2011 Traveling Collection Dolls

Sorry for not posting these shots sooner, it's been all hustle and bustle in St. Petersburg.

Here are the new dolls (or newly finished dolls) that are part of the 2011 ED Traveling Collection:

Cixi

Chandelier

Swan Princess (updated)

Stepmother

Cinderella

These dolls (and others) will be on display at the Doll Time International doll exhibition at the Union of Artists exhibition center from June 10th-13th in St. Petersburg.

Traveling Collection 2011 in St.Petersburg

This is a group shot of my traveling collection, minus Snow White, Prince and Dunyazada, who didn't fit in frame (out of aesthetic considerations). Most of these dolls are mine, kept in my own personal collection for traveling shows, however, there are some new, recently finished dolls such as Cixi, Crystal Chandelier, the Wife, Stepmother (formerly Aisha) and an upgraded Swan Princes with a new face and body (didn't like the old one). A few of those dolls are for sale. Price list and individual photos of the new dolls coming up shortly. Sorry to keep you guessing still, but we're just so busy right at this moment, tying all the loose ends here, in St. Petersburg. We haven't had time to see anything yet, due to the show preparations. Our hotel right across from the Hermitage museum, which is awesome, because that's the first place I want to visit once we're done work.

Stay tuned.

Enchanted Doll contest guess #1

Like I mentioned before, there were three contestants who've actually guessed my current projects. It felt weird; as if these people were peering into my soul. Here is guess number one, made by Noxy. This is her entry.

And this one is my current project: Domestic Abuse.

Although our concepts are a little bit different, the theme of captivity and abuse are shared. In my project this captivity is emotional and figurative, while in Noxy's proposal it is physical and literal, with a bit of a kinky slant.

Noxy, you get a little gift for guessing this doll!

I wasn't going to show her until much later when she is finished and costumed, but when I saw your proposal, I thought it was a sign from the universe to unveil and expedite this project.

Actually, once I had taken this photo, I became really disturbed by it, as it reminded me of the infamous murder and crime scene of  Black Dahlia. It was unintentional on my part.

My doll is not supposed to be dead; just battered by her abusive, controlling and jealous husband. It's still in progress. I'm deciding what kind of costuming would me most appropriate for a message of awareness. It's scary for me to think that there are many, many men in this world who objectify women as if they are only dolls to be possessed by them and shared with no one.

Well, on that note: Guessed project number 2 is coming up.

Cixi dress near completion

I almost can't believe it: After two years of work and with only a few more weeks of embroidery left to go, Empress Cixi's extravagant robe is almost complete! This is a bad snapshot, though. But I was too impatient to set up the proper light kit for an unfinished piece.

Over the last two years, it required a ridiculous number of hours to embroider this mammoth; so many, that i lost count somewhere after six hundred. This is my Titanic.

I haven't began making the shoes yet; a pair of pretty Manchu slippers on tall pedestals. However, I've been having second thoughts about them lately. This is supposed to be her 'wedding' night robe when she became Xian Feng Emperor's concubine, and I'm beginning to think that the shoes would be almost inappropriate in this composition. But I do love making shoes just for the sake of making shoes....so...it's a tough call for me. Perhaps it could be some sort of a variation of high pedestal bed chamber slippers, I donno.....What do you think: shoes or no shoes?

Twenty To Midnight-upcoming London show

Here are some preview shots of my new doll-Twenty To Midnight. She is going to a show in London at the end of this month.

Twenty To Midnight is a one of a kind tattooed doll, featuring a silver-plated, limited edition bronze casting of a hand carved Rococo wig sculpture. The wig is magnetic and removable, with one of a kind gemstone accents of 6 Pink Tourmalines and 2 Rubies.

Midnight's china face painting was loosely inspired by Audrey Kawasaki's beautiful girls.

Midnight's silver-plated, bronze slippers are accented with solitaire Rubies, glass beads and tiny bows.

The finished wig weighs only 119.1 grams, or 4.2 ounces and is relatively light compared to some of my other metal head ornaments, such a Sterling Snowflake crown or a Sterling Cathedral crown. I am immensely pleased with how it turned out, as I really didn't anticipate such a close fit to the contours of the head because of the shrinkage and inevitable warping of the model during molding and casting. The inside of the wig is lined with layers of soft leather to maximize the tightness of contact.

We are still working on the web gallery for Twenty To Midnight, but I'll post more photos and information for her on Monday or Tuesday.

Today I have to get her ready for shipment.

Ruby on ebay! Listing number 330500804771

Listing number 330500804771

Ruby by Enchanted Doll -a ball jointed, porcelain doll.

Listing number 330500804771

Starting Price: $4,050 USD

Ruby is a brand new, hand made, ball jointed, porcelain doll with a unique steel spring articulation and a permanent China painting and blushing on her features and body. Her removable, magnetic wig is hand made from soft, natural mohair and can be washed and styled with ease. Ruby can mimic a wide range of human movements and has a custom-made, flexible stand to support her without restricting her flexibility. She comes with a beautiful custom tin box for easy storage and transportation.

Her china-painted, porcelain complexion renders her permanently resistant to UV radiation and non-absorbent of any kind of dirt, such as finger oil, solvent and many other chemicals. The doll can be safely wiped down with water and/or cleaning agents to easily remove any dirt or dust without ever removing her china paint. However, the doll must not be immersed in water to prevent corrosion of the metal springs inside her. Like all Enchanted Dolls, Ruby is very well balanced, but she must always be supported by stand when in standing position for maximum safety.

Items included in this auction are: 1) A nude Enchanted Doll Ruby, 2) a flexible metal stand 3) a removable, magnetic wig and 4) a custom tin box. The outfits and accessories shown in photographs are NOT a part of this auction. All of the above mentioned items are made entirely by hand and I, Marina Bychkova, am their maker.

A full payment must me made within 7 days of the auction’s end to receive Ruby by Christmas. However, a 30-day layaway plan is available upon request. In case of layaway, a 50% NON- REFUNDABLE deposit must be paid within 7 days of auction’s end in order to hold the doll for the duration of layaway. Payment accepted through paypal. International shipping is available.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

The Auction runs until Dec 02, 201022:31:56 EST

Also, what is your favorite picture of Ruby?

Enchanted Doll nude going on ebay soon

Dear Enchanted Doll Fans:

My Christmas gift to you this year is not only the launch of that elusive resin line, but also an ebay auction of a Porcelain nude doll!

It's been almost a year since my last ebay auction, and I thought that perhaps it's time to hold another one for my poster girl Ruby. It's been a long time since I had made a Ruby, but she is one of my most beloved dolls and I really look forward to working on her again. I'm casting the parts today and plan to work around the clock in order to hold the auction around November 25th. That way she can arrive to her new owner just in time for Christmas. Gift wrapped and everything.

I'll be posting shots of Ruby at every stage of the process as she progresses towards completion, so that you can get acquainted with her as she is born.

Bronze clad girls

I have a special fondness for bronze cast pieces. These are the dolls from my own collection, wearing their bronze crowns. I'm going to add my favorite crow helmet to it soon. I like to keep a prototype of everything I make (when possible)in my own collection, so as to assemble a decent Enchanted Doll traveling exhibition sometime down the road. One of a a kind costumed pieces are impossible to reproduce of course, as replicating something that takes months to create would drive me insane, but that's what makes them so special after all.

I think that the snow flake crown looks better when combined with this Sulamith Wulfing-inspired, printed 'peasant' dress. It makes it look even more Russian. Yeah, I think I'll keep her just like this.

Some ED resin dolls up close

The face of Vega

Vega is a very bright star located in the constellation of Lyra only 25 light years from Earth. Fourteen thousand years ago it used to be our North Pole star and will be so again in another eleven thousand years. Meanwhile it's still one of the most brilliant stars in our night sky, captivating our imagination and inspiring a magical sense of wonder at the mysteries of the universe.

The face Andromeda

Andromeda is a captivatingly beautiful and mysterious, spiral galaxy approximately two and a half million light years from Earth. It was named after princess Andromeda from Greek mythology, who was also breathtakingly beautiful. The Andromeda Galaxy is approaching the Milky Way Galaxy at around 140 km per second and is expected to collide with us in approximately 4.5 billion years, perhaps creating a new, elliptical galaxy. Maybe then we will discover some of the secrets it hides within its luminous haze.

The face of CassiopeiaIn

Greek Mythology Queen Cassiopeia was Andromeda's mother. She was a vain and proud woman who boasted of her striking beauty, earning herself the wrath of the gods. Today, Cassiopeia is a constellation of the northern sky, whose distinct W shape dominates the skies with her presence and like a beautiful queen, commands the admiration of all who gaze at her.

More new resin dolls coming in December.

Beauty and the Beast, or the Stockholm syndrome in fairy tales.

Beauty and the Beast, or the Stockholm syndrome in fairy tales.2010The Stockholm syndrome is a human defense mechanism in life-threatening situations. Medical dictionaries define Stockholm syndrome as an extraordinary phenomenon in which a hostage begins to identify with and grow sympathetic to their captor, essentially mistaking a lack of abuse as an act of kindness.

In my opinion, the fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast is a romanticized hostage situation, where the Beast is a narcissistic sociopath, while the Beauty is his vulnerable hostage who is losing touch with reality and falling in love with her captor to survive a deeply traumatizing ordeal.

Moreover, the very act of romanticizing a fundamentally disturbing account of a woman’s abduction, subjugation and unlawful imprisonment into a pretty fairy tale to teach girls compassion and kindness towards monsters, seems to be a manifestation of a Stockhom syndrome in itself, perhaps to facilitate survivial in a world of systematic abuse and violence against women.

Materials and Construction:

Ball jointed, porcelain doll, unique steel spring articulation, permanent China paint finish, hand cast limited edition Sterling Silver helmet with one of a kind accents of Bali silver, detachable French bridal veil with Swarowsky and Cubic Zirconium crystals, hand cast Sterling Silver stilettos, Grey Moonstone cabochon pendant, Bali silver accessories, floral motif engraving on arms and abdomen inspired by William Morris print, removable magnetic wig of ultra-fine natural Mohair, genuine leather lining in the joints and a custom welded steel stand.

Available for sale at the SHOWstudio gallery in London.

New doll-Beauty and the Beast.

This is what I've been up to lately: working on this new doll for the group show in London at the Show Studio gallery. The exhibition "In Wolf's Clothing" will open on September 9th and will run throughout the London fashion week and until the end of October.The gargoyle in the shot for composition purpose only. It doesn't come with the doll and I didn't make it. It's a bookend by Windstone, that I grabbed off my bookshelf as I roamed my place in search of fresh photo props. It worked out perfectly. I don't know why I never noticed it before. It's like it was waiting for this specific doll to be made to suddenly come to my attention.I'll post more pictures of her within a day or two. Too tired now. Must sleep. So much exciting stuff is happening this month.....You'll see.

More pictures of Silk Road

New tattoed doll-The Silk Road

The Silk Road. 2010$15,000 USDA one of a kind, ball jointed, Porcelain doll with intricate engravings of the henna motif on her limbs. Her one of a kind Sterling Silver headdress weighing 36.5 grams is assembled from multiple, prefabricated components and set with 17 Fresh Water Pearls.  The detachable Natural Mohair wig is magnetic and a decorative Glass dome display is included with the doll.The Silk Road will become available for sale on August 7th, at the Artful Henna exhibition in the Art Not Terminal Gallery, Seattle, USA. You can contact the director of Artful Henna exhibition Kree Arvanitas for purchasing inquiries at artfulhenna.comI'll be posting some more close ups and portraits of Silk in two other wigs (not included) on August 7th, on the opening night.I'll be away until then and will not be available to answer any questions in regards to this doll or the show until I return to the studio. For once, I'm unable to bring my laptop with me. You can certainly write me while I'm away and I will address any inquiries as soon as I'm back. Enjoy the pictures. Ta Ta.

Artful Henna exhibition in Seattle!

Today I'm finishing a new, one of a kind tattooed doll for the Artful Henna group exhibition at the "Art Not Terminal" gallery in Seattle, USA. The Opening night gala is on Saturday, August 7th. The show is centered around the theme of henna motif and I'm very excited to be a part of it, amongst the many talented and renowned artists who work in this highly decorative genre.Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the opening night due to a scheduling conflict and will have to go to Seattle at a later time to see the exhibition.This is an up close shot of a work in progress henna tattoo on the left hand. This is the most intricate tattooing I've done up to date and I'm very pleased with how much detail I was able to fit into the tiny hands and feet of the doll. It wasn't easy and my own fingers ached from the tremendous strain of engraving on such a small scale. I'm very anxious to see it completed, as it's been a year since I've done my last henna tattooed doll. I simply love the aesthetic and the diversity of henna and wish I could make many more dolls with it, but the complexity of engraving it takes a lot out of me. That's why I have to space out my henna projects quite a bit.I'll be posting another shot of henna close up tomorrow and pictures of a completed doll, along with the purchasing information on Sunday.