Saturday, January 30, 2010

Little Wooden Doll Kit


First off, there is nothing original about this project -
it's been around from before I was born, which is saying
much. I remember reading about it as a child and being
somewhat frustrated that we didn't have in Singapore this
wonderful craft haven of a store known as Woolsworth at
which the books recommended buying these supplies. Fast
forward several decades to this wooden peg/clothespin/
spool people movement that has taken over crafty blogland
and it becomes clear that a craft like this has staying power.

This weekend Emily had a birthday party to attend and she
decided her friend needed "some kind of craft supplies" for
a gift. Good answer, Emily. We ordered these wooden parts
here (where we always buy our wooden stuff, and
always in
bulk) and made some "samples" for
a craft kit for the birthday girl.



Then we did a little more shopping and some digging
through our craft supplies stash (which is even larger
than my fabric stash) and put together this kit:

I thought I'd take some photos and share in case
someone someday wants
an idea for an unhandmade,
unplastic, unTarget
gift for a little girl. We included:

  • sheets of craft felt
  • chenille stems
  • ribbons
  • wooden doll parts - stands, heads and clothespins
  • acrylic paint
  • white glue (we personally don't use this for anything but paper mache, really, but it was a child-safe option)
  • paint brushes
  • a template for the dress (5.5" circle with tiny hole in the middle and two slits for the arms to stick out)
  • a completed doll for a sample, since we were disinclined to write up instructions

And as we didn't have a single receptacle in the house
to contain everything, we made a bucket out of cardboard.

Then we glued another doll to the cover and had
ourselves a craft kit (just add scissors)!

I'd have liked to leave it as is, but Emily loves
wrapping, so we wrapped it up in fancy paper.

Note: the wooden bits are available at craft stores like Michaels and JoAnn in small quantity packages, too. We just personally like having lots and lots of craft supplies at home for emergencies (e.g. bad lulls during playdates). We even have bulk quantities of paint brushes in multiple sizes that Dad (my dad) buys from art supply stores in Singapore and sends by post. Dad has such great taste in gifts. Our whole family is a little nuts that way.

14 comments:

  1. Such a cute birthday idea. Thanks for sharing! Love & blessings from NC!

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  2. What a fab present! I'm blogging today about a similar present that we gave to one of my children's friends recently. Lucy x

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  3. Wow! I love this idea. I think I would be thrilled myself to get this for my next birthday (I'll be 33). I will, indeed be copying or adapting this idea. Soon.

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  4. I love this idea. Wonderful post and thanks for sharing.

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  5. I love this ! It's a great idea, I'm sure the little girl who received it was very happy. It's so nice that your daughter picked up the idea that giving craft supplies is a better choice.
    Cecile

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  6. Lier, you are going to single handedly keep me in the "best birthday present giver ever" category amongst my nephew and unofficial-niece. :)

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  7. Fabulous birthday gift idea, and I love your cardboard bucket!

    Thanks for the link to that shop, also, I've been looking for a store like that!

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  8. What a lovely family!

    PS I still envy you because I don't have any such 'crafty' stores! :(

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  9. That is a great gift idea. I would love to receive one of those as a gifts for my daughter rather than a toy she will just throw in the toybox and forget about.

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  10. I like to give craft supply gifts for kids too. (Though some parents don't seem to like it because they have to let their kids make mess or have to actually join in! Not at all kindred! )
    I LOVE that cardboard bucket. I do like to make things out of boxes. This is one more for the list! Thanks.

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  11. Hmmm...I guess I'll have to come up with a new idea for E's birthday. Did you know I did this as a little girl...only I used yarn for the hair.

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  12. So adorable! I love all of your creations I've seen on your blog!

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  13. Great idea! I made these as a kid, and my mom saved them! So, I have a little set in storage. I need to get them out for my daughter. My favorite is the bride and groom.

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