Bozo (really)

Bozo is a character doll for collectors age 8 and up. He is 22" tall. Bozo was purchased on January 6, 2013.

Bob Bell (aka Bozo the Clown) was an American actor whose creativity and talent brought laughter to audiences of millions over the course of his career. Bell was born in 1922 in Flint, Michigan to a General Motors factory worker. After enlisting and serving during World War II, Bell went to work in the television industry. In 1960, he was asked to portray Bozo on a live, 30-minute show weekdays at noon, consisting of one-man sketches and cartoons. “Bozo’s Circus” debuted on June 20, 1960. In 1970, he received his first Emmy for the show. Bob retired from WGN-TV and The Bozo Show in 1984, and was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame in 1996. Following his death, he received many posthumous honors for his Bozo character. He has also been cited as the influence for the voice of The Simpsons character Krusty the Clown.

Bob Bell, ca. 1960s, in his dressing room

How Bozo was made

Bozo’s body is made in the MakerDoll Medium Size, from 100% organic, undyed (“natural”) cotton fabric, grown and woven in the USA. His arm joints are secured with vintage gold tone square buttons and cotton embroidery thread. His clothes were carefully researched, and are handmade in a MakerDoll original 1950s-era Bozo design. They are made from repurposed cornflower blue cotton fabric, with white cotton gloves, and a white satin and tulle ruffle collar. His shirt features vintage red silk covered buttons. His oversized, stuffed shoes are black felt, cut in reference to the shoes he wore while filming his popular TV show, Bozo the Clown. His facial features are handpainted with professional grade acrylic paints. Underneath his outfit, you’ll find a red heart button attached to his chest. His hair is made of red wool yarn and hand-sewn onto his head with cotton thread.

I Love Lucy

Lucy is a character doll for collectors age 8 and up. She is 22" tall.

Lucy will be part of an art gallery exhibit scheduled for March 1 - April 30, 2013. She will be available for purchase during or after the exhibit.

Born in Jamestown, NY in 1911, Lucy moved with her family to Michigan, where she spent most of her early formative years. Her father was a line man for the Michigan Bell Company. Following acting lessons in New York and a cross-country move to Hollywood to become an acress, Lucy met Cuban-born bandleader Desi Arnaz in 1940. Lucy and Desi established a studio called Desilu, where the famous "I Love Lucy" show was developed. The show ran for ten years between 1951-1961. Lucy was best known for her flaming red hair, head-turning smile and her spot-on timing as one of America’s best-loved comediennes.

Lucy and Desi

How Lucy was made

Lucy's body is made in the MakerDoll Medium Size, from 100% organic, undyed (“natural”) cotton fabric, grown and woven in the USA. Her arm joints are secured with vintage red buttons and cotton embroidery thread. Her clothes are handmade in a MakerDoll original 1950s-era dress design, from repurposed navy blue and white polka dot polyester, with white cotton cap sleeves, and self-belt with another vintage red button. She also has a faux fur stole with suede leather lining and a vintage pearl flower from my grandmother's collection. Her shoes are black felt, cut in reference to the 1950s ankle-strap heels that Lucy loved to wear while filming. Lucy's facial features are handpainted with professional grade acrylic paints. Her hair is made of cotswold sheep wool, hand-dyed, and hand-sewn onto her head with cotton thread.