Sad Doll Disease

Sad Doll Disease is a fascinating phenomenon - a terminal doll illness which leads to acute creepiness in dolls made of early hard plastics. The “disease” is the result of a chemical reaction between the cellulose acetate “skin” of the dolls, and the iron pins holding in their eyes. Infected dolls can transmit the disease to other dolls within their vicinity, making it a contagious condition.

Dolls afflicted with SDD suffer from four main symptoms:

1. Crying. Dolls will weep oozing, viscous tears that can be red, brown, or black.

2. Cracking. Their heads will chip, crack, or break open entirely.

3. Warping. The limbs may warp or distort.

4. Smell. Dolls will emit a strong vinegar stench.

Sounds charming, doesn’t it - the stuff of horror movie backgrounds and haunted house set decoration.

It is also the title of my newest project, which I am hoping to have completed in time for the Halloween 2023 season.