Welcome

Welcome! Sit down, peruse these pages, and indulge in the stories my dolls arouse within your imagination...

Once Upon A Doll began with my own love of dolls, especially hand made. My kids and I collect, play with, and love our dolls, and eventually I began to make dolls of my own. Although my dolls are based upon the principles of Waldorf doll making--natural and sustainably harvested materials (like wool stuffing and cotton interlock), hand spun and dyed wool yarns for hair, hand made doll clothes, 100% wool felt for shoes--my dolls cannot be called strictly Waldorf (more Waldorf-esque), as they have definite personalities, larger & more expressive eyes, and playful mouths. Once Upon A Doll features enchanted dolls made in the Waldorf tradition with a storybook theme for that special child in your life or the discriminating collector of handmade dolls.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Four Seasons Doll Wreath

I just submitted my book manuscript (I bet many of you didn't know that I am also a writer, did you?), and now I have begun some new projects for my shop...

The first is a very special art yarn wreath made especially to house 4 removable handmade dolls, each one representing a different season of the year, and meant to be played with and loved by a very lucky child:

 Spring---Summer---Autumn---Winter

These dolls are similar in style to the Jess Brown dolls (like the doll in the enchanting book "Kiki and Coco in Paris"), each lovingly handmade by a very talented maker named Celine. She usually makes much larger dolls, but we collaborated for this special Four Seasons Project, and she created 4 one of a kind smaller versions of her dolls, just for this wreath!

If you would like to check out Celine's larger dolls, this is her Etsy shop link:
                       http://www.etsy.com/shop/celinecnyc























The wreath base itself has four different sets of decorations...handmade 100% wool roses...handmade felt owls...and these adorable needle felted critters

Strawberry for Spring
Rose for Summer
Mushroom for Autumn
and
Poinsettia for Winter
(notice the smiling faces on each).

Here's a close up of Spring, so you can just see the enchanting details of these dolls:

I am SOOO excited about this project! The perfect Christmas or Birthday gift (after all, it includes 4 special best friends, and celebrates the seasons as well).

Another project is my first Asian doll. She is 13 inches tall, with the SOFTEST handspun black merino hair (and lots of pink highlights)...her little dress and needle felted friend that she will come with are below...can you guess her theme?



Finally, I am working on the wreath for my contest winner's doll--it will actually be for her 14" Dragonfly's Hollow doll, and we are in the process of picking out all the details to create a VERY special home for her!

Have a wonderful week! I'll keep you posted with these current projects are complete.
Thanks for sharing the process of creation with me,
Amy
Once Upon A Doll

Monday, July 9, 2012

Drumroll Please...

And the WINNERS ARE:

Grand Prize: Kara
Second Prize: Chrystel
Third Prize: Sarah

Winners have been emailed--thanks SO much everyone who entered.

This has been FUN :)
--Amy
Once Upon A Doll

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Giveaway is Officially CLOSED!

Our Grand Re-Opening Giveaway is officially CLOSED!

Thanks SO much for your overwhelming response, I have my work cut out for me tallying up all the entries. I will contact and post about the winners tomorrow.

Sleep well and dream of wonderful prizes,
Amy
Once Upon A Doll

Monday, July 2, 2012

To CELEBRATE the 
Grand RE-Opening of the 
Once Upon A Doll Etsy Shop
(formerly wreathsndolls)

It's time for a GIVEAWAY!

***The GRAND PRIZE is...(drum roll please)...

1. Lil' Red: A 13" Handmade Waldorf-esque Doll

Meet Lil’ Red. She is a handmade doll, crafted lovingly in the Waldorf tradition. 13 inches from the top of her head to the tip of her toes, she wears an adorable red riding hood themed dress and cape made of imported Japanese fabric. Her lush, long hair is made of hand spun merino wool, with just a splash of color and the most adorable curl! She is stuffed with clean carded local wool and her “skin” fabric is cotton interlock imported from Europe. Her eyes and mouth are hand embroidered—notice that mischievous twinkle—and her wool felt boots have contrast stitching. 


Each seam has been double-stitched to last years of play, and her simple expression allows your child to imagine whatever emotion she wishes. The wool stuffing warms to your child’s body temperature, making her feel like a real companion to befriend. The dress, cape, and shoes are removable (dress uses Velcro for easy on and off again), and she modestly has underwear and the cutest belly button as well. Her hair is currently in messy buns, but may be taken down and styled a variety of ways for creative play. Her cheeks are blushed with beeswax crayon, and she carries a basket to be filled with goodies for grandmother’s house!

Lil’ Red is intended for children ages three and up.

For FREE--you only pay $10 for shipping! 

***The SECOND PRIZE is...(drum roll again):
2. A Custom Yarn Wreath
for the Doll of YOUR CHOICE

I have made numerous yarn wreaths for handmade dolls in my time. For THIS prize, you choose a doll you already have, and I will craft a handmade artisanal yarn wreath JUST to keep your doll in--the PERFECT way to decorate your home or child's bedroom with a beloved doll!  Here are some examples of wreaths I have made for dolls by other doll makers in the past:




***PLEASE NOTE: for this option, you must supply YOUR OWN DOLL!***
Once you win, I will contact you to craft your little doll's home, and I will buy all supplies for the making of the wreath.
FOR FREE--you only pay $15 shipping!!

***The FINAL PRIZE is...(last drum roll, I promise): 
 3.One $25.00 Gift Certificate for
Once Upon A Doll Etsy Shop
This will be in the form of a coupon code that is ONLY for the winner of this prize, good for one year from issuance and may be used on any item or combination of items in the Once Upon A Doll Etsy Shop (including SALE items).
FOR FREE (although you'll have to purchase something to use it)!!

WOW!

You have FIVE chances to enter the contest:

*** If you have already done any of the following, just tell me in the comment below and you will still receive an entry for each one.***
  • "LIKE" the Once Upon A Doll Facebook Page ("Facebook Badge" to the right)
  • FOLLOW this BLOG (click "Followers" to the right)
  • SIGN UP to receive emails from Once Upon A Doll ("Email Sign Up" link to the right)
  • FOLLOW on TWITTER ("Twitter Updates" link to the right)
  • Comment below with your REAL first name, your email, and tell me all the other ways you entered (Facebook, Follow Blog, Email Sign Up, Twitter) THIS IS THE ESSENTIAL STEP! You MUST comment and tell me about your other entries in order for them to count!
That's ALL you have to do!
Grand RE-Opening Contest closes Sunday, July 8th at Midnight EST; winners will be chosen by random number generator on Monday July 9th.

GOOD LUCK! Thanks so much for your support and patronage,
Amy
Once Upon A Doll

P.S.  SECRET extra entry opportunity! SHARE my original post on the Once Upon A Doll Fanpage about this contest for an additional entry :)
https://www.facebook.com/OnceUponADoll