I have for a long time now had all sorts of glass bottles lying around in the cupboards (starting from the tiny vanilla essence bottles and ending with the large 2 kg. gherkins), and just never found the time to take them off to the glass recyclers. Over these holidays when I finished reading one book, but wasn’t feeling like starting another, I came up with the idea that has been around for quite a while now – to make some sculpture or something like that out of them. I had a look around the house and having not found anything old and torn but striking, I decided to base my whole project on this pile of glass bottles.As soon as I decided on that, I did not waste time and immediately started making my first doll (when and where the idea of making a doll came about, I have no idea). I did not consult anyone but my sister (and only her because she follows me around everywhere and there’s no getting past her questions), gathered all the required bits of everything and set to work.

I can’t say that it was easy work – after about 2 hours of sitting, my first pink-haired and purple-faced doll was complete. As you can see in the photo attached, she wasn’t extremely pretty, but was prettier than the bottle she was made of, and besides that, she was MINE.

Then, having gained this valuable experience, I was ready for more dolls the following day. I got up bright and early and worked on the doll for my best friend – it ended up being a widow, made from a Nando’s bottle (there is no photo of that one, because I had no idea then that I will be sharing it with you guys).

After that, I got sucked into this art and made a couple more dolls (including a male, whom it was certainly more difficult to make that the females I made before that – goes to show the hard character…). I also got my sister involved, and she made a dolly herself (the one in the green dress) – this shows that you don’t need to be an insane person or a pensioner to make these!

I hope all this information has given you some ideas and perhaps some assistance in making your own doll – happy crafting!

With love,
Liza Ivanova

P.S. Please do try and ask your parents’ permission before you get working… this tip is given in your best interest.