Urban explorers and photographers have a tendency to keep exact locations a secret, but somewhere in Spain lies a porcelain doll factory that was abandoned decades ago. The business was dropped in a hurry, it seems, as many half-made dolls and doll-making equipment was left behind to decay. See a collection of photographs from inside, and read about the history of the porcelain doll business at Environmental Graffiti. Link

(Image source: Abandonalia)

Yesterday, I posted Anthony Bordain’s great Krampus Carol and now for those of you who want a terrifying reminder of the evil Christmas character inside your own home, you can always look to this great doll from Shove Mink of Croshame. While the link doesn’t have any directions to make your own, the pictures can still provide you with a good starting point if you’re already a skilled crocheter.

Link Via Laughing Squid

Who would have thought that the deranged version of the Joker from the Dark Knight films would make a great getup for a little boy doll? Apparently someone from WorldBox, an Asian toy manufacturer who also thought it would be endearing to label the ads “Take Happiness Home”. More like “Your Kid Will Never Sleep Again”, or “Joker, Now With Diapers!”  *shivers*

Link –via SuperPunch

Well, the good news is that this isn’t one of those dolls that pees. Though “I changed Chewbacca’s diaper” would make a great t-shirt, it’s probably not a good experience.

eBay seller eyelovelucy makes realistic (as in semi-human looking) Han, Leia, Luke, and Chewy dolls. You need them to round out your action figure collection.

Link -via Technabob | Previously: Baby Chewbacca

DeviantArt user Santani creates unbelievably cool fantasy creatures with fabric, clay and fur. The designs are simply amazing and incredibly realistic even though the creatures are obviously imaginary.

Link Via BuzzFeed

If you miss watching him paint little happy trees, then you can always make your own Bob Ross doll to paint tiny masterpieces on your desktop. At least, that’s what Allison Hoffman of Crafty is Cool did.

Link Via Craftzine

If you love Ron Swanson from Parks & Recreation, then rejoice, you can finally have your own version at home thanks to these delightful paper dolls. He even comes with his own Mulligan’s restaurant bib.

Link Via BuzzFeed

Debbie Ritter at Uneek Doll Designs captures real people in doll form in a way in which anyone would recognize them. Each is hand-painted one at a time, and the selection is incredible! Where else could you get a doll that looks like Percy Shelley or Willie Nelson or Teddy Roosevelt? Pictured here are Thomas Edison, Madeline L’Engle, Jane Goodall, Edgar Allan Poe, Maya Angelou, John Adams, and Eleanor Roosevelt, all available at her Etsy shop. Link -via Everlasting Blort

Previously: Ritter’s Susan Boyle Doll.

How would you like to have a doll action figure with your own face? Danny Choo goes through the process of becoming a plastic clone at Clone Factory in Japan to show you how it’s done, from the photography to the 3D printing to the finished doll. You can have one made, too, for the low price of 138,000 yen -and a trip to Japan. Link -via Metafilter

Because you’ve always wanted to know, right? It’s a fairly straightforward process. Cut off the doll’s head and then saw off the top of her skull. Next, cut the stem of the plastic wine glass (or a glass one, if you’re daring) at the level so that the top will fit over the hole in the doll’s neck. Shove them together, pour wine, and serve.

Link via The Breda Fallacy‘s Facebook page | Photo: Edith Zimmerman

As advertising becomes an ever-bigger part of our television experience, advertising characters are becoming pop culture icons. Hero Builders is offering a limited edition line of action figures based on characters from commercials. From the left, the Allstate Insurance “Mayhem” Guy, Dos Equis’ Most Interesting Man in the World, and the Old Spice Guy. There are two versions of the Old Spice Guy, one for all ages, and an anatomically-correct version for adults only. All of them talk, too! Link -via AOL News

In The Twilight Zone episode “Living Doll“, a young girl is given a doll. Talky Tina, as she is known, speaks cute phrases to the girl, but death threats against the child’s father. Now you can have one in your own home! Entertainment Earth is selling Talky Tina replicas which say the following phrases:

“My name is Talky Tina, and I love you very much.”
“My name is Talky Tina, and I don’t think I like you.”
“My name is Talky Tina, and you’d better be nice to me.”
“My name is Talky Tina, and you’ll be sorry.”
“My name is Talky Tina, and I’m going to kill you.”

Link via Geek Dad

Alesia Newman-Breen sculpts dolls as characters from movies, TV, and literature. Each doll is one-of-a-kind and captures the look of the subject in a way no mass-produced doll can.She also does custom dolls that look like people you know! Link -via Nag on the Lake

Link – Via Book Of Joe

We’ve previously featured a cat surgery-themed valentine by Hine Mizushima. One of her more recent works is called “Sea Cuties”, and consists of dolls with pirate hooks for hands. They’ll be on display at the Plush You LA crafting festival during August and September of this year.

Link via Super Punch

Craftster user gorgaus, as an art installation, put on a fashion show in which the women participating wore enormous plastic sleepy-eye doll heads.

They are made from fibreglass. They are quite light, they have a stem at the back of the neck that leads down to the waist where there is a back brace so all the weight is on their hips. The wigs are heavier than the heads, especially the geisha style one. They used dancers instead of models cause they thought they might have more strength and balance.

More pictures at the link. And in the comment thread, gorgaus provides detailed technical descriptions.

Link via Matthew Caverhill

We’ve all heard someone complain about the stereotypes and sexism associated with Barbies, but now Democrat Jeff Eldridge wants to have the dolls banned in West Virginia. He claims the dolls encourage girls to focus too much importance on looks, rather than brains.

The announcement came right as Mattel is prepping up to celebrate Barbie’s 50th birthday on March 9th.

What are your thoughts, classic American icon or symbol of of an outdated 50′s mentality?

Link Photo Via CherrySoda [Flickr]

I have to love this stripus africanis sample. When you purchase them, you even get a nice little biological info about the species. The strupus africanis enjoys grass, cereal and Snickers bars.

“This ideal stripus africanus specimen has been stuffed and retains all of its original features. This bust would be an excellent trophy to add to your collection. A small plate on the bottom identifies its genus and species. The wood plaque that it is mounted on measures 5×7″ (or 13x18cm for our continental friends) and is pre-drilled on the back for easy hanging.”

Link Via Cute Overload

These little dolls are adorable and clever. I want a set! There are plenty more images and close ups on artist Matt Brown’s site.

Link