October 18, 2008

Halloween in Miniature: Wicked Witches


Nothing says Halloween better than a boiling cauldron, a secret spellbook and a few witchy women who aren't afraid to cast a spell or two.

The classic Halloween witch with warts, long grey hair, a pointy black hat and her black cat at her side is probably one of the more favorite characters to create in miniature. Witches, though, like people, come in all shapes and sizes. (Note: dollhouse dolls featured here are in the traditional 1" or 1/12th scale where 1" equals 1 foot. Most female dolls average 5.5 inches tall.)


Halloween Fashionista

Take the work of Montana doll artist Gina Gagnon. She brings more than just exquisite design and dressmaking skills to her dolls, as seen in her latest creation, a witch she calls Gladys.

This witch, who is a fashionista of sorts, isn't willing to be seen outside in just anything, of course. Instead, she's wearing a Gagnon original including a suede cloth cloak, a raw silk undress, and don't forget the stylish midnight blue pointy shoes.

Gladys whom Gina hopes someone will buy "and give her the witch house of her dreams," is memorable for more than her wardrobe, though. Gina invariably adds a touch of humor to her dolls to make them memorable.




Consider this view of Gladys, waving goodbye to her friend Myrtle, who's riding off on her broom in the unseen distance. But Gladys isn't just waving goodbye, her creator insists: "She's trying to tell Myrtle that she's forgotten to wear her underwear!"

The Many Faces of Nancy

In the hands of miniature doll artisan Nancy Cronin, the wicked witch has a charm all her own.

Her witches – all hand-sculpted from polymer clay, some are cast in resin as well - are characters that Disney wishes his artists had dreamed up. Her witches are ghostly white, dressed in traditional black and looking a bit matronly, and shades in-between. Look and you'd swear you can almost hear them cackle.



Pretty, they're not. In fact, most of her dolls don't have a pinch of Hollywood beauty about them, which is just the way Nancy (and everyone else) likes them. "I do a lot of people watching," Nancy says. "Most people aren't pretty."


Pretty in Black

The word "witch" usually has one meaning to most people. But Dutch doll maker and collector Christa Chayata had a different view when she made her miniature witch.



The doll, which Crista made using the "Gertie" mold by Cynthia Howe, was inspired by a witch hat from Margriet van der Zee that she won in a contest on the MiniDollList.

The hat was so pretty, that well… "What is such a beautiful hat without a witch?" Christa says. "I mostly don't like ugly witches, so I tried to make one that looks a bit nice."

And she does, doesn't she? In fact, in this case, they all look nice (but don't tell them. Witches must keep their reputations after all.)

** Don't forget to visit A Fanciful Twist today for more Halloween fun!

** Add your comments today and in the following days for the chance to win a copy of my spooky ebook, The Witch Tree.

21 comments:

Laume said...

LOL, I can't get past poor Myrtle, flying off with a bit too much breeze beneath her skirts! She must be menopausal and prone to lapses in logic, as many of us older witches can be.

Kathryn Costa said...

What amazing dolls. Such artistry.

Be sure to swing by my place for I have some brain tonic and three witches brew for you! Vincent Price is waiting patiently for you to arrive to begin his story. I do hope to see you soon!

Happy early Halloween.

CA Verstraete said...

Kathryn, Sounds fun! Love Vincent Price!

Yeah, Laume, I thought the description was hysterical too!

Unknown said...

Ooh.. I love the witches! What fun! Come join in my party. appy Halloween!

LW said...

Which witch is which ….I love them all…
I think that Halloween miniature scenes are the best.

It has been awhile since I have been over
To Cynthia’s web site…. Thanks for the link I can see where I am going to send my afternoon.

Louise

Lola Enchanted said...

Hello, I love all the witch's!!!
Nice to meet you!


happy halloween

Kristin said...

oh wow I love those little witches, to cute!!!

Shell said...

I enjoyed the party and getting to meet all these great witches here.

AwtemNymf said...

I'm Blog Hopping from Vanessa's "A Fanciful Twist" Party <{:O) That is some serious sculpting!
Stop by my place too... I'm having a couple of give-aways!
Have a bootiful day!
Be Enchanted!
~A~

Unknown said...

So Witch Couture. I love all of your witchware! Happy Halloween, Karen

Sandra Evertson said...

OMG your dolls are Amazing!
Happy Halloween!
Sandra

3rdEyeMuse said...

wow! thanks for sharing those wickedly wonderful little witches! what a fun contribution to the party. :)

Anonymous said...

Such fun little dolls - thanks for sharing them. I'm dropping by from Vanessa's party, hope you'll come by and have a cupcake with me!

Witchy Blessings,
Kelley

NyteRayn said...

I was just hanging out over at a Fanciful Twist’s party and I thought I’d check out your blog! Happy Halloween!!

http://afancifultwist.typepad.com said...

Hee heee!!! So funny and wonderful tooooo!! Look at them!! Perfeciton for a cackling evening!!! ;)

Anonymous said...

Hello, loved the post and the witches are very fun. Happy Halloween!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful journey it has been through all the dolls - I am impressed with the wonderful art, work each shines. Have a grand Halloween.

Altered Route said...

Sorry so late to visit...I traveled Vanessa's list from the bottom up this time.
Happy Halloween!

Kims Art said...

Those dolls are amazing! Thank you for sharing! Happy Halloween!

Emma said...

No underwear??? Gladys is just too much, lol. I love these witches!

Emma

Katie said...

Love all the witches! I like the pretty one with the green feather in her hat......
And Bah hahahahahahaha...what could be more scarier than an old hag of a witch riding around withOUT her underwear??? Your terrible!! hehehe.....