Sometimes it’s unclear how much to share of one’s project while it’s in the works. In this age of social media, I feel a pull to share images and post updates about what’s going on because it’s fun and exciting and it’s happening right now! It was simpler in the past, when I would work for years on a children’s book, knowing that the illustrations wouldn’t be seen until they were released in a printed book.
UPDATE: Here are links to posts about illustrations I’ve finished for the book: South America, Japan, North Africa, North America, Holland, India, Iran, Ghana and Afghanistan. To see a list of all my books, click here.
There has got be an approach that lands somewhere between instantaneous sharing and holding back for years. The book is scheduled to come out in 2020, so I’d rather not wait until then. After some thought, I’ve decided to zero in on the details and show closeups. Hopefully the publisher will agree that showing peeks behind the scenes is OK, too. I’ve tried to document different stages along the way, to give you an idea of my process, while retaining a bit of mystery about the finished project. So, be warned that this is a teaser.
The new book, My Bed is an exploration of varied cultures from around the world. This South American scene shows children sleeping in hammocks.
I devised the hammocks from a basic wire structure, with blanket stitching that looks like weaving. There were several prototypes before I figured out how to make it look right.
The background has embroidered bushes, with thread covered wire branches.
The scene features a lush environment with lots of opportunity to make felt and wire leaves and flowers.
Over the next year, I will share details from other illustrations, documenting the process with photos. These were all taken with my cell phone camera. I hope that you enjoy the upcoming round the world tour!
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SALLEY MAVOR 
I love the little glimpses into your process. It gives me ideas for my own art garment work. It’s nothing like yours, but I so enjoy your little figures and their settings. So much fun surface design!
Thrilling! I will happily wait for years and years, with little glimpses of what is to come, as it is devised and tweaked to the point where it can be revealed!
Your work is astounding, Salley. I am so glad that somehow you have been able to continue all these years – I remember the beginnings, and ever since then (I started watching out for glimpses of your work in 1984 – how times have changed, regarding how increasingly easy it has become to “follow” you) I have many of your books, have made quite a few wee folk, and a panel or two – but nowhere near as many as your work has inspired me to WISH to create! I stand in awe of all you do.
Thank you for this glimpse into your wonderful garden of stitching. Magical!
SO wonderful, as usual! Thank you so much for sharing the process!
Love the peek at your progress! Can not wait for more and the book! Thanks!
It is so kind of you to share as you go along….I will absolutely buy your book…my very favorite author on embroidery and dolls!!! Thank you!
You are so incredibly talented, Sally. I feel really lucky to have a peek inside this new world. I don’t know how I’m going to wait til 2020! Thanks again!
Bravo, beautiful, Salley! Thanks for sharing the snippets.
Absolutely love seeing the progress you’re making! You truly have magic fingers, Salley! 💜
I’m so intrigued and love what you do. Can I pre-order the book 3 years out???
Whoa! Totally awesome.
I love that you are sharing the close-up pictures and some of the processes as you work through the project. It looks intriguing and beautiful.
Meticulous precision work. Utterly beautiful and awe inspiring.
This looks wonderful. Thank you for taking us along!
I am in awe – at your vision, you patience to bring that to life, and your skill in doing so! Thank you, thank you! Looking forward to the book.
Beautiful! I love to look at every single detail. You’re work is amazing.
So glad you are sharing some of the work. Can’t believe you made the
hammock. I thought it was fabric!
Absolutely wonderful and I can’t wait for the new book. h >
I love watching the process. You have always been a major inspiration. I made Wee Folks with my children as they were growing up and now I am making them with my grandkids. Thank you for helping make wonderful memories. I’m looking forward to this new book!
Wonderful work! Incredible detail!
Love them. Your work is phenomenal! I will be ordering the book when it’s finished.
Amazing. Beautiful!!
Oh, how beautiful and skilled your work is! How exquisite every detail is and how thoughtful each of your choices of color and stitch. And how carefully engineered. It always brings me joy to see what you are working on. But the most inspiring thing to me always is your approach – how hard you work and how disciplined you are. That is what inspires me the most. I wish I traveled on my path the same way you do on yours, leaving such a quantity of beautiful, finished work in your wake. Thank you for sharing all that you share, Salley. (And of course, I’m as eager as everyone to see the end results!)
Thank you for your kind words, Elizabeth. Yes, I am driven to do the work and it is my distinct pleasure to share it with such an appreciative audience.
One stitch at a time to create such beauty! Very inspiring :0)
Would I be able to find your work in other books? I love your incredible creations.
Thank you for your interest Marla. This page lists my books: https://weefolkstudio.com/my-books-2/
I also sell some books, posters and cards in my Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SalleyMavor
This is incredible and I can’t wait to get my hands on this book. Rebecca Bond was a dear, dear friend of mine in my late teens and early twenties and we lost touch over time. I was so saddened to learn of her death. I am so curiious if you had a chance to meet her or if this project came to be after her passing? Thank you for bringing her life to work! I can only imagine how thrilled she would be to see this process.
Thank you for writing, Sharon. Yes, I knew Rebecca through a mutual friend and professional colleague. We communicated quite a bit during the early stages of the process and she was able to see a few finished illustrations before she passed. She was a special person and I’m sad that she didn’t get to see the finished product.