Working up the Courage to Make a Santos Cage Doll w Jen Rizzo!-Part 1

This is one of my next projects to try, so, I signed up for the Santos Cage Doll 2 course with Jennifer Rizzo on jeanneoliver.com a few weeks ago, because I LOVE these dolls and want to try making one, or two. After watching the videos for the 2nd course, I decided to sign up for the first one, which is pictured here. I have also watched the videos for this one, and would already have had a doll started, but I can't find the right size paper mache mannequin body, and I don't really want to make one out of a toilet paper roll, which would be fine, but I've decided to use armature wire and paper, or doll, clay for the sculpted part. I, also, haven't located my armature wire. :(

I have sketched out a couple of diagrams to get the feel of what I want to do. The darkest lines are the armature wire to sculpt around, and she is sitting atop a decorative wire birdcage that was gifted to me many years ago by my only sister-in-law, who has since passed away. I have been wanting to use this birdcage this way ever since I first saw the cage dolls. It will have to be quite a bit bigger half doll than the one I'm going to start with though.

I've also considered using half of a vinyl doll to attach to the cage, in case the small one I make doesn't work out. :)

The sketch below, also with the wire, has articulated arms and uses wooden strips for the cage. You can also make them with a long dress and feet, but I really like the cage skirts, so that's what I'm going to try. The sketch ran off the page, but the wooden strips attach to a round base to hold her up, as in the little side sketch.

There are some gorgeous pictures of cage dolls on Pinterest, which is where I found the gorgeous one below, similar to what I want to make, but maybe without the articulated arms. I do like the wings a lot.

I love the large vintage wooden ones, but they are very expensive to buy, and I don't have the patience to carve even a small one, so I'm going to have to stick with wire and clay and hope it looks half way okay when I'm done. It's all about the process, for me, anyway! Stay tuned!

PS: Update on Aug 2- I have now started the doll, using what I have on hand, and have the torso and head almost covered in air dry doll clay. She is turning out to be much bigger than I had planned on for my first one! I think she may fit on the bird cage after all, that is if I don't mess up the face too much! I am making progress pictures and will share in a second post when she's further along, or maybe done, depending on how much time I get to spend on her!