Oh, my girls (and boys!). My Bamboletta dolls are the heart and soul of what I do. I take great pride and care to use only the finest materials available to me in making these dolls. I use a wonderful thick cotton interlock from the Netherlands for their ’skin’. I have tried many, many fabrics out there and this is by far the most superior in quality. It hardly pills, it retains its shape and it is oh so soft. I know it may seem a bit excessive to be going on and on about my doll fabric, but it really is fantastic.I stuff the dolls using a wool that I source from a farm about 10 minutes from where I live. Lorna , the ’shephardess’, takes great care of her sheep and loves them all. They are sheared a few times a year and then cleaned and carded and processed into batts.The next step in the dolls is their hair. I am a self proclaimed yarn addict. I love nothing better then to rummage through yarn shops to find new and interesting yarns for my dolls hair. I have my own source of gorgeous handspun, handdyed yarn that I use in some of my dolls create a unique and special look. I most often mix several types of yarns together to create a natural and funky look – highlights and all! There is a practical reason for my mixing as well, the dolls hair can withstand much more handling. If just a soft yarn or mohair is used alone the hair tends to matte.

The dolls faces are embroidered with a sweet, simple expression inspired by Waldorf philosophy . It encourages children to engage in open play, reflecting back to the child whatever emotion is timely and appropriate, whether happy, sad, or somewhere between. I use coloured beeswax to blush their cheeks. ( Tip -if the blush wears off a few months after play, you can ‘reblush’ your doll by rubbing a soft cloth on your Stockmar crayon ,in red orange, and then rub it gently on your doll’s cheeks using an up and down motion).

The dolls are then clothed in simple clothing. I really want children to be able to relate to their dolls so I try to make sure that their dolls are dressed kind of like what they’d be dressed in. When I was little I had a beautiful Anne of Green Gables doll that I never ever touched, I found her pantaloons and outfit ‘unapproachable’ and just didn’t relate to her. I dress the dolls in a way that myself and my friends dress our children.

The most important thing that I put into my dolls is a lot of love and care. I really, really love making these dolls and I sincerely hope that this comes across what I do. I have a few mama’s working for me and I know that they share the love too.These dolls are meant for ages three and up. They are sturdy, but they aren’t meant to be carried around by their heads! Use your discretion, if you have a two year old that is very gentle – she’ll be fine. I suppose with having two boys, I’m used to a bit of rough and tumble.

15″ dolls cost $135 – this includes one outfit, shoes and panties

17″ dolls cost $155 -  this includes outfit, shoes and panties

(To read about Ben’s first doll read here. in my blog)Any questions? Feel free to contact me at info@bamboletta.com