Hands & Fingers... A Mini-Tutorial!

My approach to this newest doll's hands and fingers

was a bit different... Though I often use wire and masking tape;

the application of the wire is new.

I began by bending florist's paper stem wire (18 gauge)

in the basic shape of the palm of a hand,

and then extended the wire long enough 

to include the wrist and forearm.

Then, using a needle-nose pliers I bent lengths of

18 gauge craft wire in half; long enough to equal

the length of each finger.  

(I wanted short, stubby fingers for this doll)

Using Alleene's fast grab tacky glue.

I glued each finger to the florist's paper stem wire hands

and allowed them to dry overnight.

After the tacky glue was dry, 

I wrapped the palm of each hand and the wrists  

with masking tape.  The masking tape provides 

a good surface for the paper clay to adhere to.

I decided to bend the fingers of his left hand,

in order to allow this doll to hold an object later.

I used my faithful little needle-nosed pliers again

to gently give the fingers some shape.

Next step will be... sculpt those little hands with paper clay!

I hope this was helpful... in some small measure!

Warm Wishes, Daryle