Knock Me Down! A More Colorful Solution...

For about 6 years now I've been making these Tillie version Knock Down Dolls in fun, circus-themed colors. The seafoam version was to match the color of the Palace Amusements building in Asbury Park, where Tillie's smiling countenance watched over children of all ages for decades.

An orange version was perfect for clowning around. Bright and cheery and colorfully circus-y.

And a royal blue version gave nod to a spiffy, more dressed up Tillie. And in all those years, I've sold over 100 of them.... with no complaints from the crowd.

Then, one day... I was like, "Hey! How about some new colors?" which was quickly followed by, "Duh!" and a head-slap. So, I decided to try out a pink version, to perhaps appeal to the ladies out there... a dusty lavender version, because I was feeling dandy... and a teal version, well, just for something different.

The exciting part was that I had just been contacted by someone who previously purchased one of my Knock Down Dolls and wanted to buy 5 more — in all different colors — to make a boardwalk themed display. And with the 3 new colors, I just so happened to be able to give her exactly what she wanted. A more colorful solution!

And since I was already fiddling with faux fur, sitting at the sewing machine, had hammer and tacks handy, and ribbons galore to rummage through... I made 2 whole sets. One for my patron and the other for you! To see all my Tillies in their fabulously amusing glory, you can visit my Etsy shop and click on Knock Down Dolls in the sidebar.

What a Knockout.. I Mean Knock-Down!

A few months ago, I created a custom Knock Down Doll order for a couple's wedding reception. They were having a boardwalk-themed event and wanted a bride and groom doll — as well as a pack of Georgia Bulldogs — for an actual arcade-style game they were going to set up. These particular dolls were actually modeled after the real bride and groom... but the assignment gave me an idea!

My longtime Tillie-style Knock Down Doll should have a bride!

And so I went to work on a design, giving him a tux and tails with a striped vest and boutonniere. The new bride was dressed in white with bow detailing, ruffle edging and a bouquet of pretty red roses.

The fun part is always when I get to see them come to life. Adding the little details like a handmade ribbon bow for the groom...

...and real lace trim for the bottom of the bride's gown.

I created a new-style couple...

...and a distressed bride and groom (hey, we all know one of those, right?), made to look aged and worn-in (or out)!

But I have to say that the most fun I had was posing these Knock Down Dolls in... well... shall we say.... appropriate positions for my photo shoot. This one just cracked me up to no end. It pretty much sums it up.... what a knockout!

The bride and groom Knock Down Dolls are now available in my Etsy shop. Choose from new style, a distressed worn-in duo, and I can also take custom orders for civil union couples! Makes a great engagement or wedding gift for that boardwalk, circus or carnival-loving couple.

Knock-Down Doll Mania!

Welcome to the Tillie Knock-Down Doll Manufacturing Facility! The past few weeks I've been knee deep in orders for my popular arcade game doll... and it's not over yet!

First I had an Art Show to get ready for. I wanted to make sure I had enough to draw a crowd.

Next, the Bamboozle Concert is coming to the Asbury Park boardwalk this weekend, so I wanted to have plenty for Bamboozlers to buy as souvenirs.

And simultaneously, I've been working on a wedding order for 30 custom dolls for a couple doing a boardwalk theme! So I definitely want to make the happy couple... happy!

About two more weeks of work to go and I can breathe again!

New In The Shop... Tillie Knock Down Dolls!

While it may seem like these vintage-looking, arcade-style dolls came from a carnival museum, they're actually straight from my imagination. Inspired by old-fashioned boardwalk games and a lifetime spent at the shore, I created these Knock-Down Dolls with the likeness of my favorite Asbury Park icon - Tillie.

Available in new, unused-looking styles as well as well-loved and time-worn versions, each Knock-Down Doll is hand made by me and features my own illustrations.

Showcased in a multitude of bright, circus-inspired colors... each doll is outfitted with wild and crazy faux fur.

They're decked out with individual, coordinating ribbon trim in all types of colors and styles.... and finished with vintage steel tacks.

Each one sits on a sturdy 1" thick wooden base that's been silksreened with the Knock-Down Doll logo... and they're numbered, dated, and signed by me!

These one-of-a-kind modern throwbacks are the perfect addition to your boardwalk, carnival or circus collection... and they make the perfect holiday gift for your amusement-loving friends! Available in the Carnival and Circus Fun section of my Etsy shop or pick one up in person at Flying Saucers in Asbury Park, NJ.

Miles and Miles and Miles of Smiles...

Heyyyyy... what's going on in there? I wanna see! I wanna see! I wanna see! Well, my little Tillie Knock Down Doll friend... it's...

....time to make more Tillies! And Michelle has been hard at work, silk screening and hand painting each and every one of them. Then finding the perfect matching vintage textiles and old canvas bags to re-purpose for the backs of all these one-of-a-kind, arcade-style dolls.

Hand trimming lots and lots of faux fur pieces and pairing them up with each doll is a big part of the process too. Pinning and sewing come next and that's what's going on this week. Michelle said that's the hardest part and that mom is going to help with some of the pinning.... yay!

But I do know that Michelle loves every step of the process when it comes to making each Knock Down Doll as unique and authentic as possible. Just like the old boardwalk and carnival game versions. She gets lost in all the tiny little details. I can barely get her attention to stop for a moment and get a bite to eat sometimes! Can you imagine? Forgetting to eat because you're making art!

But something tells me she's been doing this for way too long. Not sure what it is. But something tells me...