~ A Bit of History ~
I am a wife of 50 years, a mother of three, and a grandmother of three. I grew up in the northern U.S., and have since traveled through other parts of the country with my husband, as well as out of the country once while in college. We now live in climate zone 7, which suits us very well for seasonal balance.
In addition to gardening, my favorite hobbies are my dolls, sewing, and needle crafts of many kinds. I do some drawing and painting on canvas, and also enjoy music and poetry, composing some of both over the years. I am grateful to God for inspiring so many ways to express myself, having found these things a constant source of help through difficult times and circumstances. The power of the imagination, and the ability to translate it into something tangible, is extremely comforting to me.
Some of my previous jobs included secretarial or sewing work, retail, waiting tables, school cafeteria work, and an odd assortment of seasonal jobs such as corn de-tasseling, blueberry raking, planting trees, and picking apples. Needless to say, most of these jobs were all very difficult and heavy labor or stressful jobs, but thankfully I survived through them. I have lived through some of those periods without electricity, running water, or flush toilets (even just a tent). The adjustments were difficult after being raised a city girl, but I learned that the human spirit can adapt to many things when necessary.
My deepest gratitude and hope lies in knowing there is a God who loves me deeply. It is because of this knowledge that I have always tried to do my best in any situation I have found myself in, knowing that I ultimately want to please Him in return for all He has done for me. In spite of all my complaints and discouragements from time to time, He has always been near to carry me through. There is no creator more skilled and artistic than God Himself, and I continually stand amazed a the intricate detail of all things natural in this world ... the human body, the animal world, diversity of plant life, vast landscape marvels, or the realm of outer space. Gardening has further taught me how wonderful His care is while watch things grow, develop, and fruit from minuscule seeds. Because of this, I love to include many little details in my work and projects at home. It is the little details in life that often make things come alive and speak to us in the most profound way. To God be the glory in all things good and beautiful!
~ Why Dolls? ~
I realized I could not keep working outside labor jobs forever. I became acquainted instead with eBay. After a lot of browsing around, I realized working with dolls would fit in best with all the things I already loved to do. My grandmother and mother were excellent sewists who taught me their fundamental skills. I can remember my grandma starting me out with a scrap of fabric and needle and thread when only five years old. However, it wouldn't be until my 2nd pregnancy that I would take this skill more seriously and make myself work through a garment to standard perfection. I have ripped out many stitches in my lifetime!
Through years of determination to make my own things with limited resources, I have learned to translate most of the ideas that float through my head, even if not perfect or as planned. Being an artist can have multiple ups and downs, especially if an annoying perfectionist; I am my own worst critic.
American Girl dolls were my first selling venture.. As I gained new customers and friends, I was introduced to many other types of dolls, most of which you have already been able to spot from the website gallery. I have other dolls not yet shown. My business initially began in April of 2006, and still maintain an active business license 20 years later. My inactive spells often signify I just haven't had as much time to devote to doll work as I used to, and lower energy reserves as age creeps ever forward.
~ He Who Compels Me ~
There has always been a deep awareness of God's presence in the world around me from early childhood. Life without this knowledge would ultimately feel lonely and intolerable for me. His perfect love is the complete antidote for all of my imperfection.
I like to memorize and meditate on Bible verses pertaining to God's faithful character, a few of them quoted below from the New International Version. I also like memorizing chapters for continuity, helpful for reciting if I have trouble falling asleep.
Psalm 103:8-12 ~
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Isaiah 57:15 ~
For this is what the high and exalted One says – he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with those who are contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite."
Isaiah 40:28-31 ~
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles: they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.