Sweet friends, I have a different kind of post to share today! I’m throwing it back to the days when I used to make and sell handmade dolls. Y’all are in for a real treat because you get to see my worst photography skills on full display ha ha!
There was a time long long ago, when I used to do craft markets with my parents. They sold hand painted birdhouses, lamps, tables, and so much more! We traveled from Northern Virginia to North Carolina, to South Carolina, and all the way down to Georgia! We probably did about five or six good craft shows a year.
This was a serious side hustle that started long before I was ever married and continued until Jack was about two years old.
Those were good times! My parents had a motor home we took with us to save on hotel expenses, and that allowed Jack to come with us. He was just a couple of months old when I first took him along.
I only have a couple of actual dolls to share, and the rest are photographs from a pattern binder I kept of all the dolls I created.
Let’s start with the catalyst of this post and one of my best sellers, Raggedy Ann!
Fat Raggedy Ann
My customers loved some Raggedy Ann! I sold this little lady along with an Andy to match:
I called her “Fat Annie” in contrast to some super skinny ones I made. She had popcorn in her bum which made her sit so nicely!
Look at her cute bloomers…
And she had such a sweet face!
The majority of my dolls were my own creations where I created the pattern pieces:
I took these photos of the finished products for my pattern binder.
These pieces were used A LOT!
WARNING: Terrible flash photography ahead ha ha!
I made everything in an assembly line fashion…
Me and Judge Judy. She kept me company while I worked! Lining them up like this was an easier way to knock out several at once.
Here’s Annie with Andy in their coordinated outfits:
At the time, they were a more modern take on the traditional Raggedy Ann dolls.
I would then often create other pieces using the same patterns.
With this pattern, I also created a Santa.
Fat Santa
Santa’s body was easy to get from this basic pattern:
I just had to modify the outfit a bit and add a hat. He also had a burlap sack on his back that had a Christmas tree and a little bear in it.
Standing Santa
I also had a standing version of Santa:
He was mostly sewn but had a partial wooden body as well, so he could stand on his own.
I have a couple more Santas coming in a bit, but here is a snowman I made with this same pattern:
(Super flash!)
Spindly Snowman
Here’s a much smaller version of a snowman, tall and spindly:
Bunny
Anyone into country decor had a bunny or two sitting around! This is one of the only pieces I made from an actual pattern:
I found this gal in my mom and dad’s attic! I also made smaller versions and many other variations of bunnies, but they were a bit more complicated, so I eventually stopped making them.
Angel Food Cake Mix
This young lady was probably my best seller!
She had Spanish moss hair, raffia wings, and held a bag of angel food cake mix. I always had to take a bunch of her to shows because she would sell out.
With the pattern I made for her body, I also created a Santa version, a Noah from Noah’s Arc, and a Raggedy Ann, of course:
As well as a snowman, wearing earmuffs and holding snowballs:
Most of my creations used the same gingham fabrics and similar coordinating fabrics that were popular at the time. I tried to get creative with different hair, but they all definitely have the same vibe!
Give Faith a Chance
How about this hair made from peppercorns?
It resembles cornrows a bit, right?
Oh yes, I gave them to these sweet babies too!
Black Mama
Seriously, aren’t they cute?
I hope this isn’t racially insensitive to anyone. These were created with love at the request of my customers, and everyone loved them!
Cleaning Ladies
“My house was clean yesterday, sorry you missed it!”
I did get this idea from someone else, but I created the pattern and put my own spin on it. She’s holding a basket of laundry, and she is supposed to have her hand over her mouth in surprise that someone showed up to her messy house!
Here’s another fun hairdo…
Flossy
Flossy had great hair!
I made a Santa out of her body too…
Most of my dolls had popcorn kernels in their bottoms that allowed them to sit nicely.
Hanging Annie
Another variation of Annie. This one is holding her baby:
And using the same body, I made this mama with two of her babies on board:
Leave Room in Your Garden for the Angels to Dance
That’s what this one’s sign says:
I often made this doll’s wings out of wood that was painted ivory with fake stitching around the outer edge, and she was much cuter, but I love the saying either way.
Liberty Belle
Patriotic themed items were hot sellers back then!
And this very Patriotic Sam was a big hit!
I made his hat out of foam sheets that I cut and assembled, then painted. Why he’s holding a mini quilt, I don’t know lol…maybe in case he catches a chill later?
Birdnest Sally
I made lot’s of different variations with Birdnest Sally’s body.
Here are two of them:
Raggedy Wishes
I did some painted things as well, similar to my dolls, like this Raggedy Wishes sign:
What kind of wishes are raggedy?? Ha ha!
And here is the best photo I have of one of my projects from back then:
That’s because I took it outside! I sold a bunch of these sets too.
And look what I else I found while purging and reorganizing my workspace:
A bunch of Ann and Andy body parts ha ha!
I also uncovered this cute Santa pin I used to make:
I used a wooden heart as a base:
Circa 2000…that’s 26 years ago, three years before I had Jack! He would probably still sell today!
I hope you enjoyed this look back with me! I sewed a lot…me and Judge Judy!
Do you have a favorite? I’d love to know!
I’ll be back on Tuesday with some creative inspo!
UPDATE: Revisit over 21 thrifty makeovers with me HERE now!
I’ll return on Thursday with the final furniture piece of my haul, this gorgeous armoire:
UPDATE: You aren’t gonna want to miss this one! See it now HERE!!
Have an amazing weekend!!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
Oh there are no ends to your talent!!! I love seeing the throw back pictures! My favorites are the Fat Anne and Andy! LOL I remember this era and these pictures made me laugh! I love that you found “body parts” in a tote still!!! I am sitting here wondering how many people that bought them from you way back still have them! LOL they have a Christy orginial, probably worth alot of money now! LOL, thanks for sharing!
Christy says
Aww thank you, my sweet friend! Fat Anne and Andy always sold out and I often took orders for more if someone came back to get them after they were gone. The body parts cracked me up lol…it was over two decades ago…why do I still have them?? I am surprised I haven’t see any of my dolls at the thrift stores. I guess that’s a good thing! Have a great weekend!! XOXO
Jackie C says
wow! is there no end to your talent? I love these! it was fun looking at all the different ones you made. Hard to pick a favorite, but I think mine was the black mama with two babies in her apron pockets. The peppercorn hair you used on some was genius.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Jackie! It was fun for me to look back at them all, so I’m glad y’all enjoyed them too. The black mamas were great sellers!! XOXO
Margie says
My goodness you are talented! I love them all but especially the angel holding the garden sign. Such fun! Thanks for sharing. Margie \TN
Christy says
Thank you so much, Margie! She was a sweet one! XOXO
Jewels L says
I’m touched that you shared your beautiful doll creations with us! Loved the back story about your travels with your parents and baby Jack. You are the best for making me smile every post!
Christy says
You are the sweetest, Jewels, thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. Those were sweet days! XOXO
Sue Cox says
These are all amazing and so beautifully detailed. Such creative (and hard!) work.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sue! It was a fun side hustle! XOXO
Jeanne says
That was great! Thanks for sharing. You do have a talent with a sewing machine. I thought that when you redid your sofa cushions. Wow!
My mil still has her Ann and Andy in an old rocking chair in her bedroom. I had always wanted one as a little girl but never got her. Yours are just as cute.
My fav are the Santas. How did you do the beards? Also, if you go back into the Santa pin phase, I’ll be first to buy one!
Christy says
Thank you, Jeanne! My sectional covers are still going strong lol. Making the dolls definitely gave me a ton of practice sewing! I think most people must love their Anne and Andy dolls because I have never seen one for sale at thrift store, estate sale, etc. I bought the fluffy material for Santa’s beard in a package and I just arranged it how I wanted and hot glued it in place. Wouldn’t it be fun to add a run of the Santa pins to my Etsy shop?? XOXO
Jeanne says
Yes, please do but make sure I’m the first to know!
Christy says
Ha ha of course! 😀
Janice Redden says
Christy, you have been one busy creative, talented lady! It’s always fun to look back on our “then and now” phases of life. Maybe you will finish that box of “raggedy” bodies……
Happy Easter!
Christy says
I do love to get creative, and yes, it sure was fun to look back at those days! I laughed so hard when I pulled that bin of body parts out, but I just didn’t want to throw away all the work involved, I guess. It would be fun to finish them! I hope you have a blessed Easter as well, my friend! XOXO
Karen Thompson says
I love them all! They ae precious, you are so talented, and what a fun thing that must have been to do with your parents!
Christy says
Thank you, Karen! I am so glad to have had that special time with my parents! XOXO
Geri Davis says
Oh my goodness, how sweet are all the dolls you made!! I can remember how popular they were as I had some of those bunnies! You are so creative and I enjoyed seeing your old photos. How sweet the memories of traveling with your folks to do the shows!
Christy says
Thank you, Geri! Oh yes, if you were in to country decor, you definitely had some bunnies ha ha! And yes, I am so grateful to have had them special time with my parents for sure! XOXO
Nana Diana says
Oh, Christy! I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this post. I did the same thing! I did several craft shows over the years and when Amish Dolls were big I did a whole show of them and sold every one of them with orders for more. I also did rabbits and rag dolls. A couple of years ago I did small rag dolls that sold on Etsy but with hubby’s health issues wasn’t able to continue. I am hoping to do that again.
Last week I popped into a resale shop with my son and THERE was one of my rabbits-kind of like the one you showed here- all dressed in country blue (same fabric!) and my son said- How do you know it’s one YOU made, Mom? I pulled the dress up and there on the butt (under the bloomers) was my name and the year. We went back two days later to pick something up and it was gone. The shop sold it for $20!!! I think that’s what I sold them for back then. lol
I always sold the Amish dolls with a little document that told their story and gave them a name. I loved doing the craft shows even though it was hectic and exhausting and sometimes meant staying up all night to finish something for the show. lol
I also did a lot of folk art paintings on framed slates. Those were always big sellers.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane today. We were ahead of our time (weren’t we)?
Christy says
Oh I love that!! I bet you wish you would have grabbed that bunny you saw, but it’s sweet that someone still loved it enough to buy it up right away! I used to sign my initials and the year on the backs of the necks on most pieces. And I made lots of different bunnies as well and I also made cows and pigs ha ha!! I could only show what I had photos of, but it was fun looking back. We really enjoyed doing the shows as well, and it was time with my parents that I really enjoyed! Definitely hard work though for sure!! XOXO
Cecilia says
That was seriously a fun post! I had that bunny pattern and made a few as gifts. The kids elementary school had a craft fair once a year and several of the moms would make things for it. I made lots of pins from wooden hearts as well but yours is way cuter. My favorite has to be the first Ann doll you showed us. BTW, what are you going to do with the doll parts you found? I can just see them in your booth! 😃
Happy Easter!
Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, my friend, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Those bunnies were so popular back then! I made lots of different versions of bunnies, but they were quite a bit more work, so I shifted to the more simple dolls instead. Those were fun days! I laughed so hard when I opened that box with the body parts ha ha! I have no idea what I’ll do with them, but I just couldn’t bring myself to throw them away lol! Have a lovely Easter! XOXO
Josee says
Wow, it makes me wonder how you could stop doing them. They are just lovely. It has only served to convince me that some people are just abundantly gifted. I loved these treasures. I wonder if you might want to revive them? In any case, I enjoyed looking at your treasures.
Christy says
Thank you, Josee! I made them while still working full time and that worked out great, but when I started my nursing program to became an RN, it was an accelerated program and pretty intense, so I just didn’t have the time to contribute to it any longer. And to be honest, I got a little sewing burnout from it. I’m so glad you enjoyed seeing them though…it was fun for me too! XOXO
Marjorie says
Thank you for sharing! They’re all adorable! Difficult selecting a favorite….Standing Santa.
Christy says
Thank you, Marjorie! I had taken six of them to a show one time, and the first customer who bought one of them put him in his backpack. That sold the rest for me as people kept seeing him peeking out of that guy’s backpack! XOXO
Cyndi says
Oh, my goodness! I don’t know what I expected after seeing the initial photo of one of your dolls, but it wasn’t this! Soooo many different ones and they are all beautiful! I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite. I know these were each a lot of work, but they turned out so well. You are SO talented!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Cyndi! There were lots of variations and many more things that I didn’t get photos of. They were so enjoyable to make, and I’m so glad you enjoyed seeing them! XOXO
Marilyn says
I loved seeing all of these dolls! Loved them 20 years ago, too. I have a similar one that now lives in my cedar chest. I think my favorite was the Ann and Andy sitting together. So cute!
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Marilyn, thank you! I often wonder if they’ll ever make a comeback. Ann and Andy was a hit for sure! XOXO
Jane says
These are darling! Such talent and their personalities shine through!
It was hard to pick a favorite. I really liked Annie, the standing Santa and the last pick of the 2 dolls together. If you ever pick this hobby up again, I would love to buy one! Maybe Annie with dressed in red, white and blue for our country anniversary?
Christy says
Thank you, Jane! How cute would Annie be in dressed patriotic…a fun tribute to 250 years! XOXO
Laura J. says
Loved Black Mama with her kids, so sweet! Also liked Uncle Sam with his cute laced-up shoes. I like patriotic decor especially for the 4th of July! I’m not only impressed with your talents, Christy, but also your energy to complete projects year after year after year!!! You’re truly amazing! Have a happy Easter!
Christy says
I appreciate that so much, Laura, thank you!! I sold lots of black mamas with her babies, and Uncle Sam was one of my favorites as well. I hope you have a lovely Easter too! XOXO
Fran says
Christy! In the 80’s I made Raggedy Anns too but didn’t sell them. Then I had my own fabric shop and enlisted a lady to make cabbage patch dolls. There was a pattern out for them then and we did classes and sold the materials. Did you ever consider to patent them or doing a series of books on the different ones that include the patterns and instructions? These are fantastic and could put a lot of money in your retirement fund! I didn’t expect to see so many! How about finishing the parts and put in your shop! What other talents do you have tucked away?
Christy says
Oh wow, I bet those Cabbage Patch dolls were huge money makers! I hadn’t considered creating and selling patterns as I wasn’t sure there was still a demand for them. It sure is something to consider though as you never know, even selling the patterns and instructions as a printable PDF on Etsy, maybe? Thank you, Fran! XOXO
Lazy K says
WOW!!!! What a lot of work you put into each on. these put a much needed smile on my face this morning. My favorite is Fat Annie. They are all wonderful.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Lazy K! Fat Annie was a sweet one! XOXO
Kathy from JAX says
These are darling Christy. I loved finding these treasures in folk art shops. They represent love, cuteness, and the child in us. You are so full of talents and it’s wondeful that you share them with us. Make some more of these and put them in your booth. You might gain a whole new clientele! I’m curious if you kept any of them for yourself. Hopefully you did. I’m sure glad you went “off the grid” to show us these. I just have to get to your booth the next time I’m in VA. Till next time….
Christy says
Thank you, Kathy! Yes…I think you nailed the feeling they evoke, the child in us all! I do find a lot of painted wooden items from that time when thrifting, but I hardly come across sewn pieces. I would love to come across one of my own lol! I only have the one Annie and the bunny, but I know I can whip one up if I really wanted. I made everything on repeat, so it did get a bit monotonous at times whereas the things I redo now are one of a kinds. I do find that more enjoyable overall, but I still look back very fondly on those days! XOXO
Judy Allen says
Christy, that was a great walk down memory lane. I have a friend that made me a bunny in pink just like your blue one and she made me a huge bunny with a full size straw hat. My guest bedroom is decorated in country style with twin beds and quilts I made with reproduction fabric from the 1930’s and those bunny girls have the perfect place to live. I made a lot of Santa pins with the fuzzy beards but I also made bunnies, flags, scarecrows, sunflowers, pumpkins, etc. I sold a ton of those back in the days. I loved making and painting wood crafts of all sizes. I wish I lived closer so I could visit your shop. I always see something that would work in my home. Don’t stop creating, you definitely have a very special talent.
Christy says
I appreciate that so much, Judy, thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the look back with me, and how nice that you still get to enjoy some pieces! We decorated with a lot more hand made items back then and it really was so fun to create it all! It sounds like you really did a lot of fall items too which I did not…so fun! Thank you! XOXO
Barbara J Orlemanski says
Boy do I remember the “Country” Era. Brings back a lot of memories. I made florals, wreaths, Christmas Trees, swags, all decorated in either Mauve or Country Blue. Couldn’t keep them in stock at all the craft fairs I attended.
Christy says
Ha ha yes! Mauve and country blue were it! We decorated with tons of items we found at craft fairs and it was so fun! XOXO
Michele M. says
I’ve said it before and I will say it again and again and again….you absolutely floor me with your talents. This post was AWESOME and every single one of those are incredible and soooo stinkin’ adorable!!! Thanks so much for sharing this with us!!!!!
Christy says
Aww you are the sweetest, Michele, thank you!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this trip down memory lane…those were good days! XOXO
Catherine says
LOVE your dolls! My favorite is black Mama! So adorable!
Christy says
Thank you, Catherine! I would always sell out of her with her cute babies! XOXO
Kim Yost says
Hi Christy,
Thank you for sharing your homemade dolls. They are all very sweet. I couldn’t choose a favorite because I liked them all. I liked that some were angels, mothers and holiday themed. It made them all special. I was surprised that you didn’t make any Halloween witches since you love Halloween so much. I’m sure they would have been super cute as well!
Have a great weekend! Looking forward to your next project!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Kim! There was definitely a nice variety and I enjoyed making them very much! My love for Halloween came later, but they would have been fun to make. I didn’t do much in the way of Fall items either but lots of Christmas! Enjoy your weekend too and Happy Easter! XOXO
Sara Beck says
Love all your dolls. I did somewhat the same thing living in Hawaii, in the 90’s. I would go around to the Craft Fairs on Oahu and the Bases. (military). I did a lot of wood and fabric dolls and some signs. It was so much fun.
Christy says
Thank you, Sara! I bet yours were so cute! It really was a fun time! XOXO
Rita says
The dolls are sooo adorable. You were quite the sewer.
I’m sure they would sell now.
I’ve gone to many crafts shows in different states and there are always people selling items they say they made but they didn’t.
Have you ever put any of your dolls in your booth?
Maybe when you are a Grandma you might start seeing again!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Rita! I often wonder if they would still sell today? I haven’t made any in over 25 years, but maybe someday?? I’m sure I will want to make some special things for the grandbabies! XOXO
Carol Mitchell says
Such a sweet throwback! Handmade dolls are so special. Your DIY blog is great — I love seeing all the different projects. For power tool projects, powertools-compare.com has become my favorite resource for side-by-side tool comparisons. Keep up the amazing DIY work!
Christy says
Thank you, Carol! XO
Janice Black says
You are a very talented lady!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Janice! XOXO
Charleen says
They were all great. My favorite was Birdnest Sally. She had joy about. Maybe you could do a spring doll to celebrate the warm weather and all the flowers. The nibties weren’t so bad my two youngest were growing up and they were so innocentthen. Can’t believe my son will turn 40 this year. Cherish those pictures, God Bless you and yours at this special time of year. Take care .
Christy says
Thank you, Charleen! She was sweet for sure! It’s bittersweet to see our babies growing up. Have a blessed Easter! XOXO
Koleta Scott says
I like them all, but the Santas are nice. I used to sew dolls like these, but not to the extent you have. Very nice tho. If you start selling them again, I might buy one.
Christy says
Thank you, Koleta! They were a fun trip down memory lane for sure. How fun would it be to make a few of each for old time’s sake?? XOXO
Robin says
I used to make those long eared bunnies back in the 80s. (also the painted baskets with fabric liners and dried flowers glued around the rim. LOL
I was just talking about them all the other day….and how the people who made the wood primitive crafts made a KILLING at craft shows back then.
Christy says
Oh yes…the dried flowers were all the rage lol! That and eucalyptus. We couldn’t get enough ha ha! We used to sell a ton back in the day! XOXO