Lil Ol' Me

I am obsessed with the idea of being able to make dolls. I grew up watching people customize Monster High dolls, ball-jointed dolls, and their own handmade dolls. I now own a Blythe doll, which I customized, and I want to do about 10 more because it was so rewarding. But back before the Blythe knock-off underground market, my options for making a doll to go along with my stuffed animals were limited, and I fulfilled my dreams in a more Coraline fashion. 

This is a doll of me. I wanted to be sized down so I could be in the world of my other soft sculptures. I imagined being able to have a nice tea party with them all at a doll-sized table with those small teacups that come in a children's tea set. There's something very nice about being able to interact with your stuffed animals on their level. I was one of those kids who named every stuffed animal they had, and I had hundreds of stuffed animals thanks to Goodwill and its 25¢ stuffed animal bin. At my big age of 21, I have 8 stuffed animals on my bed, but do not be fooled- I have never gotten rid of a single stuffed animal ever, and I don't plan to. 

Despite her being me, I imagine she has her own distinct personality. Maybe she is more of a daughter to me, and I don't want to define her existence with my own. She is her own unique individual. Maybe she comes alive at night and walks around and has her own little adventures on her own. I think she remembers the love that went into making her and appreciates me for trying my best, so I'm not worried about her coming to get me.