Women all over the world have been making dolls from salvaged and recycled textiles for many, many generations.

I grew up making cloth dolls for myself, my friends and family and when I had my own two children, I made dolls for them. I have a childhood doll collection that I have continued to add to over the years and I am particularly fond of and inspired by folk dolls and antique dolls from other cultures. My husband and I took our daughter to South America when she was three, we traveled throughout Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador for 8 months and came back with a phenomenal collection of cloth dolls, handmade from antique handwoven textiles by the women of those cultures.

I have an extensive collection of antique and vintage textiles and embroideries stored away in boxes, and decided while cleaning out some closets that it was time to make use of these incrediblly lovely pieces. Palomita Rag Dolls was born, and I have been creating unique, one-of-a-kind cloth rag dolls in my spare time. (I also work full-time as an oncology nurse.)

I LOVE making these dolls, and really put so much love and attention into each one. Each detail is intentional, some edges left rough and unfinished, some seams trimmed with delicate antique French lace or vintage Polish velvet... As I create each doll, I imagine what her or his personality might be like, and I think about the little girl or boy who will someday fall in love with this doll, befriend it, confide in it, and genuinely love it in the way that children do with their most special toys. I fill each one with happy wishes for that child...

What I love most about creating these simple cloth dolls is that I hope and believe that they can inspire some sweet, quiet, thoughtful, creative moments for children who are growing up in this crazy fast-paced world.

Thank you! Enjoy:)