A Sneak Peek!

I am well on my way to creating a collection of fully crafted, large sized puppets for Alexander Sanderson Designs.

These puppets will be an average of 17" high and will be fully and individually sculpted & crafted.

Here is an image of three - of the seven planned puppets - heads, awaiting a sanding.

Some of the characters, built for my first collection, include:

The Snow Queen

Rumpelstiltskin  

The Gingerbread Witch,

Queen Anne Boleyn

&

Queen Elizabeth I

More info to follow soon!

 A New Commission Completed! 
Elizabeth I and Lady Jane Grey

These two puppets were created, on request, for a past customer.

They asked me to create two Tudor themed puppets - The great Queen Elizabeth I and tragic Lady Jane Grey - to add to their collection.

Both have been fully repainted and wigs were created, so as to create an immediate effect as to the historical figures they are based upon.

 

Elizabeth wears a shot taffeta over-gown with an embroidered taffeta under-skirt and sleeves.

Her dress is embellished with satin bows, pearls (single and strung) and metallic gold lace. At her neck she sports a small lace ruff and a large whisk/standing ruff behind - this being decorated with a gathering of small satin roses.

Jane Grey wears a plush, red velvet over-gown and a silk brocade under-gown and gold brocade undersleeves. Her turned back 'greater sleeves' are lined with taffeta. She also dons a partlet, with a standing collar, which is crafted from taffeta and velvet.

Her dress is embellished with gold braid, pearls and a pendant upon her bodice. A gold chain and large solar charm hangs from her waist.

On her head she wears a decorative French hood with a back veil. 

Alexander Sanderson Designs

 A Special Commissioned Project!

Three Pelham Puppets Redressed as-

The Sanderson Sisters from the film 'Hocus Pocus'!

This commission was to recreate the three witches from the iconic Disney film - each holding a customised magical item, formed in polymer clay.

Their faces, feet, hands and hair - each created from specially produced wigs - have been freshly painted/styled to represent the personality of each character. 

Winifred sports a rich velvet coat (lined with duchesse satin) and a taffeta under-gown: all trimmed with gilded lace and metallic gold stars. The gown is fastened with corset lacing at its front. 

Mary Sanderson wears a tartan skirt, a red velvet corset bodice and a cotton lawn blouse. Around her waist she has a taffeta apron.

Details include gilded rings, velvet pockets and metallic gold lace. 

Sarah Sanderson is dressed in an embroidered brocade, boned, corset - trimmed with glass beads. Her over-skirt is cut from taffeta and net and her under-skirt is crafted from red taffeta overlaid with gilded cobweb net - as are her cobwebbed sleeves.

These are creations from the workshop of

Alexander Sanderson Designs

A New Tudor Themed Puppet:
The Headless Ghost 

of Queen Anne Boleyn

This Pelham Puppet has been fully redressed as the headless ghost of the tragic second wife to King Henry VIII - Queen Anne Boleyn.

Anne was unjustly executed - by the sword - for adultery and high treason after only three years of being queen. Her ghost is said to haunt the Tower of London, Blickling Hall and Hampton Court Palace.

The gown and French hood are cut from a white velvet  - with silver braided and metallic trim, studded with imitation pearls and her signature initial 'B' pendant. Her full underskirt and undersleeves are of a gold patterned brocade fabric and her turned back sleeves are lined with taffeta.  The face has been fully repainted to represent the Queen and her hair has been specifically styled from new material. She rests her severed head within the crook of her arm.

She is strung using traditional Pelham colours on a small sized vintage Pelham controller.

This is a creation from the work-shop of 

Alexander Sanderson Designs

Two New Arthurian Themed Puppets:
The Lady of the Lake & 

Morgan le Fay

Puppets based upon two important female figures from the legends of King Arthur.

Morgan le Fay - Morgan was King Arthur's magical half sister, who plotted against Camelot and was mother to Mordred, who was destined to kill Arthur in battle.

The mythical Lady of the Lake - also known as Nimuë. She is an enchantress who lives in the lake which surrounded the sacred isle of Avalon. She is most famous for gifting the sword Excalibur to Arthur and is a vital element in the tales of Arthur's life.

Morgan is dressed in an ornate medieval style gown, cut from red velvet and lined with red taffeta. Her underskirt is duchesse satin overlaid with metallic, gold embroidery. The costume is embellished with gold metallic lace, pearls and red, rhinestone jewels. 

Her face - which has been remodelled around her cheek bones - hands and feet have been fully repainted to represent the character and her long dark hair has been specifically applied and styled over a red rhinestone band across her forehead.

The Lady of the Lake wears a watery medieval style gown, cut from pleated metallic silver cloth and shot blue taffeta layered with shimmering organza. 

The costume is embellished with silver metallic lace. She wears a pearl belt and holds a silver sword.

Her face (which as been remoulded) hands and feet have been fully repainted - and embellished with glittery highlights in order to catch the light. Her watery toned hair has been specifically applied and styled, then topped with a silver filigreed headdress.

These are both creations from the work-shop of 

Alexander Sanderson Designs

 A Pelham Puppet Redressed as

Glinda the Good Witch of the North

From the magical land of OZ

This gown was inspired by the Glinda bubble dress from the stage musical Wicked.

It is cut from a shot taffeta fabric and the petal layers of the skirt are embellished with hand applied silver glittered edges - under which are layered tulle petticoats. 

The boned corset bodice is also embellished by the glitter and silver lace. Her sleeves are puffed organza fabric, which help to show off her realistically moulded arms.

Her face has been fully repainted to suit the character and her blonde hair has been completely restyled. She also now sports a metal, diamante silver crown.

She has been strung on a vintage Pelham controller and the strings are in the original Pelham colours.

Alexander Sanderson Designs

 A Pelham Puppet Redressed as
Queen Anne Boleyn

A new design for 2025, 
now on public sale on eBay! 

Click here to view the listing

This Pelham Puppet has been fully redressed as the tragic second wife to King Henry VIII - based on her portrait held in Hever Castle, her childhood home. Anne was unjustly executed, by the sword, after only three years of being queen.

The gown is cut from a rich black velvet  - with red braided and metallic gold trim, studded with imitation pearls. Her full underskirt and undersleeves are of a gold patterned brocade and a red jewel hangs from her waist, on a chain. 

Her famous letter 'B' pendant hangs upon the front of her boned bodice. She wears a pearl trimmed French hood upon her head. Her face has been fully repainted to represent the Queen and her hair has been specifically styled from new material.

Her turned back sleeves are lined with red taffeta. 

She is strung using traditional Pelham colours on a refurnished controller.

 Alexander Sanderson Designs

 A Pelham Puppet redressed as 
Mary Queen of Scots

This puppet was created for general sale - her base being a Pelham Ballet Girl puppet. She represents the tragic queen wearing her red execution gown.

The gown is cut from red velvet and is trimmed with metallic gold lace, imitation string pearls and rhinestones. Her underskirt is of a gold patterned brocade. She wears a lace ruff about her neck and her linen and lace cap is trimmed with pearls, with a gauze, net veil descending from its back. Under her skirts she wears a hooped petticoat and her bodice is stiffened with buckram and boning.

Her face, feet and hands have been fully repainted to represent the Queen and her hair has been specifically styled from new material. 

She is strung using traditional Pelham colours.

To purchase, she can be found on eBay here:

eBay listing

Alexander Sanderson Designs

 A Pelham Puppet redressed as 
King Henry VIII!

This puppet was another commission piece.

His base is a rounded, moulded Pelham body and shoes, with a Pelham Prince Charming head.

The head has been fully repainted and the hair and beard created from long length fake fur.

His slashed under doublet and skirted sur-coat is cut from silver satin and taffeta, trimmed with braid pearls. His fake fur trimmed gown is cut from velvet and embellished with gold metallic lace.

The jewelled chain around his shoulders is made from gold gimp trim and studded with red rhinestone and pearls. 

A metallic, gold codpiece sits under his skirts, attached to silver taffeta breeches.
His black velvet cap is stiffened with buckram and finished off with imitation rubies, pearls and topped with feather trim.

This has been a fascinating and fun commission to work on and is a special one-off creation! 

Alexander Sanderson Designs

 Two Pelham Puppets Redressed as

Queen Jane Seymour

&

Queen Katherine Howard 

The Third and Fifth Wives of King Henry VIII 

A lovely review for these puppets from their purchaser:

"These 2 puppets complete my set of 6 wives & I am delighted. They are the most beautiful creations as are all the others I have purchased over the last year. The thought & care that has been lavished on these creations is truly breath-taking. Pieces of art , both."

Jane Seymour

Jane Seymour

Katherine Howard

Katherine Howard

These two puppets were created under commission for a wonderful and valued patron.

Both use Pelham fairy puppets as a base - their faces, hands and face having been fully repainted and their hair styled newly for both creations. 

Jane Seymour's gown is cut from velvet whilst Katherine Howards was cut from shot taffeta. Both of their under-skirts were made from metallic, pattered brocade. 

Their costumes are embellished with rhinestone, jet bead, gold/red braid and imitation pearls.

Both have boned and stiffened (with buckram) bodices.

Katherine has a hooped farthingale to hold out her skirts. 

Alexander Sanderson Designs

A Pelham Puppet Redressed as
Queen Catherine of Aragon
First wife to King Henry VIII

A lovely review from the customer who purchased this puppet:  

"Another wonderful item from this very talented seller. I will treasure this puppet along with the others I have purchased. I can't praise the handiwork & craftsmanship highly enough, it really is of the top most standard. In time these marionettes will become family heirlooms & passed on down the family line, along with the others I intend to buy."

Catherine is dressed in a green velvet gown, with brocade underskirts and undersleeves with taffeta lining her inner over-sleeves. Her bodice is boned and the whole gown is embellished using metallic gold braid, lace and imitation strings of pearls. 

Her buckramed English, gabled hood is trimmed with gold ribbon and braid, velvet and green rhinestones. 

Her feet and face have been fully repainted.

This puppet is strung on a vintage controller using traditional Pelham colours.

Alexander Sanderson Designs

*Alexander Sanderson Design's Halloween Special*

A Pelham Puppet redressed as Princess Mombi from 'Return to OZ'

With three interchangeable heads 

Princess Mombi wearing her original head

Each year I aim to create a one-off, never to be remade Halloween special and this is the Alexander Sanderson Design's 2024 creation.

A Pelham Puppet redressed as the frightful and vain Princess Mombi from the film 'Return to OZ'. Famous for her cabinets of heads, which she swaps between on a whim just as this puppet can in seconds.

Head 2

This puppet is dressed in a gown cut from purple and black taffeta, red velvet and trimmed with gold braid, diamante trim, lilac stones and red ruby style jewels. 

Her three heads are interchangeable - one in her original red tone, one blonde and the other brunette - which hook and unhook at the puppet's neck; and clasp onto the two black head strings via two clasps attaching to the heads' side hooks. The faces of all three are fully repainted in an appropriate style.

Head 3

Her feet are of the moulded Pelham high heel design - re-painted and finished with glittered varnish.

The detachable neck hooks and head string clasps

Alexander Sanderson Designs