Each Mourning Doll is a representation and embodiment of grief and each one is a labor of love. I make Mourning Dolls to give you a way to hold your grief, and to honor your mortality.
Meet Agatha...
"Agatha hadn't lost her sister. Her dearest friend and confidant. She knew just where she lay. There, beneath a tired weeping cherry tree. There, beside their parents. This didn't stop people from expressing how sorry they were for her loss. She knew what they meant. She certainly felt the loss of her comfort and her solace. And yet, it rankled her. She glared and shrugged and felt angry at their inability to say the worst and truest thing. 'I'm so sorry that your sister has died, and that you are now adrift in grief'. For Agatha was indeed adrift in her grief. She remembered, over and over the last days and hours of her sister's life. She would, in fact, never forget them. Her hands growing colder, her gaze slipping away. Her beautiful voice stilled full weeks before their actual parting, denying Agatha the words 'goodbye' breathed into the air by her beloved. She knew this fresh sting would soften, but for now, she sat in grief's midst, and surrendered."
Agatha's dress is a butter soft black velvet with wee gold embellishments. The neckline and sleeves are gold lace trim that feel slightly Egyptian, a nod to the Victorian's love for all things Egyptian. Her hair is soft light brown sheep locks, free from fragrance and so soft to the touch. She wears a small gold ornament in her hair, with a pearl in it, and also has a thread of gold running through her hair as embellishment.
She is 24" tall. She has the quote 'She sat in grief's midst and surrendered' written on her body.
Agatha was made in my home studio. I use cotton muslin for her body which I dyed using tea. Her legs are black linen. Agatha's body is made with a combination of machine and hand stitching. I then hand stuffed and assembled her using a needle and thread.