I’ve had such a huge influx of new people visiting our site, either from Facebook or from seeing us at the various market’s I’ve been attending. I always get asked why I started making the dolls from interested people. I go on about this in length on this blog post about the history of Bamboletta but tonight I felt it important to write about the heart ,or the spark, of what got me excited about making these dolls.
To make a long story short, I was inspired by reading a book on Waldorf education and specifically in regards to the dolls. There were 2 basic tenants to this style of doll making, which is based on German doll making techniques. The first is that they are made with all natural materials. Because a child’s ‘energy’ is much more sensitive using natural materials is so that everything ‘flows’. There’s also a kind of realness that using natural materials gives to the doll, the weight and the feel that wool gives the doll (which my dolls are stuffed with) is very different from a polyfill doll. Another cool thing about wool is that it’s naturally antibacterial and is sort of a scent ‘sponge’, which is such a comfort for children when their doll smells of home. It also warms to the touch. I *heart* wool, but that will be my next blog post. The second thing is that the dolls have neutral facial expressions. Children often work out problems or figure life situations out by mimicking us and/or the situation. Having a doll that can be happy, sad, or somewhere in between is a healthy invitation to open ended play.
The other thing that’s come along for me, but is not part of the whole Waldorf philosophy, is body image and keeping children ,well, children. I feel a bit sick when I go into a toy store and look at girls dolls. Why are we pushing them into adulthood? It’s crazy what’s out there. My dolls look like kids, their bodies are round and unformed and their clothing is meant for kids. The older I get the more I feel very passionate about protecting children and childhood. It’s words like these below that make my heart sing ..
PS I forgot to mention that the thing that makes me most happy is that the girls are so into their dolls and everything Bamboletta (we’ve watched every Bambo video on youtube) great job BTW, A lot of their classmates are 10 going on 18 and Steve & I want our kids to enjoy their childhoods & be kids as long as they can.
With their dolls they do, I love how they get so excited when they are playing. They are now talking about making a short video in our back forest with Sammy & Bella I love this!
That’s why I cant thank you enough for making these dolls, it has really extended my girls childhoods & that’s why Layne has to have her own <3
Sorry for being mushy…
Mush away ,my friend … mush away! I love you ladies so much! Thank you all for amazing support all these years!
xo
Christina
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