It has been a very full year already! It has been an incredible rollercoaster ride but I figured I should take you with me.
I have been working on an international doll show for that over 2 years. I’ve had my share of challenges through this journey but I didn’t give up and I am now 5 days away from a new piece of Canadian history! As a Doll Maker and craft doer I’ve been self taught in everything I have done in my million years of life. I’ve made quilts, stuffed animals, costumes for my kids… I have always been interested in how things are made and adding my flare when I give it a try. After my bout of health recovery and a note from my doctor stating I could never return to work, I felt like I needed some kind of purpose in life. My family was my motivation for my career but those few words and a disease telling me I could no longer have the lifestyle I lived was utterly devastating. My family members, as supportive as they are, were also going through their own kind of mourning and loss of who I used to be. It was a reality that was so hurtful and they struggle with it daily. Basically, I was given a lemon farm and I had to figure out what to do with myself.
After getting through my loss of normalcy as I had known it, I found myself alone in a quiet house and I had nothing to do. Aside from dishes, laundry and mopping I spent most of my time in bed with my laptop. It was 2010 and adjusting to my new world was going to take some time to get used to. Of course my depression was in full effect but YouTube opened my world of isolation. I didn’t have a lot of friends, by choice, I didn’t want anyone in my home and I just couldn’t cope. After watching videos of quilt making and clothes making I stumbled upon a video made by the Secrist company where they were demonstrating how to sculpt a baby head, lips and eyes. I continued on and binged watched everything from painting to rooting hair and I was absolutely hooked. I accepted that my days of having an actual baby were dwindling so I devoted all my time to creating these lifelike looking dolls.
I’ve been doing custom order work and practicing my craft paying attention to fine details for over 10 years and I finally found my “voice” through my artwork. I met the most amazingly talented fellow artists and have many customers/friends who appreciate what I do. After many years of creating, I want to give back to this loving industry and community.
After 2 years of planning my partners and I created the IAC Doll Show. The first one in Canada and the most anticipated in the reborn doll community. Many world renowned artists not only live in Canada but have supported my vision for the entire venture. I will give back to this community and the people who have supported me.
As my favourite Disney princess sings:
“…no matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true”
I hope you all have a fabulous week and I will update you as the countdown continues 🥰
SS
Stiletto Supermom 