Beginnings

I was reading a thread on Craftster.org recently that made me think about the origins of my craftiness. It took a lot of thinking, and I realized that I would have to go back a long way to define a beginning. A long way...

...all the way back to my some of my very first memories...4 years old and attending a very unique preschool. Curious how the earliest memories are of the things that we created, the things that we puzzled out and presented proudly for all of the world to see. These are the things that grace our parents mantles and adorn their walls as badges of honor. My earliest pieces of childhood art included paintings using straw, egg-carton-flower bouquets, and coiled clay pots. My mom still treasures these things - she saved it all.

I learned how to use hand-tools about the same time that I learned to sew clothes for my dolls. There were so many home improvement projects that my mom had me help her with...we papered, paneled and painted the walls...laid a solid oak floor...made cabinets and tables and a fence and a brick patio...electrical, plumbing, gardening, etc. I learned how to do all of those things before I was 11! I tried cross stitch when I was about 7, but it never held my attention. I made my first stuffed animal, a bunny from a kit, when I was 8. Mostly, it was re-purposing old clothes into clothes for my massive stuffie collection and Barbie dolls.

Not much has really changed. =)

The Elvish Poet - Teaghan

My newest doll is finally finished! Let me introduce you to Teaghan. She is an aspiring poet still searching for her inspiration. Her journals are empty, and she has set off to find the words that will fill them.

Teaghan the Elf is a one-of-a-kind cloth doll from head to toe (I drafted new patterns for her body and clothing). Her hair and shawl are made from my hand-painted, hand-spun yarn. Her bag, books (the smaller one is just 2.25" tall!), shoes, and corset are hand-stitched leather. I gave her several earrings and lots of other brass, pearl and glass adornments. Her sun dress is batik cotton, and she's wearing a pink and white lace petticoat.

I'm so pleased with how she turned out. It just feels good to have made a doll that is so unique and lovely. It was actually difficult to stop adding details to her costume! Teaghan, at 19 inches tall, is the largest (and most time-consuming) doll that I have ever made. I would love to share her with my peers on Craftster.org, but I won't - she's for sale, and I don't want anyone to think that I'm fishing for sales - though they would probably appreciate the amount of work that went into her. However, I have no compunctions about sharing the link to my store in this forum: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44726474