Nutcracker Doll Ornament
vividly remember going to the performance of The Nutcracker Ballet as a child. So, I made sure that this outing became a tradition for my children as well. My children would look forward to the Saturday after Thanksgiving as this was the day when we would head to the ballet and officially kickoff our Christmas season. Moreover, I also remember going with my siblings to the performance of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite, Op 71a so it made sense to create an ornament collection around the theme of The Nutcracker Ballet. I specifically remember when we took my mother-in-law, Betty, to the Nutcracker to remember our time together. So, I created the Nutcracker Doll ornament inspired by my childhood memories and the memories I created with my children. This ornament holds a special place in my own ornaments collection along with my unique Nutcracker ornament.
Nutcracker Doll Ornament Design Process
After researching many productions and choreographies of The Nutcracker Ballet, I settled on a very traditional interpretation. I dressed the Nutcracker in white trousers. To design his soldier jacket, I gather my inspiration from my son’s marching band uniform. His uniform had horizontal bands decorated with golden buttons on either side. So, instead of buttons, I used gemstones to highlight its magical character. Also, I selected cotton fabrics of different shades of red and patterns for his jacket.
Like the Mouse King ornament, I fitted the Nutcracker with a pair of black boots with leather cuffs and diamond accents. And to complete his uniform, I made him a brimless tall hat, which I decorated with old jewelry charms. Next, I chose black, white, and coffee colors for his hair and mustache. Then, I hand painted his face using an extremely fine brush. The trickiest thing about making the Nutcracker was painting his face. Especially his mouth. Since I had to outline his teeth very carefully. In a way that it looked as if his mouth could open to crack a nut. Finally, I gave the Nutcracker a silver sword so he is ready to battle the Mouse King and his army of mice.
Specifications
Year Designed
2017
Size
Actual size may vary, approximately 1.75” x 1.75” x 5.5”
Materials
Fabric, cardboard, ribbons, old jewelry, felt, beads, sequins, leather, food-picks, faux-fur, wood pegs, wood knobs, plastic gemstones.
Note: Given the handmade nature of the ornament, all ornaments are different. The pictures depict just one sample of the ornament.
Terry Bevis –
We purchased three Nutcracker Dolls for our now-grown nieces as a remembrance of the ballet we treated them to annually as little girls. They were ecstatic to receive them! Catalina’s imagination, creativity, and attention to detail are so outstanding. Every little thing is well thought out, especially color, choice, and scale. To enter her beautifully designed booth and to try and choose from among her many exquisite figures is a monumental decision. Each miniature character is more captivating than the next!
Cecilia –
It is amazing how Catalina manages to transform recycled materials into unique collector’s items with such details associated with the character. The
Nutcracker Doll has black boots and his sword