Folk Art...Dolls

I have a thing for Folk Art...rustic, interesting stuff. My mom bought me a pair of rag dolls with no faces on them for Christmas one year...as the Amish. I've always wanted these kinds of dolls. They are just so unique and interesting. I guess the reason why I like them so much is that you can let your imagination create whatever kind of face you would like your doll to be. It is said that the reason for the faceless dolls was because of religious reason...the Bible says that you are not supposed to make anything that is in the image or likeness of a human...or another explanation is, the dolls are not being made as graven images (the making of which was strictly forbidden according to the Book of Deuteronomy). I found another lady that shares the same love I have for these dolls. You can read her blog: Tips from the Blogging Queen and why she just loves these types of dolls here.

These dolls are on top of my cupboards in the kichen...since it's done up in a kind of folk-country style. I also collect roosters, so I have many chicken inspired stuff around.

My Amish girl doll.

My Amish boy doll.

A few years ago at the Des Moines Farmer's Market I came across a booth filled with beautiful and exquisite folk dolls. I got to talking to the lady that made them. June Wildash is such an artist with her dolls. I have two in my collection and they are high up so my three year old daughter can't play with them. I just love them to pieces! Here are some pictures of Sally and Lacie.

Lacie on the left and Sally on the right sit on top of books in my bedroom, high on a bookshelf so little hands cannot get to them.

Little Lacie is a sweetheart of a doll. She has a little angel brooch on her dress.

Sally...the bigger doll and Lacie's big sister. Just as lovely as Lacie.

June Wildash has a website devoted to her dolls and you can order them here.

They are well made and very lovely to look at in person.

I love dolls. Always have, and always will. I can see that joy on my baby's face when she plays with her own. Her favorite dolls are ones that are made by Pottery Barn Kids. She has Chloe, Sophie and Joy (or Clo Clo, So So and Jo Jo as she calls them) She loves them all, and calls them her "sisters." LOL!!! The Jennerbug has been brushing their yarn hair...and I keep telling her that these dolls are not like Barbie's where her hair can be combed. Bugs the heck out of me...and I think that's why she does this. Anyway...Here is a photo of Jennerbug and her "sisters" (l to r) Joy, Chloe and Sophie, all barefooted!!! Jens is holding on to her Princess rag doll that she got from the Blank Park Zoo a few years back.