Needlework reflects hope:
transforming disparate pieces into a beautiful whole;
recycling and up-cycling skills and materials into something new;
offering time and opportunity to reflect and re-vision;
transforming lives.
Heartfelt Dolls |
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Johanna is one of a new series called 'Needlewomen'. Needlework reflects hope: transforming disparate pieces into a beautiful whole; recycling and up-cycling skills and materials into something new; offering time and opportunity to reflect and re-vision; transforming lives.
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Hannah is one of a limited series called 'Needlewomen'. I believe passionately in the rehabilitative properties of textile art, especially doll-making. I have sat with women making a simple doll for children that now live in state care. Their stories and their hope were palpable. I have sat with a young boy creating a doll after scans for a brain tumour. His story and his strength were powerful. Eunice is one of a series called 'Needlewomen'. What has happened to the collaborative aspect of textile arts and crafts? Consider quilting bees where women gathered together to quilt for a special purpose. Such gatherings develop community; hone skills; pass on traditions; enrich a culture; provide a venue for sharing story. They also empowered women and girls; honoured the elders and the crones in a group; and provided safe and hospitable places to grow. Policarpa is one of a series called 'Needlewomen'.
Often our definition of a woman who works with needle and thread is influenced, even skewed, by our place in society. There are continual debates about 'art' and 'craft' and whether a handcrafted textile object can be fine art. There is also the issue of fair recompense for 'women's work'. How do we charge a just price for our hand sewn goods? Consider too the paradox of the monied classes paying for expensive materials and notions to keep themselves entertained whilst the less fortunate work long hours for unjust wages to keep themselves fed. Lucy is one of a series called 'Needlewomen'. Stitching provides such comfort, both to the one who stitches, and to the recipient or viewer of the work. Lucy is one of a series called 'Needlewomen', designed to hold all the notions required to stitch. I wondered how much we take for granted the tools we use a textile artists. Who designed, and refined, scissors or thimbles or un-pickers? When was the first sewing machine made and by whom? Am I a responsible steward of all this wonderful tools? Elizabeth is one of a series called 'Needlewomen'. There is a transformative and healing power in needlework. Stitching by hand is meditative and relaxing. Creating garments and accessories can provide economic independence. Handcrafted soft toys, dolls, garments and quilts bring comfort and solace. Textile art can draw attention to many social issues. Adelaide is one of the 'Needlewomen'. Throughout history, women have used their dressmaking and needlework skills to improve their lives. Many charities now aim to enable and empower women in marginal and impoverished communities by developing their stitching and marketing skills. Lady Brooke is the first of a new series of dolls called 'Needlewomen'. These dolls are guardians of all that a needlewoman would need: scissors, thimble, pins and needles, tape measure, un-picker. They are named for famous (and infamous) seamstresses of the nineteenth century. |
AuthorI am Liz Pearce. I am a passionate doll-maker; a doll interpreter. I believe in the power of dolls to transform lives. Archives
November 2014
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