Jilly Lovett North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
I create one of a kind folk art dolls using reclaimed wool and other vintage finds.
I've been using recycled wool for my art and craft projects for many years now. An old woolen sweater, when felted, becomes a wonderfully pliable felt fabric that's easy to sew and won't fray. I design and sew the dolls, with articulated arms and legs, and then incorporate embroidery, applique and other vintage finds to create original works for display.
My dolls have their own personalities and stories to tell. Inspiration comes from film, literature, legend and art.
Commissions give me the chance to experiment with new patterns and designs. For a pair of Pearly Kings, I researched the background of this fascinating East End society of Victorian street sweepers. They collected the little pearl shirt buttons found on the streets of London and sewed them onto their coats. The Irish horse trader and his little dancing girl were inspired by vintage St Patrick's Day cards and old photos and prints of Donegal Fair. I was asked to make a doll inspired by the 1950s designer Lucienne Day for a vintage shop celebrating the Festival of Britain, and based her clothes on Day's innovative fabric designs and 1950s fashion. Two little school girls were made entirely out of recycled cashmere for a luxury gift outlet on the website Not On The High Street.
Most popular have been the pirate dolls and research into history, old prints and illustrations provides endless ideas for their costumes. I get great pleasure from embellishing these fearsome characters them with quirky details such as glass beads, old coins and silver fish knives which become perfect tiny swords
