Ekaterine Beridze

Doll maker | Tbilisi, Georgia

Characters alive with fabric and clay

Ekaterine creates her human-like dolls by hand, without any moulds
Her pieces are the result of sculpting, sewing and design
She teaches doll making in workshops in her studio

In her Tbilisi studio, Ekaterine Beridze designs and handcrafts dolls using clay, fabric and thread. Each figure begins as a sculpted base and gradually develops through sewing, layering and painting, combining several disciplines in one precise handmade process. Since 2017, her studio has also served as a teaching space, where she shares techniques for building structure, proportion and expression. "I teach my students the techniques and processes of the craft. What I cannot teach is character, as it is something that comes which each person's unique personal touch," Ekaterine says. She creates each of her pieces individually, and pays careful attention to form and detail.

Interview

©Giorgi Induashvili

Do you remember the first face you ever sculpted?: The first doll was quite a rough figure of man, as one would expect from a beginner. Many of my early dolls were sold, but I keep this one with me to remember how it all began. Since then, I have grown a lot. My dolls are now less decorative and more alive.
How does the creation process unfold?: I start with sculpting the face in clay, then I build the body and choose materials that fit the character. I do not use moulds, each part is shaped by hand. When the posture feels natural, I move to sewing and painting. Every step defines the figure’s identity.
Do your dolls have their own stories?: Sometimes I think they do. While I work, they seem to decide who they want to be. A small change in posture or texture can alter everything. Once the eyes appear, they almost dictate how to stand, what to wear and when they are complete.
What do you teach your students first?: I only teach techniques, such as how to make frames, choose materials and shape forms. Character cannot be taught, it must be developed. Everyone completes the same course, but each person’s result depends on what they bring in from within themselves.

Ekaterine Beridze is a rising star: she began her career in 2018 and she started teaching in 2023