D'Andrea Bowie

Sleep deprived mom to roudy toddler twin boys and mademoiselle who is 18 months older.

For generations the women in my family have all been makers. Pioneers, farmers, wives, mothers, they had to know how to do everything from branding cattle to making underwear. To feel close to these ladies, I wrap myself in one of my grandma's quilts and run my fingers over her careful stitching. Sewing also works.

Growing up, my mom could be found regularly laboring over her giant 'huskavarna' making matching smocked dresses or long lapeled shirts for my 5 siblings and I. She also made me my most treasured toys.

Now it's my pleasure to create handmade toys that will invoke the imagination, inspire many adventures, and let kids be kids.

Painting has always been my passion but with the pregnancy of my first, my sister taught me quilting and I discovered it wasn't really that boring. In fact, I had to admit I loved it. I have found there are many ways to express my artistic self and create beautiful things for my kids.

Doll Descriptions

Each doll has been made by my hand and are all individuals. The bodies of the dolls have all been made with a wonderful french terry (smooth side out) that is 70% bamboo and 30% organic cotton. This fabric is made in Canada in a facility that does not use harmful toxins or pollutants on their fabrics achieving OekoTex Class 1 standards. It is a beautiful, long wearing, soft fabric that gets even softer over time and is non piling. To achieve different hues and skin tones on the dolls I use a variety of natural dyes.

The material for the outfits can come from fabric samples and swatches, hunted down vintage fabrics, up-cycled old clothing and some new fabrics as well.

Dolls with long hair are not always appropriate for small babies as they could wrap their wee fingers around hair and get tangled. I have designed the baby lambs and animals with babies in mind. Great care has been taken to double stitch all hair and doll parts in place resulting in a doll that can withstand play. I guarantee my work.

Facial features are all firmly hand stitched with embroidery floss.

I have chosen to fill my dolls with 100% sheep wool. Wool makes a marvelous stuffing as it is a natural dust and mite repellant. It also retains warmth so I guess you could say it hugs back! It easily takes on scent and I have always loved it's wonderful wooly smell. Wool can also boast at being "self extinguishing". The texture is unlike any other man made or natural fiber out there, you only have to squeeze a doll to experience how great it feels. Hair is also made from a 'burly spun' wool. Wool should be kept out of dryers. Air dry only!

That leads nicely into care of dolls. I recommend hand washing in cold and air dry.
Saying that, I have had great success with washing dolls in a pillowcase on delicate setting and then air dry. The denim used in totes can be washed on regular settings. To preserve the raw denim look (dark and stiff) wash on delicate settings, low tumble.

Please contact me should you have any inquiries about custom dolls or wholesale pricing.

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