Every Saturday I focus on a different artist that I admire. From potters to painters, chefs to collectors, seamstress to songwriters, lifestyle to lovers… anyone who set the paintbrush, pastry brush, hands and heart on fire to create.
Those who inspire art to flow where it may.
Nearly seven years ago I met Nicol Sayre. She was ever so delightful in person as her hand made dolls, and delicate charming art had led me to believe.
Nicol has been to France a few times since then, but unfortunately we were never able to connect until this year. Nicol and her husband Phil, will be staying with us this weekend. Of course we plan to go to the brocante in search of the old worn beautiful textiles and embellishments that she will use in her craft.
"Nicol has a passion for antique dolls, toys and sewing and household implements. It is from these collections that she draws her inspiration.
The mid-1800's is Nicol's favorite time period and her dolls reflect the styles and colors of this era.
Each doll is handmade. Nicol uses only antique materials to create each one of a kind doll."
"The handwork in Nicol's art is intentionally evident, from handstitched hems to a thumbprint in a sculpted figure. She likes to imagine the pioneers who may have admired dolls and toys in shop windows."
Nicol creates Christmas and Halloween theme dolls.
I asked Nicol if she would like to create a class for my blog readers, more an artistic way, here in France. I know it would be inspiring to be with her, going to the brocante and exploring France through her eyes and design.
Hand painted faces. Simply stated with such elegance. I love how Nicol captures that long ago look in her creations. Nicol's look is well defined, yet each doll has its own personality as well.
Those dotted eyes and kissable little lips.
Nicol wrote about this doll that she sold, "Lola is papier mache, with glass eyes. She has a leather body and a very aged lace skirt. She wears a tiny antique tintype around her neck and carries a folded paper heart."
Nicol offers her original artwork at American Harvest as well as other doll shows.
http://nicolsayredollshoppe.blogspot.fr/
Also her reproductions can be found at Bayberry Cove, and
Photo Source via Prim, Magazine cover with Nicol Sayre's doll:
Every doll is unique,
hand-sculpted of papier mache
on a cloth body and costumed in antique fabrics.
I wonder what lovely little bits she is going to find today in France!
Contact information:
Nicol Sayre:
http://nicolsayredollshoppe.blogspot.fr/
Pleasanton, CA 94566
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