Sonia Turner began making dolls in 1986 having been taught by Carol Ann Stanton. Her success was swift, winning major competitions from the outset, culminating in the highest award presented by the Global Doll Society- that of Platinum Dollmaker.
Sonia regularly teaches worldwide as well as in this country at her own studio and that of others, by invitation. This has resulted in students in South Africa, Australia, Germany, Norway and beyond with regular workshops at Natioal and Internatioal Conventions.
She teaches subjects right across the spectrum from complete beginners, who are her speciality, to advanced dollmakers encompassing authentic antique reproductions through to Fantasy dolls. It was Sonia who was largely responsible for introducing Fantasy Techniques to reproduction dollmaking. These techniques have are now established in competition, firstly by the G.D.S. followed by just about every other organisation.

The teaching takes the form of extensive 3 day seminars, making a complete doll including wig-making, shoe making and leather bodies. One day speciality workshops cover painting and ceramic techniques to machine embroidery and costuming. Sonia's exclusive speciality is "sculping" in Cold Porcelain. This involves an air drying medium that she introduced to dollmaking with huge success. It can be uesd to simulate fabric, lace, moulded hair and the most amazing shoes.
Sonia is very proud of her students achievements. They number several Platinum and Diamond Doll makers awards and the recipient of the Chateau de la Poupee Trophy. Another of her students has recieved the Hildegard Gunzel Trophey for the most creative doll in a reproduction competition.

Another innovative idea is to invite internationaly recognised tutors to her studio to teach interesting techniques and sculpting .The most recent of these was the hat-maker to Her Majesty the Queen, who showed us how to make beautiful dolls hats on turned wooden blocks.
With Sonia's love of teaching undiminished with endless new ideas, this is the perfect way to learn this wonderful craft.
Please contact Sonia Turner at the following address for more details of her varied seminars.

Sonia Turner
Rugge Farm
Capel
Surrey
RH5 4PT
ENGLAND
tel : 01306 711385

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