Nutcracker Dolls

Both of these dolls from a series called "Nutcracker Village" International Collection,
 were manufactured by the May Company, a family corporation developed by David
May. David May's family was highly regarded in St. Louis. Not only did he success-
fully run multiple department stores across the midwest, he also was a patron of
the famous St. Louis Art Museum. Eventually, the May company was
sold to Macy's in 2006.

       Nutcracker dolls, also known as Christmas nutcrackers, are decorative nutcracker figurines most commonly made to resemble a toy soldier. In German tradition, the dolls are symbols of good luck, frightening away malevolent spirits. While nearly all nutcrackers from before the first half of the 20th century are functional, a significant proportion of modern nutcrackers are primarily decorative, and not able to crack nuts. Nutcrackers are also a part of German folklore, serving as protectors of a house. Read more...

Both of my nutcrackers were sold in 2003 and the back of one box text is:

       "Take a tour of the world with our special international series of Nutcracker Village collectibles, representing many different countries. This years collection includes: Egypt, England, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Scotland, Spain, Thailand, and USA. Join Nutcracker Village in celebrating over 10 years of quality collectibles with a line of special editions sure bring good luck to you, your friends and family. For over a decade, Nutcracker Village has specialized in bringing you natural wood nutcrackers designed in the old world tradition. Each handcrafted nutcracker features unique details and is an heirloom quality treasure meant to be enjoyed year after year."

The little Dutch Girl Nutcracker holds tulips in one hand and a basket of tulips in the other.
Left, see her dirndl details. Center, profile. Right, the backside of the nutcracker girl doll.

A Nutcracker boy dressed in lederhosen. He carries a faux stoneware stein and a brat in a bun.
Left, he wears a Tyrolean hat. Center, details of traditional food eaten during Oktoberfest.
Right, wooden boots on a pedestal are painted to match his costume.

More Links to Nutcrackers:

• History of The Nutcracker Ballet
• Visit the Nutcracker Museum - in Washington's Bavarian Village

Return to the Doll Guide Index Page

The Wooden Doll Craft Index

Just a few examples of dolls included in our wooden collections below.

        Wooden dolls come in all shapes and sizes. In this index I will list all of our wooden doll crafts as they are published plus stories, poems and links to related content... Below, right, are examples of the types of clothespins used in many of our crafts. 

1. spring clothespins
2. clothespins + beads
3. dolly clothespins
4. wooden peg dolls
5. flat sided clothespins

Read About Some History of Wooden Dolls:

1. Wooden peg dolls from Poland - These custom painted and dressed character dolls are made of wood and referred to as Jolie Dolls.
2. Robert Raikes wooden doll named "Abigail" - Our wooden doll by Robert Raikes, 1990, is called "Abigail." She is from his Morning Meadow Collection.
3. Nutcracker Dolls - Nutcracker dolls, also known as Christmas nutcrackers, are decorative nutcracker figurines most commonly made to resemble a toy soldier.
4. Antique Peg Wooden Dolls - Nutcracker dolls, also known as Christmas nutcrackers, are decorative nutcracker figurines most commonly made to resemble a toy soldier.
5. Schoenhut Dolls, Toys and Pianos - Schoenhut dolls were wooden dolls produced by the Schoenhut Piano Company between 1903 and 1935.
6. Kachina Dolls - There are more than 400 different kachinas in Hopi and Pueblo culture.
7. Matryoshka Dolls - A matryoshka doll is a Russian nesting doll which is a set of wooden dolls of decreasing size placed one inside the other.
8. Early English Wooden Dolls 1650-1700 - England is famous for their carved wooden dolls from approximately 1650 to 1700.

Peg Doll Crafts:

• Paint tiny peg dolls like Nina Norway...

Nut Head Dolls:

• Craft Miss Hickory in Her Gingham Dress
• String a few nut head people from Art Education Daily
  

Clothespin Doll Craft:

1. Craft Cowpoke Clothespins Ready to Rope!
2. How to make ballerina clothespin dolls...
3. DIY Polynesian Dancing Clothespin Dolls
4. Scout Clothespin Doll Crafts
5. Make Raggedy Ann and Andy Clothespin Dolls
6. Craft a Clothespin Bride and Groom
7. DIY Bee or Hornet Clothespin Dolls
8. Learn to make butterfly clothespin dolls...
9. How to Craft Clothespin Doll Skiers
10. How to craft a doll using clothespins... - This is a Hitty doll version
11. Craft Orthodox Clergy Clothespins
    
12. Craft your own clothespin dads!
13. How to make a cute little monkey from a clothespin... 
14. Wooden Blacksmith Toy Plans
    
15. See our floral clothespin dolls: the Zinnia, the Morning Glory, the Chrysanthemum, the Wild Rose, the Hyacinth, the Pussy Willow, the Scarlet Poppy, and the Black-eyed Susan

Wooden Doll Furniture:

• Craft a Clothespin Cathedral Rocker - using spring clothespins for assembly, vintage 'cathedral' design, for 10'', 11'', 12'' dolls
• Popsicle Stick Patio Furniture for Dolls - two chairs a oval table, a couch and a picnic table all made using wooden Popsicle sticks/craft sticks!
• Plans for a sturdy 18" doll bed - detailed drawing
• Make a traditional wooden rocker for a Barbie... - a design with a slatted back and seat, made using spring clothespins
• How to assemble a 'Sunburst' Twin Rocker... plus close-up photos of paint design
• Make doll sized patio furniture using clothespins - Great craft for summer fun!

Old-Fashioned clothespin dolls,
patterns and method for adding
soft heads and arms. Click to
enlarge.

Poems and Stories About Wooden Dolls:

1. Miss Hickory by Carolyn S. Bailey
2. Travel The World With Hitty!
3. The Clothes-Pin Dollies by Camilla J. Knight
4. The Life of A Wooden Doll by Lewis Saxby, 1903
5. The Doll's Journey by Louisa M. Alcott
6. The Sewing Doll by Amelia De Wolfjeers
7. The Wooden Doll by Edith Campbell
8. The Nicest One 
9. The Hidden House
10. The Popover Family - series by Ethel Calvert Phillips
    

Video at YouTube by Budding Artists:

• Sabrina shows viewers how to make a clothespin doll
• DIY: The Basic Clothes Pin Dolls, Easy Tutorial by Dibs On Dolls

Coloring Wooden Dolls:

• These wooden spool dolls look very suspicious...

More Nuthead Dolls:

• The "Hillbilly Wedding" diorama at the Shiloh Museum
• See the wooden Victorian dolls at the Salford Museum

AG Doll Size Christmas Greetings...

       Little girls and their dolls may print out these 18" doll size Christmas greeting cards for free this holiday season. There are many themes here: nutcrackers, trees, rocking horse, ribbon candy, pretty packages, sugar plums, bells and a sock snowman. Each card is designed with both a front and a back side. Cut along the black lines but fold each card in half wherever you see a line between the picture and the website information. Write a Christmas message to your doll's friends and then send the card off in the dolly mail!

Christmas cards for dolls. Miniature doll greeting cards.