Creations by Ba'ucham

In a question and answer session, Ra'chel Ba'ucham, who creates dolls under the brand, Creations by Ba'ucham, shares her artist profile with the readers of Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black.

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How long have you been making dolls and what inspired you to begin making them?

I have been making dolls for about 3 years in my spare time, while I worked as a full-time nurse.  What inspired me was a dream that I had that God had gifted me with the gift of doll making, even though at that time I had never made a doll in my life.

The first crocheted boy doll by Creations by Ba'ucham, Roger, is shown with the artist's second crocheted girl, whose name is Ariana.

What is your favorite medium or favorite media, if more than one and why?

I love working with all mediums, from fabric, clay, seeds, beads, shells and even sticks.  I up-cycle some dolls from simple things like empty coffee creamer containers, really any medium that calls out to me to be re-invented.

Do you have your own personal style or trademark that sets your dolls apart from other dolls made from the medium/media that you use?

Each doll that I craft is unique in that they are truly one of a kind.  Each doll is authenticated with a unique marking known only to myself and one other person.  Each doll is further supported by copyright documentation registered in the Library of Congress, assuring each doll owner that they are in possession of an authentic doll crafted by me, the artist and designer.  Each doll receives a Certificate of Authenticity and there is only one like each doll in the whole world.  No patterns are used in the crafting of my dolls, no matter what medium that is used.

This cloth doll has a few identifying marks.

Do your dolls direct your path during the creation process in determining their final appearance?

Yes, and only another doll maker would understand that each doll has a personality all unique to them. They will advise me as to how they want to be presented.  They advise me in every step of their creative journey from hairstyle, facial expression, clothing, accessories, and name.

The same cloth doll as before shows off her nape-of-neck and lower-back tattoos.

Do you want collectors to gain a sense of realism from your dolls, or are your dolls abstract characters?

Yes, realism.  Each doll is an extension on me, and expresses the multifaceted layers of my own personality, from the little girl to the mature woman that I am, and the whole width and depth of uncharted territory in-between the two facets.

Bernard's face is needle sculpted and he has dimples.

Describe your latest doll creation and the inspiration.

My latest creation is a little boy doll.  His name is Bernard.  He operates in the personality of a two-year-old child and my inspiration was influenced by a dear friend of mine whose name is Bernard.  My friend is 61 years old, but at times the little boy in him surfaces and thus his mini-me was crafted.

This lovely cloth doll with handpainted facial features represents a Delta Sigma Theta soror.

Do you have any tips for aspiring artists?

I am still fresh on this journey but would offer that everyone reach deep within themselves and craft from their soul.  There are a lot of doll makers but so are there many hamburger restaurants – each one offers the community a different take on the same medium.  So don't be intimidated.  There is enough of God, His gifts, and His love to fill everyone's cup in this world, and there would still be overage.  Be your true authentic self, and explore your own unique flavor and believe that you are in possession of that unique one-of-a-kind spice that the world needs to experience.

A cute blonde girl with blue eyes wears a pretty white crocheted dress and sky blue leggings with crocheted shoes to match.

What is the average price of your dolls? 

The prices vary. They mostly range from $80 to $155 depending on the complexity to make them.

Daeja is a huggable 18-inch freehand crocheted baby.

How can you be reached?

Creations by Ba'ucham

Ra'chel Ba'ucham Artist/Designer

E-mail:  unekleyme1010@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreationsbyBaucham/
Etsy:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/CreationsByBaucham

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Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black extends a heartfelt thanks to Ra'chel for taking the time to share her artist profile and the images of her one-of-a-kind, handcrafted doll designs.  Visit the Black Doll Collecting blog to see a detailed review of one of Ra'chel's freehand crocheted dolls.  

TWISSI HANDMADE DOLLS

Stacie Johnson, founder and creator of Twissi Handmade Dolls

Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black (EEoDiB) is honored to share the profile of doll artist, Stacie Johnson, the ultra-talented woman behind Twissi Handmade Dolls (THD).  By reading her answers to a series of interview questions, readers will learn the inspiration behind her one-of-a-kind dolls and delight in their beauty.

Handmade Cloth-Dress Bag Doll:  Underneath their full-length dresses is a storage compartment.

EEoDiB:  What inspired you to become a dollmaker and how long have you been making dolls?

THD:  I began making dolls by accident.  I love painting faces.  I used to paint faces from fashion magazines. I did not like painting faces for custom orders.  I then began to paint figures on furniture which I enjoyed tremendously.  When I was an Army soldier, I received orders to go to Kuwait in 2004.  My job was simple, so I finished work early.  I had time on my hands, so I craved to find a way to be creative.  I could not paint furniture while living in a tent. Where would I find wood furniture in a desert? One day, I called my neighbor who was watching my home while I was away.  I told her I had no way to create on this tour.  My friend sent me small gourds to decorate for Christmas ornaments.  Once the tiny pumpkins arrived, I saw faces! I then started painting faces.  For the body of the doll, I used the stuffing of my pillow and the fabric of my pillowcase.  Next, I ordered fabric and sewing accessories online.  The rest is history.

EEoDiB:  Please share the meaning of Twissi and why it was chosen as the name for your doll art.

THD:  When I was a little girl, my dad called me Twissi.  I wiggled when I walked as a child.  I was very close to my father. Even though he is not here anymore, he is a part of my dollmaking business.

Lovely doll in a three-tiered dress

EEoDIB:  Was there any particular reason you chose cloth as the main medium?

THD:  I chose cloth as a medium because it is like painting on a canvas.  I can add details or take away details easily with paint.

Glass beads were used to adorn the shoes of the previously shown doll.

EEoDiB:  What other materials are used to make your dolls?

THD: I love to use glass beads and durable 100 percent cotton fabrics. I use recycled fabrics from old or worn out garments. Oils are my preferable paint.

EEoDiIB:  Are your dolls made to look like people you know or people you have met, if not, what inspires their faces?

THD:  The faces of my dolls are from my imagination.  I have painted one doll from a Pinterest photo.  I wanted to challenge myself to see if I could still capture a likeness from a photo and I still have it. Sometimes when I finish the faces, the doll reminds me of someone I work with.

23-inch Egyptian-inspired doll with classic bob cut hairstyle and jewel-embellished dress

EEoDiB:  Do you name your dolls or is the naming left up to the buyer?

THD:  The buyers can name the dolls. The only dolls I name are the Egyptian dolls because they are from history.

This doll is Queen Tiye, the mother of King Tut.  I decided to make a doll of Queen Tiye because she made a status for herself outside from being married to royalty.  Her husband looks to her for advice on important issues in politics.

EEoDiB:  What sizes are your smallest and largest dolls and what is the average height of your dolls?

THD: The smallest doll is 18 inches; the tallest is 39 inches, and the average height is 26 inches.

This doll is supported by a cone-shaped stand underneath the tulle of her skirt.

For a better view of her face, the doll with cone-shaped stand is shown from another angle.

EEoDiB:  Would you ever consider making smaller dolls, around 10 to 16 inches tall?

THD:  If a customer requests a custom order of a doll between 10 to 16 inches, I would be happy to make a doll that size.

EEoDiB:  So you do make custom dolls.

THD:    Yes, I make custom dolls.

This half fairy, half ballerina is 27 inches tall.

EEoDiB:  What is the price range of your dolls? 

THD:  The price ranges from 60 to 170 dollars.


EEoDiB:  Where are your dolls sold? 

THD:  My dolls are sold in my Twissi Handmade Dolls shop on Etsy.

Lovely water fairy has colorful costume and face

Close-up of water fairy

EEoDiB:  Do you see yourself making dolls long into the future or is this just a steppingstone to other things?

THD:  I see myself always making dolls.  I have other creations with my love for painting faces.  I have made pillows and a backpack with faces. For now, it is all about dolls. I am so very much inspired by Ancient Egyptian women and I want to make more dolls to show my love for the history.

This doll is Goddess Serqet, an Egyptian Goddess who has many great inscriptions like the Goddess of Marriage, Goddess of Nature, Goddess of Medicine and the Goddess of Magic.  The title that interests me the most is the Goddess of Protection.  Serqet is often depicted with a scorpion on her head and an ankh in her left hand. She could save lives when a person was bitten by a poisonous scorpion. The most dangerous type of scorpions can be found in North Africa. She healed with medicinal herbs. This makes Serqet a very important goddess.  A gold statue of Serqet was found inside King Tut's tomb.  She was also called the Goddess that Gives Breath.

EEoDiB:  Please share any additional information about your doll artistry that you’d like readers to know.

THD:  I am currently working on a website that will feature a video about my dolls.  I wish to tell the story of why I chose to make each doll.  Dolls are more than a pretty figure to look at.  Dolls can inspire confidence and aid in learning about a culture.

EEoDiB:  How can potential customers reach you?

THD:  I can be reached by email, on Facebook, and as mentioned on Etsy at the links provided below:

Email:  twissidolls55@gmail.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Twissijo/

Etsy:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/Twissi

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Thank you, Stacie, for sharing your artist profile with the readers of EEoDiB.  Readers, please browse Stacie’s Etsy shop, like her on Facebook, and/or email her for additional details about her dolls.