The History of Faceless Dolls - Updated February 2015

I have loved Victorian dolls since I was a little girl and can blame my grandmother for that. You see, as a young girl she gave me a Godey’s Fashion print for August 1870 that belonged to my great, great Aunt Flossie. From that moment on I was hooked. I was captivated by the beautiful dresses and wanted to create dolls wearing them.

Eventually I was able to design my own Victorian "Lady" dolls, like the one pictured on the left, who are all faceless. Now you might be wondering why they are faceless. It's because I wanted each to have its' own distinct personality.

My feeling is that faces overwhelm the dolls personality and have a greater impact on their personality. I wanted the clothing, clothes, hair, color scheme, etc. of the period to determine the personality of the doll.

As far as I am concerned "Beauty lies not only in what is seen, but what is imagined. I believe the essence of a dolls beauty should determine her personality."

You could compare this to the use of mannequins by museums. Most mannequins in museum dress & textile exhibits are either headless or have heads, but they are generally faceless. Or, they have the sculpted definition of facial features but they are not painted. The idea is to not distract from the beauty of the dress or textile piece on display. The same holds true for store window displays.

I have also been a history buff since I was a little girl and loved doing research for history projects all throughout my school years. I especially loved to research everything and anything about the Victorian Era. Their history, their etiquette, their fashion, their hopes, their desires.... In fact, sometimes I think I was born in the wrong era.

Designing handmade faceless dolls was not a novel idea as faceless dolls have been around for a long, long time. However, given my penchant for history I, of course, was curious about the history of faceless dolls. So, back in 2006 I decided to do a little research on the history of faceless dolls and wrote a research article for my Linda's Blog that I subsequently updated in 2009.

I figured that there had to be a history of handmade faceless dolls out there or, at least, some cultures and norms. Believe it or not but there wasn't a lot of information back in 2006 on the web on either the history of faceless dolls or cultures and norms that started such a tradition. There was a little more when I updated my research in 2009.

There was some information on two of the most popular and widely known faceless dolls - Amish dolls and corn husk dolls. And there was the legend surrounding Raggedy Ann and "faceless" dolls.

In doing my research, what I was pleasantly surprised with was the application of "faceless" dolls for so many current charities or organizations. More on that a little later.

I was hoping that now, in 2015, things would have changed a little and there would be more information on their history. I'm happy to report that there is a lot more now and that over the last few years there is a growing trend towards creating faceless dolls in all sorts of doll mediums - which thrills me to no end.

Part of the new trend has to do with creating eco-friendly and nature dolls and part has to do with allowing children to use their imagination more. It also has to do with comforting children facing tough medical situations. Without a face the dolls can be happy or sad, they can be laughing or crying - in essence, they can mimic the emotions of the child holding them. Putting a face on the doll defines the emotion of the doll with the child - which may or may not be comforting.

So, I decided to update my history of faceless dolls research article and include new research as well as some of the new trends. I hope you enjoy it.

Part 1 -  Corn Husk Dolls and Native American Indian Faceless Dolls

Part II - Amish Dolls

Part III - Marafona Dolls of Portugal

Part IV - Dominican Republic Dolls

Part V - Russian Folk Rag Dolls 

Part VI - Japanese Sarubobo Dolls

Part VII - Goddess and Spirit Dolls

Part VIII - American Primitive, Prairie, Pioneer, Wagon Train, Appalachian and Folk Art Rag Dolls

Part VIIII - Handkerchief and Pillowcase Dolls

Part X - Twig, Pine Cone, Willow and Nature Craft  Dolls

Part XI - Worry Dolls and Toothpick Dolls

Part XII -  Fairies, Gnomes, Elves, Wee Folk, Bendy's, Pixies, and Trolls

Part XIII -  Waldorfs

Part XIIII -  Muslim Dolls

Part XV -  Yarn Dolls

Part XVI - Mixed Media Faceless Dolls 

Part XVII - Faceless Dolls of Francoise Bosteels 

Part XVIII -  Faceless Dolls From Carole's World Costume Doll Collection

Part XVIIII -  The Ruth E. Aten World Doll Collection: Americas

Part XX - Other Faceless Doll Art 

Part XXI - Books To Help You Create Your Own Faceless Dolls

Part XXII- A Very Famous Faceless Doll 

Part XXIII - Faceless Dolls For Charity

I also created a History Of Faceless Dolls .PDF.  If you would like to download my History Of Faceless Dolls .PDF please click here or on the picture below.

The History of Faceless Dolls

Copyright © 2004-2023 - All Rights Reserved - Written by By Linda Walsh

I think you all know that I, personally, love faceless dolls. Victorians, primitives, colonial, prairie dolls, rag dolls, or country style dolls. It doesn't matter. I love them all.

In fact, I created a video to reflect my feelings about faceless dolls which is: "Beauty lies not only in what is seen, but what is imagined. I believe the essence of a dolls faceless beauty should determine her personality."

Please CLICK HERE or on the video below if you would like to view my "Linda's Faceless Beauties" video.

Why do I love the faceless doll so much?

Because I think by being "faceless' the doll can be anything you want him or her to be. You create the dolls personality to be exactly what you imagine it to be. Their personality, therefore, reflects your creativity and your feelings.

And, as we've seen from the above mentioned articles the application can be heartwarming, meaningful and beautiful.

In researching doing the research to update my History of Faceless Dolls article I was thrilled to see that there are hundreds of artists and crafters who are now creating various types of "faceless" dolls in all different medium. I couldn't be happier to see all these wonderful new applications for faceless dolls. I'm hoping you all will agree.

For more information on all my free e-patterns, e-printables and e-books please CLICK HERE.

Please respect My Terms of Use:  All patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products © 2004-2023 Linda Walsh Originals-Designs by Linda Walsh. All rights reserved. Commercial selling or reselling by any means prohibited without the written consent of Linda Walsh.

Patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products are for personal use only. You may not modify, photocopy, download, upload, post, transmit, display, perform, publish, license, reprint, create derivative works from, mass duplicate, re-sell, digitize, and reproduce in any other form (print, digital or electric) or commercially apply, embed, share, Email, or redistribution in any other means. Use of any of the above is prohibited without the written permission of Linda Walsh.

However, you may link to my website(s)/blog(s) and the individual page(s)/blog post(s) (including 1 picture) but do not copy, reprint or duplicate my website(s)/blog(s) or individual page(s)/post(s ) without my permission.

Items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are intended for personal use for fun or small scale personal and business profit as long as you credit us with the design. Large scale commercial use (i.e. mass production) of items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are by permission only.

Please see my Terms and Conditions for additional information.

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer.

Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Make A Fabric Covered Round Basket Free E-Book

Print165 - Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Make A Fabric Covered Round Basket E-Book

Since I had just finished my Linda's Blog post on the fabric covered baskets I had made I thought you might enjoy a step-by-step "How-to" on how to make one of your own.

How To Make A Fabric Covered Basket - Updated March 2015

Supplies Needed

1 Small Round Basket With Handle - 3" Round
1/4 Yard Fabric - 36" Wide
1" Lace Trim - 16" Long
DMC Embroidery Floss
Sewing Thread
Dual Temperature Glue Gun
Glue Sticks
Measuring Tape
Large Plain Piece Of Paper
Iron

Instructions

(Note - These instructions are for ADULT use only as they require the use of a hot glue gun. Always use caution when working with any kind of hot glue gun.)

1. Measure the width of your basket and then measure the height of your basket from the bottom of the basket to the top of the rim. Multiply the height of your basket times 2 and then add this to the width of your basket.

2. Follow the diagram shown below and draw a circle the width + height X2 of your basket on a large plain piece of paper. Draw a circle around your initial circle another 1/2" around for your seam allowance and gathering of your fabric. Now, to this adjusted circle you have just drawn add another 3/4" around for the ruffle.

3. Cut 2 pieces of fabric for your lining and basket cover according to the final circle pattern you have just drawn.

4. Measure the length of the handle of your basket from the bottom of the handle starting on the left hand side of the basket to the bottom of the handle on the right hand side of the basket and add 3/4" - this is your adjusted handle length. Measure the circumference of the handle and add 3/4" - this is your adjusted handle width.

5. Cut a rectangular strip of fabric the adjusted length of your handle by the adjusted width of your handle.

6. With wrong sides together (WST) turn both edges of your adjusted handle length under 1/4" and press.

7. With wrong sides together (WST) turn both edges of your adjusted handle width under 1/4" and press.

8. Wrap the handle fabric around the handle overlapping the pressed under edges until the handle fabric is tight to and completely covers the handle. Hand sew the overlap closed. Position the handle fabric so the hand sewn seam is on the underside of the handle.

9. Cut a slit in the center of your lining for the width plus height of the basket X2.

10. Cut a piece of the 1" lace trim to match the circumference of the circle plus 1/2" for an overlap.

11. With right sides together (RST) position the lace trim on the edge of the basket cover so the finished edge is facing towards the inside of the circle and the edges are overlapping. Then stitch the lace trim to the edge of the basket cover using a 1/4" seam allowance.

12. With right side together (RST) sew the lining to the basket cover using a 1/4" seam allowance.

13. Turn the lining and basket cover right sides out (RST).

14. Insert the basket through the slit in the lining and pull the basket cover up until the bottom and sides are tight.

15. Turn the sides of the
 slit under 1/4" and then pull the lining up and around the bottom of the handles until they are completed covered. Overlap the turned under edges of the slit and then hand sew the slit closed.

16. Sew a gathering stitch 3/4" down from the edge of the cover with the DMC embroidery floss. Pull tightly to gather and then knot to secure. The gathering should be slightly over the rim of the basket as shown in the picture below.

17. Position the ruffle so it is facing upwards against the sides of the handle and then using the low temperature setting of the dual temperature glue gun glue the sides of the ruffle to the handles like those shown in the picture below.

18. Cut 4 strips of fabric 1/2" wide by 8" long and tie into 2" wide bows. Trim the ends and then glue two bows (one on top of the other) to the sides of the baskets using the low temperature setting of the dual temperature glue gun like those shown in the picture above.

19. Congratulations - You're Done!

My "Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Make A Fabric Covered Round Basket" free e-book includes my Linda's Blog post and my instructions on how to make a fabric covered round basket of your own.

"Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Make A Fabric Covered Round Basket" Free E-Book 

To view and download my free e-book please CLICK HERE. You'll be brought to Google Drive where you can view our free e-book. Then just download our free .pdf e-book by clicking on the down arrow in the top center.

For more information on all my free e-patterns, e-printables and e-books please CLICK HERE.

Please respect My Terms of Use:  All patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products © 2004-2023 Linda Walsh Originals-Designs by Linda Walsh. All rights reserved. Commercial selling or reselling by any means prohibited without the written consent of Linda Walsh.

Patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products are for personal use only. You may not modify, photocopy, download, upload, post, transmit, display, perform, publish, license, reprint, create derivative works from, mass duplicate, re-sell, digitize, and reproduce in any other form (print, digital or electric) or commercially apply, embed, share, Email, or redistribution in any other means. Use of any of the above is prohibited without the written permission of Linda Walsh.

However, you may link to my website(s)/blog(s) and the individual page(s)/blog post(s) (including 1 picture) but do not copy, reprint or duplicate my website(s)/blog(s) or individual page(s)/post(s ) without my permission.

Items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are intended for personal use for fun or small scale personal and business profit as long as you credit us with the design. Large scale commercial use (i.e. mass production) of items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are by permission only.

Please see my Terms and Conditions for additional information.

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer.

I'm An Independent Pattern Designer - Where Can I Sell My E-Patterns?

My post and list has been revised and is available here.

I often get asked by independent crafts pattern designers where they can sell their e-patterns so I thought it might be helpful to create a blog post about this.

To give you a little background on me I'm a doll maker and doll pattern designer and have had websites for over 10 years.  I created two of my own websites that I updated to Godaddy via FTP and also managed and maintained two websites that wer hosted through In A Pickle Web Design: one an instant download e-pattern, e-printable, and e-book website using MyCartToGo e-commerce software and Mals-E shopping cart and one selling handmade goods and crafts.

Now I have 1 consolidated Linda Walsh Originals Shop website at Go-Daddy that I maintain that uses a Quick Cart shopping which allows me to sell all my handmade goods and e-products on the same website.  Over the years I've created many, many, many selling and non-selling blogs.

I've been selling my doll and craft patterns and e-patterns online since 2004 and have designed over 350 e-patterns, over 30 e-books, over 20 e-printables, and several e-catalogs. To say I love instant download e-products might be an understatement. I've been in love with .pdf instant download e-products since they first came on the scene in 2004 and have tried all sorts of different venues.

Some I like, some I don't. Some have come and gone, some are free, some are very expensive, some are for specific types of patterns, some are commercial sellers websites, etc. Some are websites that do it all, some are websites that provide html code so you can sell your e-patterns on your website or your blog, some are handmade craft websites where you can list your e-patterns and then send them as an email attachment to your customer, some are websites that provide a download integration for your Etsy shoppe, some are social networking websites that allow for selling, etc. And, some are website designers and e-commerce carts that provide you with the capability of selling instant download e-patterns on your own website.

The online crafts e-pattern, e-printable, and e-book craft industry has been slowly developing over the last decade and, as far as I'm concerned, is still in it's infancy. There's plenty of room for growth and, I'm sure, plenty of room for change. Which venue is best for you is based on what you're selling, what your experience is, what your skill level is, and how much time you can devote to this. Selling e-patterns online as an independent pattern designer is a LONG SLOW process that requires nerves of steel and a lot of PATIENCE. It is not for the faint of heart or those hoping to make a quick buck. That just is not going to happen.

If you’re an artist or crafter who has created e-patterns you might be wondering how you go about selling them. Where do you store your e-patterns and how do you sell instant downloads? Whether its e-patterns or e-books you first need to create a .PDF (Portable Document Format) file which is your electronic product. Once you have created the .PDF file then with the e-patterns there are basically two ways to get the .pdf file to your customer.

1) You can send them yourself as attachments to an email once you have been notified of payment by the customer.

2) They can be sent automatically or available in one's account as "instant download e-patterns" once payment has been made.

So, what kind of online set-up do you need to accomplish this?

1) You can have your own website that has Paypal (or other payment processors) payment buttons capabilities. Once you have received notification from Paypal of payment you can send the e-pattern to your customer as an attachment to an e-mail.

2) You can have a blog that has HTML capabilities in the sidebar or posts that allow you to create Paypal (or other payment processors) payment buttons. Once you have received notification from Paypal of payment you can send the e-pattern to your customer as an attachment to an e-mail.

3) You can have your own website or blog that allows for HTML modules in the sidebar or posts whereby you can copy/paste the BUY NOW digital goods e-commerce shopping cart providers HTML code. In this instance they provide a service whereby they store your e-products on their servers and provide you with a BUY NOW (or similar) button link. When your customer clicks on that Buy Now link then the payment process would begin. Once payment has been made an email will automatically be sent to the customer with the e-pattern download link. They click on the link and follow the prompts to download your e-product. They charge you a fee for this service.

4) You can have your own website that has e-commerce instant download shopping cart capabilities that will send your customer the download link for their e-pattern via email once payment has been made to you.

5) You can have your own website that has e-commerce instant download shopping cart capabilities that will put the download link in the customer's account once payment has been made to you.

6) You can utilize a third-party website with an e-commerce shopping cart provider that has "instant download capabilities." Once payment has been made by the customer the software will automatically generate an email to the customer with the download link. Depending on their set-up you can either: a) upload your .PDF files onto their servers, b) transfer your .PDF files via FTP (file transfer protocol), or c) send them as attachments to an email to them. It all depends on how the e-pattern website is set up. The e-pattern website owners collect payment and then remit to you once they have been paid and have deducted their fee, or they may have a system in place to automatically pay you once the customer has paid. They may charge a monthly fee or charge a % of the sale price and/or both.

7) You can utilize a third-party handmade goods marketplace or community website to create a shop for you to sell your handmade goods and/or e-patterns. Once you have been notified of payment you can send the e-pattern to the customer as an attachment to an e-mail. Sometimes these third-party handmade goods marketplaces or communities have apps that can work in conjunction with your shop and automatically send the customer an email with the e-pattern download link once payment has been made.

If you're an independent crafts pattern designer and you want to sell your e-patterns online, but aren't quite ready for your own website you might want to check out the following websites:

1)   Etsy - http://www.etsy.com  - Shops created and maintained by designers.  E-Patterns sold by designers are uploaded to Etsy listings and downloaded by customers once payment has been processed. Fees are .20 per listing for 4 months plus small  percent of sale.

     a) CraftHub - http://www.crafthub.me/ - An Etsy app that works with Etsy shops selling .pdf instant download e-patterns and provides an integration between ETSY and downloads to customers.  Monthly fees based upon number of transactions.

     b) Easy Social Shop - http://www.easysocialshop.com -  An Etsy and Facebook app that integrates Etsy shops with Facebook business pages allowing you to show your e-patterns on your Facebook business page. E-patterns would be emailed to customers as .pdf attachments.  No fees.

2)  Craftsy - http://www.craftsy.com/ - NOTE: Unfortunately, as of 12/28/18 Craftsy is closing all indie designers pattern stores.

Social networking website created by Sympoz Inc. to sell their e-classes and offer fabric deals from fabric manufacturers. In 2012 they started offering instant download e-pattern sales capabilities for independent craft designers. All different kinds of crafts represented. Designers upload .pdf e-patterns and maintain their shops.   Craftsy handles all aspects of download and interface with customer.  Completely free - no upload fees and no selling fees.

3)  Patternspot - http://patternspot.com/ - Instant download e-pattern marketplace created by C & T Publishing mainly for quilting enthusiasts.  Designers upload .pdf e-patterns and maintain their designer accounts.  Patternspot handles all aspects of download and interface with customer. Fees % of net sales.

4)  Patternmart - http://www.patternmart.com/ - Thousands of different craft patterns.  Designers upload and maintain their memberships. Pattermart handles all aspects of download and interface with customer.Currently closed to new memberships. Designers are encouraged to join their waiting list. Monthly fees based on number of products.

5)  The Pattern Cupboard - http://www.thepatterncupboard.com/ - Large selection of designers and crafts e-patterns. Currently owned and managed by DJDoodle, LLC. Designers upload .pdf e-patterns and maintain their designer accounts. The Pattern Cupboard handles all aspects of download and interface with customer. Monthly or annual fee based on number of e-patterns plus % of each sale.

6)  EPatternShoppes - http://www.epatternshoppes.com/ - Small co-op mainly primitives e-pattern marketplace owned and operated by DJDoodle, LLC.  Designers upload .pdf e-patterns and maintain their shops. Monthly or annual fee.

7)  The Quilt Pattern Shoppe - http://www.thequiltpatternshoppe.com - Instant download quilt e-pattern designer website.   Designers uploads .pdf e-patterns. The Quilt Pattern Shoppe maintains website and handles all aspects of download and interface with customer. Fee per listing plus % of sale.

8)   MagCloud - http://www.magcloud.com/ - Hewlett Packard online print on demand and digital distribution publishing. Used by e-zines, e-book sellers, and some e-patterns. Publisher sets price - Magcloud fee % of sale price.

9)   Doll Street Dreamers - http://www.dollstreetdreamers.com/ Oldest social networking doll club on the web. Offers doll classes and pattern shop for instant download doll e-patterns sold by members. Pattern shop maintained by owner of doll club. Owner handles all aspects of download and interface with customer. Fee % of sales price.

10) PatternFish - http://www.patternfish.com/ - Sellers of knit and crochet e-patterns. Website maintained by PatternFish. PatternFish handles all aspects of download and interface with customer. Fee structure - % of sale price.

11) Artfire - http://www.artfire.com/ - Shops created and maintained by designers. E-Patterns sold by designers are emailed to customers as attachments to an email. Monthly fee structure.

12) CraftsU - http://www.craftsu.com/ -Social networking community of craft artists plus shopping network to buy and sell handmade crafts. Members can use apps (like RapidCart) to help sell handmade items on their individual profile pages.

13) Threadbias - https://www.threadbias.com/ - Online social networking sewing community offering members ability to sell instant download e-patterns. Mainly sewing, clothing, and quilting e-patterns. Designers upload .pdf e-patterns.   Threadbias handles all aspects of download and interface with customer. Fee level structure based on price of e-pattern.

14) Handmade Artists - https://handmadeartists.com/ - Online handmade goods marketplace and social networking community. Shops created and maintained by handmade artisans. E-Patterns sold by designers are emailed to customers as attachments to an email. Membership subscription fees.

15) Folksy - http://folksy.com/ - British online handmade goods marketplace and community.  Shops created and maintained by handmade artisans. E-Patterns sold by designers are emailed to customers as attachments to an email. Two-tier fee structure listing fees per item for 4 month listing plus % sales or annual fee plus % sales.

16) Zibbet - http://www.zibbet.com/ - Online handmade goods marketplace and social networking community. Shops created and maintained by handmade artisans. E-Patterns sold by designers are emailed to customers as attachments to an email. Free for 50 products or less, then monthly or annual fee structure.

17) Bonanza - http://www.bonanza.com/ - Online handmade goods marketplace and social networking community. Shops created and maintained by handmade artisans. E-Patterns sold by designers are emailed to customers as attachments to an email. No listing fees just % of sale.

18) MadeItMyself - http://madeitmyself.com/ - Online crafting and handmade goods selling community.  Shops created and maintained by handmade artisans. E-Patterns sold by designers are emailed to customers as attachments to an email. No listing fees just % of sale.

19) CraftIsArt - http://www.craftisart.com/ - Online artisan and handmade goods selling community. Shops created and maintained by handmade artisans. E-Patterns sold by designers are emailed to customers as attachments to an email. Two tiers for selling - pay as you go and premium.

20) Papernstitch - http://papernstitch.com/ - Papernstitch provides an online exhibition space for talented artists, designers, makers selling handmade goods, and independent boutiques. Products are linked back to each exhibitor's online store where these available they can be purchased. One month exhibition fees.

21) PayloadZ - https://www.payloadz.com/ - Digital Goods eCommerce service for selling downloadable goods online. Provides copy and paste codes for instant download e-patterns to use in websites and blogs.  Monthly fees plus sale transaction fees.

22) EJunkie - http://www.e-junkie.com - Digital Goods eCommerce service for selling downloadable goods online. Provides copy ad paste codes for instant download e-patterns to use in websites and blogs.  Multi-tiered fees based on # of products and storage space required.

23) IPM Pro - http://www.ipmpro.com - Digital Goods eCommerce service for selling downloadable goods online.  Provides copy ad paste codes for instant download e-patterns to use in websites and blogs.

24) YouCanMakeThis - https://www.youcanmakethis.com -  Website selling sewing, crochet, jewelry, crafts & hobbies, stitchery and quilting e-patterns.  You set-up an author account and submit ideas for projects,  Your idea is reviewed and if they like your idea they promote and sell your e-patterns. Fees are 50% of the sales price.

25) Facebook - http://facebook.com - Free social media network.  Sell e-patterns on your business page or within groups.  Paypal bill your customers and once paid e-patterns would be emailed to customers as attachment to an email.  Only cost is Paypal fee for payment transaction.

     a)  Heyo - http://heyo.com -  App that allows you to create a customized Facebook page, with a shopping cart. E-Patterns would be emailed to customer as attachments to an email.  Monthly fee.

26) Gumroad - https://gumroad.com - Digital Goods eCommerce service for selling downloadable goods directly to customers. Integrates with your website, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, SoundCloud, and email newsletters. Flat fee for each sale.

27) Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com - Free social media network.  Create boards for pinning images from around the web.  Pin your item for sale from anywhere else on the web. Pin includes image, description and link back to original website where item was pinned from, like a website or blog post.  Pinned items with prices show up in the gifts section.

    a)  SellPin - https://www.sellpin.com - Buying and selling marketplace that integrates with Pinterest users selling goods and offers payment capability through credit card or Paypal. E-Patterns would be emailed to customers as attachments to an email.   No listing fees just % of sale.

28) Blogger (or any blogging website) - http://blogger.com - Free blogging host provider.  Create a selling blog.  Publish post with image and information about e-pattern.  Include copy and paste code for Paypal button within the post or Paypal bill customer.  When paid e-pattern would be emailed to customer as attachment to an email. Only cost is Paypal fee for payment transaction.

29) Google+ - https://plus.google.com - Free social media network.  Sell e-patterns on your personal profile page, business page or within groups.  Paypal bill your customers and once paid e-patterns would be emailed to customers as attachment to an email.  Only cost is Paypal fee for payment transaction.

30) Go To Patterns & Co. - http://gotopatterns.com -  Website selling sewing & craft patterns. Independent pattern designers can contact them for designer terms.  Submitted patterns are reviewed for quality content.

There are also many graphic developers and website hosting providers who can provide websites with digital goods e-commerce instant download capabilities software and shopping carts.  However, that list is for another day.

If you're an independent crafts pattern designer who wants to sell e-patterns online I hope you find my post helpful.

© 2007-2023 Copyright Linda Walsh Originals - Written By Linda Walsh.

It's Not That Much Longer Until Artful Gathering 2015

It's always delightful when you get an email that brings an immediate smile to your face, takes you a long time to read, and is saved to be read again.

Such was the case with the email from Zinnia Galliher with a link to the Artful Gathering 2015 Workshop Catalog.

This will be my 4th year taking online classes at Artful Gathering and I can hardy wait. I have loved each and every class I've taken there as the instructors are fantastic and the classes are always delightful. I've had a blast in each class learning something new and, best of all, making wonderful new friends.

Last year there were so many fabulous classes to choose from it was hard to decide. This year, based on the workshop catalog in my email, it will be nearly impossible to choose.  There are just SO MANY wonderful online classes that I want to take.

Truth be told, I want to take them all, but that is definitiely not possible. So, choose I must - but, oh, how difficult that will be.

So far I have my eye on the following:

Mary Jane Chadbourne - Session 2 - Tiny Topia & The Magic of Little Things
Rosemary Frew - Session 1 - Baby Carrot - Session 2 - Petit LaPin
Hally Levesque - Session 1- Bonnets & Bows: A Regency Doll Project
Joanna Grant - Session 2 - Mixed Media FX: The Hottest Techniques For The Coolest Effects
Judy Porter - Session 2 - Out On A Whim Art Doll
Susan Myers - Session 2 - Boite A Couture
David H. Everett - Session 1 - Making A Santa Advent Calendar
Lyn Belisle - Session 1 - The Magic Of Spirit Dolls

Session 1 runs from June 6 to July 17 and Session 2 runs from July 16 to August 16,  

Several months ago Zinnia also created a 2014 Artful Gathering yearbook of last years online retreat. It was filled with event highlights and wonderful pictures of student creations. 

I'm on the back cover (Page 56) with a page filled with pictures of the creations I have made over the last 3 years. 

If you've always wanted to take an online art and/or craft class you won't be disappointed in any of the Artful Gathering classes.

Hope to see you there.

The History Of Faceless Dolls - Updated February 2015 - Part XXIII - Faceless Dolls For Charity and Conclusion

In doing my research on faceless dolls I was delighted to run across some websites concerning the application of "faceless" dolls in charity today and why they were chosen or made "faceless."

Back in 2006 one of those articles was about "faceless" dolls of Gloria Larocque. She has created 100 or more "faceless" dolls based upon the Iroquois legend that warns young girls about the dangers of vanity.

However, according to the article her purpose is different. Her dolls represent Canada's murdered aboriginal women, a group made faceless not by vanity but by neglect. Her project has helped draw attention to the plight of the murdered aboriginal women.

According to Gloria:"The dolls will act as a centre-piece for educating children about traditional Aboriginal culture, maintaining cultural integrity through a contemporary setting. As a teaching tool kit, the idea will be to plant seeds of survival skills concepts such as choice, strength, education, cultural connection and knowledge of self.

The kit will contain a doll in the same fashion as an Aboriginal Angel Doll, and will be presented as an “elder”. The doll will be known as Kookum RETA (grandmother rejuvenate, educate, traditional, acceptance) of the Aboriginal people from Turtle Island. The power of the elder teaching the young is a traditional aboriginal teaching method."


In 2010 the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) contacted Gloria Larocque to explore the possibility of creating a similar project as hers that, "would carry forward the visual representation of strong and beautiful Aboriginal women who have become ‘faceless’ victims of crime. This collaboration resulted in NWAC’s Faceless Doll Project. The dolls created through this new project will be used to create a traveling art exhibit in memory of the more than 600 missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls in Canada. NWAC’s Faceless Doll Project was launched in March 2012 and Community Engagement Workshops were held across the country (funded by the Status of Women Canada). Community members were invited to come and hear the Faceless Doll story and create their very own doll for inclusion in this
commemorative art project. All workshop materials were provided."

The NWAC created a Building On The Legacy Of The NWAC Faceless Doll Project: Create Your Own Faceless Dolls .PDF concerning this initiative and containing information for workshops for groups to create faceless paper dolls in tribute and solidarity of the 600 missing and murdered Aboriginal women. If you would like to see and read the Building On The Legacy Of The NWAC Faceless Doll Project: Create Your Own Faceless Dolls  .PDF please click here.

There was also an article by Brenda Tobias on the Cornell University website concerning Hurricane Katrina and something the alumni did to help the children affected by Hurricane Katrina. A group of 100 alumni got together to sew "faceless" dolls for the children. Doll decorating kits and coloring books were assembled and sent to the children to comfort them.

 The faceless dolls in the picture to the left are part of the Bumbles Dolls project that Maxmilian William Loeffler established as part of a college application essay that turned into a charitable business.

The Bumbles Dolls are small faceless dolls made by volunteers at Bumbles Dolls and donated to charities and hospitals.

According to the Bumbles.com website, "Max realized while volunteering at Overlook Medical Center, that gratitude is expressed in different ways because people can apply it to the past by remembering positive memories, apply it to the present by not taking successes for granted, and apply it to the future carrying a hopeful and positive attitude. He was interested in capturing this feeling and sharing it with others, and Bumbles Dolls were born. Max's ambition is that these special dolls inspires those that receive the gift of gratitude to keep it alive and pass it on. The story behind their creation is quite fascinating."

As to why the dolls are faceless, "I created a sketch, printed the pattern on fabric, learned simple stitching and stuffed this snuggly doll that would have no face. I created a faceless doll to imitate the doll my sister carries and I believe that without a face it can be the object of anyone’s imagination."

Members of a Kiwanis Club in Arizona make "faceless" therapy dolls for sick and injured children at a local medical center.

According to the Kiwanis Club Members Make Therapy Dolls for Kids With Cancer by David M. Brown .PDF article, "The soft-fabric, faceless dolls - often described as "doughboy dolls" after the popular Pillsbury versions - are given to children for various therapeutic functions, said Susan Vosdoganes, Friendship Village director of marketing. "

The dolls provide a comfort to the children and make the hospital and medical procedures less frightening as they can express their feelings through the doll by drawing faces on them, bandaging them, giving them yarn hair or leaving them bald for those children in chemotherapy.

If you would like to see and read the Kiwanis Club Members Make Therapy Dolls for Kids With Cancer by David M. Brown .PDF article please click here.

And, finally there is "The Comfort Doll Project" started by Pat Winter. I had written about this previously in my Linda's Blog in a post entitled Pat Winter's "The Comfort Doll Project".

"The Comfort Doll Project" benefits women of abuse and gives small mixed media dolls (some with faces and others without) to various women's shelters which are then give to a woman who has just been beaten, raped, or abused.

According to Pat Winter, "I know some may think making dolls to give to a woman who has just been beaten, raped, or abused in some way is like putting a band-aid on an amputation. Well, I see it as sending a message of hope,love,and encouragement. A gentle hug,a smile,a nudge to go forward and see there is sunshine behind the mountain.

Imagine a woman being handed a beautiful handmade doll with a message of hope attached. This doll ,from a stranger whom she will never meet,yet makes this connection of love and caring from one heart to another. A stranger who can imagine, if not know firsthand where she has been and hoping she will have brighter days ahead. The woman carries this doll in her purse, pocket, or perhaps pinned to her lapel, knowing someone cared enough to think of her. When she needs strength, she strokes it or admires it and her lips turn up with a smile and her heart warms. Yes, I am a dreamer but I do think this will happen. Actually I KNOW this will happen. Won't you join me?"

In 2010 Pat passed the baton for the Comfort Doll Project to Brenda Hutchings and she has wonderfully continued that initiative to this date.  According to Brenda, "I can't wait to get started, and I look forward to our future of helping women to move out of the darkness and fear of abuse, into the light of hope and courage."  

If you would like to visit the new Comfort Doll Project blog please click here.  If you would like to visit the Comfort Doll Project Facebook page please click here.

I think you all know that I, personally, love faceless dolls. Victorians, primitives, colonial, prairie dolls, rag dolls, or country style dolls. It doesn't matter. I love them all.

In fact, I created a video to reflect my feelings about faceless dolls which is: "Beauty lies not only in what is seen, but what is imagined. I believe the essence of a dolls faceless beauty should determine her personality."

Please CLICK HERE or on the video below if you'd like to view my "Linda's Faceless Beauties" video.

Why do I love the faceless doll so much?

Because I think by being "faceless' the doll can be anything you want him or her to be. You create the dolls personality to be exactly what you imagine it to be. Their personality, therefore, reflects your creativity and your feelings.

And, as we've seen from the above mentioned articles the application can be heartwarming, meaningful and beautiful.

In researching doing the research to update my History of Faceless Dolls article I was thrilled to see that there are hundreds of artists and crafters who are now creating various types of "faceless" dolls in all different medium.  I couldn't be happier to see all these wonderful new applications for faceless dolls.  I'm hoping you all will agree.

The History Of Faceless Dolls - Updated February 2015 - Part XXII- A Very Famous Faceless Doll

Raggedy Ann meets Raggedy Andy for the first time; illustrated by Johnny Gruelle

As far as Raggedy Ann is concerned, one of the legends surrounding her creation is that a little girl was rummaging around her Grandmother's attic and finds a faceless, battered old doll. She brings the doll into her fathers art studio and tells him all about finding it in the attic. He looks at his daughter and the faceless doll and decides to draw a whimsical face on it and then tells her to see if her Grandmother would sew two button eyes on. And so Raggedy Ann was born.

According to Wikipedia.com Raggedy Ann was created by Johnny Gruelle (1880 - 1938) for his daughter, Marcella.   She died at the age of 13 after being vaccinated at school for smallpox without her parents consent.  Authorities blamed her death on a heart defect, but her parents blamed the vaccine.  As a result, Gruelle became a very vocal opponent of vaccination and by association Raggedy Ann became the symbol for the anti-vaccination movement.

The History Of Faceless Dolls - Updated February 2015 - Part XXI - Books To Help You Create Your Own Faceless Dolls

One of the greatest things about creating art dolls is they can be made out of any media and be an expression of whatever the artist or maker wishes to convey. Sometimes the art doll is funky, wild, out of this world, happy, sad, or just plain "out there!"

When making art dolls nothing is more fun than mixed media art dolls. There are no boundaries and no limits where they are concerned - including "faceless" mixed media art dolls.

Sarah Lawrence is a contemporary textile artist who exhibits her creations all over the world and has written several books. One of her books, Art Dolls - 20 To Make contains the directions for making 20 of her art dolls, 7 of which are "faceless" and would be fun to make.

The 7 faceless dolls include: Jumping Jack who is a wooden bead doll, Timelines which is a textile figure doll, Statuesque and Painted Lady which are four-sided paper dolls, Angelica and Angel Choir who are wooden doll peg painted angels, Wired  Woman which is a bended wire doll, Heart Of Glass which is the beaded doll shown in the picture to the left, Man Of Dreams and Woman of Soul which are four-sided paper dolls, and Button Up which is a wood bead and button doll. Templates, if required, are included in the book but would need to be re-sized as they are shown at 67% of their size.

If you would like to see pictures of some of these dolls please click here for the Amazon.com page and then click on the book image to look inside.

You can also see pictures of Jumping Jack, Timelines, Statuesque - Painted Lady, Angelica - Angel Choir, and Heart Of Glass here.

I love angels and all the beauty, goodness, and protection they represent and especially love, guardian angels whose job it is to protect you, groups of people, even the world.

For artists and crafters angels take all sorts of shapes and sizes and can be made out of just about any medium.  That's why you find folk art angels, primitive angels, mixed media angels, Victorian angels, paper angels, woodcraft angels. glass angels, fabric angels, beaded angels, metal angels and so much more.  Angels may have faces or even be faceless - which, of course, I love.

In doing my research for this article I found a wonderful Making Angels -Ornaments, and Dolls By Hand - Step-by-Step Instructions for 47 projects by Holly Harrison.

Out of the 47 angel projects in this book 19 are faceless.  There's Kitchen Spice which is a cinnamon and nutmeg angel, Dieter's Delight which is a cooper metal angel, Sugar Shell Angel which is a spoon and cooper angel, Domestic Bliss Angel which is a wire and cloth angel, Rose Angel which is a beautiful corn husk angel, Art Deco Garden Angel which is a embossable copper sheet angel, and Maia - Springtime Angel which is a painted paper angel.

There's Crystal - Dewdrop Angel which is a wood and silver tin angel, Summer Angel which is a beach glass and crushed shells angel, Fall Harvest Angel which is a moss covered angel, Angel In Brown which is a raffia angel, Earth Angel which is a driftwood and branch angel, Winter Solstice Angel which is a copper wire mesh angel, Marina - Dancing Angel which is a seashell and wire angel, and Ballerina Angel which is an adorable cloth angel.

There's the Real Woman Angels which are cloth angels that I absolutely love, Happiness Angel which is a wire angel, Blue Angel which is a glass angel, and Valentine Angel which is a paper angel.

If you would like to see pictures of the Kitchen Spice, Dieter's Delight, Sugar Shelf Angel, and Domestic Bliss Angel please click here.

Faceless dolls can be made in just about any medium - including paper.

If you would like to learn how to make some beautiful "faceless" paper doll origami creations "Creating Lovely Paper-Flower Dolls: Using Kusudama Folding Techniques To Make 3-D Paper Figures by Joie Staff" will show you how.

This book will teach you how to make paper dolls using the Kusudama method of origami, which is basically a paper folding technique whereby multiple folded units are sewn or glued together.

Out of the 50 projects in the book 26 are for creating "faceless" paper origami art dolls.  Full-color photographs and black-and-white diagrams with detailed instructions will show you how.

Since I am partial to everything and anything Victorian my favorites are the Edwardian Ladies, Southern Belles, Miss Caroline, Afternoon Tea (like the doll shown in the picture to the right from the front cover of the book), Evening Gown, Parasol Princess and Sheer Fantasy.

I also love the7 different designs for the Bridal Party doll creations, the Anne of Green Gables (like the doll shown in the picture to the left from the front cover of the book), and the 8 different Asian Folk Dolls.

If you would like to see a preview of" Creating Lovely Paper-Flower Dolls: Using Kusudama Folding Techniques To Make 3-D Paper Figures by Joie Staff " please click here.

In the book Dollmaking For The First Time By Miriram Gouley in Section 3 - Beyond The Basics there is a project showing you how to make doll into an ornament by creating two different versions of a creative embroidered faceless angel. Pearl fabric paint, seed pearls and satin roses are used to embellish the faceless angels.

The History Of Faceless Dolls - Updated February 2015 - Part XX - Other Faceless Doll Art

Karen Meacham, is a prekindergarten teacher at an independent school who, according to her, " is someone who loves creating natural toys and loves children." She makes the most adorable faceless (Waldorf inspired) wood carved art dolls (like the doll shown in the picture to the bottom right), carved wooden peg dolls (like the doll shown in the pictures below), and needle felted art dolls (like the Geisha doll shown in the picture to the right).

According to the Karen Meacham Designs Faceless Soft-Felted Toys article by Lynda Heines in the Evansville Courier & Press from Oct. 2, 2011, " Karen Meacham designs her faceless soft-felted toys to encourage children to use their imaginations."

"Inspired by the Waldorf approach to education, which encourages children to use their imagination, Meacham's creations allow children to act out their own scenarios and decide for themselves the emotions of the dolls. And they are made of all natural materials."

Her Little Acorns Blog by Karen Meacham blog is filled with posts about her life, her family, her natural classroom and being a teacher, and includes some tutorials showing how she made some of her dolls.

She has a couple charming posts and/or tutorials on her blog concerning the needle felted playscape she made and all the wooden peg people she carved and painted for this.

For her playscape according to Karen, "My original idea was to create a little scene in which small figures could interact in a variety of ways and in a variety of places. I also wanted to create a "location" to which children could add their own personal touches such as housewares, furniture, animals, gardening tools or different garden crops, or a fishing rod."

If you would like to see and read her Felted Playscape: Part I tutorial and post please click here.

Tutorial on Carving Peg People: Mother Earth and her Root Children (Felted Playscape: Part II) is a charming post and tutorial about carving the Mother Earth and her children that she wanted for her playscape.

According to Karen, "I am not a stranger to peg people.  I love using them in the classroom.  We use them for a "first day of school" project. The children paint and decorate one to represent themselves. They are then strung on a string and hung on hooks outside each center area......"

"But to give peg people a little extra personality, a little extra zing if you will, they might need a wee bit more than paint.  Shaping peg people (as I have discovered after creating 10 of them) gives them a little more personality.  Children have marvelous imaginations and certainly do not require the level of detail I have given my creations, but I enjoy making them.  Plus in the past, our students did seem to especially enjoy playing with toys they knew I had created with our class in mind."

If you would like to see and read her Carving Peg People: Mother Earth and her Root Children (Felted Playscape: Part II) tutorial and post please click here.

Carving Peg People: Part II  is about the other wood carved art dolls she made and includes a few hints into her reason for creating them and many, many pictures of her adorable creations.

If you would like to see and read her Carving Peg People: Part II  tutorial please click here.

On the My Auction Finds.... and the Stories Behind Them website there was an article by Sherry entitled,  Numbers were small but talents were big at Harlem Doll Show about the dolls being exhibited at a Harlem doll show.

In the article there were two art doll artists who were selling some of the faceless art dolls they had made. They were absolutely incredible so I wanted to learn more about these two artists and their "faceless" creations.

Doll artist Tanya Montegut of “Dolls by MonTQ” sells the "faceless" art dolls shown in the pictures to the left and below right.

According to Sherry's article, "Her “Dolls by MonTQ” have the look and feel of women who love themselves and love a good time. They don’t say a word but you can feel the energy in them, and you can see the ebulliency of their personality in Montegut herself, whose dolls seem to be created in her image."

"The first thing you noticed was that her dolls had no facial features, reminding me of the Lime dolls of the Dominican Republic that I own. She allows folks – in their own heads – to put their own faces on the dolls, making them into the image of a sister, aunt, mother or other relative. An interesting concept, I thought."

Tanya is a member of the Black Artists Guild and says on her Dolls By MonTQ page, "Over time, I began to realize that dolls are much more than just a plaything. Historically, they are an expression of people and their cultures. My inspiration comes from the folks I’ve met in my lifetime and I feel honored to capture just a glimpse of their spirit and pass it forward."

If you would like to see more of Tanya's art dolls please visit her Dolls By MonTQ Black Artists Guild page and watch the video trailer and view her slideshow.  You can definitely sense the personalities of all her art dolls.

Doll artist Regina Dale of "T.A.S.T.E." also creates faceless art dolls, like those shown in the picture to the left and below right.

According to Sherry's article, "Most of her cloth dolls were faceless, too, and most were dressed to the nines. I suspect that making beautiful clothes is just as much fun for these folks as making the dolls themselves – bringing out the fashion designer in them. The clothes truly match the workmanship of the dolls."

In her Queenhealer 7 Etsy shop announcement she stated, "My dolls were created to give honor and thanks to our ancestors who came before us and made the foundation on which I stand. I am over joyed with the responses of the global community. You all empower me !! Thank you for your many blessings and encouraging words. Surly, my dolls will serve the purpose of healing for who ever possess it!"

If you would like to see more of Regina's art dolls please visit her Regina Dale NaNa kwakyebea's Page Black Artist Guild page and view her slideshow.  Her dolls are one of a kind art dolls whose personalities definitely shine through.

Sarah of Bloomooks designs couture cloth art dolls, some faceless (like those shown in the pictures to the right and left) and some with faces.

All have beautiful couture outfits either based on Sarah's designs or based on an outfit from history, or an outfit from the fashion runway.

Sarah also does custom doll designs in which she will create a doll for you (faceless or otherwise) with an outfit of your choosing either from history, current fashion, favorite celebrity, friend of family member. She will also create a keepsake doll with the outfit made from a loved one's clothing.

According to her Bloomooks Etsy shop owner profile,

"My name is Sarah. I live in Missouri. Although my Etsy shop is relatively new, I've been making dolls for the last five years. I like to make dolls as a way to explore fashion design. My inspirations are varied, from the neon shock value of Pop Art to the rich visual tapestry of the Middle Ages."

Sarah's dolls definitely speak to you through their outfits and certainly define their personality.

Sometimes I see "faceless" art doll creations that just take my breath away. Such was the case when I saw pictures of the amazingly beautiful "faceless" art dolls by Joy A. (MacLeod) Kirkwood.

Joy is an accomplished mixed media figurative art doll artist, visual arts teacher who is known for her Personal Journey Doll Workshops and has been teaching them for 16+ years,  has presented her works of art all over Canada, and has been published and interviewed many times.

According to Joy, "I am a lifelong learner with a ‘can do’ attitude, innovative problem solving skills, and an appreciation for collaborative projects. "

She describes her Personal Journey Doll Workshops as follows, “The art of free-form doll making is designed as a gentle way to free up your imagination and bring fun and spontaneity into the creative process. The distinctly, nontraditional doll making techniques are easy to learn, enjoyable to do, and full of expressive possibilities. These include twisting, wrapping, knotting, stitching, and/or gluing the ‘one of a kind’ doll creation together.”

Her artist statement: “Each poetic, enigmatic figure created is an expression of a feeling or idea rather than a lifelike portrayal of a human and is formed intuitively; playfully. My intent is to fuse my creative imagination with my artistic skills to enchant both adult and child alike.”

If you would like to see more of Joy's astonishing art doll creations and other beautiful art pieces please visit her Art by Joy A. Kirkwood - ART FROM THE HEART website here.

The History Of Faceless Dolls - Updated February 2015 - Part XVIIII - The Ruth E. Aten World Doll Collection: Americas

The Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology at Indiana University is, according to their website, " a leading center for the worldwide study of vernacular arts, and of the historical, cultural and social contexts in which these arts are embedded. The home to two closely aligned disciplines with a deep shared history at IU, the department has a distinguished history and a bright future in the areas of research, teaching, public outreach and community service."

One of the items in their collection is The Ruth E. Aten World Doll Collection: Americas.  It is a collection of dolls from Latin America, the Carribean, Central America, North America and South America.

Most of the dolls in her collection have faces, but there were several that didn't. It is an incedible collection to see.  If you would like to view The Ruth E. Aten World Doll Collection: Americas collection pleaser click here.

Here's a few of the faceless dolls from her doll collection with some of the information on each doll:

NAmer41. U.S.A. Colonial Clothespin Doll

6” Small doll made of clothespins and dressed in colonial attire with a calico print dress, bonnet and white rickrack trim apron.

Making dolls out of clothespins was a popular early form of doll making.

Given by Ruth Aten. 1999

NAmer40. Eagle, Alaska, U.S.A.. Alaskan Mother and Baby 

8” Handmade stuffed doll of mother and baby, flowered cotton outfit with fur trim, sculptured head with beaded eyes.

Tag: “This symbol is your guarantee that this is a genuine article, made in Alaska, handcrafted by an Alaska resident artist or craftsman.

Doll was made by Sharon Hamilton, a resident of Eagle, Alaska. Eagle is a small isolated village in Alaska where they survive the winters by growing and gathering food from the land.

As a resident said, “Here we prefer eating bears that lived in the woods and ate berries to bears that ate fish from a stream or river. Bears that live on berries are sweeter and not fishy tasting; they’re pre-marinated.”

Purchased by Ruth Aten in Eagle, Alaska. 2005

NAmer22. Savannah, Georgia, U.S.A. Burlap Mother and Daughter 

10" Burlap sewn and molded mother and daughter.

Mother is braiding daughter’s hair.

Purchased in an arts and craft store in Savannah by Ruth Aten.

Tag: “Village Weavers”. 2002

NAmer46. U.S.A. Woven Straw Doll

7” Woven straw doll in basket weave design with hat and carrying a basket with silk flowers.

NAmer50. U.S.A.. Iroquois Corn Husk Mother and Baby

11” Corn Husk Iroquois Doll holding baby wrapped in red Indian calico print cloth. Mother has black yarn hair. She has a beaded necklace and is holding a authentic woven basket.

Accompanying card: “Legend of “No Face” Doll. There’s an old Iroquois story that says the first original cornhusk doll walked the earth with a beautiful face. As the years went by she became more and more enamored with her loveliness.  Instead of tending to her chores, she spent her days gazing longingly and lovingly at her beautiful reflection in the ponds and rivers. Eventually the legend states that the owl took her face away as punishment for her idleness and vanity. A doll with no face also gives children a chance to use their imagination. These dolls were originally made just for children to play with.  But today they are valued as collectibles and there is no right or wrong way to make a cornhusk doll. Whatever the doll maker creates today is just as valid as the cornhusk dolls of centuries past. YAWAKO, Mary Lee Prescott, Oneida Nation, Roll #6307”.

Given by John Johnson (faculty) 2006. John is part Cherokee and therefore very interested in their culture. He purchased this doll as a Christmas present that included a card: “Corn dollies are very traditional in Indian country.  I bought this one from the woman who made it. And by the way, the Iroquois nation are our (the Cherokees) first cousins. Even the miniature basket is woven correctly!”

NAmer52. Indiana, U.S.A.  Amish Doll

17” Handmade, no face, Amish doll. Doll is dressed in traditional clothes of a plain cotton woven dress and pantaloons and a black bonnet and black shoes.

This is a typical no face Amish doll. There are many theories of why Amish do not allow faces on dolls, photographs of themselves, or mirrors in their homes, but the most popular belief is that these images center on pride and vain and violates the Biblical commandment, “Thou shalt not make unto thyself a graven image”.

Given by Warren Roberts and John Johnson (faculty). Warren and John would regularly attend flea markets together in search of collectable baskets, tools, and ratchets, and they purchased this doll at one of those events. 1990s

NAmer55. Amish Acres, Indiana, U.S.A.  Amish Quilter.

16” Handmade stuffed no face Amish girl quilting. Doll is dressed in traditional Amish outfit with plain blue dress, off-white pinafore and pantaloons and a black bonnet and scissors on a cord around her neck. In one hand she is holding a quilted piece in a quilting frame and in the other hand is a basket of quilting supplies with a heart: “Rebecca’s Amish Quilts”.

Written on her back: “Linda Brunt 93. Amish women and girls are noted for their lovely homemade quilts and are sold in Amish communities as a source of income.

Ruth Aten purchased the doll on a trip to Amish Acres, Indiana. 1994

NAmer2. U.S.A. Corn Husk Doll with Churn

5 ½” Corn husk female doll with fiber hair, hand on hip, and holding a churn.

Given by Linda Adams (student).

Linda wrote, “Dear Ruth, I brought you this corn-shuck doll from Berea, Kentucky. It was made by the Richey family.”

NAmer4. Virginia, U.S.A.  Corn Husk Doll Carrying Basket of Flowers

7½” Made of corn husks, straw hat, brown fiber hair, blue apron, carrying a basket with straw flowers.

Handmade by Staynelle Marshall.

Given by Patricia Sawin (student)

The The Ruth E. Aten World Doll Collection: Americasis a wonderful doll collection to see. If you would like to see the rest of the dolls in this collection please click here.