Changing Direction

Even though I haven’t written a blog post since late October, yesterday My Doll’s Trousseau got 72 views. Some days it’s 2 or 5, and some days it’s 40 to 60.

Earlier this month I had to decide whether or not to renew my website address. I even confirmed with my web host that all my content would go away if I didn’t renew.

I decided that I’m not ready to let go of it yet. I like knowing that a few people are still reading my stuff.

Almost all of these views are doll posts. What else would you expect from a blog called My Doll’s Trousseau? When I started all this, I was very involved with doll collecting and costuming, but also starting an exploration of 17th-century embroidery. Then last fall DH and I bought a second home in the mountains.

To find time for every-day life AND embroidery AND new home/mountain/small-town life, something had to give. Right now dolls just aren’t a priority for me.

I’ve addressed in the past how my embroidery fulfills my creative needs so much more than doll costuming. And we are falling in love with our new home town and dreaming of finding a way to live there all the time.

DH and I just celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary. Before the new home, we’d both admit that we were in a rut. Collecting and costuming dolls filled a void and has helped me to find some new, lifelong friends. I just need to decide if it is something that has a place in our new lifestyle (the dolls that is, the friends are here to stay).

I’ve thought about using my blog as a platform to sell some of my dolls. I’ve thought about taking the info I’ve provided here and consolidating it into a book. I’ve though about just letting it go.

What I haven’t figured out yet is if I’m ready to move on from the doll world or if some day I’ll come back to it. I know I’m not the only one working through these decisions. If you’re at a similar place I’d love to hear from you.

Writing a blog is a time-consuming brain exercise that sometimes helps me to clarify my thoughts. But it is also a form of exhibitionism that exposes my inner thoughts and feelings, at least those I choose to share. And that can be scary and leave me feeling exposed.

Last fall I attended the Embroiderer’s Guild of America national seminar. I enjoyed myself, met some nice people and learned a few things, but I probably won’t go again.

It couldn’t have been more different than a doll convention. Doll people are mostly exuberant extroverts and kinda quirky, so in big groups it’s loud with a hint of excitement bubbling in the air. Embroiderers seem to be more introspective, which allows the often tedious and repetitive work to get done. This made for a quieter, more contemplative environment which I found to be rather dull.

So, in choosing embroidery over dolls, I’m choosing a more solitary pursuit. I don’t think there’s anyone out there who is just dying to see me sit and stitch. While the results can be beautiful, it takes many, many tedious hours to achieve them.

When I started this doll blog, I felt that I was filling a void (that still exists to a certain extent). But there are plenty of instructional embroidery sites out there already and at this time I don’t feel a need to add to them.

I don’t know what’s next, but I’ll share some of my stitching progress with you soon and try to decide what to do about the dolls.

Comments

Changing Direction — 12 Comments

  1. It’s interesting to me that the majority of “Doll People” that I know are all either in or were in a caring profession or capacity, and as a result very social…especially when it comes to dolls! I hate to see a doll person contemplate leaving the milieu, as we all benefit from the sharing of enthusiasm, knowledge and dolls. But life does intervene, it would be so boring otherwise. Wishing you success in what ever you decide…maybe a blog about your new home in the mountain town?

  2. Balance, equilibrium, isn’t there a middle path through the extroverts and introverts? might it be you are quite normal ? But not ordinary (if there is such thing). We are lucky to be in an age of Internet that we have been able to share so much, but not our crazy youth haha. We have the best of it, we can step in and out as we have lived both. I suspect that embroidery is not the last passion either, isn’t that wonderful ?

  3. I’m going through much the same things but know I’m not ready to leave my Kewpies, Rose O’Neill and antique dolls behind just yet. I know I should begins selling as my life has changed substantially in recent years. Time is at a premium more than ever, and I’ve had virtually no time for my horses and other artistic pursuits. I am hoping, as you are, once I retire things will sort themselves out and I will discover what I want to hang onto and how I will move forward. It’s difficult to give up dolls when I enjoy the people so very much. It’s a journey and you never know exactly what’s around the next corner. Enjoy the ride!

  4. I certainly understand the thoughts and feelings you have shared about shifting priorities. (The mountain town sounds wonderful.) You are so creative and explain things well, so I truly enjoy your posts. I belonged to EGA with my mother when she was living, so we always had exciting times with the women in her EGA club. But I can see how going without those connections could be less exciting. Since many of those women have passed I doubt that I could recapture that experience, but sure do cherish the memories I have. I am very grateful for the yahoo doll groups I belong to. My locality does not seem to have many doll people. Bless you in whatever you decide, and may it bring you joy!

  5. I wrote you many months ago and asked you which Francois Themier book had the patterns in it for sewing. Was it Vol. I or II? I was so sorry to hear that you may stop the blog, but I understand you have other pursuits at this time. I have a friend in Texas who was also following it. We both do embroidery as well. We understand how you can be torn between the two. I also quilt so am pulled in three different directions at once. Please let me know about the book. I appreciate all your comments!

  6. Vol 1 has patterns for 45cm (17″) fashion dolls mostly and it’s impossible to find. Hope this helps.

  7. Hi! I’m new to your blog. I love it and am sad that you might be closing it just when I found you.

    So many of your tips and tricks in sewing are so helpful. I’ve been taking copious notes. I understand that you want to move on, but perhaps just start posting your new embroidery adventures here. Hurets love embroidery. (Giggles)

  8. Hello I adore your web site and have gone to your tutorial sites many times. I am right with you on your life journey my hubby and I are also at the 44 year point please dont close your web site, Susan

  9. Hi, just stumbled onto to your site and love it. A bit of advice , before you let something go that you have loved, give it time. My husband and I are and have been in the same situation, and are planning another change…..but I made a promise this time not to let anything go. Why? Because once the novelty wears off of your new situation you may go back to what you love. Maybe in a different form, but you will go back and I regret letting somethings go that are back in my life. Just put them aside. Also, ironically, I also went to the EGA conference in Oct 16 for the first time and had the same reaction. I found it a bit stuffy and cold. Thanks for the blog. Be well and enjoy.

  10. Sandy, Thanks for the kind words. I’m not going to let them go just yet. I did it once before, to buy my Huret, and had no regrets. I do think that at some point, I will reduce my collection so that I don’t feel so overwhelmed by so many dolls. But right now, that seems like too much work. Maybe, this time, I’ll find a dealer to sell them to instead of trying to sell them myself.

    Your comment about the EGA seminar made me smile. Nice to know I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

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