 So excited to share that my new children's book 'What Stars Are For' (published by Affirm Press) has been selected for the 'dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books' list for 2024. 'The ongoing 100 Outstanding Picturebooks selection features the titles It is a complete thrill to see my book sharing space with such a gorgeous list of picture books from around the world. Hooray!
I wish I could have gone to Italy to see it at the Bologna Children's Book Fair. Living in Australia means it's a bit far :).
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Autumn is slowly creeping in here. The nights are getting cooler, the camellias are flowering and the twilights are longer. My favourite time of year :) And I'm excited to finally be able to share with you, the cover of my new children's picture book 'What Stars are For', published by the wonderful Affirm Press.  The story follows a shy and inquisitive snail named Henry, who spends his days hiding in his shell and his nights wondering one thing; what are stars for? It's a story about curiosity, overcoming your fears, and the possibility of finding a friend.  I've spent February tucked away sewing and am happy to report that I've finished making a new group of cloth dolls. Hooray! All four dolls will be available to purchase via my online store from 10am (Australian Eastern Daylight time - AEDT) Friday 3rd March.  Each doll has been handmade by myself, from reclaimed & salvaged fabrics and is stuffed with wool. They each come with their own removable cloak and letter-pressed certificate of authenticity. They are quite delicate with lots of hand-stitching, and are intended as little art pieces to display rather than toys for small children. Each doll is around 25 cm tall and is priced from AU$430 + shipping (worldwide). I hope you like them! Margeaux         I have a full and messy sewing table again. There should be a new group of cloth dolls available via my online store in the next week or so. I'll let you know exactly when they'll be listed :) Hooray!     I've finally finished my latest group of dolls. I've been working on these for so long! All five dolls will be available to purchase via my online store from Thursday (19 May) 10am Sydney time (Australian Eastern Standard Time - AEST) . I have handmade each doll myself, from reclaimed & salvaged fabrics and stuffed with wool. The dolls each come with their own removable cloak and letter-pressed certificate of authenticity. They are quite delicate with lots of hand-stitching, and are intended as little art pieces to display rather than toys for small children. Each doll is around 25 cm tall and is priced from AU$430 + shipping (worldwide). My dolls sometimes sell out within a few minutes so be sure to move through the checkout process quickly, as I don't have a reserved cart on my website. I hope you like them! Margeaux
 I've spent the past few weeks making foxes from old woollen blankets, and barn owls from cotton, old upholstery fabric and wire. I haven't made these foxes or large clawed owls in such a long time... I missed them :)  
They're very firmly stuffed with wool and feature lots of embroidered details. The owls stand approximately 35 cm tall, and the foxes are around 25 cm tall.
All four of these creatures will be available to purchase via my online store from 10 am Thursday (9 Dec) Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT). I've spent the past few months designing, perfecting and putting together a knitting pattern for tiny jumpers and cardigans to fit my Willowynn animal dolls... you an see my progress here. And HOORAY, the pattern is finally finished and available to download via my online store!  Willowynn doll jumper/cardigan knitting pattern It turns out, designing a knitting pattern for a jumper, to fit a certain sized toy was not as easy as I originally thought. Especially since I had to learn to knit first :)  Willowynn doll jumper/cardigan knitting pattern I had a lot of fun coming up with designs and trying out colours and differnent types of yarns. And it's lovely to see everyone on my work table, now with their own jumper :)
You can download the knitting pattern for my miniature jumpers and cardigans via my online store. Pleaese let me know how you go. I can't wait to see what you make!
I've finally finished sewing my latest collection of Willowynn dolls. They will be available to purchase via my online store from 10 am Thursday (24th June) Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).
Each doll has been handmade by myself, from reclaimed & salvaged fabrics and stuffed with wool.
They are quite delicate with lots of hand-stitching, so are intended as little art pieces to display rather than toys for small children. Each doll is around 25 cm tall and is priced from AU$430 + shipping (worldwide). My dolls sometimes sell out within minutes so be sure to move through the checkout process quickly, as I don't have a reserved cart on my website. Again, they will be available to purchase via my online store from 10 am (AEST) Tuesday 24 June. I hope you like them! Margeaux  I'm finally creating a downloadable sewing pattern for my snail soft sculpture! There are snail prototypes all over the place here, and not just on my desk (pictured below). I have made so many snails, after first creating my design back in 2013, but offering it as a sewing pattern means I now have to make a proper template! So I'm tweaking and perfecting the shape, size and design.  Snail prototypes - perfecting, tweaking, changing... I'm at the last stage of sewing pattern production, which is photographing the steps, so my snail sewing pattern will be available via my online store by early March. I'll notify via my email newsletter and social media as soon as it's ready to download. *EDIT - my snail sewing pattern is now available to download via my online store *  I took the photo above, years ago, upon discovering this little drawing on my work table. My family and I are fascinated by snails and have a very large (and growing) collection of huge snail shells. We live in a sub-tropical region of Australia, with rainforests nearby - where we regularly find the giant panda snail.
I'll have a group of three new dolls available to purchase via my online store from 10 am, Friday 28th February (Australian Eastern Daylight time - AEDT).  All three dolls are handmade (by me) from reclaimed fabrics and stuffed with wool. They're not intended as a toy for small children due to delicate hand-stitching, but rather a little art piece to display. Each doll is around 25 cm tall and is priced from AU$380 + shipping. My dolls sometimes sell out fast so be sure to move through the checkout process quickly! Again, they will be available in my online store from 10 am (AEDT) Friday 28th February at 10 am. I hope you like them. Margeaux
I'm making the finishing touches to my latest group of tiny dolls this week. They will be available to purchase via my online store Friday 23 August, from 10 am (Sydney time - AEST).  These ladies have taken me almost two months to complete. I think I'm getting slower! I have been working on some other things in that time though, so I guess that's ok. I wish I could make a lot more each year, than I seem to be able to manage... Each doll measures around 20 cm and is handmade from carefully salvaged second-hand and vintage fabric and firmly stuffed with wool. Bearing a small 'Willowynn' logo hand-drawn onto the inside of one leg, each doll comes with a small signed, dated and letter-pressed certificate of authenticity, in a recycled cardboard gift box made my myself. Please be aware that my dolls are intended for display only and are not suitable as a toy for young children; due to delicate hand stitching, hair and small buttons.
They are priced from AU$380 each + shipping from Australia. I should also point out that I (regrettably) don't have a reserved cart in my online store. So you'll need to move quickly through the checkout process!  I designed a simple barn owl stuffed toy years ago which has been one of my most popular soft toys. I think I've made hundreds of them and have even adapted it to create a larger, more sculptural clawed barn owl that also has wings - which I still make today. Anyway, I've decided that it's time to offer my little barn owl softie as a digital sewing pattern, so that you can enjoy making them for your little ones. Their cute Babushka-like shape reminds me of the shape of a chubby penguin, so my sewing pattern also includes templates and instructions for making penguins! I've spent the past couple of months designing the penguin soft toy and putting together a new sewing pattern for both of them. It is now available to download via my online store.
 A little crowd growing on my work table... To celebrate International Womens day this year (March 8) I decided to make a collection of cloth dolls inspired by the suffragettes of the early 1900's who campaigned and fought for the right for women to vote.  They are wearing Edwardian-style clothing and 'Votes for Women' sashes, in the suffragette colours. All three dolls will be available to purchase via my online store from 8 pm Monday 11th March (Australian eastern daylight time - AEDT). Each doll is between 20cm - 25cm tall and costs AU$380 + shipping from Australia.
 My next group of dolls are almost finished. I'll list all four little ladies in my online shop on Monday 3rd December from 7pm Sydney time (Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT)). Each doll measures around 20 cm and is handmade from carefully salvaged second-hand and vintage fabric and firmly stuffed with wool. Bearing a small 'Willowynn' logo hand-drawn onto the inside of one leg, each doll comes with a small signed, dated and letter-pressed certificate of authenticity, in a recycled cardboard gift box made my myself. Please be aware that my dolls are intended as a treasure for display only and are not suitable as a toy for young children; due to delicate hand stitching, hair and small buttons.
They are priced from AU$380 each + shipping from Australia. I should also point out that I (regrettably) don't have a reserved cart in my online store. So you'll need to move quickly through the checkout process! I'll also have a couple of my finished dolphin soft toys available to purchase as well. I hope you like them! 
 At work, stuffing fabric snails while warming up in the sun.
My workroom gets the winter sun and is the best place to be when it's cold. I've opened up all the windows to let in the fresh air, as it's been really wet here lately. I'll be closing them and lighting the fire soon though... once the sun disappears behind the trees.  I found an old, torn linen cushion cover. I'm keeping the zipper and making giant snails from it. I was going to try to mend it. to use it as a cushion cover but it has a massive hole which is very frayed. Also, I think this linen is the perfect fabric for making snail shells.
I use second hand fabric for almost everything I sew - old woolen blankets, scraps and remnants. With so much fabric and old clothing going to landfill, I don't like to buy new. Also, I think things like linen and wool are so much nicer when a little worn. Giant linen snails coming to my online store very soon. My new group of four handmade cloth art dolls will be available to purchase via my online store from 10am (Australian Eastern Daylight Time - AEDT) Friday 9th March. Each one of a kind doll is around 20cm tall, handmade here in Australia from vintage and second-hand fabrics, comes with a cloak or shawl and has tiny lace-up boots painted on. Intended as an art piece to display, and not suitable as a toy for children. These dolls are priced from AUD$340 each + shipping. There's a more detailed description of the dolls below... I should also point out that these dolls sometimes sell in minutes so be sure to move through the check out process quickly if you would like one. Thank you! Margeaux Description:
Small fabric art dolls designed and handmade in Australia by myself, from carefully salvaged second hand and vintage fabric. They are firmly stuffed with wool and their limbs are attached to the body with moveable button joints. Each doll wears a removable cloak or shawl and little lace-up boots (painted on). Their dresses are not removable. Each doll bears a small 'Willowynn' logo hand-drawn onto the inside of one leg, and comes with a small signed, dated and letter-pressed certificate of authenticity. These dolls are intended as a treasure for display only and are not suitable as a toy for young children; due to delicate hand stitching, hair and small buttons. These are entirely artist-made cloth dolls with some imperfections and visible stitching. Though I have made them with the utmost care and attention to detail, spending many hours perfecting them - please be aware that limbs, head, hair and clothing are hand-stitched onto the body and will come loose if pulled repeatedly or handled roughly. Measures approximately: Length = 20cm (8in) Dolls will be carefully packaged in a lidded cardboard gift box which I have made myself from recycled brown card. All four cloth dolls will be available to purchase via my online store from 10am (Australian Eastern Daylight Time - AEDT) Friday 9th March.  Lovely rainy afternoon here in my workroom, stitching tiny things.
I haven't shared any of my textile work here for a little while but rest assured, I'm still at it. I started the year a bit lacking in motivation, inspiration and confidence... so I've been occupying myself with other things, hoping it would all come back... and it has! Phew. New dolls coming soon... then lots of creatures.  I'll have some new cloth dolls available to purchase via my online store Thursday 7th December from 10am Sydney time (Australian Eastern Daylight Time AEDT). I thought I'd add some photos of the four dolls below, along with a general description, so you can have a look before they are listed. Each doll is priced from AUD$320 + shipping. I should also point out that my dolls sometimes sell within minutes, so if you'd like to purchase one, it's a good idea to go through the checkout process as quickly as you can, so you don't miss out. Items in your cart are not reserved until you've purchase is complete. Description:These are small fabric dolls designed and handmade in Australia by myself, from carefully salvaged second hand and vintage fabric.
They are firmly stuffed with wool and their limbs are attached to the body with moveable button joints. Each doll wears a removable cloak or caplet and little shoes or lace-up boots (painted on). Their dresses are not removable. Each Willowynn doll bears a small 'Willowynn' logo hand-drawn onto the inside of one leg, and comes with a small signed, dated and letter-pressed certificate of authenticity. These dolls are intended as a treasure for display only and are not suitable as a toy for young children; due to delicate hand stitching, hair and small buttons. These are entirely artist-made cloth dolls with some imperfections and visible stitching. Though I have made them with the utmost care and attention to detail, spending many hours perfecting them - please be aware that limbs, head, hair and clothing are hand-stitched onto the body and will come loose if pulled repeatedly or handled roughly. Measures approximately: Length = 20cm (8in) Dolls will be carefully packaged in a lidded cardboard gift box which I have made myself from recycled brown card. Thanks! Margeaux So delighted to find this lovely article written by Janai Velez featuring my workroom in the November issue of Homespun magazine. It really is beautifully written and I love the way Janai has described my dolls. I always draw a blank when asked to describe my work so it's really helpful to hear someone else's words.  Homespun magazine November 2017 Homespun is a treasure of a magazine, if sewing is your thing, and is packed full of inspiring projects, tips and interviews. The magazine is available from Australian newsagents throughout November and is also available as a digital copy online at www.zinio.com.  Homepun magazine November 2017
I've finally finished the group of dolls I've been working on these past few weeks.
So I'll have five new cloth dolls available to buy via my online store from Thursday 12 October, 10am (Australian eastern savings time (AEST). I hope you like them. They each have a little cloak or cape and are packaged in their own handmade gift box with letter-pressed certificate of authenticity. Each doll will be priced from AUD$280 + shipping costs (worldwide). I feel I should point out too that these dolls are intended for display only and are not suitable as a toy for small children, as they are quite delicate.  Tiny doll dress by Willowynn The group of cloth dolls I'm working on right now are taking a LOT longer to finish than I anticipated... and school holidays start next week. Soooo I hope to have five new dolls available here in early October rather than September (as originally promised). Here's one of their tiny dresses...
 This face looking up at me while I embroider his tummy. I know he's not real but I kind of hope I'm not hurting him...
Two new barn owl soft sculptures will be available via my online store from 10am Thursday 31 August (Sydney time). |
HelloMy name is Margeaux Davis. I'm a doll-maker, sewing pattern designer and children's book illustrator, based in northern New South Wales, Australia. Categories
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