A Bespoke Doll

Anwyn and eKaterina are best friends.  This was a bespoke doll commissioned by a collector in northwest Ohio.  It was a great joy to imagine who this doll would become, and choose from my treasure trove of textiles and fibers to bring her to life. I am especially grateful for this friend and her trust in me, and support of my art, in commissioning this doll.

A few of the unique elements in her costume include an antique tatted lace student’s sampler round gathered to make a delicate lace cap on Anwyn’s auburn felted cashmere hair.  The solid beige linen skirt is fashioned from a small length of hand loomed linen, and eKaterine wears a striped linen and cotton skirt.  Each doll has an apron hand stitched from antique tissue linen handkerchiefs.  You can see a tiny bunny tucked into Anwyn’s canvas and leather tote bag and an Eastern Bluebird perched on  her wrist, while eKaterina has a teeny little mouse in her apron pocket.  These tiny friends, as well as the flowers on Anwyn’s infinity shawl, are stitched from bits of felted wool.  A girl need bling, and you can see that on the collar encircling eKaterina’s ruff.  The rhinestones came from the shoulder straps of a 1940’s evening dress and were stitched one at a time onto the black collar.

I present my bespoke dolls in archival boxes made by Gaylord Archival, with a Sweet Violet Dolls label  and a bit of violet ribbon fastening the doll securely to a backing in the box and on the lid, and a note for the doll’s new owner.