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September Newsletter

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It’s That time again… my Autumn Newsletter is going out today ❤

A Sweet Remembrance September 2017 Newsletter

Greetings All!

I have lots of exciting news to share in this newsletter!  So I’m just going to jump right in…

  1. In just 2 weeks I’ll be having my annual online celebration of Izannah Walker’s birthday. This is an extra-special year because it marks the 200th anniversary of the day she was born, September 25th, 1817. I’ll be posting off and on all day on the 25th at www.izannahwalker.com. There will be some new dolls available for sale that day, which will be posted at noon eastern time. Come visit the blog, join in the virtual party and celebrate with us!
  2. Izannah Walker Birthday Greetings Project. As a fun way to celebrate Izannah Walker’s birthday I would like to invite you all to email me a short birthday message along with a photograph of your Izannah Walker doll, whether it is an antique original, a reproduction doll that I have made for you, or a doll that you have made yourself in tribute to Izannah’s dolls! Please send your photo and birthday greeting to paula@asweetremembrance.com no later than September 18th. I will post all of the photos and their accompanying messages on http://www.izannahwalker.com as part of my annual Izannah Walker birthday celebration. Everyone who sends in a birthday greeting will be entered in a drawing to win a special birthday surprise package!!!

https://izannahwalker.com/2017/09/06/remember-to-write-to-absent-friends-izannah-walker-birthday-greetings-project/

  1. You may already know that I wrote a twelve page article about Izannah Walker for the September issue of Antique Doll Collector. The issue has sold out. The magazine has no more copies, and will not be printing any more. If you are looking for a copy, try Barnes & Nobel.  Many of their stores still had some this past week, although in very limited quantities.
  2. Another thing that you might be aware of is that I am the co-chairman for my doll club’s annual doll show, which is coming up on October 29th in Southbury, CT. This is the 30th year for the show, so in honor of both the club’s 30th show and Izannah Walker’s 200th birthday, I am curating a special educational exhibit of Izannah Walker dolls at the show.  Admission to the exhibit is included with your paid entrance ($7) to the show.  It is going to be a wonderful show and a fantastic exhibit, with a very large group of antique Izannah Walker dolls belonging to Jenny Lind Doll Club members and friends! To find out more about the show visit the show blog https://jennylinddollshow.wordpress.com/ and the show facebook page www.facebook.com/jennylinddollshow/  you can get discount admission coupons there too. If you are interested in selling at the show, I do still have a little space left!!! Email me ASAP at jennylinddollshow@gmail.com for a contract!!!
  3. In case you missed them, my new Third Thursdays are going strong! Because of Izannah Walker’s birthday celebration there is no “3rd Thursday” in September. There isn’t going to be one in October either, because any dolls I get finished in October will be going to the doll show with me. I want to have some there at the exhibit for people to hold and examine up close. Obviously all of the antique Izannah Walker dolls will be roped off, but I would like to make the exhibit a bit interactive, so I will have some of my reproduction dolls on hand for those who would like to give them a gentle hug and get a good sense of their size and weight.  For more information on 3rd Thursday’s click on this link: https://izannahwalker.com/2017/07/15/third-thursdays-start-this-month-mark-your-calendar-then-come-back-on-thursday-to-see-this-months-new-dolls-for-sale/ .
  4. I have a new article in the upcoming Christmas issue of Early American Life magazine. It is a project article on how to make cotton batting candy containers. Also included in the Christmas issue is the Holiday Directory of Traditional American Craftsmen. I’m very honored to have been included in the Holiday Directory again this year. To see a bit more about my candy container article click here: https://spuncottonornaments.wordpress.com/2017/09/10/look-for-me-in-the-christmas-2017-issue-of-early-american-life/ .
  5. The class support sites for both my Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll Making Class and my Spun Cotton Ornament Class have moved to private facebook pages. No one has been using the Ning sites, so I have switched over to facebook. Both Ning sites are still available at this time, so please go save whatever information you would like to keep from the Ning sites. I will NOT be moving all of the previously posted information over to facebook. We are starting out fresh! The spun cotton ornament how-to videos are posted on the facebook site.  If you are already a member of either class and would like to come join us on facebook, please email me at paula@asweetremembrance.com and tell me the email address that you use for your facebook account. I will then check to make sure you are a class member, and send you an invitation to the class page.  At this time I have NOT moved the Alabama Baby Class over to facebook, it is still only on Ning.
  6. Sometimes when I post new dolls for sale, they sell very quickly. I do realize that ideally people would like to take their time looking at my latest doll offerings, and then if any of my dolls tugged at their heart, decide if they would like to welcome that special reproduction Izannah Walker doll into their home. I’m sorry that you do not always have the opportunity to do that. Because I am a doll maker, selling my dolls is different than selling antique dolls. If you are selling antique dolls you already have the doll in your possession, so it is possible for you to announce exactly what you are selling ahead of time in the case of doll auctions, or before shows. Which gives people time to make up their minds about a doll in advance. As a doll maker, I spend around 100 hours creating each doll I sell. This is 100 working hours, not elapsed time.  I have to spend quite a bit of time waiting for paint to dry and washing and drying antique fabric… Generally my dolls are not finished until right before I post them.  Even when I do  shows, I have a tendency to be working on dolls right up until the very last second. In my world there is never enough time! So please forgive me for not being able to give you advance photos and lists of the dolls that I will have for sale on Izannah Walker’s birthday, at shows, or on Third Thursdays. Surprises and spontaneity can be good things! I’m always overly optimistic about how many dolls I want to make, so there is the perpetual question of exactly which dolls I will be able to get finished in time. 🙂

Fondly,

Paula

post script: If you like to receive my newsletters in your inbox, email me at paula@asweetremembrance.com and let me know you’d like to be on my mailing list. You can be removed from the list whenever you choose, simply by asking…

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Izannah Walker History · See Me in Print

Izannah Walker and Her Dolls ~ My Article in the September 2017 Issue of Antique Doll Collector Magazine ~ SOLD OUT

Izannah Walker and her Dolls by Paula Walton
The dolls are quite excited to see themselves in print!
Izannah Walker and her Dolls by Paula Walton
I hope you all enjoy reading my article! It was fun to have a chance to go back through 80 year’s worth of books and magazine articles while I was researching and double checking facts. 🙂 The dolls all hope that after you read about them in the September 2017 issue of Antique Doll Collector magazine, that you will come see them when they are part of a special educational exhibit at the Jenny Lind Doll Show in Southbury, CT on October 29th!!!
Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Doll Clothing · Izannah Walker History · See Me in Print

SOLD OUT! Sneak Peek of the September Issue of Antique Doll Collector Magazine

The issue is SOLD OUT! I just received a sneak peek of the September issue of Antique Doll Collector! It is going to be a wonderful Izannah-filled issue!!! If you are not already a subscriber to the magazine, you may want to hurry up and order a subscription! See if they will let you start with the August 2017 issue so that you can read the great article Joy Harrington wrote about an amazing mid-19th century doll wardrobe in her collection, A Mid 19th Century Wardrobe for a New England Girl. While the actual wardrobe isn’t an Izannah Walker wardrobe, it is all from the same time period and you do not want to miss a chance to see it! I can’t wait to read Joy’s article “Izannah Aprons” A Closer Look in the September issue. ❤ I have it on good authority that there will be at least one additional article about Izannah Walker dolls in Antique Doll Collector during 2017. ❤ ❤ ❤

September 2017 Antique Doll Collector Cover

Antique Doll September Contents

This is the link to Antique Doll Collector’s subscription page, just click here!

antique dolls · Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Celebrations · Izannah Walker History · Where to Shop

In Celebration of Izannah Walker’s 200th Birthday I am Curating a Very Special Public Exhibit of Izannah Walker Dolls!

Another date to mark on your calendars!!! As many of you may know, I am co-chairman for the Jenny Lind Doll Club doll show. This year is the 30th year for the show, so we wanted to do something special at this year’s show. Being fellow Izannahphiles I know you won’t be surprised by what I came up with. 🙂

The Jenny Lind Doll Club is very pleased to announce that we will have a special educational exhibit of Izannah Walker dolls at our October 29th, 2017 show. This is an almost unprecedented gathering of so many of these rare dolls at a public event. There will be at least eleven Izannah Walker dolls on display that belong to current Jenny Lind members, along with photos and memorabilia of Izannah Walker dolls owned by past members, including legendary Izannah Walker collector Maureen Popp. At this time discussions are underway with friends of the Jenny Lind doll club about the possibility of additional dolls being loaned for the exhibit, so the total number of dolls on display may be slightly higher. There is no separate admission fee to view the educational exhibit. Entrance is included in the doll show admission of $7.00.

All exhibited Izannah Walker dolls are part of private collections, they are NOT being offered for sale. This is strictly an exhibit in celebration of both our Doll Show’s 30th anniversary and Izannah Walker’s 200th birthday.

*If you will be attending the show and own an Izannah Walker doll that you would like to add to the exhibit, please contact us at jennylinddollshow@gmail.com to make arrangements. ❤

To keep up to date on all the doll show news check the show website: http://www.jennylinddollshow.wordpress.com and the show facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/jennylinddollshow/

mark your calendar

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Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Awards · See Me in Print · Stray Comments

Busy Times! Studio News

You may have noticed that I haven’t posted much lately.  Unfortunately that doesn’t mean that I have been enjoying a long lazy summer… ( just kidding – I love what I do!)  As is usually the case, there is just so much going on that I simply haven’t had time to blog!

It’s funny, I was talking to Tess Rosch, publisher of Early American Life, last week and she made some comment about me being a “high energy” person.  It’s not the first time someone has said similar things. I have some dear friends who firmly believe that I only manage to get so many things done because I’m on drugs. 🙂 They asked very nicely if I would please share, as they needed to finish quite a few  projects of their own. LOL! I don’t actually think of myself as high energy. Instead I view myself as a very tired, stubborn woman with an extremely long to-do list… So we’ll consider this post as checking one of those items off my list.

Early America Life Craftsman Directory
The August 2017 issue of EAL, which Includes the Directory of Traditional American Craftsmen.

Lots of exciting things are going on!  I’m so thrilled to say that I have been chosen for the Early American Life Directory of Traditional Craftsmen in four different categories this year! Not only will you find me listed in Toys & Dolls, but also in Miniatures, Clothing & Accessories, and Holidays (in the upcoming Christmas issue). This makes 38 times that I have been juried into the Directory!

Early American Life 2017 Craftsman Directory
Three photos of my work are shown on pages 64 and 65 in the August 2017 issue of Early American Life.
Izannah Walker dolls from the Paula Walton collection.
Look for these two dolls from my collection in my September article in Antique Doll Collector magazine.

Magazines have been a big part of my summer so far.  I spent several months combing through 80 years worth of books and articles, doing research for the article on Izannah Walker and her dolls that I wrote for Antique Doll Collector magazine. Look for it in their September, 2017 issue. It is the cover article!

Currently I’m in the midst of working on an article and project for the Christmas issue of Early American Life. Keep your fingers crossed and wish me luck! I need to have it finished by the end of July!!!

OTHER HAPPENINGS

Third Thursdays are starting this month! If you didn’t read about them in my last news letter, stay tuned for more information in the next few days. This should be fun!!!

I also have quite a few really amazing things in the works to celebrate Izannah’s 200th birthday! More news will be also be forth coming about them soon. 🙂

SIGNING OFF FOR NOW

As I mentioned, this has not been a leisurely summer so far, but I have made time to garden, work in a few non-doll sewing projects, and be a grandma.  Cloe and I have been enjoying our “library days”, when we go to story time at our local library, check out books, then spend the day together “gardening” which means checking on the peas she helped plant and eating berries as fast as she can pick them, playing and reading. ❤

I hope your summer has had some magical moments too!

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Recipes

A Very Snowy Day or What Little Dolls Do To Amuse Themselves When They Are Stuck Indoors…

How much snow? www.izannahwalker.com
“Isabeau can you tell how deep the snow is?”

 

snow day www.izannahwalker.com
“I think we should go sledding!”

 

snow day www.izannahwalker.com
“Or we could build a snowman!”

 

snow day www.izannahwalker.com
“No! We should stay inside where it is warm and read…”

 

snow day www.izannahwalker.com
“or work on our samplers…”

 

Isabeau, Ismay and Zanna were forced to agree, for the sad truth is that the dolls only have one coat to share between them all, which was kindly loaned to them by the bears…

mohair coat
Teddy Bear mohair coat… https://izannahwalker.com/2016/05/13/a-trip-to-brimfield-yeilds-treasures/

 

the story of my dolls www.izannahwalker.com
…and so Isabeau sat down to read “The Story of My Dolls” aloud. “No one seems to know much about Tillie” she read…

 

the story of my dolls www.izannahwalker.com
“We do, we do!” cried all the dolls…

 

… later they bundled Izzybelle into the borrowed coat and let her go outside to scoop snow into their biggest bowl.  Then they made snow ice cream, which they ate to their hearts content.

snow ice cream www.izannahwalker.com
Snow Ice Cream ❤ To make a dish of your own follow this link for the recipe: https://izannahwalker.com/2013/02/09/a-special-treat-for-a-snowy-day/

Thus ends the story of my dolls and their very snowy day… ❤

 

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · See Me on Facebook

W is for Wednesday and Working

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You can see more of Josephine and Isabeau’s doll making adventures on Facebook at Paula Walton’s A Sweet Remembrance.

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Holidays

Valentine’s Day at A Sweet Remembrance

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The dolls and I have had a very busy day ❤    We spent a little extra time this morning baking a special Valentine treat, Chocolate Bread, an amazing combination of dark chocolate, tart cherries and coffee.  While the dough was rising, and filling the house with an enticing scent, we went out to the studio where Josephine, Isabeau and Ismay kept themselves busy making valentines. ❤ ❤ ❤ click on any photo to enlarge ❤ ❤ ❤

Ismay and Isabeau cut out Valentines, weaving paper hearts into tiny paper hands, while Josephine addressed envelopes to all of their dearest friends…

Making Valentines was such fun, and kept the dolls so busy that I was able to work on many other things.

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Cutting out dresses for the twins, Annabelle and Annalee ❤
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Photographing new dolls… four different versions for a custom order 🙂

We hope your Valentine’s Day has been just as wonderful and eventful as ours ❤

If you would like to bake a batch of Chocolate Bread too, here is where you can find my recipe.

To see a bit more of our Valentine’s Day visit Paula Walton’s 18th Century Home Journal and my Spun Cotton Ornament Journal.

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Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll · Restoration and Conservation · thank you

New Year’s Day ~ Thankful Reflections & Ebullient Hopes

The wheel of the world has turned once again and it is time to welcome in a new year…  Even more so than Thanksgiving, New Year’s is a time that causes me to think about all the things I am thankful for and to consider all of my hopes for the upcoming year.

I AM GRATEFUL…

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I am thankful for the opportunity to study, care for and love the Izannah Walker dolls in my collection. They may not be pristine, perfect examples of Izannah’s work, but each mark of wear and evidence of love holds a special place in my heart.

Everyday I realize how exceedingly fortunate I am to be able to do the things I love.  I can not express how thankful I am to be the current custodian of eight of Izannah Walker’s dolls!  I am constantly amazed that these dolls are mine to love and care for.  It’s been a long time coming, with years upon years of searching and more hours than I can count of work to pay for them.  If you had asked me 25 years ago if I would ever own even one Izannah Walker doll I would have said no, but the longing for one these amazing dolls never waned.  So I continued to search for a doll I could afford and try to save money to pay for her…  It’s good to hold on to your dreams, whatever they are, to continue to strive for your goals and not  get discouraged! It also helps to be tenacious and downright stubborn!  🙂   Because I know that I am blessed, I try to share my Izannahs, both old and new!  I have always been grateful to others who have been kind enough to show me their dolls, in person, in photographs and online, so I attempt to repay my thanks by doing the same – plus adding in bits of my imagination and the world it lives in…  Come by in the months to follow and see the dolls at play ❤

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To my immense surprise and delight, 2016 brought two new Izannah Walker dolls into my little doll family!
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I have named Josephine (on the left) and Eliza Jane (on the right) after two of my great-grandmothers. One of the things I am most looking forward to in 2017 is making reproductions of both of these dolls. The chance to focus on each doll intensely, learn her similarities and differences, and simply enjoy being in their presence for the many hours it takes to make a new reproduction doll for the first time is a treat to look forward to!

THANKS TO YOU…

Thank you all for your support of my work these past 30 years!  I didn’t say much about it, but 2016 was the 30th year I have been making and selling my handwork.

Thank you for your purchases, both large and small!  Thank you for your kind words of encouragement and your compliments.  It is a scary thing to expose items you have lovingly created to the world!  Thank you for making it a rewarding experience, and much less frightening.

Thank you for being the kind of customers and students who turn into friends and brighten my days!

A huge thank you to those who have entrusted their precious dolls to me for restoration!!!  I have appreciated the chance to take care of your treasured dolls, and to carefully undo the worst ravages of time and past accidents.  I learn so much with every doll I have the opportunity to study and observe!  I know I’m slow and cautious when restoring dolls, so thank you also for your patience.

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Emmaline after restoration.
www.izannahwalker.com
A 2nd after restoration photo. The change in color is very subtle. These photos were taken before the doll was seen by her owner. After the owner had a chance to see the replaced arm and replaced antique linen upper arm covering, we decided to “age” the fabric and arm more.

An immense armful of thanks to those few special individuals who feel the same way that I  do about sharing the beauty of Izannah’s dolls, and who have graciously allowed me to make reproductions of their antique Izannah Walker dolls! I truly can not thank you enough. ❤ ❤ ❤

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Lily after I finished her restoration. What a beautiful Izannah Walker doll!
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The Lilys! Sisters, best friends and bosom companions through thick and thin

KNOW YOURSELF

One of the good things about being older is gaining a deeper understanding of yourself!  After a lot of trial and error, I know many of the things that make me happy.  I know that I am the happiest creating beautiful,intricate,  time-consuming things.  I do make and sell a large number of items… and I used to make even more.  Yes, I can make simple, less expensive dolls, bears, clothes, pincushions, etc. etc. etc… but doing that is more like drudgery.  I strive for special, amazing, perfect work.  That is what makes my heart sing.  I may not always reach my ideal, but that doesn’t keep me from trying again and again.  I know this is not the right way for everyone, but it is for me.  So know yourself!  Be kind to yourself and follow the path that is uniquely yours. Don’t follow the crowd, follow your heart! ❤

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cartridge-pleating
Cartridge pleated baby dress.

HOPE FOR THE NEW YEAR

A new year traditionally brings new beginnings.  My hope for 2017 is to be more creative.  To try projects that I’ve been daydreaming of for years. To let that spark of creativity light all the days of this brand new year!!!

My hope for you is that you will be able to turn some of your long held daydreams into reality in 2017, and that you will be surrounded by those you love and care about!  Try something new!  Happy New Year to us all!!!

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antique dolls · Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Holidays

Happy Boxing Day!

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After the hustle and bustle of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day the dolls are enjoying a quiet, peaceful day ❤

All is calm, all is bright… We hope you had a joyful Christmas celebration!  Best holiday wishes from our home to yours ❤

The dolls all hung their stockings from the mantle on Christmas Eve and Eliza Jane was thrilled to find that Santa left new boots in hers!

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All the little wooden dolls have decided they need to make clothes for the new year, so they are making themselves at home amongst my sewing accoutrements…

  • To read the captions or enlarge images. simply click on any photograph.

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