Her Soft Heart series

Fantastic news! The newest Dawn Doll is up on Etsy. Find her here at dawndolls.etsy.com


This design is meant to remind us that we have one heart, and one important life to live. Dawn touched everyone she met, and in her simple, special way, reminded us all to cherish everyone and everything.



I have enough supplies to make about 50 or so of this series, so if you see the following doll is not up for sale, it has been bought and it will be posted again very soon!

A Dawn Doll first

I'm very excited to announce the first Dawn Doll is for sale, she's been posted to dawndolls.etsy.com. Here's a little preview of the Dawn Doll store there on etsy.



This moment's been a long time in coming, I'm so happy to have just 1 doll up. I hope to have that long road ahead of me, to create many dolls because this cause is worth every minute of the time, work and dedication.

My Valentine

Presenting the first view of the Valentine's Day Dawn Doll. I am so very excited about this one's very special dress!



I fell in love with the fabric combination here while experimenting. It's a fun representation of little girls and the excitement Valentine's Day can bring.

I love photography, and while this photo is a quick shot taken tonight, I look forward to taking some photos for etsy with natural light. Tomorrow I will brave the artic temperatures to attempt to take some photos of this adorable doll outdoors.

This doll will be available on http://dawndolls.etsy.com (my new store) beginning tomorrow, January 15th after 4pm. This is a limited edition doll, I am only making 4, so if you like them you will have to act fast. Of course I am saying this as a new seller to etsy, so let's hope that nothing goes wrong - we might have some growing pains, we'll see!

I am also working on a new doll tonight which, if all goes well, will be another Valentine doll to be available on etsy this weekend.

The sun has come out

The sun has finally come out and I get to take some real photos of the first Dawn Doll.





As you can see she is wearing a frock of chocolate brown corduroy, beautiful, pink paisley print on the sleeves and trim, pink bows on her shoulders and little black mary janes.

Now I don't recall my friend Dawn wearing something like this, but I thought back and I do remember wearing a ton of corduroy, and for her first showing I thought a little dress would be something special.

I should create her a little pink bucket, as this was a necessity to her. She got sick quite often, even after having a good laugh, usually stirred up by my being silly. I will share some stories along the way. But getting sick was just a part of having Cystic Fibrosis back then, along with many other breathing and medical treatments.

Back to the studio!

Happy Birthday Dawn

As 2008 falls behind us, I can't help but think of all of the years gone by. From time to time I try very hard to focus on memories that might otherwise fade as the years have. I try to refresh the best laughs I've had, the beautiful moments, and the bittersweet ones too, as it all is cherished and important to life.

Then the clock strikes 12 and we celebrate the beginning of the New Year, 2009. It is a time of fresh starts, a time for change, and a time for hope. For me it's time to light a little, white candle. One I have kept with me and lit every year in remembrance of my dear friend Dawn. Today would have been her birthday, to me it still is. Her and her brother died of Cystic Fibrosis in 1984. Two rays of sunshine gone when I was only 8.

While many incredible strides have been made towards a cure for Cystic Fibrosis the road is still a long one. I realized a couple of years ago that I was at a point in my life that I was able to donate to the fund. I thought to myself, I want to do something meaningful, something special, something artistic, and from my heart, the very place hurt by the loss of my childhood friend. (I truly believe that if creativity comes from your heart it is 1000x's better, in sentimentality and execution.) The instant I thought that, I realized that it was perfect because Dawn was also such a little artist, always drawing, always being so creative. I don't remember how I came up with the idea for making dolls, but when I did I felt like I'd opened a light inside me. And ever since I've been working to make the best of the idea.

Now I don't think that it was a concious thing that I find myself here, blogging about this and introducing you to my first Dawn Doll, but it all just happened to be today, this day, Dawn's Birthday. So, thank you for being here with me, while I share my sunshine.
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Today I am sharing with you, the special birthday of Dawn, and the first of Dawn Dolls. Shortly I will link to a place where you can purchase one, proceeds of course will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
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Happy New Year!