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Beautiful and Lovely Ptaha Dolls by Nadezhda Bogdanovich

ptaha dolls

Nadezhda Bogdanovich

Nadezhda Bogdanovich was born and lives in Kyiv. She loves this green city, especially Podol district. Nadezhda is in love with creativity since childhood; her first picture was painted by mom’s lipstick on the wallpapers at the age of 3. When Nadezhda was 4 her mother took her to the Art School in Kyiv, where she has been comprehending the various techniques in art during eight years.

Nadezhda still remembers this atmosphere of childhood, depicted easels, glass jars with water and a pleasant smell of paint. However, most of all she liked to go to university; there were a lot of creative people with similar interests but with completely different outlooks. And again, she encountered with easels, clay models. But there Nadezhda was treated like an adult person, as a future specialist in design.

‘Landscape design, interior design, post processing of images, teaching origami for kids, of course, interior details – are something you want to touch, and yet so many exciting and interesting things that you can make with your own hands putting the soul into them’, – Nadezhda says.

ptaha dollsAP: Your first works. What did they look like?

NB: I was urged to a wedding subject area in my works thanks to this great event that happened in my life – our wedding day. I wanted to make all the accessories myself and it gave me a lot of fun to sew with lace and beads our wedding glasses, a pillow for the rings, candles, baskets of petals. And when I became a wife, all those things were settled in the niches of our bedroom. Our wedding area is a talisman of our family. And one of the niche was not filled. I could not understand what exactly was missed on the place for a long time, but suddenly I was lit up with idea. It was the bride! And that is how the first bride appeared (a self-portrait).

Of course, what girl does not like to boast to her friends about her needlework and I am no exception. My friends liked my works and they ordered couple of dolls. Each doll is similar to its new owner, and it carries the memories of that wonderful day when hearts are joined into one…

ptaha dolls AP: Do you have any formal education in your sphere or were you self-taught?

NB: I received a degree in the interior and landscape design, but if you are inspired, there is no need to restrict your imagination in art. Everything is connected with each other. Everything has the same basics of composition, color, style and them most important is to have the presence of inspiration.

AP: How would you describe your works?

NB: Ptaha dolls are made of natural materials, they sewed by hands, the dolls are very comfortable and they very differ from the factory ones, which are sold at stores. Initially the dolls were only as interior toys. You may put the doll on a dresser, hang it in the bathroom near towels, the dolls fit very organically to a baby’s room. Having participated at the ethnic festival “Krajina mriy” (“The Country of Dreams”), I noticed the reaction of kids at my works at masters’ alley. I was very surprised that in today’s world of bright plastic Barbie, kids love rag dolls. I remember  that one little girl hug my doll and with eyes full of joy, said to me thank you! I still can not forget those eyes.

ptaha dollsMy little niece is also delighted with these dolls. Her favorite doll is “Gymnast”, which I sewed especially for her (my niece is engaged in artistic gymnastics). In addition, the handmade dolls which are liked by children, may become an unforgettable gift for adults. Each person has his or her own peculiarities in appearance and character, and if the gift turns out to be a doll, which you can know yourself in, the gift will be much more pleasant.

AP: What genre are your works?

NB: The object of my inspiration is an amazing designer Tonе Finnanger, so most of my toys “in Tildastyle”. My favorite styles are loft and shabby-chic. I am planning to make series of dolls with the typical naivete and tenderness shabby style.

AP: What kind of equipment and techniques do you use?

NB: In the first place I need different tissues to start working on my doll. I use linen, cotton, calico, felt and other natural fabrics. If I cannot find appropriate shade of flax for creating the doll’s body, it can be painted when boiling in a solution of coffee and cinnamon. Holofiber is the best suited material for the filling. It shall not break and finished doll may be easily washed in the future. Of course a lot of details still need to be added – they are laces, ribbons, buttons, flowers. The greater variety of materials, the easier it is to create a complete image of a doll. Because to think about what will be a doll, what character it’ll have, to think about its color of eyes, hair, clothes, what interior it will be placed in, what owner it will have is the most difficult, but interesting task.

ptaha dolls

AP: Would you consider yourself as an expert in this sphere?

NB: Rather no, than yes. But I hope that thanks to the diligence and experience, after a long period of time I will be confident that it I may consider myself an expert.

AP: Is there someone who helps you in your creativity?

NB: My husband is the most severe critic of my works, he is always nagging and objective. Therefore, his support is very important to me.

AP: What are your plans for the future?

NB: There are many ideas to realize. I want to create a collection of various dolls in one single style. I also think about textile things for the home and not only. After a wonderful experience at the “Krajina mriy” (“The Country of Dreams”) now I have a great desire to participate in the exhibition of “Fashion Doll”. It takes place in Kiev twice a year.

Ptaha Dolls by Nadezhda Bogdanovich

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