Early American Life Directory of Traditional Craftsmen

I have been juried as one of the top traditional craftsmen for 2025 by Early American Life magaine in the catagory of Toys and Dolls. This is the 45th time, in the course of 24 years, that my work has been featured in their directory, many years in more than one catagory.

My packet of Directory signs and tags arrived about a week and a half ago, and my personal subscription copy was in my mailbox last Thursday. If you are a subscriber to Early American Life and haven’t received your September 2025 issue yet, it should be delivered soon. (Yes September 2025, they are running a bit behind.) If you would like to place a subscription, or read more about the magazine their website is www.earlyamericanlifemagazine.com

These are 5 the images that were submited to the judges.

Zanna, ever the budding entrepreneur, pointed out that my directory listing should actually include ALL of my Izannah Walker doll’s names too ~ since they play such an important part in my reproductions of their younger sisters! I assured her that I considered all of them to be beloved staff members of A Sweet Remembrance and offered to share signs and tags with her when she and Hannah are ready to open their Wish Emporium ❤

postscript~ In case you have been wondering about the 6 new reproduction dolls that I am currently making I have had to take what has turned out to be a rather long break, due to catching a prolonged bout of the flu, and my responsibilities as head family costume maker. ❤ ❤ ❤ Halloween is approaching ever closer and 10 year olds grow up all too fast, so it’s important to keep family childhood traditions..

Last week I received some very good news. Early American Life magazine called to tell me that my work has been juried into four different categories, Toys & Dolls, Clothing, Miniatures, and Holidays, in their 2017 Directory of Traditional American Crafts! I feel extremely honored. These four new entries will mean that I have been included in their Directory 38 times. Thank you Early American Life!!!

Here is a glimpse of my work in the Clothing catagory ❤

C. Reproduction 1850 – 1860’s child’s dress, based on an example from my collection. The original dress was for a boy, I drafted a pattern from the original for the bodice and sleeves, because I wanted this dress to be for a girl I added a fuller cartridge pleated skirt and used velvet ribbon for the trim rather than wool tape. The dress was sewn both by hand and by machine. The bodice and sleeves are completely lined with cotton muslin, like the original. The back of the bodice fastens with three antique glass buttons. The dress measures 21 inches in length and is the equivalent of a modern toddler size 2.

A. Reproduction 1840 – 1850’s child’s dress based on a dress from my personal collection. 23 inches long, equivalent to a modern size 3 toddler. I did choose to sew the narrow band of contrasting fabric trim with a sewing machine (so that it would stand up to more wear and repeated washings) rather than by hand like the original, but which is consistent with other examples of similar dresses in my collection from the same period. The remainder of the dress is sewn in a combination of hand and machine sewing, with a completely hand sewn cartridge pleated waist. Ties at the neck with 1/8th inch wide cotton tape drawstring, closes at waist with an antique button. It is made from a reproduction cotton print fabric. The matching doll’s dress is 11.5 inches long and fits a doll that is 18 – 19 inches tall.