Spirited Enterprise

 

Did you know?

In a pinch, a Barbie/Ken doll, as long as it is new, will work for a poppet just as well as anything you make yourself! It doesn’t have to be the most expensive doll on the shelf - one from a dollar store works just as well. With just a few alterations, you will be able to create the perfect poppet.

Supplies -

Scissors

A big package of permanent sharpies

Art clay or molding clay in the same color as the skin of your target

It’s important that the doll you choose for your poppet somewhat resemble the target. It doesn’t need to be exact - as long as something about the doll reminds you of the person in question, you're good. Don’t over-analyze it.

Personally, I have found that, as long as you can match the dolls hair color to the target, you've got yourself a good poppet. If you know that the target often dyes their hair, that’s OK too - just choose a doll matching the target's current color. If the targets hair is gray, try to find out what their original hair color was.

If you can’t find the right hair color - choose a doll with blonde hair - use your sharpies and color the hair yourself.

Sometimes, when my creative juices are flowing, I will cut the dolls hair to match the targets haircut. This is not a styling competition so if you don’t get it just right, that’s OK.

You can use the sharpies for eye color too. Since most manufactures pair certain eye colors with certain hair colors, you can easily use a permanent marker to make the dolls eyes the color you need.

Alter the doll as you see fit - if your target wears glasses, use your sharpie and draw the doll some glasses.

If they have tattoos, get creative and recreate them as best you can with your markers.

You can even add freckles, moles, birthmarks, bigger lips, etc.

If your target is a little plumper than Barbie, put your clay to good use and mold the body into the shape you need - when you do this for the first time, you'll be amazed what you can do. It’s easy to get caught up in the details - muscles, bigger butts, saggy butts, pot bellies, saggy arms, bigger boobs, saggy boobs, bigger feet, fatter thighs, the possibilities are endless.

Again, it doesn’t have to be perfect.

You can add oils and herbs to your poppet as well. Make sure to do your research so that the supplies you choose match what you're trying to accomplish. You can simply anoint the doll in an oil/herb mixture or you can pop off the dolls head (carefully) and fill the body cavity and/or head with your concoction. The dollar store dolls are great for this. Use cotton balls and stuff the body/head cavities when you’re finished so that your mixtures stay in place.

If you get the head off and see that there is no way to fill the doll, you can always cut a slit (carefully) in the dolls back, fill it using a syringe, stuff as many cotton balls (break them if you have to) as you can and then seal the slit with sealing wax. I usually stuff the cotton balls using a nail file. If you use a colored wax, once it’s dry, cover the wax with your skin colored clay.

Don’t forget to write the targets name on the doll somewhere. Also, you can write down your intent on a piece of paper and stuff it in the head or body cavity. If you have access to personal items (hair, nail clippings, a button etc) don’t forget to add those to the body cavity for personalization.

You can add clothes and accessories if you like. Some people like to sew their own. Other people buy outfits that fit the target’s personality.

If you're using this poppet for a binding, don’t forget the proper supplies. For light, but effective bindings, I use black ribbon or cotton cord (for knot work). For more strict bindings, I use black electrical or duct tape. If you really want to get ugly, use rusty wire - you can purchase a cheap roll of jewelry wire in the craft section. To get the rusty effect, unwind and soak in water overnight - or, leave it outside for a week and let nature do the work for you.

 Take into consideration your intent - if you've got someone running around gossiping or making up lies, you're going to want to tape their mouth shut. Although it is just as effective to place a small piece of tape over the mouth, most people like to wrap a piece around the whole head, covering the mouth. If someone is sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong, bind the nose.

There is no right or wrong way - you have to do what feels right to you. It is your intent, after all, that brings this poppet into power.