Mystery Dolls

Occasionally I get emails from people who have antique dolls that they think are Izannah Walker dolls. Sometimes they have a very nice antique doll, as was the case last year with someone who has what might be a Presbyterian doll. Recently I received an email from someone asking if they might have an Izannah Walker doll, but this doll has blue eyes. I asked for them to send pictures, which they did. After looking over the pictures she sent me, I think she has an Izannah Walker doll that has seen extensive repainting and some helping in other ways. But the doll retains enough of the Izannah hallmarks that I think she is an Izannah doll. Of course, seeing the doll in person would give information that pictures don't. But what do you think? If you have ideas, please email me. I asked permission of the owner to post the pictures here on the Chronicles.

The blue eyes are obviously a later addition...

What do you think? Email me or comment below.

Maida Today: A Related Site

Hello, Izannah Lovers! I wanted to let you know about a related doll study opportunity. For over three years I have been studying Izannah Walker dolls and I am not done! These studies have inspired numerous trips to a special doll shop in Camden, Maine, a family trip to visit the National Museum of Play (The Strong Museum) and a quest to make an Izannah Walker pattern true to the original dolls. Izannah's creations have the top spot in my artist's heart, but I still find other antique dolls charming and worth studying. Occasionally on these trips my eye and camera would notice another doll, and take pictures of that doll as well. Look at the sweet Alabama Baby sitting in the lap of Miss Red Izannah!

This week I started a site called Maida Today (Making Antique Inspired Dolls & Accessories Today) which will be similar to this site, but will be more inclusive of other kinds of dolls such as one of a kind folk dolls, antique wooden dolls, antique papier mache dolls. In addition, the site will offer tips & tutorials about doll making, links to patterns & workshops, and recommended books.

In a world where most things are made by machine, these creations remind us that making things with our hands is one of the unique gifts we have as humans. The focus of Maida Today will be to share the work of others' hands from earlier times, as well as share tips & tutorials for making antique inspired dolls with our own hands today. So hop on over, but keep room in your bookmarks for the Izannah Walker Chronicles, which will be ongoing.

Pictures of Old Colony Historical Society's Izannah Walker Doll

A few weeks ago Christie Jackson, The Ruby Winslow Linn Curator at the Old Colony Historical Society, emailed to let me know they have an Izannah in their collection. I often spend time calling and emailing museums and collectors and shops asking if they will share their images of original Izannah Walker Dolls. It is such a gift when you get a call out of the blue from someone giving pictures to share without asking! And not only took pictures, but took detailed pictures and shared them in a large format. Thank you, Christie, and thank you Old Colony Historical Society! Christie shared the following about the doll:

Our "Izzy" was redressed in 1992 in a modern-made dress that was made from mid-19th century fabric. Since our historical society has been open and collecting since 1853, we have a pretty amazing array of items that have come over our threshold in the last 150 years. We do not know her donor, but she was an early addition to the museum. I personally love her painted shoelaces and the two-tone hair curls on the back of her head.

The following pictures are shared courtesy of the Old Colony Historical Society, and are copyright 2010 by the Old Colony Historical Society. They are not to be reprinted or reposted in any format without the permission of the Old Colony Historical Society. Contact for the OCHS is at the bottom of this post.

On to the detail pictures:









If you live near the Old Colony Historical Society - go visit this doll! If you don't, I am sure that donations are always appreciated. I'm hoping to make the drive there myself.

Old Colony Historical Society
66 Church Green
Taunton, MA 02780
508-822-1622 phone
Open Tues - Sat, 10-4
www.oldcolonyhistoricalsociety.org

Doll News and Soft Dolls & Animals Magazines Deserve Thanks!

About a week ago I called several magazines to ask if I could post PDFs of their past articles about Izannah Walker here on the Izannah Walker Chronicles. Doll News, a publication put out by the United Federation of Doll Clubs, said yes. Soft Dolls & Animals, published by Scott Publications, said yes and sent me the most pristine PDF to post here. I'll be putting these in the sidebar as well for future reference. Thank you to these publications for sharing! I hope you enjoy the articles and remember the organizations who shared.

This article is posted courtesy of Doll News magazine,
a publication of the United Federation of Doll Clubs.
Doll News, Spring 1994, pp 48-51.

Read The Search for Izannah Walker

This article is posted courtesy of Doll News magazine,
a publication of the United Federation of Doll Clubs.
Doll News, Summer 1998, pp 41-44.
Read Walker Dolls: A Family Affair

The PDF of this article is posted
courtesy of Scott Publication's
Soft Dolls & Animals.
Summer 1998, pp. 20-24.
Read Izannah Walker:
Godmother of Cloth Dollmakers

Izannah Doll Making Opportunities - A Class for Everyone!

I, Dixie Redmond, write this blog, but actually see it as a public service to those who love Izannah Walker dolls. So I try to write about new happenings on the Izannah front. With that in mind, in addition to my own Izannah Walker Workshop, there are two other hot off the press opportunities for those who want to try making an Izannah style doll. Click the titles of the resources to learn more.


Susie McMahon - Simple Charm: Creating a Doll in the Style of Izannah Walker, Part 1

Paula Walton - Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll Class By Mail

Dixie Redmond - Izannah Walker Doll Workshop Class

Museums to Visit with Walker Dolls

In the sidebar is a list of museums with Izannah Walker dolls in their collections. Yesterday I received an email from Christie Jackson, The Ruby Winslow Linn Curator at the Old Colony Historical Society. She mentioned she had read the article in Yankee Magazine and wanted to let me know that the Old Colony Historical Society has an Izannah Walker doll in its collection. If any of you are within distance of this museum, please visit. I've added their site to the list.

Old Colony Historical Society
66 Church Green
Taunton, MA 02780
508-822-1622 phone
Open Tues - Sat, 10-4
www.oldcolonyhistoricalsociety.org

Also, check the sidebar links for other museums with Walker dolls in their collections.

AND, for those of you who missed the Yankee Magazine article by Catherine Reidel, click here to read it.

Izannah Walker Doll Ears Pictures

In making an Izannah inspired doll recently, it was helpful for me to crop some closeup shots of original Izannah dolls' ears when thinking about this. I may have to go back to Izannah Boot Camp for saying this, the ears are not the best part of these dolls. But maybe Izannah liked making ears about as much as I do. It's a good thing the doll above has a beautiful face and a winning personality to carry off those ears.

Here are some other Izannah doll ear pictures.

The later doll above has quite a different profile.

I like this one below -
it's simple and very folky feeling.
It makes me smile.

So here's one I've made.
It will need some "paste" spread
over the ear once it's applied to the head.

Click here to see the doll I'm working on.