A simple craft ideas for kids or kids' parties, these miniature dolls are constructed from paper, styrofoam, and basic craft materials. Like the original toy that fascinated young girls in the past, these tiny dolls turn inside out, from a belle of the ball in a paper skirt and broad-brimmed hat to a fancy party cupcake.
Use unlined cupcake foil to create a reversible skirt without the undecorated paper insert. Ordinary styrofoam balls are perfect for constructing the lightweight hats or cupcake tops for the dolls, but a similar top can be constructed from lightweight tissue paper mache molded to shape.
A set of two-sided paper doll templates are included with this article, but substitute versions are easy to make, using paper doll halves or other vintage public domain images like those included with this article.
Materials Needed:
- cupcake liners or cupcake foils
- miniature paper dolls (see photos below)
- scissors
- glue
- exacto knife
- Styrofoam balls (app. 3 1/2" diameter)
- glitter
- synthetic flower blossoms
- sequins, beads, and other embellishments
Constructing the Cupcakes
Print or select the paper dolls for the project. Size or choose images to be close in height to the height of the cupcake liners, only slightly shorter in order to accommodate the hat.
Cut the paper dolls out, folding the two-sided versions and gluing the two sides together, leaving the two paper tabs glue-free. Use the exacto knife to cut a small slit in the bottom of an upside-down cupcake liner; place a plastic aerosol can lid inside to use as a cutting pad.
Insert the doll's paper tabs into the slit; reach inside the liner and fold the tabs out flat against the bottom of the cupcake liner. Glue the tabs in place, leaving the doll's body extended from the flat bottom in an upright position.
Making the Cupcake Tops
Use a pair of scissors or exacto knife to cut off the top one-third of a styrofoam ball, creating a rounded hat. Measure first to ensure it fits the diameter of the cupcake foil, if desired.
Cut a small, deep slit in the bottom of the styrofoam hat, so it fits snugly on the paper doll's head. Decorate the top with a variety of embellishments, from glitter and fake flowers to sequins and beads.
Embellishing the Cupcake Dolls
Once the glue holding the tabs in place is dry, decorate the doll with sequins, glitter, or other items. Place the hat on the doll's head and reverse to transform it into a mini decorative cupcake.
Use cupcake dolls as party favors, decorations, miniature place cards, or other creative ways.
Experiment with different decorations for the top, including lightweight miniature birthday candles (unlighted, of course) in place of fake flowers or sequins. For a fun party project, let kids create and decorate their own unique cupcake dolls as a keepsake.
Sarah Briggs - For the last two years, I have designed primitive dolls and folk art sculptures (such as Edwin Drood and the Ghost of Marley) for Cordwood ...
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