletexx
It's not a perfect stand by any means Sharon, but it works and what's more it's easy to adjust to fit. I'll take some photos of others I completed later on.
DeleteHugs,
X
Great tutorial, thank you! In summer, I've made a lot of the stands from the second type you mentioned, using small platic saucers and chopstics, aaand a lot of hot glue ;). They don't look so clean and nice as yours, but after painting they are... passable.
ReplyDeleteThank you Chiriann, anything that helps our my fellow doll enthusiasts I am happy to share. :) I'm not the best with hot glue, but I'd like to see what you made.
DeleteHugs,
X
This is pretty awesome. Thank you for the tutorial. DIY for doll props and accessories are always a good thing particularly as doll stands can get pricey!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alasse, oh yes I agree, one can never have enough doll stands. :)
DeleteHugs,
X
Such a simple tutorial, and really well explained! Thank you so much for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteYour'e welcome Musume . . . I like things that are simple, complicated tutorials only confuse me. LOL!
DeleteHugs,
X
Hello and I agree with the others, a great tutorial! At the moment I have stands that 'go-around-the-waist' and even if it works, it can mess up the outfit and show on photos. Better to do your way. :)
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Thanks Niina, I know what you mean about the waist ones, I have even had them damage my doll's clothes.
DeleteHugs,
X
I have a My Size Cinderella doll that I'm repurposing into a little Chinese child and it desperately needs a stand because it's hip sockets are loose (it use to have a Walk with Me function). So this really helps! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Emmalene, I am so pleased. We do our best to share ideas here, so good luck with your project the Chinese child sounds like it will be fun and I hope the stand helps.
DeleteHugs,
X