Hand Made With Love

I just had to share with you the story of Joyce, a very talented lady that I have had the honor of getting to know recently. About 3 weeks ago, I was looking through Etsy, http://www.etsy.com/, trying to get birthday ideas for my daughter, Brynn. She is about to turn 11, and I wanted to buy her something that she would not only love, but would be able to keep forever and hopefully pass down to her own daughter someday.

I decided that I wanted to buy her a handmade doll. I had no idea what kind, no idea what I was really looking for. The minute that I found Joyce's Etsy shop, Handmade With Love, {www.etsy.com/shop/Twin1656} I knew that I wanted one of her dolls. I contacted her asking about the details and she promptly and thoroughly responded to my message, and together we picked out the perfect doll for my daughter. Within literally a few days, I received an email from Joyce telling me that our doll was on it's way. I cannot stress enough how precious and well made this doll was. As a child, I loved dolls, and when I saw this one, I secretly wanted one for myself!

After we recieved the doll, I asked Joyce if I could feature her in my blog so that my readers could have the opportunity to see her talent. She graciously accepted, and as I requested, sent some information to me about how she started making her adorable "babies."  {This is always how she refers to her dolls, and I just love it.} Her story was so sincere and down to earth that I decided to share it with you in her own words.  I hope you enjoy reading about this lovely lady and encourage you to visit her shop. She is truly one-of-a-kind, just like her babies.  ~~~Laura

P.S.- I couldn't help but laugh at her very last comment about my height. So funny!



Hi Laura,


I am so honored that you want to mention me in your blog. Yes you may mention me and if you want to use any pictures of my babies, feel free to do so. Thank you so much, that is so sweet of you to do this. I have been sewing most of my life. I am the mother of two and grandmother to 3. I started making doll clothes for my daughter when she was little, and during the years when I was an "at home mom", I made clown and bunny dolls to sell at craft fairs. Rudy from the Cosby show has one of my bunny dolls and several years ago when Rudy was maybe a teen or preteen, she was interviewed on a TV program, they showed her home and her bedroom. I was so pleased, because on the front of her bed was sitting Ashley O'Hare, the bunny doll I made her. It must have been her favorite because it was sitting in front of all of her dolls!

When my granddaughter was born, I wanted to make her "safe" baby toys. So two years ago I made my granddaughter a doll, when my grown daughter saw it she wanted one. I just kept getting request for dolls and that is how "Bundles of Joy's" got started. I had never made a soft sculpture doll until I started making them for my granddaughter. The dolls I made when my daughter was little were cloth dolls but they were not sculptured.

If you look at my store banner, you will see the christening dress I made for my granddaughter. I just love to sew, but my favorite thing to do is just to make these little dolls. They are addicting, I just want to sew all the time, thankgoodness I have an understanding husband.

When I first registered on ETSY I was only a buyer. I love old patterns and wanted to add to my collection, especially for clothes for my grandchildren. After I started making my dolls, I realized that ETSY would be the perfect place to start selling them.

Thank you Laura, you are so kind. I looked at your blog, I saw your picture, it looks like you are maybe short like me! I am a twin, and my twin has always been taller than me. But, I married a taller man then she did. My husband is 14 inches taller than me!

Thank you so much, I feel so honored, and I am looking forward to watching your blog.

Joyce

This is my daughter, Brynn, with her new doll! She has named her Katie. Brynn's doll was also the 175th doll that Joyce had made, so she sent her a extra outfit as a surprise!