| Tea Dyeing and Aging Techniques
What is the best way to creat an aged look on your
dolls? There are various techniques, including painting a doll with a mixture of
instant coffee or tea, a teaspoon of vanilla (for a yummy smell), and even adding some
cinnamon. The ratio is really up to you, it all depends on how "grungy"
you would like your finished doll to be. For a really old, worn look you might want
to try a ratio of 1/2 cup of water to 1/4 cup of your instant tea or coffee. I find
that instant tea gives a warmer look to dolls & doll clothes. If you are using
tea bags seeped in hot water for your tea dye, you will find that the brand and type of
tea will create different aged looks. After grunging the doll with your mixture, you
can lightly sand your doll (with a lightweight sandpaper), and then re-apply. Be
careful though when sanding doll's clothes and bodies as they have a tendency to rip
easily after they are tea dyed. Although I have my own techniques for tea/coffee
dyeing my dolls (which I fully explain in my pattern directions), I have found that most
doll artists develop their own aging techniqes over time. Some artists may prefer
other techniques or working with natural pigments or commercial dyes than tea or coffee
dying so that their dolls will stand the test of time.
For more information, the following pages are links which
describe many different types of techniques. You can experiment with these
techniques yourself to see what works best for you.
1. Cloth
Doll Creations ~ Instructions for tea, coffee, and onion skin dyeing, plus
instructions for simulating wear and tear, and instructions for making cinnamon dough
buttons.
2. The Homepsun
Peddler ~ Their seedpod newsletters have a wealth of information for the primitive
folk artist. This issue has tips on various methods of aging fabric, metals, and on
using stencils. Be sure to check out the other seedpod newsletters when you have the time!
3. Gail
Wilson Designs ~ Gail shares some of her endless knowledge on doll aging hints and
techniques on this page.
4. Spare Bear
~ Information on how to distress mohair when making bears.
Would you like to add your site to this list? Please email me with your website url and content information
for my review. If you would like to exchange links with my site, please use a text
link or my banner (located on my links directory page), and link it to:
http://cweb.snip.net/CountryCupboard
|
