I make dolls. The idea was that this blog/website would promote them. The idea was to sell dolls.

I opened a doll shop on Etsy.   At first I listed only three dolls, but the shop looked pretty good, I thought. I announced the new shop on Facebook. Many people went to my shop and some “favorited” it. People posted nice thoughts, praise.

I didn’t expect to sell dolls right away. I worked on my SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and hoped, believed that time would deliver people to my shop, and that among them would be buyers. I made more dolls.

I tweaked my Etsy shop and decided that I wanted to display more and say more than that site allowed me. I decided to start a website/blog.

Well, learning to use WordPress was more daunting than I’d expected. I worked. I got a couple of books. I figured out a few things.

I revisited my Etsy shop. I love my dolls, but why would someone else? They aren’t inexpensive.

The thought occurred: “Why would someone buy one of my dolls?” This thought took me down the rabbit-hole.

I make dolls:

• because I can
• because I enjoy the process, seeing each doll come to life, so to speak, to take on a look and a personality
• because I love them
• because I’m inspired by the art dolls I have discovered online and elsewhere
• because I’ve always been a maker of one thing or another
• because–ah, this is it!–my grandmother made dolls

This sock-monkey-doll is Jocko.  My grandmother made him for me more than sixty years ago.  He is made of a pair of socks, thread, buttons, yarn, and he’s stuffed with Gram’s nylon stockings.

I told him secrets.  I told him of the things that scared me, things I couldn’t tell my parents, or anyone else.  His quiet presence comforted me.  And he gave me courage.

Suddenly I knew that this is what my dolls must do–give comfort and courage to those who are afraid.  And who isn’t afraid?