Soul Mate Dolls

The book is charming, with lots of ideas for creating one-of-a-kind dolls. DEFINITELY not your usual Raggedy-Annes or floppy nonentities. If I were leading a women's retreat, either for my church or for a women's group, then I would want to use this book to help others exercise their hands and their souls at the same time. For me, harried mom of a toddler, who makes her dolls on the run, while coping with wind, toads large dogs and spraying hoses, however, the book did not offer much. Buy it if you have the time and inclination to do a lot more thinking than sewing.

I did not know what to expect when I ordered Soul Mate Dolls by Noren Crone-Findlay. After it's arrival I became totally intrigued. First of all, Noreen is so in tune with nature that she thanks the trees for the paper on which the book is printed. Each chapter is a story in itself. In the Basic Flat Soul Mate Doll chapter, learn not only how to cut and use the templates provided, but also how to weave on a simple loom made with ordinary household materials, how to draw a face without being intimidated and how to make your own wooden knitting needles!Chapter Two is The Power Story. Enter the realm of creativty and unleash your inner spirit. Read the delightful story of Mollie Whuppie, delight in Soul Mate doll chairs in the shape of animals and flowers, make a pocket doll and her pouch or crochet a tiny hat.Chapter Three delves into dreams, journals and doodling. Here you can make a bendable doll out of chenille stems or wire, knit an Ancient Dancer or soar and dance with cardstock dolls. I especially liked how Noreen gives you permission to be child-like in the creative approach.Chapter Four is emotion where our emotions can be recognized and immortalized.Both happy and sad feelings are explored through these dolls. Even a very simple tassel doll can be given to someone just as a thank you. You can construct a little kitty yarn dolly for the cat person in your life.Chapter Five is Magic mixed with Whimsey. How about a mermaid , a fairy or an elf. The Magical Children can be easily personalized with a tiny photo of your child's face.In Chapter Six, we find ourseleves developing a relationship with the Wise Old Person within us. How about carving a head from an avocado pit or making a paper kimono? Soul Mate Dolls is mind expanding, funny and mystical.Noreen Crone-Findlay gives us the tools to use our hands to reach into our hearts and souls.

This book has a very creative approach to dolls, and shows different mediums and there possible use in dollmaking.

Soul Mates Dolls is emphatically not just for doll makers. It can be read and enjoyed on two levels: that of a skillfully written and beautifully illustrated doll making book (the instructions are clear and easy to understand)and a jumping off place for a voyage of self discovery via doll making. There were several dolls that leapt off the page and into my heart; I want them as companions in my life! Soul Mate Dolls is written with humour, wisdom and clarity. It is a joy to travel with this book and I recommend it enthusiastically. It will expand your heart...