Christmas Angels

I don't quite know how I managed to get these little angels finished with Louie and Darcy home from school with colds. Actually I do, CBBC.....

Wool decorations

These are all going off to London today, to a great shop on Upper Street in Islington, Folklore.

I got my first crafting injury making them though! A blister/mini rope (wool) burn, too much repetition!!

But, after DAYS and DAYs of rain I had a lovely time on Monday morning looking for sticks in the sunshine, and because I was "working" it was great to spend a couple of guilt-free hours outside.

I love these.

I know, I shouldn't blow my own trumpet, but - I really do love these!
I sit happily painting each one and then stitch them to a couple of layers of felt and blanket.
I like making them so much because every one is different and for once, they are actually good for kids, I've always found it a little difficult that my dolls are not quite suitable for children.

I had a great time!

I had such a great time at the Selvedge Winter fair last Saturday, met so many lovely people who appreciated my work. I sold lots including ALL my pixies!
I'm hoping that Jen West might read this post..... if you're out there Jen, you ordered 3 pixies and paid me but in all the chaos of the fair I didn't take your address!

Phew!

I've been working really hard getting everything ready for this Saturday's craft fair in Chelsea.
I've got 21 dolls to take, 50 pixies and a handful of leather brooches and painted stones.
I've made three beds too.
Check out the school girls' pencils and sandwiches!
I'm excited, a bit nervous - mainly excited.

Getting ready......

I'm busy getting ready for the Selvedge Winter Fair this Saturday.
Here's some of the dolls I'll be taking.

I'll be selling my dolls at the Selvedge Winter Fair!

Dolls for Selvedge.

Here's some images of the dolls soon to be available in the Selvedge shop.
Based on famous designers/artists, all with hand-painted dresses (apart from Frida)

Barbara Brown

Lucienne Day

Sonia Delaunay

Gunta Stolzl

Frida Kahlo

Vanessa Bell

Selvedge dry goods now stock my dolls!

I've made 6 dolls for the Selvedge dry goods section. They'll be available soon at www.selvedge.org/

So, starting with Frida Kahlo

Minnie and the Lost Dog

I'm working on a book about a little girl, Minnie who absolutely LOVES dogs, but isn't allowed one.
But she finds one, a mother dog who's had puppies which she takes care of secretly......
Here's a few images.

How I started making dolls.

I thought I might write about how I began making dolls and can think of three things that influenced the creative flow that led me to starting my business:
-        My children
-       A box of lace trimmings
-       Two little peg-legged dolls I bought at Totnes market.

So, starting with my gorgeous kids, Louie and Darcy.
While I was pregnant with Louie I made him a guardian angel doll, wearing old lace, a dress made from some of my wedding veil and feathery wings. I did the same for Darcy while I was waiting for her to be born and both kids still have those dolls by their beds watching over them while they sleep and they’re reassuring – for the children when we go out, for me if they’re ill.
My children really value all the things I’ve made for them over the years, they’re treasured above shop bought toys, and now they make things themselves, I’ll do a blog post on their creations one of these days, they’re great.

The box of lace trimmings was a present from my mum. She started collecting antique clothes and textiles when she was 16. She used to help her mum at Bermondsey Antique Market in London every Friday, missing school – it’s where she met my dad. He started dealing in antiques when he was 14, catching the train to London and doing Bermondsey on a Friday, Portobello on the Saturday. So you could say that a love of old stuff is in my blood, and the thrill of a bargain.

So, when I mentioned to mum that I was thinking of trying to sell dolls, maybe with a vintage feel, she produced this delightful box of carefully wrapped lace, trimmings and a pile of Victorian night dresses – thanks mum!

The two little dolls just touched me, they were lying in a basket at Totnes market, the market town where I live in Devon, and they were a bargain of course!
What I love about them is that they are wearing grown up clothes, I could imagine wearing these outfits, and the first doll I made in the style  I now sell had a beret, inspired by the little velvet one here. I must get round to making a new leg for the other little girl!
So there, you have it, the little things that prompted me to start my doll business.

Eating cake with a friend.

Sitting up a tree.

So here's a new little doll who's partial to climbing trees.

Getting ready for Christmas.

I've started making pixies for Christmas, aren't they jolly!?

What's in your drawers?

Thought I'd post up a few photos of the things that I love, that I've hoarded over the years.
Can you see the tiny red silk shoe, belonged to a doll my Aunt bought in China when I was 10, only the shoe is left.
And what about the beautiful hand stitched wish bones made by my friend Charlotte Chance.
The last photo is my collection of beach plastic and other sea-worn treasures - I particularly covet fabric that's been washed up. Beach combing is one of my absolute favourite activities.