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Dollcraft: A Witch's Guide to Poppet Magick & Haunted Dolls
Patti Negri dives into all aspects of dolls—how to make your own magickal poppets and how to identify and care for haunted dolls.
In part one, Patti guides you through the world of haunted dolls, answering frequently asked questions. Learn where haunted dolls come from, how they affect various cultures, and how to protect yourself from dangerous ones.
In part two, Patti presents the ins and outs of poppets. She teaches you how to enspirit them and care for them, and she explains the importance of color, stones, tag locking, herbs, and flowers.
In part three, Patti introduces the different kinds of classic, biodegradable, food-based, and crafty. She shows you how to use them for many goals, such as healing, empowerment, and protection. No matter your skill level or background, this book helps enhance your practice.
In part one, Patti guides you through the world of haunted dolls, answering frequently asked questions. Learn where haunted dolls come from, how they affect various cultures, and how to protect yourself from dangerous ones.
In part two, Patti presents the ins and outs of poppets. She teaches you how to enspirit them and care for them, and she explains the importance of color, stones, tag locking, herbs, and flowers.
In part three, Patti introduces the different kinds of classic, biodegradable, food-based, and crafty. She shows you how to use them for many goals, such as healing, empowerment, and protection. No matter your skill level or background, this book helps enhance your practice.
- GenresWitchcraft
304 pages, Paperback
Published June 8, 2025
8 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
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October 10, 2025It's an automatic zero stars when you believe dolls are really haunted or cursed and you're friends with the Ghost Adventure guy.
May 29, 2025
This review originally appeared on The Magical Buffet website on 05/29/2025.
Do I have a fun book for you today! I got an advance copy of “Dollcraft: A Witch’s Guide to Poppet Magick & Haunted Dolls” by Patti Negri and let me tell you, I have feelings! Do you guys want to go on my thoughts and feelings rollercoaster? Too bad, here we go.
First, are we in our doll magic era? I hope so. We started seeing more books about folk magic (and I ain’t complaining), now we have “Dollcraft” from Patti Negri, and if I’m not mistaken, Najah Lightfoot has a new book about doll magic coming soon. And to all of this I say, hell yes!
Next, I’m back on my paranormal kick! It has been SO LONG since I’ve read or interacted with any paranormal media and now I realize how much I missed it. The first part of “Dollcraft” is all about haunted dolls. Negri’s writing on the subject is the perfect blend of respectful and whimsical. She discusses haunted dolls throughout history and cultures, notable haunted dolls, the ethics of haunted dolls, and attempting to create your own. Did you know people sell haunted dolls? I hadn’t realized, but I know about it now! Negri could have turned all this into its own book, and if she does in the future, I’ll want to read it.
Lastly, I AM INSPIRED! The rest of “Dollcraft” is devoted to poppets and now that I’ve read it, I want to go crazy creating! What are poppets? How do you create poppets? How do you effectively use poppets? Negri answers all these questions and offers a dizzying number of options. Edible, biodegradable, simple, complex, plants, minerals, thread types, spells to use, options for keeping and/or displaying, etc. SO. MANY. IDEAS.
“Dollcraft” by Patti Negri was a wonderful read that will certainly be influencing me for the foreseeable future.
Do I have a fun book for you today! I got an advance copy of “Dollcraft: A Witch’s Guide to Poppet Magick & Haunted Dolls” by Patti Negri and let me tell you, I have feelings! Do you guys want to go on my thoughts and feelings rollercoaster? Too bad, here we go.
First, are we in our doll magic era? I hope so. We started seeing more books about folk magic (and I ain’t complaining), now we have “Dollcraft” from Patti Negri, and if I’m not mistaken, Najah Lightfoot has a new book about doll magic coming soon. And to all of this I say, hell yes!
Next, I’m back on my paranormal kick! It has been SO LONG since I’ve read or interacted with any paranormal media and now I realize how much I missed it. The first part of “Dollcraft” is all about haunted dolls. Negri’s writing on the subject is the perfect blend of respectful and whimsical. She discusses haunted dolls throughout history and cultures, notable haunted dolls, the ethics of haunted dolls, and attempting to create your own. Did you know people sell haunted dolls? I hadn’t realized, but I know about it now! Negri could have turned all this into its own book, and if she does in the future, I’ll want to read it.
Lastly, I AM INSPIRED! The rest of “Dollcraft” is devoted to poppets and now that I’ve read it, I want to go crazy creating! What are poppets? How do you create poppets? How do you effectively use poppets? Negri answers all these questions and offers a dizzying number of options. Edible, biodegradable, simple, complex, plants, minerals, thread types, spells to use, options for keeping and/or displaying, etc. SO. MANY. IDEAS.
“Dollcraft” by Patti Negri was a wonderful read that will certainly be influencing me for the foreseeable future.
March 1, 2026
I am so sorry to have to rate this so lowly as I do respect the authors and the effort any book takes to make. I simply found this book painfully basic and, frankly, lacking in utility. Now, if I knew nothing or herbs, poppets, or gems (and I do mean absolutely nothing), then this book might be at least worth a 2. Here is why I have to give it a 1:
The book had an unusual size and shape. it feels like a gimmick meant to disguise the fact that it lacks any substance in terms of patterns, graphic, or illustration that might be used to actually teach a user how to craft a doll. That is, true instruction needs to include multiple inputs and this book offers very brief instructions for creating dolls followed by overly simplistic line-drawn illustrations of the end product. Nothing in the book shows any step by step design, which is a key to teaching.
I actually will be seeking to return this book as I do not feel it warrants the price tag. OR I might go in halfsies if someone else might want to peek? Truly, this is better borrowed or, really, just use an Instructable and get the content with illustrations and perhaps video support, too.
Again, all respect to creators. You have something here. I think if you partner with a good learning experience designer and a stronger illustrator (or photographer), this could be a great book. I hope you'll keep working on and improving your craft.
The book had an unusual size and shape. it feels like a gimmick meant to disguise the fact that it lacks any substance in terms of patterns, graphic, or illustration that might be used to actually teach a user how to craft a doll. That is, true instruction needs to include multiple inputs and this book offers very brief instructions for creating dolls followed by overly simplistic line-drawn illustrations of the end product. Nothing in the book shows any step by step design, which is a key to teaching.
I actually will be seeking to return this book as I do not feel it warrants the price tag. OR I might go in halfsies if someone else might want to peek? Truly, this is better borrowed or, really, just use an Instructable and get the content with illustrations and perhaps video support, too.
Again, all respect to creators. You have something here. I think if you partner with a good learning experience designer and a stronger illustrator (or photographer), this could be a great book. I hope you'll keep working on and improving your craft.
August 22, 2025
I have 3 known haunted dolls . 2 more that feel like they have energy to them. Love this. Will go back to it as needed.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews