L'Incanto delle Bambole

THE MAGIC OF DOLLS

Dolls Made in Italy

by

Fiorenza Biancheri

.

I live in Seborga, a small, picturesque village near Bordighera, in the province of Imperia. In ancient times Seborga was a Principality of the Cistercians.

In my small workshop, I used to paint on glass and porcelain and make various creations using découpage, salt paste, sewing and so on. I did this until a few years ago but am now entirely devotet to my beloved dolls.

I began moulding small dolls made with salt and synthetic pastes, trying in the meantime to find new materials to help me create other kinds of dolls.

After some time searching (five years!), I finally found all the materials and methods I needed. I began working with fabric dolls and then, after attending some training courses,I started making my first porcelain dolls. The end product may seem simple but perfecting theis manufacture was a painstaking and labourious process, albeit a labour of love.

At the moment Isculpt dolls made with synthetic paste (Cernit/ Prosculpt), which allows me to practise my favourite techniques like sculpting, painting and wing (my sewing skills were handed down by my mother, who is an exellent dressmaker).

One of my great inspiration is an article I read in a magazine called "The Magic Wanded", entitled "A Shelter for the Soul", which for me sums up the art of doll-making.

I have been honored to have sold BABIES all over the world and have had my DOLLS featured in numerous MAGAZINES like "DOLLS", "CONTEMPORARY DOLL COLLECTOR", "SOFT DOLLS AND ANIMALS", "LA BACHETTA MAGICA"...and many other Italian magazines :o)

                                    THANK YOU!!
Many of my creations were illustrated in the March 2002 issue of "The Magic Wanded.

In a book of bread sculptures entitle "The Dolls" (published by Demetra, 1996) you can find pictures of two of my small dolls made with salt paste.