Wild haired Dahlia dolls before braiding
After a long hiatus, some new Fairies have arrived in my studio! I’ve enjoyed making this group of dolls after a break of a few years while I finished the illustrations for my new children’s book, Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes, which will be published in Sept. 2010. I’ll be showing more about the book in the future, but for now see Mimi Kirchner’s blog for a sneak peek. Here are some photos of fairy making in progress.
fairy making parts ready to be assembled
a gang of Myrtle & Moss fairies
Dahlia, ltd. edition of 25
Myrtle & Moss, ltd. edition of 16
SALLEY MAVOR 
Salley,
I am thrilled, truly thrilled, to see you join the blogging world. I have only recently aquired your book Felt Wee Folk. I have gotten as many of your illustrated books that our library system has. I love them all. I keep checking them out to look at all the details again. I have been inspired to try my hand at wee folk. To prepare I am re-learning how to embroider. I am having a blast and thank you for all you have shared. I have this blog bookmarked and will be a regular visitor!
Salley……
I never thought you were the blogging type. Love the blog! See you around the hood.
Salley, thanks for taking the plunge into blogging. Your exquisite work merits a wider audience. Such a pleasure to see what you’re up to between books! Thanks for taking the time from your real work to share it through this medium.
Blessings,
Michele
So excited to see you blogging.
Figures you are friends with Mimi Kirchner.
Two favorite artists.
Can’t wait for the new book in Sept.
Sally,
I hope you remember me, from my business, Seasons Natural Toys, which I sold several years ago to start breeding ponies instead…
I always loved your dolls and sold many kits in my shop, walk in and internet. I was SO happy to get your email and to see you sell limited edition dolls, I am certain I will be a steady customer, wish I had known earlier! Your blog is so interesting and the photos of your workshop are especially inspiring. As usual, your fairies are magical, every single wee doll is like a stitchery masterpiece! I look forward to seeing what your next limited editions are…and starting a collection. Lynn DeRose
Yes Lynn, I remember you and your shop. So glad that you came to visit!
Beautiful work. You are so talented. Quirkey, fun, clever!
Years ago I bought many families that were on sale at Hearthsong which resemble your dolls. I took many of the clothes apart and customized them. I recently found out about your book “Felt Wee Folk” from Mary Corbet’s Needle N Thread website and I recognized the construction of the flower fairies as similar to the dolls from Hearthsong. I went out and bought the book along with a used copy of “The Hollyhock Wall” and today I received “A pocketful of Posies.”
I have spent over two hours looking at the beautiful needlework That makes up the illustrations which I hope to share with my 1 1/2 y.o. great niece.
I sponser a little girl in Ghana through World Vision. She is 8 and has a younger sister. I have been wanting to send her a doll to play with or even better a doll family, but am limited to a 6″x9″ envelope. She lives in Northern Ghana in a house that is built out of mud and has either a thatched or sheet metal roof. After reading your books I am inspired to combine making a family of dolls from your book and making a combination felt embroidery/pop-up techniques to make a 3 fold scene with a house that will fold out so the door can be opened and the whole thing could carry the dolls.
The little girl I sponser has her head shaved very close as is the custom in her part of the country. Any suggestions on how to represent that on a wooden bead? If I just paint it there will be a hole in the top of her head. I was thinking french knots but do not know how to make that work on a wooden bead (men wear hats so an acorn cap can work for Dad) I have never seen a picture of her mother but her tribe is muslim so I think a piece of thin silk wraped around the head may work for Mom. I can use the instructions for making a dog and pictures I have to make the goats she received from World Vision. Maybe a second folder with a fold out fence and a garden embroidered in the background would make a great play set for Miriaim, her sister and her friends. Your books are very helpful but any suggestions that would help make some dolls that are culturally sensitive would be a great help.
By the way I love your overstuffed chairs!
Thanks
Sarah