The story of Miss Emma started many, many moons ago. Her Mom and I originally intended to start working on her back in 2022, but technology did not serve us well. We moved her dates, in anticipation of a special child’s birthday and so finally Emma has been born from my hands.

Emma, a natural fiber art doll, waldorf inspired, by Fig and Me.

There is always some trepidation when I am going to start a custom order. I am at the mercy of my customer’s ideas or memories, and it’s very hard to attune to those memories as they are not my own. But there is a kind of magic that develops in me as I start reading their story, hearing their loves, likes, passions, memories. The more I read, the clearer the vision of the doll starts to take shape.

Certain words immediately transport my mind: they lived on an idyllic island? this doll needs to be happy, with a very sunny and mellow disposition. The kind of personality that develops when you are lulled to sleep by the ocean in your younger years, when walking outside in sunny weather is a normal day-to-day occurrence, when all you need is to walk a little to witness the healing power of water.

Sun, the star that powers all; the ocean, where life was born. She comes from deep within the origins of humanity, even if she is made from wool and cotton I say.

Now, Emma’s future sidekick already has another fig&me creation. You might remember Miss Posie Mae. Well, I decided I wanted Emma to have something in common with Posie Mae, hoping this would give her new friend a giggle and realize more quickly that both dolls are sisters…or maybe cousins.

Posie Mae had a wonderful romper made with glorious Liberty of London fabric. I had just a little bit left of said textile and we made Emma a blouse from it. Then we added cashmere ribbing for the cuffs and neckline, as Spring in Canada is still a bit chilly.

Emma, as you can see, is very romantic. She wanted flowers in everything. She has a very calming nature, so she obviously feels more comfortable surrounded by botanicals. Loves all colours as a true artist.

She was very happy with the spring flowers of her blouse and the colours chosen for her skirt. Speaking of that skirt, how lucky was I to find a treasure trove of handmade crochet lace in one of my thrifting adventures?

I really do believe the Universe is always conspiring to inform and nurture my doll making. Always providing me with wonderful finds that I can use and translate into the doll world of my dreams.

This trim was just the perfect accent for the hem of her skirt. It just added so much whimsy, cottage-love, a vintage feel hard to emulate when using contemporary trims. We are incredibly grateful to the expert anonymous hands that made this and we honour their patience and love for crochet in making it. Now Emma will wear this with pride!

We stand by our love of pockets, not only as a way to add beautiful depth on doll clothing, but as a most necessary part of their wardrobe.

How else are they going to carry their own treasures? What if they need to warm their hands? Or are feeling a little insecure and need to hide their hands to give themselves a little bit more courage? Pockets are always a must!

In trying to mimic (a little) the hair texture and colour of Emma’s future friend, her Mom and I chose this curly Mohair weft. I couldn’t be happier with the way it looks on her. I think it is just the perfect hair for Emma. I can’t see her with any other hair!

Some of the photos her Mom sent to me were full of glorious autumnal tones. So I knew part of her wardrobe should be inspired by them.

Cotton/linen trousers (with a pocket 😉) and a nice wooly waistband to impede wintry chills. A lovely blouse with yet again a botanical design, a sweet romantic peter pan collar and the same wooly cuffs as the waistband. Her autumnal outfit was made.

It is time now for Miss Emma to jump inside a pretty box and make the journey to her new home. I know a birthday is coming up and so we hope she is well received and that Posie Mae gives her the lay of the land.

Whenever I finish a custom doll a part of me is a little broken. A little sad. I spend so much time thinking of these dolls, talking to them, questioning choices, holding my heart in a little pouch hoping they are as much the dream doll of my customers as they are mine.

But, it is also an immense joy, a triumph, an incredibly prideful moment. A sense of birth, of conquest, of arrival. So many emotions and thoughts. I couldn’t put it all into words really. Sometimes the photos speak for me, sometimes the words speak better. But it is also a little bit private and very heartfelt and I know all dollmakers feel the same.

One of the comments I always get is people telling me how the way I speak about my dolls makes them want to create dolls. At first some are put off and consider me a total nut-job, which happily I confess I am. But then they see and read more, and lo and behold, now they want to make dolls! 😀

Emma, a natural fiber art doll, waldorf inspired, by Fig and Me.

It is a beautiful life, this one, surrounded by dolls. Always in touch with your innermost child. Always playing with soft and natural fibers, bringing dolls out of the wool. Writing about them, dreaming about them. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.

But it is only with the support of the Universe, of my family and of the kind-hearted humans out there who take my dolls into their homes, that this dream of mine continues to be my present and my reality.

So thank you Beth, for giving me the chance to make her for the two of you. It has been a pleasure working with my hands to bring this little doll alive and hoping she becomes a true member of your family.

And thank you all for coming to read about her. See you soon.