Darkling Manor Dolls have become a huge hit with private collectors and Nadia has never been busier with bespoke orders for Halloween and even surprise wedding and Christmas gifts
By Katy-Rose Meaney
Kirsty Feerick
Journalist
10:44, 29 OCT 2021
10:44, 29 OCT 2021
(Image: @darklingmanordolls / CATERS NEWS)
A Scottish artist has created hundreds of petrifying dolls which are so popular she is inundated with orders from avid collectors.
Nadia Marcella, from Hawick in the Scottish Borders, has been designing the sinister looking creations for around two years and now has over 2,500 followers online.
Her horror themed collectables sell for up to £60 each and after setting up her unusual business only last year, Nadia has already designed more than 350 chilling one off pieces.
The horror themed collectables sell for up to £60 each
(Image: @darklingmanordolls / CATERS NEWS)
Darkling Manor Dolls have become a huge hit with private collectors and Nadia has never been busier with bespoke orders for Halloween and even surprise wedding and Christmas gifts.
The 46-year-old full time artist said: "People do buy them for amateur films, theatre props and themed nights, but many just want them to display in their homes."
It isn't just about the shock factor for the talented artist who has been interested in horror for many years.
She said: "I love the reactions people have to the dolls and my work. I am really interested in the psychological reasons why people are scared of the dolls and what they think of them.
Darkling Manor Dolls have become a huge hit with private collectors and Nadia has never been busier with bespoke orders for Halloween and even surprise wedding and Christmas gifts.
The 46-year-old full time artist said: "People do buy them for amateur films, theatre props and themed nights, but many just want them to display in their homes."
It isn't just about the shock factor for the talented artist who has been interested in horror for many years.
She said: "I love the reactions people have to the dolls and my work. I am really interested in the psychological reasons why people are scared of the dolls and what they think of them.
Nadia Marcella designs the sinister looking creations
(Image: @darklingmanordolls / CATERS NEWS)
"I also love creating subtle dolls too. It isn't always about making them look gory, sometimes the more innocent looking baby dolls are the most terrifying."
She added: "I love contrast pieces, so when I do make some particularly gory looking ones, I like to dress them in a sweet outfit to show a real contrast against their features.
"A pink bib or crisp white baby dress works really well."
Nadia names her dolls and likes to use a mix of regal and demonic names and is thrilled her unique work has become popular online.
She created her first pieces through boredom during lockdown and since then her work has been noticed by horror museums around the country and she has recently been commissioned to make dolls for permanent displays.
She added: "I love contrast pieces, so when I do make some particularly gory looking ones, I like to dress them in a sweet outfit to show a real contrast against their features.
"A pink bib or crisp white baby dress works really well."
Nadia names her dolls and likes to use a mix of regal and demonic names and is thrilled her unique work has become popular online.
She created her first pieces through boredom during lockdown and since then her work has been noticed by horror museums around the country and she has recently been commissioned to make dolls for permanent displays.
When transforming the once delicate and innocent looking dolls, Nadia gives them a full body make-over.
She uses a variety of materials including papier-m ch , acrylic, watercolour and chalk paints.
Nadia also uses a lot of recycled materials including wood, string, rope and wire which she finds in the woods near her home.
She said: "I love to recycle, that is a big part of my work. I don't buy new materials, I always look at what I have or what I can find to use."
The artist knows her macabre dolls are not to everyone's taste and she has been the subject of fierce criticism in the past.
Nadia added: "I have had a lot of negative comments. People have called me awful names and questioned my mental health, but I am glad that my art provokes such a strong reaction, good or bad.
"I had a lot of abuse when I was starting out as I would post my dolls for sale through online selling pages but now I have regular returning customers and a big following on social media."
And for every bad comment, Nadia has received just as many orders and has thousands of fans following her business on social media.
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