Turning children’s drawings into sewn artwork has definitely been on my mind lately, so I was intrigued when Sarah from TOUCH sent me a link to this collaboration with German designer Alexa Lixfeld and children from Sri Lanka. The dolls above are designed based on the children’s drawings and sewn under fair trade practices by an organization called Selyn in Sri Lanka. I love the whimsy and playfulness of the dolls with their folk-art feel. The positive impact on the community makes them even better. As my children get older, it’s becoming nearly impossible to focus exclusively on handmade gifts for the holidays, but I’m still making an effort. I think these dolls would make a great addition to any kid’s collection.
“The aim of this project is to promote the growth of the handloom industry and provide a sustainable livelihood to the artisans and their families, as well as bring enjoyment and cheerfulness to children all over the world. Lixfeld and Selyn are both making an earnest effort to foster ‘the intellectual, social, ethical, moral, spiritual and emotional development of the less fortunate children of Sri Lanka.’ Participants included students of grades one, two and three.”
Visit TOUCH to purchase the dolls or visit the Selyn website to learn more about where the dolls were made.
