A few weekends ago I had the most beautiful experience.
I birthed my first proper Waldorf doll, led by the talented and patient Mary Hirsh-Jones.
Learning to make a Waldorf doll is something I have dreamed about for many a year.
But for a variety of reasons, such as my little ones needing me at home, it hadn’t come to pass.
So I was so very happy to be joining the circle of women to create and share.
And there really is something very powerful about a circle of women who meet with positive intentions. For me it led to an outpouring of creativity and a filling up of my soul cup.
As we started, Mary asked us to think intentionally about what we are creating, for whom and what we pour into that process. Keeping our thoughts in a kind and supportive place, so our love could infuse our babies as they are birthed.
The intentionality of Waldorf doll making is one of the aspects that really sets these distinctive dolls apart.
So I held my son Teddy, in my mind’s eye, as I began to take the steps to create his baby.
Making the doll’s head was a very involved process, with much layering and wrapping of wool, shaping with string and bringing to life with the simplest of eyes and mouth.
Throughout the day I was amazed to see the Waldorf babies emerging from the beautiful natural materials and our hands.
Each so distinctive, a reflection of the child the baby would go home to.
We felt so beautifully supported through this creative process with Mary leading the way, helping and guiding throughout.
Thank you lovely Mary, I can’t wait to join you as you tour Australia again next year.
For anyone interested in attending Mary’s Waldorf workshops in Australia next year you can join this Facebook group.
You can read about Mary’s felt tapestry course here and more of my handmade projects here.
??? And follow along on Facebook and Instagram to see snippets of our days ???
Blessings, Kelly
3 Comments
Ah they are lovely. I made a couple of dolls for my daughters a few years ago with a group of women friends. It is such a lovely bonding experience and each doll looked so different despite using a similar method. They were just perfect for the recipient we had in mind. Special times.
Hi Kelly! I know it was a while ago when you made the weighted Waldorf doll, but I have a question – what did you fill the main body with?Millet? A combination of wool and millet? I ask because I feel like millet or sand is so heavy that only a little is needed and that it would just sit at the bottom of the body leaving an empty space above, and under the neck. So what would you fill in between the millet and the neck (that makes some of the chest area) so that it is not floppy?
Hi Maria, it is mostly millet, but then wool as well. Because Teddy was 2 at the time I made it, I used about 2kg millet and then filled the rest with wool. It is still a little floppy, so I wish I’d added more wool to be honest.