A busy summer with Nini by Jonathan Hayes

Dear Nini Friends,

I hope this finds you well.

I'm busily working away on several Nini Dolls at the moment, allowing myself to think about one doll, the fabrics, the designs, the character,  as I work on another. 'The Acrobat's Assistant' has been a while in coming, but he is now moving along a-pace. "Seaside Breeze' is similarly arriving to near completion, and I am pleased with how their costumes and personalities are taking shape. A little further in the background, and soon to be coming to the fore is 'School's Out', a 1950's girl from the New York Bronx...

I'm also pleased to announce that I am planning a slightly smaller doll, that I look to make alongside my 20" Nini Dolls. As you may know, the original Nini was inspired by my niece and the first of my dolls was given to her as a Christmas present. My slightly smaller doll will be inspired by my nephew. As with Nini the head sculpt will be versatile enough to use for both boy and girl character dolls. The new doll will have the name 'Doudou', the name that my two year old nephew calls out to me. I have investigated the word 'doudou' which in French means a beloved soft toy, and also 'sweetheart' or 'darling'. The words fits beautifully.

I look forward to unveiling 'Doudou' in the coming months. They will play alongside Nini and be a whole new part of my doll making adventure.

With very best wishes,

Jonny

Chilly Day and new dolls in production! by Jonathan Hayes

Dear Nini Friends,

It has been a little while since my last post here, but I've been updating photos as much as possible and posting a lot on the Facebook page. I'm delighted to say that my boy 'Chilly Day' has arrived to his new home and will be revealed on the charming blog http://aboydolldiary.blogspot.co.uk later this week. Once he has made his full debut I will add my photos of the completed doll to his gallery page. I was very pleased with his outcome and thank you for all the kind messages I received through Facebook, Instagram and Flickr.

I have now made a good start on my next two dolls and will be posting photos of their progress very soon. 'The Acrobat's Assistant!' is my first boy from Asia and based on traditional Chinese costume. 'Seaside Breeze' is based upon the many drawings of 'seaside girls' I created during a recent trip to the coast. I hope you enjoy their progress.

Thank you for your continued support.

Best wishes,

Jonathan

It's debut-day for Nini Doll xix 'A Gift for Snow'! by Jonathan Hayes

Dear Nini Friends,

I hope you are all well. I'm enjoying the first moments of spring in London and a touch of sunshine.

I'm delighted to announce the debut day of my nineteenth Nini Doll, 'A Gift for Snow'. She's my first vibrant read-head and I've created her with young Scottish lasses and old MGM films in mind. She has been a wonderful challenge and a joy to create. Her outfit has been created to keep her warm on the coldest of snowy days as she travels to her neighbours delivering gifts. She's a warm-hearted, sometimes shy girl, unspoilt by her affluent background.

I have emailed everyone on the Nini mailing list to offer her first. If you'd like to join the list please drop me an email to johayes1@aol.com.

I hope you enjoy her.

Very best wishes,

JonayYou 

Nini Dolls for 2017 are in production! by Jonathan Hayes

Dear Nini Friends,

I'm delighted to say that my Nini doll making has hit the ground running this January! I'm currently working on three new dolls: 

'Jump Rope' - a fresh innocent girl in blue inspired by my early prototype doll Ciara

'A Gift For Snow' - a beautiful young girl wearing a fine red tartan dress, a deep blue winter coat with black astrakhan trim

'The Acrobat's Assistant' - a handsome Chinese boy wearing a traditional Chinese-style outfit

I'll be adding photographs to the website of their progress as they come together as well as updating the Nini Doll page on Facebook, Instagram, Flickr and Pinterest. I'll announce their completion initially to those who have kindly joined the email list.

I am looking at taking on a few commissions this year. Please do not hesitate to contact me via johayes1@aol.com if you have any particular requests and enquiries.

Very best wishes,

Jonathan

A very happy New Year! by Jonathan Hayes

Dear Nini Friends,

I'd like to wish you all a very happy New Year!

2017 has lots of exciting developments in store for Nini Doll and I will be revealing more details as the year progresses. High-quality Nini Doll greetings cards will be available to buy shortly and I will be launching them here first as well as publishing their availability on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.

Thank you for all your continued interest and support!

Best wishes,

Jonathan

 

A new Nini for Christmas? by Jonathan Hayes

Dear Nini Friends,

I'm so fortunate to have a week before Christmas that I can almost solely dedicate to the creation of my last Nini for 2017, 'The Dress-Up Trunk'. I'm hoping that I can personally deliver her to her new owner before the end of the year. Wish me luck.

I hope you enjoy following her development!

Best wishes,

Jonathan

Nini Doll xvii, work in progress, December 2016

Nini Doll xvii, work in progress, December 2016

He's arrived! Nini 'New York Newsy' is now available by Jonathan Hayes

Dear Nini Friends,

I'm delighted to announce that my sixteenth Nini Doll, my first African-American boy is available to adopt.

As always he is handcrafted by me, complete with hand-knitted 'tank-top' and socks, machine and hand-sewn all-in-one underwear, long-sleeved shirt, plus-four style trousers, jacket, cap, boots and satchel.

Please feel free to contact me at johayes1@aol.com to find out more details. He has been inspired by photographs and old news stories of the New York Newsies paperboy strike of 1899.

Very best wishes,

Jonathan x

An honour for Nini Doll by Jonathan Hayes

Dear Nino Friends,

I am thrilled to announce that my Nine Russian Dolls have been chosen for the Doll Club of Great Britain calendar for 2017. I was so excited to be approached a few months ago and over the moon to see that my dolls have been featured for the month of December (my birth month!)

My huge thanks to Christina Scordellis and the Doll Club of Great Britain. It is an absolute honour and privilege.

Best wishes,

 

Jonathan

Nini Doll - DCGB calendar feature

Nini Doll 'Garden Party' is complete by Jonathan Hayes

Dear Nini Friends,

After a few months of a very busy work schedule I have finally been able to spend some valuable time on my doll making.

'Garden Party' is finally complete and ready for her new owner. She is a special commission for a long-time friend and she's currently being wrapped and packed for her travels to Australia!

My African-American boy 'New York Newsy', inspired by the paperboys in New York in the late 1800's, is also nearing completion. I look forward to offering him for 'adoption' in the next few weeks.

 Thank you as always for your kind suppprt and interest in my Nini Doll making.

very best wishes,

Jonathan

Nini Doll xv - The coming storm is just days away! by Jonathan Hayes

Dear Nini Friends,

I'm delighted to say that I was able to use my Bank Holiday weekend productively and restfully working on my latest Nini. I have added a few new photographs of 'The coming storm' to her gallery page and aim to have her completed by this weekend. I will email everyone on the mailing list first regarding her price and details. Please contact me at johayes1@aol.com if you would like to ask any questions or to request to be added to the mailing list.

I have also been quite busy sketching ideas for future dolls - two boys. I have added the sketches to the gallery page of drawings and have featured them on other social media sites - the links to these are on the top right of the main page. I hope you like them. I can;t wait to start making them.

Thank you for visiting the Nini website and please look out for future dolls coming soon!

Best wishes,

Jonathan