I have loved wooden dolls since I was a very little girl. There is something about a wooden doll that touches my heart deeply. Perhaps it is the energy of the tree still alive in the doll……
I have a very dear friend who is Japanese in origin and Canadian by choice.
Recently, she went back to Japan to visit her parents and help her Mum with a little downsizing.
Her Mum decided that she no longer needed to keep these two Kokeshi dolls that had lived with her for probably more than 50 years.
My sweet friend wrapped them in Furoski wrapping cloths which I also LOVE. I have used the Furoshki method of carrying things since I discovered it about 20 years ago-
Here’s a link to a very useful quick Furoshki tutorial from the Japanese government:
The large Kokeshi doll is very heavy and tall- about 14 inches/36 cm. I love that she still has the bark of the tree on her. Her little sister is about 8 inches/20 cm tall and has the ‘See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil’ monkeys hiding behind a bamboo tree. Delightful!
I treasure these elegant old dolls that came around the globe in my friend’s suitcase- what a special gift!
Here is a collection of one of a kind sculptural hand carved wooden spoons that I created a few years ago and am now selling…. I’ve held onto them long enough and now it’s time to let them go out into the hearts and hands of other people. I hope that they will spark delight in people! They CANNOT be used with food, but can stir up creativity and delight and good wishes and fun and blessings and all good things.
Please send me a message if you would like to buy any of these magical spoon sculptures.
I made a little video showing how they look when they are held in my hands.
There are too many photos to put them all in one blog post, in full size, so please go to the video to see the spoons in more detail.
The list of the available spoons with their height and price is below the video.
1- Granny Rules: approximately 7 inches (17 cm) tall: $150 + insurance and shipping
2- Mermaid: approximately 8 inches (20 cm) tall: $150 + insurance and shipping
3- Kitty with a Bird on Her Head :approximately 9 inches (23 cm) tall: $150 + insurance and shipping
4- Large Dancer with the Wind in Her Hair (Rose on her skirt, Compass Rose and Sun and Moon in the spoon) :approximately 9 1/2 inches (24 cm) tall: $250 + insurance and shipping
5- Small Dancer with the Wind in Her Hair (Rose on her skirt, Blue Butterfly in the spoon) :approximately 6 inches (15 cm) tall: $100 + insurance and shipping
6- She Dances with the Moon in her Hair: approximately 8 1/2 inches (22 cm) tall: $175 + insurance and shipping
7- She Dances with the Stars in her Hair: approximately 9 3/4 inches (24 cm) tall: $125 + insurance and shipping
8- The Little Book of Kindness: approximately 6 1/2 inches (16.5 cm) tall: $125 + insurance and shipping
9: Wisdom Owl: approximately 8 inches (20 cm) tall: $100 + insurance and shipping
10: Fairy Door: approximately 7 1/2 inches (19 cm) tall: $100 + insurance and shipping
11- The Heart and Hand: approximately 6 1/2 inches (16.5 cm) tall: $175 + insurance and shipping
12: Star Baby: approximately 5 inches (12.5 cm) tall: $100 + insurance and shipping
13 and 14: Two Girls with Sweaters: approximately 5 inches (12.5 cm) tall: $100 each + insurance and shipping
15, 16 and 17: Three Little Girls who have hugging arms and who inspired me to create the Vasilisa dolls. # 15 is approximately 5 inches (12.5 cm) tall: $150 + insurance and shipping
# 16 is approximately 4 inches (10 cm) tall: $150 + insurance and shipping
# 17 is approximately 3 1/2 inches (9 cm) tall: $150 + insurance and shipping
18: Another of the ‘Vasilisa Doll’ style but she doesn’t have the hugging style arms- she is approximately 3 1/2 inches (9 cm) tall: $100 + insurance and shipping
19- Thank you to the Trees and the Forests!- approximately 4 inches (10 cm) tall: $100 + insurance and shipping
A couple of years ago, I had a wonderful time designing, carving and painting one of a kind wooden Teddy Bears and Pandas. Each one is unique.
They all have jointed arms and legs, so they can sit and move about.
I am not carving wood anymore, and won’t be making any more of the Wooden Teddy Bears or Pandas. These are the last of my series and are for sale.
Hand Carved WOODEN PANDAS
1- This Panda is approximately 6 1/2 inches (16.5 cm) tall $95 + shipping
Note: It has a beaded necklace that can be removed if you prefer them to not wear a necklace.
2– This little Panda has a gold heart, red bead necklace and red shoes and is approximately 5 1/2 inches (14 cm) tall $95 + shipping
3- This Panda has a gold heart, a gold bead necklace, red shoes that have flowers on the soles, green and purple leggings and a flowered body suit and is approximately 7 1/2 inches (19 cm) tall
$95 + shipping
Hand Carved Wooden TEDDY BEARS THAT ARE ABOUT 7 1/2 Inches TALL:
4-This Teddy Bear has red bead necklace, red boots with flowers on the soles, blue and white striped leggings and a flowered body suit and is approximately 7 1/2 inches (19 cm) tall $95 + shipping
4- This Teddy Bear is approximately 7 1/4 inches tall (18 cm) and has a pinkish gold necklace, pink and purple high top boots that have flowers on the soles, a floral body suit and leggings. $95 + shipping
I have made a couple of dresses that fit these Pandas and Larger Teddy Bears and are available, too….
A hand knitted old fashioned looking dress: $35 + shipping
It fits the 7 1/2 inch bears but is too big for the 4 inch bears
This is what it looks like on the bears (the bear is not included in the purchase of the dress…. they are all sold separately)
And here is a little sewn dress that is reversible. It fits all the bears. $20 +shipping
Here’s what the dress looks like on the bears (dress and bears sold separately)
4 inch tall Carved Wooden Teddy Bears
1a- 4 inch tall Hand Carved Wooden Teddy Bear in a Pinafore (the pinafore is included in the price) $95
If you are interested in purchasing any of the bears, please drop me a note in the comments
Several people have messaged me recently, asking if I still have any Vasilisa Comfort Dolls available for sale. I don’t have the stamina to carve wood anymore, as I am living with Long Covid/post viral syndrome (blech). So, there won’t be any new ones and these are the only Vasilisa Dolls that are still available.
If you are interested in buying any of them, please leave a comment and I will get back to you asap.
These are the Vasilisa Comfort Doll ‘Mamma/Great Mother of All’ series- they are $75 each + shipping. They are between 4- 5 inches tall
Small Vasilisa Comfort Dolls: These two are $45 + shipping
And, the Kitten is sold but the Vasilisa Comfort Doll #14 is still available $50 + shipping
I am no longer carving wooden dolls, (health issues).
These One of a Kind Wooden Dolls are all for sale. They are $100 each + shipping.
I spent hours making little fitted shimmery vests, and spent more hours messing around with lace for skirts. Sadly, the lace skirts just didn’t cut it.
So, when a dear friend gave me some vintage hankies, I had an ‘aha!’ moment…. and the skirt dilemma was resolved: Tie the hankies on with ribbons. This is a super simple non-sew skirt option that I came up with decades ago for dolls in my book: Soul Mate Dolls: Dollmaking as a Healing Art. It works so well! And, now, I am happy!
A couple of years ago, I had a wonderful time designing, carving and painting one of a kind wooden Teddy Bears and Pandas. Each one is unique.
They all have jointed arms and legs, so they can sit and move about.
I am not carving wood anymore, and won’t be making any more of the Wooden Teddy Bears or Pandas. These are the last of my series and are for sale.
Hand Carved WOODEN PANDAS
1- This Panda is approximately 6 1/2 inches (16.5 cm) tall $95 + shipping
Note: It has a beaded necklace that can be removed if you prefer them to not wear a necklace.
2– This little Panda has a gold heart, red bead necklace and red shoes and is approximately 5 1/2 inches (14 cm) tall $95 + shipping
3- This Panda has a gold heart, a gold bead necklace, red shoes that have flowers on the soles, green and purple leggings and a flowered body suit and is approximately 7 1/2 inches (19 cm) tall
$95 + shipping
Hand Carved Wooden TEDDY BEARS THAT ARE ABOUT 7 1/2 Inches TALL:
4-This Teddy Bear has red bead necklace, red boots with flowers on the soles, blue and white striped leggings and a flowered body suit and is approximately 7 1/2 inches (19 cm) tall $95 + shipping
4- This Teddy Bear is approximately 7 1/4 inches tall (18 cm) and has a pinkish gold necklace, pink and purple high top boots that have flowers on the soles, a floral body suit and leggings. $95 + shipping
I have made a couple of dresses that fit these Pandas and Larger Teddy Bears and are available, too….
A hand knitted old fashioned looking dress: $35 + shipping
It fits the 7 1/2 inch bears but is too big for the 4 inch bears
This is what it looks like on the bears (the bear is not included in the purchase of the dress…. they are all sold separately)
And here is a little sewn dress that is reversible. It fits all the bears. $20 +shipping
Here’s what the dress looks like on the bears (dress and bears sold separately)
4 inch tall Carved Wooden Teddy Bears
1a- 4 inch tall Hand Carved Wooden Teddy Bear in a Pinafore (the pinafore is included in the price) $95
2a- 4 inch tall Hand Carved Wooden Teddy Bear in a Tutu (the tutu is included in the price) $95
3a- 4 inch tall Hand Carved Wooden Teddy Bear with an Acorn Hat in a Vestwith removable wings (the hat is glued to the Teddy Bear’s head. The vest and wings are included in the price) $95
If you are interested in purchasing any of the bears, please drop me a note in the comments or send me an email and I will get back to you asap. ❤
The death of our beloved 15 year old small dog has been really hard on both my husband and me.
I wrote in my previous post about the Comfort Doll that I carved from a fallen branch- LINK
When I was carving her, I was inspired to carve a Teddy Bear that would have an open space in it’s heart…..
I used amber color shellac to paint the Teddy Bear to look like our little dog, and then…
My husband and I each placed a tiny scoop of our little dog’s ashes in the open circle.
Then I glued a gold heart over it to seal it….
The glue seals it completely.
It took a while to dry and turn clear.
We both held the little teddy bear and found it to be very comforting….
We sat Teddy Bear and Pollydolly in front of the box of our little guy’s ashes, but when I finished weaving her outfit and knitting a red sweater and blue jeans for him, we sat them on top of the box:
My husband loves working with metal, so he made a little steel doggie: Edward Alloy in tribute to our wee fellow, and it has joined them on the box…..
We have found this tender making of small things in celebration of our wee dog to be very comforting!
Last week, our darling little dog died. He was 15 years old and we miss him terribly.
The day before he died, a branch fell from the huge Elm tree in front of our house. I love the tree and so I picked up the branch and moved it onto our lawn, thinking that I should probably carve something from it.
A couple of days after we came home from the Vet, without our dear boy in our arms, the impulse to pick up the branch and start carving grew stronger and stronger.
I had been feeling called to carve another 6 inch doll like one that had carved last fall, so I used her as a companion and guide:
I used the same branch for her arms:
And for her legs, but I got the first pair all wrong, so I made another pair from another scrap of wood.
Of course, it took me a few days to carve her and to allow the still wet wood to dry before I could paint her.
This allowed me to follow my inner prompts that were a gift from this little healing dolly and start work on carving a teddy bear. I have posted about him here: LINK
I was surprised that she wanted a very round head, but when I went to carve it down, she firmly told me to just sand it smooth and live with it. Okay…. it’s important to not try to push the doll where she does not want to go!
She let me know exactly what she wanted for her hair, leotard, leggings and boots:
I knitted her a dress that was totally wrong for her, but works beautifully on a different doll.
Then I tried a different dress that I had knitted for another little doll. Nope.
She wanted me to weave her a white skirt and shrug from yarn that my daughter in law spun.
So, I did….
Her name is Pollydolly and I have found the process of carving her (and the teddy bear that I will post about next) to be very soothing and healing.
Dollmaking is very much a healing art and no matter what form it takes, it’s good for the soul.
Grieving is a journey that is unique to each person who has to follow the path, and it’s important to do the things that help the grief be nurtured in a transformative way that becomes the root of compassion.
Carving dolls and bears and knitting and weaving are an important part of my way of healing.
In the next post about the Teddy Bear that Pollydolly told me to carve, I’ll show you where she is sitting now. LINK
If you are grieving, please know that you are not alone. There is so much to grieve right now, and we all have to find our way through it. Blessings on your journey!
Vasilisa Comfort Dolls that are Lucet Cord makers: LINK
These Vasilisa Comfort dolls are larger than the original ones….
This photo gives a sense of the size difference:
ARCH SHAPE VASILISA COMFORT DOLLS
HELPING HANDS:
In gratitude for all ways that people help one another. 3 1/2 inches/9 cm tall
THE BLESSING CUP: SOLD
about 3 inches/ 8 cm tall
“Being a Mother and Being a Daughter”
about 3 inches/ 8 cm tall
SWEET DREAMS:
about 5 inches/12.5 cm tall
A BLESSING FOR THE CHILD
about 5 inches/12.5 cm tall
AND THIS GROUP OF LARGE VASILISA COMFORT DOLLS HAVE JOINTED ARMS:
“Sunflower Song” We’ll never see Sunflowers in the same way again, will we? Praying for Peace in Ukraine and an end to the invasion
about 5 inches/12.5 cm tall
ROSIE:
about 5 inches/12.5 cm tall
BUTTERFLY DREAMS
I did the tatting, using shuttles that I carved myself. She’s about 5 inches/12.5 cm tall
DREAM CHILD
about 5 inches/12.5 cm tall (GLASS BACKGROUND NOT INCLUDED)
SURPRISE and her BABY
Surprise was a fascinating doll to create…. she kept taking me in new directions…. including wanting a baby…..
With her hat, Surprise is almost 8 inches/20 cm tall
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING ONE OR MORE OF THESE DOLLS, PLEASE LEAVE ME A NOTE IN THE COMMENTS (IT WON’T BE PUBLISHED) AND I WILL GET BACK TO YOU ASAP
In my previous post, I showed photos of the Vasilisa Comfort Dolls that are Lucets and also some Vasilisa Comfort Dolls that were inspired by and an homage to the Orkney Venus. LINK
If you would like to buy one of the Vasilisa Comfort dolls please post a comment and I will get back to you asap. (your comment won’t be public)
THE GREAT MOTHER Vasilisa Comfort Dolls can be seen at LINK
To see the larger Vasilisa Comfort Dolls, please click onLINK
‘CHOICES’ Vasilisa Comfort Dolls:NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Making decisions can be so challenging right now…. The Choices Vasilisa Comfort Doll is great at helping to make choices. ‘Yes’ on one side…. for a Wholly ‘Yes’And, ‘No’ on the other…. for the Holy ‘No’……
HOME:
Listening for Wisdom, The Owl as Guide: NO LONGER AVAILABLE
TOUCH THE EARTH:
Peace…. NO LONGER AVAILABLE
I carved these Vasilisa Comfort Dolls from Walnut to give them darker skin tones:
Vasilisa Comfort Doll (walnut) Singing a New Song NO LONGER AVAILABLEVasilisa Comfort Doll (walnut) Mother and Child NO LONGER AVAILABLEVasilisa Comfort Doll (walnut) Dream Guide NO LONGER AVAILABLEVasilisa Comfort Doll (walnut) Storyteller/Storykeeper/Guardian of the Books NO LONGER AVAILABLEVasilisa Comfort Doll (walnut) The Heart of Lovingkindness NO LONGER AVAILABLEThis Vasilisa Comfort Doll is a necklace made with a beaded lucet cord. She has a tatted necklace around her neck, made with a tatting shuttle that I carved myself.
This group of Vasilisa Comfort Dolls is influenced by Goddess imagery:
Vasilisa Comfort Doll SerenityVasilisa Comfort Doll She Guides the Journey NO LONGER AVAILABLEVasilisa Comfort Doll Dreaming Rabbit
This last group of Vasilisa Comfort Dolls is all about my love of flowers:
Vasilisa Comfort Doll Rosebud Inner Child NO LONGER AVAILABLEVasilisa Comfort Doll Healing Laughter in the Blossom NO LONGER AVAILABLEVasilisa Comfort Doll Protected by the Flowers NO LONGER AVAILABLE
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