Apr 9

Apr 9 Mariana, a natural fiber art doll, donation style

dollmaking, our life, petite fig, storytelling

Let me introduce you a little bit more to my sweet Mariana, a 14” tall natural fiber art doll. A creation part of a doll collective to benefit Ukrainians in need.

Mariana, a natural fiber art doll via donation to Ukraine. By Fig and Me.

The snowy gloom of our environment was dampening Mariana’s spirits. This is a hard thing to witness, or I best say: odd thing to witness, as Mariana is a very cheerful child.

Still she proceeded to request nothing but pink wares and spring-imaginings. Overalls without shirts? I wondered. Pink crochet shoes? what about the snow? Nothing but a lacy collar to adorn your bare shoulders? Well, I never!

A collar delicately knitted in soft mint, with a bit of satin ribbon interlaced through, to cinch nice and snug against her neck.

Speckled with freckles, kissed one-hundred-and-one times.

Embroidered eyes with roasted chestnuts. Wide as dinner plates, full of wonder.

Pale flesh of carded wool and creamy skin made of cotton clouds.

Strawberry-tinted overalls, just like a pale stain on a linen tablecloth of your summer memories.

Chubby ears full of nursery rhymes.

Tortured braids, twisted just like the tendrils of a morning glory.

The rosy glow of a child that is loved.

Half-double crochet stitches, covering doll toes in vintage rose.

We used magic, cloth, mohair and wool to bring forth this doll child. We also used needles, a crochet hook, a bit of Liberty of London for good measure and two elastics to keep her wild braids from unwinding into a soggy mess.

There is a little bit of weight inside Mariana’s belly. We think it’s because she is eats so many chocolate chip cookies!

Mariana is a very young soul. She loves to pet cats, but she sometimes looses her balance while chasing them in the garden.

She loves to read fairy tales, and points with her chubby hands at all the animals she knows.

She goes to bed very early…but also wakes up at an ungodly hour.

She is ready to be a long-time fig&me-pal of yours.

Mariana was made to be a part of an initiative organized by dear Winter (@winterludes) to pool funds as donations to the ICRC and benefit Ukrainians in need. She will become available tomorrow at 5 PM EDT (Toronto time).

In order to purchase Mariana, you put her in your cart and then make a donation (do not pay directly to the store please) to the ICRC (direct link in the doll listing).

Then you will email me proof of the donation (screen shot, email confirmation, etc) and then I will send you a Paypal invoice to cover for her shipping charges.

The donation is made by you, in your name, and is therefore tax-deductible. I donate my time, effort and supplies all very willingly and Mariana goes home to you.

Check out Mariana's listing

My sweet friends are also donating the heart-melting creations of their hands. You can check out dolls made by Jenny (Little Jenny Wren Dolls), Dorota (Mum & Dot), Meglena (Northcoast Dolls), Daria (Petit Gosset), Gonça (Loulabee) and Winter (Winterludes). The beautiful artwork used as banner for the store was created by dear Maria (Maria’s Nature Toys).

I wish you can welcome Miss Mariana into your home, but if you are unable to contribute at this time, please help us share the word about this initiative of soft-hearted dollmakers.

Comment on the dolls being offered, share the social accounts of the dollmakers or just chit-chat with us on those posts. All of that helps immensely bring more awareness to the dolls and hopefully they all find their way into loving homes.

Thank you so much to everyone that has already taken a doll home. Now, let’s hope Mariana finds a fairy-tale-aficionado to take her home.