Then the dolls are fired for several hours in the kiln. The next step is painting-applying skin tones and highlights and painting eyelashes, eyebrows and lips. After each application of color, the doll must be fired. The average doll is fired about four times, they said. Painting eyes may require several colors and firings.
Hair is then selected, the doll is assembled and the women make or buy clothes.
Some of their work involves making dolls to resemble specific persons, and for these, they work from photographs to customize the dolls. The women frequently work on consignment, and many of their creations are living with satisfied owners around the country. Arrants and Duncan have participated in the University's craft fair and hope to enter their dolls in a doll show in the future.