The Dolls

I had 7 doll commissions to complete for the holidays this year (8 if you count Hanna, which I do). I didn't begin any until I'd completed my wee ones' Halloween costumes (which was a bit of a trauma in and of itself as my old serger died in the middle of making them). So, it amounted to a little more than one doll a week from November to mid-December. That was a lot. It was really too much. The stress level around here while I was down to the wire on them was amazingly high. But I completed each and every one of them, and they all made it to their respective destinations in time. Whew!

Hanna, now at home with Molly's family. But you've seen her before!

Willow, now at home with Emily's little girl. (Emily created the most wonderful clothing for these fairy babies, an offer she made to save me time, and I think they turned out even better for it. Look at them here.)

Morgan, now at home with Emily's little boy. (I called him Morgan because it means "sea".) (Again, that's snow falling on his head, not some mysterious dander.)

I could not have completed them without the help of my own mama, my best friend Rebecca, or my husband, who all stuffed and sewed with me. (Yes, even my husband sewed. He attached arms to bodies.) My mom even helped with the boys' sweaters. Thank goodness for a crafty mama and best friend and a willing husband! (I really should acknowledge my youngest sister who also helped with stuffing and childcare.) Still, most of the handwork was done by me, and I don't think my fingertips will ever be the same. ;) I don't think I'll ever be the same.

Faolan (pronounced "faylan"), now at home in Massachusetts with a blog reader and friend! This is my favorite doll I've ever made and I really didn't want to part with him. Sigh.

Colin, now at home with his big brother Faolan. His hair was very intense to do, but turned out just how I'd hoped.

I learned a lot of lessons through this project. The first was not to take on a bunch of commissions without having planned to do so in the first place. I had never planned to sell my dolls for this holiday season, but when people began inquiring about them after seeing Graham, I just started saying yes, without really thinking about it. The other really important thing that I came away with (lots of other little lessons about time management and speaking up for what my work is worth and so on in between) was that if I'm going to do this, if I'm going to be a doll maker, I need to make dolls in advance. Just as I have time, a head and body here and there. People can still request hair and eye colors (and skin color, too!), but at least I'd have the bulk of the work done. I will probably make clothes in advance, too, and then offer a choice between colors of what I have in stock, rather than leaving it really open ended for people to choose. I have a pretty decent (not big) stash, but I still ended up having to run out and buy fabric & yarn for doll clothes more than once, which I think could have been avoided.

Mandy. At first I wasn't so sure about doing freckles on a doll, but she actually turned out to be my favorite girl doll of the entire batch. She lives with Deanna's family now.

This is Rachel, and I know this isn't her face, but I love this shot of her hair, a style I'd never tried before, and I think it really captures something special about this doll. You can see her face here. She's at home with her big sister Mandy.

And finally, sweet Sally. My mom just couldn't get over Sally's sweet face. She's a bit more petite than the other dolls in this bunch, and is so perfectly adorable. She's with her sisters Mandy and Rachel at Deanna's house.

(As always, there are many more views of these dolls here.)

Anyway, I am so glad that I did this. I am so glad that my work has received such a warm reception and that this little batch of dolls have all gone to such good homes and are being loved by so many children. Despite the stress, I'd say that it was all worth it in the end. And now I know what to do differently in the future!

Oh, and wishing you all many happy returns (wait, what does that even mean?!) ... a very, very happy 2008. ;)

Comments

[Lorien]

Thank you for sharing your process. These are all spectacular dolls. I have my first order for a doll due on January 9th, and forgot about the fact we would be skiing until the 7th! All of your dolls have something extra about them that I can't quite put a finger on. It must be some magic that you put into the process. I think it makes a big difference that you seem to love each one as you are making them.

[Gina]

Wow, Grace. Absolutely stunning! Rachel's hair is just too cute!

[emily]

grace, i am so proud of you. and so honored to have two of these amazing creations living in my family. they are so loved here. and even moreso because of the love that you put into making them.

i know that you know all of this already, but i just had to say it again. because it is overwhelming to me.

oh, and can we talk about how to make shoes? the fairy babies have cold feet!

[Stacey]

What a wonderful group of doll you've made they each seem to have their own souls. I am so impressed.

[Manda]

Those dolls are breathtaking. Makes me want to try giving Waldorf doll making another try. My first attempt was not nearly so adorable.

[Emilie]

Wow! They are simply magical.

[Deanna]

Grace, we love the dolls (Sally, Mandy and Rachel). The girls are so smitten, wherever they are playing, the dolls are there too. I have a priceless picture of Allison opening her doll on Christmas morning. Its still on my camera but once I get my computer situation worked out, expect to get a copy. All of the dolls are with girls who love and adore them. They've found a great home. Thanks so much for the work, time and love you put into the dolls!

PS, they said to tell you "hi"

[patience]

Absolutely stunning. Congratulations!!! You have such a talent for this. I hope you continue to get more commissions.

So wonderful also to see someone use the name Faolan. And properly, for a boy. Its my favourite boy's name but the girls are taking it over these days.

[dottycookie]

These are so adorable it brings tears to my eyes. I want to make some that have my children's colouring but I bet I couldn't make them as beautifully as you have!

[Dawn]

I just finished reading a chapter in Children at Play about the importance of dolls in the life of children and then I saw all these beautiful dolls- exactly the kind of dolls that are described in the book- dolls that the children can really put a part of themselves into. Happy New Year.

[Bluebirdbaby]

Woohoo! You're done! I'm so proud of you. Way to go Grace! All of the dolls are so beautifully made. You have quite a talent. Good job mama :)

[Alicia A.]

Wow! They. are. amazing.

Still wanna swap? There's NO hurry. I have three dolls to do next week, so I might need another break too...

[Kelly]

Thank you, for sharing! Your dolls, are AMAZING! The fairy dolls, being my favorite, their hair, is stunning! What joy! Happy New Year, may it be a blessed one for you and your dear family! Peace ~

[Mary Beth]

These are all fantastic. I've made one such doll in the past, so I know what a big project they are. You are amazingly talented. I love all their eyes, by the way. And that hair--such a difficult task so beautifully done.

[Chelsea D.]

Happy New Year Grace! You are an amazing doll maker. When you have time, I'd love to know how you started making them and where you learned. I would love to look into getting A one from you sometime. Blessings!

[Emily]

Oooh....I love Colin the best. Wow, you did a great job. BTW Kaya loved the doll we made. It was a spitten image of her! Thanks for the help!

[Nicole]

Oh, Grace! They are all so very sweet! My boys and the rest of our family love our dolls Faolan and Colin :) more so everday!! They have such *life* to them, simply magical!

[Beth]

Absolutely amazing. What a stunning success... They are just beautiful. Magical.

[Dallas]

Those are beautiful! I particularly like Willow's hair.

[Alina]

Beautiful dolls....there is something special about your work :)

[Mama Urchin]

They are gorgeous. I my ask you to make one for Tristan after you've had a long break.

[sUsAn]

Oh, my goodness me, Faolan looks a bit like my son Lukas! Wonderful wonderful dolls!

[Suzanne]

Just beautiful! I do like that Sally--a sweet face:-)

[heather]

you amaze me grace. i've said it before, but every single time you share something handmade i feel speechless. truly beautiful.

happy new year!

[Karen]

I've recently found your blog and I think your dolls are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. I would love to have one of our own for our family one day. They are truly magical.
Happy new year
Karen

[Amber]

Grace---Wow, what amazing work! I have made a couple Waldorf dolls and I know how much time goes into one. You should be giving yourself a big pat on the back! Your dolls are so beautiful--I love the details. I bet the recipients are loving their newfound friends..

[bex]

Grace, Poppy just jumped up on my lap, pointed at Rachel & said, " Oooooo, look Mumma. Angel!
I think you're onto a winner there don't you?
HNY! Xxx

[lina]

So beautiful Grace. They look so magical. Well done on a fantastic job.

[Louise]

Your work is just beautiful and I know those dolls will be cherished!

[erin]

grace, you should be so proud of yourself. they are all gorgeous! really really gorgeous!

[annri]

the dolls you created are extraordinary!! i've made many dolls for my children and others, so i understand the labor spent and the love poured in; it makes the dolls real and warm, a very profound gift.

happy new year - annri

[Joy]

Grace,
Wow! They are all gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing!
Happy New Year!

[Edi]

Wow! Wonderful handwork on all of those dolls! I especially like the boy ones and the side view of the girl with krinkly hair b/c it looks so real.

I'm sure there were some happy folks when they arrived.

[JoAnna]

Oh they are just lovely! I am in the middle of my first doll, a kit from Magic Cabin. Supposed to be a Chritmas present. Anyway, the neck (presently I have not attached teh head to the body)seems very wide. When I see your dolls, it is almost as if there isn't much of a neck. Do you have nay suggestions?

[JoAnna]

Ok, so I can't type. I just looked again, oh that one sweater is just great!

[Ram in the Thicket]

Those are all SO, SO beautiful! Congratulations to you. I'm sorry it all drove you nuts though. But lessons learned is a good thing! I hope I can snag a doll from you for my son's first birthday in July. Whenever you're ready though ;o)

[colleen]

A Very Happy New Year to you Grace. What an amazing job you did on your dolls; and they all have that little something extra -- dolls with souls. Lovely.

[little jenny wren]

Hi Grace, I think you and I lived the same November and December, I said yes to far too many dolls and life was a bit crazy until Christmas. I didn't have any help with the dolls but my children are old enough to take over the house and cooking jobs while I sewed and stuffed and created. Your dolls look wonderful.

[Rebecca]

Beautiful!

[cloth.paper.string]

ah grace! you are one extremely talented one. they're fantastic! i especially love mandy's freckles and faolan's hairdo -- it looks kinda like the homemade haircut i recently gave my little one....