As I look at 2025 in review. There has been some amazing art and research I have been able to create and compile this year. The doll you see on the left is my most recently finished creation. There are some other dolls in progress, that are in the chemise shift linen stage but nothing that I have patterned for a gown as of yet. So this is the doll that 2025 is closing out with, a Ebay find that was bought undressed. While the doll was styled in a more Edwardian hair style was a great option for a more Tudoresque design. Since the Victorians and Edwardians really enjoyed a Tudor Revival in their time. I find some fun in acquiring dolls of this style and giving a more accurate Tudor revival rework in clothing for these dolls. Originally I had a different wreath arrangement, after a few days of contemplation and restyling. I forewent my plan and reworked the headdress. There was a leaf ribbon that is gold leafed from Michael's Arts and Craft. I added some copper highlights to create depth. Opened the wreath wire to make it easier to style. Also put a wreath of pearls to pull those up from the jewelry. Also with the hair being darker brown this allows color to be layered. Love the periwinkle with orange brocade, this was from Pure silks. I also used a copper colored velvet for the outer gown with some gold lace accents to pull both metals into this ensemble. 
The gold colored necklace and belt were Avon jewelry with a knot like design, that I had in my costume jewelry bin for years. I find myself either shopping smaller dainty pieces for dolls or finding costume pieces that work with the more medieval to renaissance styling for their scale. Many I find second hand stores in my local area. This doll is about 24" tall compared to the smaller size 12" I had done most of the year. The gold lace was purchased from Amazon, they have a bulk feature called Haul that works similar to Temu for some cheaper small items that can be shipped together with free shipping. I find it interesting that Amazon got on the Temu train with this feature. Although money making is their game. I order trim maybe twice a year but this gives me more variety that I would find locally. Other than Holiday time, I do look at big box retail for trim at Christmas as they get more grand selection that I can use throughout the year for SCA Medieval/ Renaissance uses.
The laurel wreaths are charms I also obtained in bulk through Amazon Haul. Surprisingly decent quality for jewelry findings. This feature lets me also find some brass or copper stamping for jewelry that are not always available at local craft stores. This is something I normally purchase online since I began my journey making my own jewelry and dolls.
I love the profile of this doll, and wishing I could find more quality sculpts like this second hand, really a rare find. While I have done image searches via Etsy and Ebay the AI is not always picking up on the styling just that it's a larger porcelain doll.
There is so much more to be desired with the accuracy of AI. I do not use it for writing my research or my art whatsoever. Art really is an expression of humanity, even if we are replicating human visage though the centuries in figurines that look like us, realistic dolls, lifelike statues and movements of humanity in automations. All of these are made by human hands to display humanity, not to be humanity. The centuries of depictions are only facets that AI could hope to attain. We need to remember we are the artists, the spark that lives encased in our flesh. There is nothing that can rival our brains power to process than a computer. Humanity's creativity, ingenuity, and invention.
While I may use AI to search things or ask questions, in everyday life. It is not what so ever used in any of my art or research pieces that you find online. I also do not use it here on Blogger, I type in my imperfect style. Which is very me and that is something that is not going to change here for my readers.
As always I do like to post pictures of the back of the outfit. All the great pleats, seeing how the skirt lays compared to some of my other dolls. See the headdress from behind in this picture as well along with the standing lace. Always like to have interest from every angle. The lace for the standing ruff is from a vintage dresser scarf, I did have to do some repair on some areas but this is one of the best ways to show it off.
Going back to my original topic, checking my tally for 2025. Created Nineteen Renaissance Porcelain dolls in 2025, Two 18th century styled Vinyl 18 inch dolls dressed with Colonial Williamsburg wardrobes, and Two fantasy styled angel fairy dolls dressed in gossamer dresses. Total 24 items made this year or styled by me.
Hoping that your Holiday Season was Warm and Bright,
Maureen
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