Spirit Dolls

My Spirit Dolls represent a quality, ability, or influence that you wish to draw to you and manifest in your life. This form of doll making is completely freestyle, allowing any and all materials from synthetic fabric to natural wood parts. I have not been able to pinpoint an origin of this tradition, though some of it is in Native American practice and Voodoo. The dolls, which can take any form, embody that quality or ability, so you can use it within your own life.

Spirit of the Guard

This doll embodies the protective properties of the willow tree. He is made with a textured velvet fabric, yarn “leaves,” and a clay face. He is decorated with genuine Swarovski crystals, flowers that gather at his base to be blessed by his safety, and a ring of tiger’s eye gemstones. His outstretched arms are the stem of a thirty year old azalea bush. He is stuffed with polyester fiberfill. 

Spirit of Resilience

This doll represents the ability to recover after immense hardship, as shown by the volcano. She is made with a rocky gray and black fabric, sparkly red fabric and yarn “eruption,” and a clay face. She holds a crocheted tree of new life in her arms, and little Swarovski crystal trees gather at her base, growing from the promised fertility of her soil. She is wrapped in a knotted cord of sodalite, which reminds me of ocean waves and how her force will not be constricted. Among the polyester fiberfill stuffing is a single small branch from a tree that was struck by lightening, signifying that the potential for destruction is always there, but new life will follow.

Spirit of Rebirth

The phoenix is an ancient symbol of dying to be reborn anew. She is made with a golden glittery red fabric, a gold beak, a fiery yarn tuft, and fiery feathers. Coal red Swarovski crystals trace in a spiral up her breast and her wings are bedecked in phoenix stone. A purple Swarovski crystal is her eye. Her body and quilted wings are stuffed with polyester fiberfill and there is one small branch from a tree that was struck by lightening, reminding of the destructive and restorative force of fire, supporting her wings. This doll was a birthday gift for my roommate, made after her namesake.