Rescuing and upcycling preloved dolls. Cleaning them, washing and brushing their hair, repainting their face and giving them new outfits appropriate for young children.
It is a joy to watch them transform before my eyes, and to create a unique personality for them embracing their strengths and passions.
More info: Facebook
Milly
Milly is a clever and vivacious young girl. She is a very quick thinker and loves to play with words - always making her friends and family laugh with her witty comments and puns. Funny, perceptive one-liners roll off her tongue spontaneously. Milly giggles and shrugs when asked how she thinks of responses so fast - it's too difficult trying to explain that her mind just works like a visual dictionary and thesaurus. She just loves words, and words love her!
Mary
"Mary, Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow?" Quite well thank you, replies Mary patiently, each and every time she is asked. Mary loves flowers but is not at all contrary. She has a little timber flower press and enjoys collecting petals and blossoms to press and dry. Her grandmother taught her how to do this using an old, heavy book with tissue paper to protect the pages.
Jo
Josephine loves all things rainbow and bright! The more colours, the better. She is a budding artist and uses colour to express emotions and experiences. Her artworks are a little too contemporary for some but she just loves to paint - it calms her swirling thoughts and unpredictable emotions. Jo really wants to study pediatric art therapy and work with sick children in hospitals, helping them understand and express their feelings, fears and complex thoughts in a safe environment.
Katie
Katie loves to climb trees; to breathe deep the scent of bark and sap, to think her own thoughts, to dream her own dreams, legs swinging gently in the breeze
Each girl is unique, and has their own story and personality
I try to rescue and reuse as much as possible, including carving high heels into ballet shoes
Nancy
Meet Nancy! The sweetest, most loyal friend in the world. She is kind, and funny, and sensitive to others' feelings and needs. She loves her pyjamas and would wear them every day if she could. Nancy has an amazing throwing arm and takes great pride in being able to peg a ball further than any boy she knows. She really does throw like a girl!
Jess
Jess is small but fast! She is captain of her soccer team and a winger due to her discipline and endurance. She loves to kick a ball around at all opportunities and has just about mastered the Crofe Move. She hopes to one day represent Australia and play for the Young Matilda's!
Girl with flowers in her hair
Celia
Celia loves to dance! From the moment she took her first steps she has lived and breathed ballet - leaping around the loungeroom, pirouetting her way to dinner, and walking in pointe as soon as she could. Her favourite ballet is Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and she one day dreams of performing with the Australian Ballet as the hauntingly beautiful Odette.
Imperfectly perfect
Each doll has her own unique imperfections, and is important and loved for who they are and what they are capable of, not for their appearance.