Kerrie Sawyer has been making charming little fairies originally as OOAK dolls and now as BJDs. Her latest BJDs are now being sold through her Throughthemagicdoor Etsy store.
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Q: Can you give me some background on your self?
A: I started sculpting in 1985 when my children were small. I produced a range of fantasy lamps and mushroom fairies etc… with my then-partner. An international gift company reproduced the range under “through the magic door” and distributed them world-wide. I still get asked for these. In the late ’90’s I started working with polymer clay. Up til then, I worked with porcelain clay. We had a factory and supplied 70 shops in Australia, mostly fairy shops.
Q: I understand that you came to BJDs recently after making dolls in other materials. Can you tell me more about your previous dolls?
A: My love of fairies is my passion. My Grandmother and aunty were amazing seamstresses who hand-sewed wedding dresses and who used to hand-sew me outfits for my Barbies. My daughter, Celia Anne Harris, is also a fairy sculptor who’s art blows me away and inspires me, and my sister is a talented fine artist – truly a family affair.
Q: Do you still make dolls in other materials, or are you making resin BJDs exclusively at this time?
A: A BJD collector asked me if she could use one of my faes as an avatar on The Resin Cafe, and there the BJD journey under the guidance of Grace fromJpop Dolls began. I still sculpt with polymer, but due to my body being worn out due to so many years of sculpting, I would like to work eventually just with BJDs.
Q: So did you know much about BJDs before you met Grace at the Resin Cafe?
A: I had been admiring BJDs through doll magazines. I released four dolls with Grace through Jpop. Yindi and fair skin Erf are the first dolls I’m releasing myself.
Q: What do you like about BJDs?
A: I love the posability changeability and durability of BJDs. I have been sculpting 5 inch poseable fairies, all one of a kind, for years now. That is the size I’ve based the BJDs on, but I love the fact that with resin casts more people can enjoy the same doll in different coloured wigs, eyes, outfits etc… and that you can completely change a doll’s look and personality. As with all doll makers, my aim is to create the illusion of life, though with fairies its a wee bit different reality! I love to try and make fairies that seem real. Though Lulu Rose and Kyn were fantasy, Bubble Pop and Yindi are more the direction I would like to go with BJDs as they are more like little girl fairies. I love having them the size you can fit in your hand.
Q: You also make felted outfits for your dolls and accessories. Can you tell me more about them?
A: I love to dress the faes in handmade felts as it’s just what I can imagine fairies making their outfits from. Plus I love earthy materials with a bit of sparkle in them. My Daughter Celia Harris does this perfectly with her sculpts and she constantly inspires me.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: At the moment, I am taking pics of Yindi and having fun dressing her. I’m waiting on some glass eyes, then I will be releasing Yindi pre-orders in an earthy blue and fair skin. “Yindi” Means “sun” in the original peoples of Australia’s language, and reflects my connection with nature and my heritage. It’s nature that constantly inspires me. I see fairies in all the nature that surrounds me as I live in paradise in a very spiritual part of Australia, the most easterly point. I am so grateful for everyone that has helped and inspired me on my dolly fae BJD journey, and even though I’m now a grandma, I’m still learning every day.
Photos above from top: OOAK fairy, Kyn.
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Yindi:
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Erf:
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Kyn:
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Lulu Rose:
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Bubble Pop:
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OOAK Dolls:
