Creating Stunning Art Doll Footwear Using a Mold and Polymer Clay.

Like humans, art dolls need shoes that fit just right. However, there's no 'art doll shoe store' where one can find the ideal footwear to match foot size and attire. This is one of the many hats we as art doll creators wear – sculptor, painter, fashion designer, and yes, now, even cobbler.

How The Cobbler's Adventure Began

Picture this: An elegant art doll, draped in a Christian Dior-inspired attire, sporting feet that would make Cinderella's stepsisters blush. This was the dilemma I faced with in my latest creation. My art doll's frumpy feet were a far cry from the sophistication her ensemble demanded. 

When in Doubt, Look in Your Closet!

Faced with the daunting task of creating shoes for my art doll, I found myself at a loss. But then, a lightbulb moment struck! Why not learn from the shoes in my own feet? With the enthusiasm of a detective on a hot case, I marched to my closet and began examining my shoe collection with newfound appreciation. My everyday footwear held the key to unlocking the mysteries of doll-sized cobbling.

Anatomy of a Shoe: A Miniature Breakdown

As I scrutinized my shoes, the construction became clearer. Here's a basic summary of what I discovered:

1. The Foundation: Every shoe starts with what I've dubbed "the platform" or sole. This is the base upon which all shoe dreams are built!
2. Building Blocks: Various elements of the shoe are attached to this sole, creating the unique style and shape.
3. The Grand Finale: An insole is added to hide the ugliness of the nitty-gritty attachments, provide a smooth surface for the foot, and add that final touch of aesthetic appeal.

Sizing It Up: The Doll Foot Template Trick
Armed with this new knowledge, I faced my next challenge: getting the size just right. The solution? Create a template of my doll's foot! This simple step was a game-changer, allowing me to craft a perfectly sized sole for my miniature masterpiece. In creating the template I found that it is important to double check the template against the doll's foot once it is created. Scrutinize it carefully to ensure that it is not too short, or narrow.

The Benefits of Using a Shoe Mold in the Creation of an Art Doll Shoe

Initially, I crafted shoes for my art dolls using fibers, but fibers aren't suited for 

creating high heels. Polymer clay or paper clay would be a great medium, but 

making individual shoes with heels that matched perfectly would be 

time-consuming, perhaps impossible.

By creating a basic mold, it would create perfect duplicates that could be 

adapted to create various shoe styles. This video shows you the steps I took to 

create the mold of the shoe "platform". With the addition of different finishing 

elements the look or style of the footwear for our diminutive divas can be easily

changed. Like human's, our divas deserve the fanciest treats!

Lessons in Creative Problem-Solving

This adventure in doll shoemaking taught me more than just the basics of footwear construction. It reminded me of the power of observation and experimentation in the creative process. When faced with a challenge, sometimes the best solution is to look at the world around us with fresh eyes.

The next time one is stuck on a crafting conundrum, remember, inspiration might be as close as one's own closet.

Happy crafting and may your doll shoes always be a perfect fit!