I started sewing the dolls about 12 years ago, for a local Christmas Bazaar. I'd taken a day long Waldorf doll making class once (long long ago) and had also studied Waldorf education while attending Evergreen State College. I based the dolls on the basic Waldorf doll form, (along with the creative and nurturing intent behind them), but made them a bit more like myself I suppose - with pastel colored hair, bright apron dresses, rosy cheeks and stripey tights. At first my Etsy shop was primarily handmade clothes and art, but before long I started selling the dolls here as well, until they sort of took over.

The dolls are time consuming - each one takes me between 4 - 6 hours of hand and machine sewing, as well as the search time involved in finding the materials.

Each doll has his or her own unique look and temperament. It's usually once I've stitched the face and found the right color of yarn for the hair that a personality and name begin to materialize.

Aside from the new yarns and cotton knit used for their faces, and the stuffing (wool and fiberfill), the dolls are made primarily from recycled materials: lambswool, cashmere and angora blends, cotton knit prints and vintage cottons, ribbon and lace. Giving these materials a second life is an important part of the dolls creation - it gives them more character; and making the dolls from these materials that have already been used and cared for in a past life - it just adds something special. And the woolen bodies are soft and responsive, and retain and return warmth when held and cuddled by a child.

I often work on the dolls while hanging out with my kids at home. I think it's wonderful for children to grow up in a household where they're involved in the artistic process from a young age. All of my kids have been drawing since they could hold a pen and love to do crafts together.