Our sense of ecology inspired us; for years we pondered what we could do with the beautiful materials assembled as ugly old outfits in the last-chance bins at thrift stores. By making dolls from them, we figured we could save these precious artifacts of a now-long-gone American textile industry from their inevitable fate in the bowels of a landfill. Modernism’s simplicity and clarity of form direc
t our creations’ shapes. Our semi-interlocking patterns result in more than a friendly looking doll; those original shapes also minimize waste material, thereby allowing us to make the most of already limited resources. Demand requires us to incorporate prime materials in our dolls but we’ve still found ways to honor our original objectives. By patronizing vendors who deal in closeouts, dead stock, and remnants we’re assured a vast array of colors, textures, and patterns. But nothing we could buy could rival the richness that Daniela’s mom, Ursula, makes. She scours Swiss thrifts for remnant yarn from which she kits outfits so luxurious that people beg for full-size versions…or to be shrunk to fit. We consider people as part of the environment and extend to them the same thoughtfulness. Allergy sufferers can appreciate the hypoallergenic qualities of the fiberfill we use but we all benefit from the domestic labor laws that direct its production and protect the workers who make it right here in the US. It’s when we painstakingly cram the last shred of fiberfill that something magical happens: these cast-off bits and pieces take on a life of their own. Even though we’ve made hundreds, each one feels like the first. In the end we’ve found a way to indulge our modernist streak that also preserves traditions. The idea that those two seemingly disparate philosophies culminate as unique little works of usable art is a wonderful bonus. PROFILE: Who We Really Are
Daniela and Chris Shelton live in a cottage at the edge of the woods on an island in the Puget Sound. Aside from recycling old clothes, they rescue rabbits, take in wayward cats, restore houses, collect modern furniture, and build the occasional hot rod when time permits. And in case you’re wondering, Hasenpfeffer is a beautiful black Havana rabbit. Above and beyond the brains behind this operation, she holds the title of Alpha Bun.
