My Wichtel Plans - Seven Different Faces

MIO-MILLION RM 15.0
Rosi 2017 arrived Feb 2017
GRETEL

KRUMEL-CRUMBS RM 6.0
Lea 2018 arrived May 2018
HEIDI

FLO RM 8.2
Fiona 2023 arrived 4th April 2024
LIESEL

ANIKA RM 1.1
Frieda 2023 pre-ordered due April 2024
FRIEDA

BUBI RM 7.0
Paula 2024 pre-ordered due May 2024
RENATA

SAMY RM 8.3
Will order when available
GRETCHEN

CONNIE RM 41
Will order when available
URSULA

So that's my all for this year (says she who cannot be believed when she says "no more"). Well that's all the dolls actually planned for in the immediate future. What about you? Do you have any plans for which dolls you will be bringing home in 2024?

Taking a Stand

After much thought about my collection, I've decided to shed a most of my Spanish made dolls. To begin with I plan on moving almost all of my Paola Reina dolls, except for the articulated ones. As well as my two Vidal Rogas, two Vestida de Azul and two D'nenes.

This will allow me not to feel guilty about pre-ordering this little one.

Her name is Paula (Wichtel Bubi face RM 7.0), but I really do not like that name as it reminds me of someone I am not at all fond of. I haven't decided what I will call her and will most probably wait until she arrives (later this month or early next month) to see what she has to say about her name.

Isn't she just the cutest little doll? As most of you already know, I am always drawn to dolls that show their tiny teeth. Of course she will bring my Wichtels back to an even number so I shall be looking to add another down the track, BUT NOT BEFORE I HAVE SOME ADOPTED TO LOVING HOMES.

What happened to January, February and March???

I cannot believe we're about to leap into April already! I hope you all had a lovely Easter.

Now I've been wondering how many of you, if any, have one of these little cutie pies? They are called Wichtels, which is German for gnomes.

 

They were designed by the German artist Rosemarie Müller, who describes her gnomes as "balm for the soul". These adorable little ones have the most enchanting faces which are hand painted, full hard vinyl bodies, hand-knotted real hair wigs, and stunning hand blown solid glass eyes from Lauscha.

In this photo we have Heidi (formally Lea) and Gretel (formally Rosi). They are delightful little dolls and so much fun to photograph even though they have only five points of articulation. Both dolls are wearing their original costuming, which is extremely well made and far too cute to replace.

Gretel has a passion for teddy bears (I made this one especially for her) she says they are nice to cuddle and likes to carry one around with her all the time.

Are you a fan of names inspired by fairytales and story books? If so, you may recognise Gretel, from the fairytale Hansel & Gretel made popular by the Brothers Grimm. The name ultimately stems from Margaret meaning “pearl.” 

Heidi, with its sweet meaning of “noble and kind,” is a pet form of the German name Adelheid. Heidi is also the name of a classic children’s novel about a spirited little girl living in the Swiss alps with her grandfather.

For a long time I only had the two Wichtels, however, as I prefer to have uneven numbers of dolls I pre-ordered Fiona some time back and she arrived recently.

As I wanted these dolls to have names of a similar vein, I decided to rename her Liesel, which is related to the Hebrew names Elisa and Elizabeth and the German name Liesl. The meaning of Liesel/Liesl is "God's promise." The name was used for the character Liesel Meminger in the novel The Book Thief, and Liesl Von Trapp, the dreamy-eyed eldest daughter who featured in The Sound of Music.

If you look closely, you may notice all these littlies have tiny teeth showing through their very cheeky smiles. However, not all the Wichtel dolls have them, I just prefer the ones that do.

Dolls That Make You Smile

I really love my little Gretel, she is such a happy doll and I love the way her head tilts and her limbs move. She's certainly able to express herself beautifully even though she is only articulated 5 ways.

Oh my! This teddy bear is really heavy.

It appears there are two different editions of Wichtels that sell for two different prices. It took me a little while to work out why that was, but work it out I did! One is made by the artist herself, the other made by Schildkrot.

Rosemarie Muller - Wichtel Dolls

Eye type: Hazel Glass/Fixed
Size: 32cm/12.5"

Hair: Blonde/ Wig

Articulation: 5 points

Price: £312.49 + VAT in the UK

This sweet doll, Fayette, is made by artist Rosemarie Muller in Germany. She's a little white skinned hazel eyed blonde girl doll. Fayette's hair is a long blonde wig with a fringe and styled in two long bunches with ribbons.

She wears a really gorgeous pinafore dress and striped top and matching leggings with white ankle socks and red leather shoes. Her clothing is made by Rosemarie Muller and each design is original.

The dolls are named "Wichtel" dolls which translates to "elves" - balm for the soul is how they are often referred. Their bodies are completely hard phthalate free vinyl. Girl and boy dolls have different abdomens like little girls and little boys. The hair is a hand knotted mohair and kanekalon wig. The eyes are hand-blown glass eyes from Lauscha (supposedly the very best eyes) and the face is lovingly painted by hand.

This is my favourite sculpt/mould from Rosemarie Muller, I hope it comes up for re-release one day! The face is so alive and happy and I think it would be an absolute joy to have one of these very child like dolls smiling at me every day.

I know there are people who don't like open mouth dolls, but this one looks so natural and is very tastefully sculpted and painted, one would be a fool not to see the pleasure this face would bring to an owner. The wig is also very natural and the colour . . . divine.

There is nothing so gorgeous as a little red haired girl!

Wichtel For Schildkrot-Puppen

Eye type: Glass/Fixed

Size: 32cm/12.5"
Hair: Wig / Mohair and Kanekalon
Articulation: 5 points
Price: £169.99 including VAT in the UK

These sweet dolls are manufactured by Schildkrot in Rauenstein (Thür), Germany. The entire face and body moulds are also sculpted by German doll artist Rosemarie Muller and Schildkrot has the pleasure of manufacturing to order, 4 of the Muller-Wichtel moulds, of which there are 24 in total. They are classified by Schildkrot as collectible artist dolls.

Their hair and eyes are the same quality as the dolls made by Rosemarie herself.

The fourth one on the left is the one I have. :) Her given name was Rosi, she has red hair, blue eyes and wears a Bavarian dirndl with real red leather shoes.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Hugs, X