Thursday, June 30, 2011

Making Spirit Dolls

 Spirit Doll Yemaya Goddess of the Sea and Mother of the Be-Coming

I have always been facinated by the whole idea of Spirit Dolls. Perhaps for me , the making of a doll is simply not just a craft or a plaything. Its a concept I have found difficult to explain to people who live on quite a different plane.




Several years ago , I did an interview  with a popular Lifestyle magazine on my work and my creations. The young reporter they sent to interview me was the typical "Yuppy  corporate climbing type" who sat there in front of me and struggled to understand anything of what I was explaining to her. She could not grasp that the making of a doll or bear or any creation was far more than wool or fabric , stuffing and thread.It was no surprise that I ended up sounding  in her article like some arty nut job who had been sniffing on the paint and glues too much.



Dollmaking for me is very much a spiritual process. I make dolls when I am sad, when I am happy or when I want to communicate. I have marked the anniversaries of the heartaches of my life with a day of quite stitching to make a little doll. I do not fully know why but it is for me a way to give voice to what lives inside.Perhaps this stems from my early childhood growing up within a  struggling family. Due to my mother's constant ill heath - childhood for me and my siblings was quite a different experience. There were no kids parties , or many outings or celebrations. Our life was very much confined to our home and lived within the circumstances we found ourselves in. As children do , we coped . I made dolls and little creations with what I could find. My mother was a crafter too so there was no shortage of fabric scraps , wool etc. I would spend hours making my dolls and often talking to them while I made them. This is something I still do. They transformed from wood , fabric and yarn to little beings with faces and stories to tell. . Creatures worthy of life and love.

In the same way I have found Spirit Dolls have been since pre historic times  a source of comfort and story for many people. Made with sticks, bones , bark , fur and yarn, the represented the link between the human and divine. These dolls fashioned with hands and stories marked special occasions,links to the land and geographical locations,  spiritual beliefs, totems of protection, a link between a psychic ability and creativity.




When I make my Spirit Dolls I pay close attention to the materials I use, where it came from and its own story. How far did a piece of driftwood found on the beach actually come, how old is this shell in my hands, what does the universe want to say via my hands today. I am very much in the process of learning....loving what I create and happy when something finds its way to another hands and heart. I think that is the essence of Spirit Dolls, the material creation of one spirit , mingled with the universe and shared with another....

Goldie and Her chicks plus the Piggy Patrol

 Here is a peek at Goldie and her chicks....they have all dived under mommy for cover...


How many chicks can you see?
Here comes Gweenie the BusyBody ( on Piggy Patrol ) to see what all the fuss is about!


Gwennie peeking at the new chicks...


Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Happy as a box of Fluffy Chicks


That is an actual phrase here in New Zealand to show how happy you are and this morning its wonderful to hear cheeping coming from our little chicken run. Our hen Goldie has been sitting on a clutch of egss...and all ten of them have hatched today. She has 10 lovely yellow chicks....I thought all of you would enjoy seeing photos of the happy brood....



I was going to include a picture  of the mommy but had a chick emergency. I found one on its side fighting for its life...so out it came for added help and care.



So as I write this - its sitting in my bra to keep warm and Yes if you are wondering - it does tickle.  I am hoping the wee one makes it...little chicks are so fragile...
 


 "I'm going to fight to live!"....send good thoughts my way ....and a suggestion for a name for me....not sure yet if I am a boy or girl....

Enjoy the pictures and send us a comment of what you think...

Monday, June 27, 2011

I Believe in Faeries

I love Faery stories and have always believed that there must be somehow these wonderful little creatures living in my garden. A whole unseen world that was lived on a whole different plane....one that was close to the animals and plants that made up workings of everyday life. One that saw no distinction between the species- no less importance .

Not too long ago I decided to make myself and for the faeries that lived around my home ,their own house.. I used an old brass birdcage as I read that faeries like to be close to the outdoors  all the time and not cooped up inside like we do. I added some shiny Christmas type ornaments that dangled and some little chimes that would ring and tinkle as the wind blew or the faeries flitted by. I also read that these wonderful little creatures like to make things - so gifts of sewing threads, shiny translucent fabrics , lace and tiny buttons all tucked into a small tin are welcome gifts.  I added a pink feather boa around the edge of the birdcage to soften the hard edges and lend some whimsy to the whole faery house.A little swing seat....colourful ribbons draped and dangled...and some tiny wee birds ....I also added in an old found bird's nest.

I must admit I enjoyed the whole process of being  childlike and believing - silly and a waste of time some my think. But I wholeheartedly believe in growing up and chosing to be serious and practical - we have somehow lost an innocent part of ourselves that we secretly grieve for. This is the part of our souls that truly gives us courage and hope and leads us to living . Go build yourself a faery house...even a small one and you will discover what I mean