Beginning with an introduction to what dolls are and their historical significance in various regions of the world, Making Gourd Dolls & Spirit Figures then continues its tour of the subject with chapters on 'Simple Whole Gourds'; 'Molded Gourds', including the use of gourds that are naturally 'deformed', as well as gourds that have been deliberately molded during the growing process; 'Adding Limbs', which discusses 'Stump Dolls', adding simple arms and/or legs, articulated joints, complex articulated joints, and marionettes; 'Dolls with Gourd Heads', which discusses wire armature dolls, and dolls with cloth bodies; 'Addition of Clay Parts', using clay in molds, sculpting clay faces, clay for limbs and other shapes; 'Stacked Dolls', combining gourds, Kokeshi dolls, Kachinas; 'Fiber Arts & Beading', wrapping, netting, weaving, and beadwork; 'Cut & Carved Dolls'; 'Dolls with Hidden Treasures & Nesting Dolls', creating cavities, nesting; 'Weighted Dolls', Daruma dolls, African Initiation dolls; 'Instruments'; 'Puppets', which includes the many options available - such as stick puppets, pop-up, topsy-turvy, finger puppets, and hand puppets; 'Jewelry & Ornaments', wearable arts, and home decor; and 'Animals'.
Each chapter of Making Gourd Dolls & Spirit Figures includes numerous 'gallery' photographs of completed works (The prominent aspect in each chapter of the book.), and twenty-eight projects (averaging about two pages each) are interspersed throughout chapters three to fourteen. In chapter fifteen Jim Widess and Ginger Summit dedicate thirty-one additional pages specifically to a gallery of dolls made by well known and respected gourd artisans.
224 pages. Hardcover.
ISBN-13: 978-1-4027-3220-1
ISBN-10: 1-4027-3220-1
