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I love internet shopping, because you can connect with artists and craftspeople who you’d never have heard of otherwise. If your Christmas list includes someone, a doll collector or not, whose taste runs to the unique, odd, or totally bizarre, I have some wonderful shopping suggestions. This is the world of doll making turned on its head.
Headless Historicals sells dolls that depict famous historical figures and their manner of death, whether by beheading or some other gruesome method of execution. Pictured are Lady Jane Grey and Marie Antoinette.
Don’t you just love these knitted zombie dolls? Hannah J. Simpson makes them, and you can buy them through her online store.
Yurei Urie is the artist behind the unsettling Little Apple Dolls. They all have big dark eyes, no mouth, and carry an apple. Stores are chronically out of stock, but you can find some editions at Amazon.
Krypt Kiddies sells lovely but demonic dolls in stores, and also have a waiting list for one-of-a-kind handmade dolls.
Cuddle up with the undead! The Dismember Me Zombie Doll can be pulled apart and stuck back together. This plush doll could be stashed in your desk as a stress reliever.
Jade Perez at newagedolls.com makes creepy dolls of all kinds. No two are alike, since each is handcrafted individually. But they are all creepy! Check out her online store.
Horrible Sweet art and designs makes “nylon beings” that resemble mutant potatoes. Or mutant human babies.
Jodi Cain of Tattered Rags makes one-of-a-kind gothic dolls with vintage buttons, and some feature genuine vintage fabrics. See more of her dolls at her online shop.
If you have a doll in mind and can’t find exactly what you want anywhere else, try Susan’s Custom Creepy Dolls.
I am an ex-mortician and taxidermist, and am now sculpting and
creating one-of-a-kind collectibles. Just give me a description
or picture of what you have in mind and I can create it!
There are several other lines of deliciously dreadful dolls I would have included if they weren’t completely sold out, which just goes to show how many people love creepy dolls. Imagine the thrill of watching your loved ones opening such gifts on Christmas Day! It will be an event everyone in the family will remember for years to come.
See also: Plush Toys Grownups Will Love.
Looking for smart gift ideas? Head over to the mental_floss store or consider a gift subscription to mental_floss magazine.
I love the living dead dolls series. They are just so cute ans creepy all at the same time.
posted by Melissa on 11-13-2008 at 10:18 am
Oh, some of those dolls are just WRONG!
(Although I like the Zombie ones)
posted by beth on 11-13-2008 at 10:43 am
Some of those are just creepy and weird… but I like the Little Apple Red dolls! The website for them is a lot of fun and the big black eyes on the dolls are spectacular ^_^
posted by Korin on 11-13-2008 at 11:03 am
If the Dismember Me Zombie Doll makers could screen print a pic of a purchaser’s choosing (say, a boss, or ex-spouse) for the face, they’d be in the money! I’d certainly buy one, uh, two….
posted by Dawn on 11-13-2008 at 11:09 am
oh sweet baby jesus dolls of all kinds freak me out! These are just too much!
posted by brooke on 11-13-2008 at 11:13 am
i have one of the Dismember me Zombie Dolls. so fun!
posted by the creature on 11-13-2008 at 1:04 pm
I just wish I knew someone to whom I could give one of the weirded ones.
I love the possibilities unspoken in this quote, “I am an ex-mortician and taxidermist…”
posted by BassMan on 11-13-2008 at 1:35 pm
These are great, but what can we give our kids for Xmas? (Tattered Rags Doll totally looks like Michael Jackson. Can’t give that to a child)
posted by DUKE on 11-13-2008 at 1:39 pm
you forgot devoutdolls by Sara Lanzillotta-her dolls are amazing and many are a bit disturbing!!!
posted by rochelle on 11-13-2008 at 2:09 pm
Because of this article, I’m now trying to figure out who on my holiday shopping list I secretly hate.
posted by AG on 11-13-2008 at 3:19 pm
I love those hand-knitted zombie dolls. They look like Mr. Bill. “Brains… shotgun? NonononoNOOOO!”
posted by Sillstaw on 11-13-2008 at 4:13 pm
I LOVE IT
posted by william haddad on 11-18-2008 at 5:33 am
Scarrrrrrrry
posted by Zakopane kwatery on 11-19-2008 at 2:22 pm
omg, ilove these dolls. this is a doll these are dolls thar you can buy your teenager. just the sheer novelty of one makes it a good gift.
posted by amethyst on 11-23-2008 at 12:29 am