23 years ago I was trying to find the perfect doll for a family members new baby. I had read about Waldorf dolls and the philosophy behind them and was immediately taken with them, the natural materials, the open ended play - to me something clicked. But ones I saw felt a little soulless, some had no faces and they were very traditional looking. Mind you, this was a long time ago and finding them was difficult. (no Etsy then!) I love colour and texture and I wanted something for her like that.
I've always been crafty so I found a book off Ebay (in German - had to get a friend help translate!) and went to work. Using my then husband's t-shirt for doll 'skin' and clipping down my Ikea sheepskin rug to stuff her, I got started.
I remember my breath going shallow as she came together and I worked into the wee hours until she was done. I couldn't believe that out of fabric, wool and yarn this little being came alive. I felt like I was in a bubble where time and space didn't matter and it was pure magic.
I kept making dolls and couldn't stop .. for friends, for markets and a few little shops around Vancouver. Each one different and made with natural materials, wool stuffing, and a face I'd embroider on by hand. My Nonna knit the sweaters and I patched together the clothing.
Twenty three years and thousands of dolls later, the dolls are pretty much made the same way but with more women involved. I still embroider every single face and my breath quickens a little when I finish a dolls face. I smile at her and say 'you're here'!
It's an honour to make these dolls. Thank you for reading this!
