Kokeshi ladies go to new homes!

Japanese Kokeshi dolls needle felting
Group photo!

This weekend the 4H Summer Inbound Exchange program came to a close. Forty Japanese teenagers had spent a month in Virginia staying with host families from all parts of the state. This is an amazing program that matches host families and Japanese youth for a one month "homestay". It is an incredible opportunity to create lifelong friendships and build cultural understanding.

My sweet little needle felted dolls were given as a Thank- you gift to the families that hosted the students and chaperones.

the pink sisters!

close up of hair & flowers

 I had a lot of fun making all of them and it was a bit sad to see the go, but I know they will be happy with their new families. And. hopefully, be a nice reminder of their Japanese son or daughter.

A busy month of teaching classes

 Bridget concentrates on her sweet needle-felted lady bug!

at MadArts in Madison County, VA.

 our finished Ladybugs...keeping cool under the umbrella

 Flower Fantasia class @ Louisa County Library

Group photo of flowers in bloom!

Japanese dolls in the making @ Crozet LIbrary

 Allie!! the most awesome YA librarian takes a break from helping to work on her own doll.

Wren proudly shows off her finished doll! Nice going Wren. 

Wren and her sister are my needle felting "groupies" 

They came to both classes at two different JMRL branch libraries this week. <3

Amazing young ladies from Crozet Library & their Japanese Dolls!!!

So proud of them! They did an awesome job and all made delightful dolls!

 A big THANKS! to the Jefferson Madison Regianl Library for allowing me to teach these classes for the summer YA ( young adults) program. What a wonderful opportunity for the teens in the communities to be abe to learn cool stuff for free!!

Needle felted Japanese Dolls on Holiday!

Needle-felted kokeshi dolls

After selecting their parasols, the ladies head to the Aquarium for a visit

there is much to talk about.

 Look at the lovely flowers that adorn their hair!

they pose for a photo!

I am so excited!!  

I have a "order" for forty of my darling needle felted Japanese Kokeshi dolls! 

They will be given as gifts to the host families this summer that are hosting the LABO delegates that will arrive in Virginia for a one-month homestay in July.

I have been busily poking wool and creating these dolls. It is funny how they seem to come to life as I work with them, how they seem t have a personality of their own. I love that they will be gifts and that after the Japanese kids return home these will stay as reminders their hosting experience.

Feltmaking Fun in Louisa County

felt inlay

I am excited to be offering a number of felting classes in Louisa County this summer!!!

I will be teaching both wet and needlefelted classes.

 Above is a photo of a "work in progress".
I was making a felt purse and experimenting with some pre-felt inlay technique


Here's a link to the classes

Felting Classes @ Parks & Rec in Louisa

http://www.lcpr.info/FeltVessels2.asp

My first Japanese doll! (needle felted)

Actually, this is my second one. The first one is awaiting a face "job" as I was experimenting with "needling" faces on these and was repeatedly dissatisfied with the result.  I prefer the faces without a "permanent expression" that way they can change at the will of the onlooker!

~Japanese Kokeshi type doll~ 

My little needle felted Japanese doll!

She stands about 4 inches or so.

I will be teaching a class or two making these dolls this summer!

To find out where email me @

In keeping with the Waldorf school traditions, 

these dolls faces are left "plain" so that the beholder can use their imagination! :)

clayhorse7@earthlink.net