The age of wonder

Telling people that I am a doll maker is often met with a few raised eyebrows - it's certainly an unusual choice of vocation! More baffling still it seems to everyone - as I am a mother to three boys! It's true enough that about four years ago now I started making dolls as special toys and keepsakes for my babies - it felt so wonderful to craft something just for them, made from lovely wholesome natural materials, and lots of love. Looking back though I can't help but think this was my path all along - that somehow I was always meant to do this sort of work. Since my earliest childhood I have been fascinated with story telling, always an avid reader and writer, I was lost in a world of make-believe - hosting mud pie cafes in the garden, searching for exotic creatures in the woods or setting traps to catch the ever elusive heffalumps and woozles! 

My sisters and I hugely enjoyed playing with our puppets and acting out stories, 

a favorite being The Dark Crystal.

 It is still a film that I delight in watching now with my own children. It's beautiful imagery - the light and shade of the fantastical world and its wonderful creatures. Truthfully watching it now I can't believe it was made over 30 years ago, before I was born! I think that is due entirely to the fact that what you are watching on screen is not animation or computer trickery - its real puppets with natural movements and textures. Films like the dark crystal ( and other Henson/Froud works like Labyrinth ) truly bought fantasy to life for me and have inspired me to invest my time and creativity in bringing the joy of make-believe to others, young or not so young. 

You are never ever too old to enjoy the mystery of what could be! 

It is rare to be able to meet and thank those who have influenced you, so you can imagine that I was very excited to work on a personal gift for the Frouds when I attended one of their talks.

Nature holds the greatest of inspiration - living on the edge of Dartmoor you really cannot help but absorb the emotive colour palette of the lonesome hills and dramatic stormy skies. For this doll I was particularly interested in the faded tones of our new garden, the tired looking moss and skeletal flowers of our hydrangeas all windswept from a long winter. All together our garden is looking pretty sorry for itself and I dreamed that maybe somehow a little springtime troll might come and bring it to life again!

And wouldn't you know - that's just what happened!

 Doll making as I'm sure I have said sometime before is a rare art in which you can enjoy many different crafts! Designer, sculptor, dyer, felter, spinner and knitter all at once! It's wonderful to bring forth a totally new creation from simple raw sheep's wool and cotton fabric scraps. 

This troll saw some new details for me, most notably the use of wire armature in her hands and feet allowing much better expression of movement and the ability to hold objects, there is still so much to learn in the respect of making true puppets rather than dolls which are more suited for cuddling! 

But I like to think this little creature offers a nice blend of both!

Needles to say the talk held by the Frouds last weekend was fantastic, it was lovely to go with my sisters and hear about the costume design and inspiration behind one of my favorite films! We even got to see some examples from the film which were exquisitely crafted! It's really encouraged my belief that there is still a place in this world for this sort of art, and that it keeps magic alive for future generations!

I have to admit to being a little starstruck when I nipped to the stage after their talk to give Wendy and Brian my little gift, more so when they opened it then and there which I hadn't really expected! Most who know me will tell you I'm quite shy and reserved at the best of times, so I'm sure my face was truly scarlet! I'm so thrilled that they liked her, it feels an honour to know a little creation of mine

will be in such fine company! 

For those of you who are not familiar with the work of the Frouds please do have a nosy at their site

the world of froud, their art is exceptional! This project has really opened my imagination to the blending of waldorf doll making techniques with more abstract fantasy designs - I wouldn't be surprised if more Fae folk appeared in the studio again! xx

A little chimney sweep

Sometimes I get the opportunity to time travel through my doll making! This months custom doll is inspired by the Dickensian era, to a time where little ones could be seen scampering down the streets of London, covered in soot with nothing but a penny in their pocket and a cheeky grin!

Takara

 Sweet patient Takara, you really are a little treasure! There have been so many dolls around lately, its been all hustle and bustle but Takara has sat on my sewing shelf completely starkers, playfully swinging her legs back and forth, content in watching all the commotion! Finally my dear it is your turn to be dressed, and you certainly have your own sense of style!

Takara and I are both fond of Japanese fashion, soft fabrics and vintage buttons - 

so deciding her outfit together was a doddle! Her wardrobe includes:

A pair of polka spot undershorts

Dove grey cotton velour shirt

Japanese floral cotton play-suit, finished with cotton lace and vintage porcelain buttons

A hand knitted tweed cardigan with cotton crochet pockets and trim

Fairisle style knee high knitted socks

Faux leather mary jane style shoes

But my patient girl has been in good company, a tiny woodland spirit has taken a shine to her - and is now never far from her side! 

Willa and the wool

 One look at this little one and you know she is up to trouble! Willa like many of the ladybird dolls, is mischievous - she takes great delight in messing about with things she knows she shouldn't touch, telling funny stories and most of all, not listening to what she is told! But you couldn't be cross with her could you - because I know she is just far far too busy in her own little world to listen to what I have to say! Who wants to help put away some dishes when you are really quite sure that a unicorn just leaped over the garden fence?! 

Yes, yes - Willa will surely entertain you with her fantastical tales 

( but I wouldn't let her anywhere near your knitting wool! )

  Like butter wouldn't melt right?!

Of late most of my dolls have been large delicate creations, less suited as a child toy - but I am happy to say that this robust young lady is keen to join a busy playful household! Should you wish to adopt Willa, she is over in my hyenacart shop now :) xx

A brand new year

 

  

Welcome to 2016! I hope that you all have had a splendid start to the year, it is always an exciting time, looking ahead and planning for the year to come! Last month my family and I welcomed a third son to our little ladybird family, and we have enjoyed the last few weeks blissfully snuggled up with our precious newborn. As I hold him in my arms, so tiny, so perfect, and gaze out across the garden - winter bulbs just peeking their fresh green above the soil - my mind ambles through thoughts of a sleepy world reawakening and the miracle of new life. Naturally through these amblings I come to thinking about dolls - which in truth is never too far from mind! Doll making provides a wonderful platform to express oneself, to characterise a moment or feeling and reflect upon the simple joys in life.

Merryn smiles up at me with a full and happy heart - her eyes shine as she takes everything in - seeing the world for the very first time! 

The first doll of 2016 is born!

Merryn has watched her tiny seedling grow with fascination, whispering encouragement for its tiny leaves to unfurl! " Soon it will be as tall as me!" she squeals in excitement!

 

This year I hope to follow mother natures wonderful example, to create with love and to take my time and enjoy the process. Modern life and its daily demands seem to race the days away, but doll making is my little oasis! Life begins afresh everyday - it never gives up - and I hope that Merryn carries this gentle hope with her where ever she goes.

The Familiar and the Unknown

I'm sure I know you little one, your face is so familiar! 

It's like we met many moons ago, though you assure me we have just met!

Sometimes as a doll maker, despite many, many hours of one to one time crafting a doll, their character emerges and is still a little of a riddle! Perhaps it's because my mind wanders to next month when I will get to meet my own baby, to meet the tiny wonder I have carried so long, both entirely a mystery, yet completely a part of myself! Avery marks a wonderful time in my life and doll making journey, where I feel my dolls speak the love I have for my craft, and the happiness in my heart as I enter motherhood for the third time. This will be the last doll I make this year, as I focus my thought and energy towards the needs of a newborn and the busyness of the festive season to come!

I wish you the very fondest for the end of the year - 

may it be a time of family, marshmallow hot chocolates and rosy winter cheeks for you all!

With much love, Scarlett x

Sunshine and Buttercups

  I am sure there are many of you who understand the simple joy of visiting a fabric shop, the rows upon rows of silky textures and vibrant prints! We have several nice ones near us and I could spend hours perusing their shelves, quite often the dolls I make will visit with me to search for the fabrics for their outfits. Much of the time we find ourselves picking up the same colour combinations, the breezy cool colours that seem to come to hand so naturally, and speak to the characters of the dolls I make. But there are other times, when a snippet of something brighter will catch my attention. Now I really try - you must believe me when I say, that I do try to only buy the fabrics I have planned intentions for as my poor dear family are truly overwhelmed by my ever increasing stash of necessary supplies! But sometimes a fabric just sneaks its way into my basket - 

with no other reasoning that it is simply lovely!

Yellow - the colour of sunshine and buttercups! It just seems to radiate happines and is a colour that is appealing to me more and more, When I first saw this fabric, with its vibrant colours and pretty summer hedge flower design, my mind imediately raced with ideas for a beautiful smiley blonde girl.

This is Chloe!

Chloe is imagined to be an older doll child as she is 19 inches tall and has already outgrown some of the babyish curves of her younger ladybird brothers and sisters. Her bright and bold coloured outfit perfectly portrays her adventurous spirit and quirky sense of humour! 

There are not many of my dolls that could pull off polka spot trim on their dresses, 

but Chloe insists that more is definitely always more!

Chloe is sewn from fair laib yala cotton and has a gently sculpted face, her big blue eyes and gently smiling mouth hinting just a little at the sweet natured girl within. She has a very full head of fine wavy natural blonde ox hair which we have fastened up into bunches to show off her adorable little ears! She has dimpled knees, a rounded rosy bottom and a swirly bellybutton too. 

Her outfit consists of a pair of fleecey undies, navy cord bloomers, a pretty summer print dress with placket buttoned front and polka spot trim, knit wrap style shoes and a merino hand knit lace scarf.

Chloe is hoping for adventures afar, if you would like her to join your family, please do head over to my shop where we will be accepting entries from 5pm est tonight untill 5pm est Sunday.

With love, Scarlett and Chloe xx