Gaia Earth Turtle Folk Art Doll

When I think of all the animals that walk, fly, or slither in our world, I think of the turtle as one of the most connected to the Earth. She steps slowly and quietly as she moves, feeling the pulse of the ground as she walks, almost as if she is in a meditation. I imagine her in deep conversation with the Earth as she meanders, listening to stories of what used to be,and how things will be in the future. And  I imagine her telling those same stories to her young ones, teaching and guiding them as they grow. 

Gaia Earth Turtle, a contemporary folk art ornament by Jeanne Fry

"Gaia Earth Turtle is the elder of all the Turtle Family. She holds the wisdom for all and shares her stories daily. Her stories tell of our connection with the Earth, how to care for her, and the importance of our relationship with her. She begins teaching the turtle clan when they are very young, so that as they grow they share the knowledge with others. She steps lightly, with care and respect, as she walks upon our living Earth..grateful for it's gifts."

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Free to be Me, a Woman's Empowerment Spirit Doll

Sometimes those mornings sneak up on you...those mornings when the face staring back at you in the mirror is that of a stranger...those mornings when you just can't get your hair right, or the clothes don't fit right, or you don't even feel right in your own skin. How hard we can be on ourselves as women, always comparing ourselves to the "perceived" notion of what society thinks we should be.

Free to be Me, a contemporary folk art spirit doll by Jeanne Fry

We can spend years going through this drama if we're not careful, judging ourselves so harshly. The constant "fitting" into that box can become mundane and monotonous. And I don't really know what that moment is and can't truly explains when it happens...it's different for each of us...but soon one morning you wake up and feel perfect. Perfect being....YOU.

Was it piles of self help books? Women's Studies? Our circle of friends? For me it was simply the morning that I woke up and decided to give myself a break and ACCEPT myself, Love myself, and Cherish myself for who I am. Pure and Simple...I gave myself permission to be free.

Free to be Me, a woman's empowerment spirit doll

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The Arrival a Women's Empowerment Spirit Doll

The Arrival is one of my most popular spirit dolls, inspired from a poem that I wrote some years ago. 

The Arrival

"It took me all of my life to get to this moment...

This moment of surety in my being...

This moment of reliance in my capabilities..

This moment of loving who I am.

It took me all of my life...

To shed the feeling of inadequacy...

To shed the pressure of trying to measure up...

To shed the relenting voice that I had to do more to compensate.

It took me all of my life to get to this moment...

This moment of relief..

Relief from the thoughts that I had to do for everyone else first...

Relief from the oppressive weight that I was responsible for others..

And take responsibility for the gentle child that lived within.

It took me all of my life to arrive at this moment..

When instead of being the muse for them, I became the muse for ME...

Whispering ideas of inspiration into the many layers of my own soul..

It took me all of my life to arrive at this moment..

This moment when I am the cheerleader for myself...

When I carry an extraordinary pride of who I am and what I stand for..

When I share all the parts of me without fear.

It took me all of my life...

All of my life to arrive at this moment..

When my heart and voice have connected and are able to speak a graceful truth...

It took me all of my life to get here...

Right here at This Moment."

The Arrival Spirit Doll

 (c) Copyright Jeanne Fry

The Arrival Spirit Doll       

This creation has been one of my most popular, maybe because the inspiration behind her is something that so many of us women can relate to. No matter how alike or different we may be, that part of our Journey when we heal and reclaim our power seems almost universal. It's almost like a spiritual graduation when we shed those restrictive narratives and expectations that society placed on us, and  begin to consciously live our most authentic life. 

 Because there has been so much popularity of that first Arrival spirit doll, I continue to offer them as Made To Order. If you would like to learn more about collecting one for yourself or a sister friend, you can visit my website. Made To Order Arrival Art Doll 

While the basic original design of this Art Doll Wall Hanger is used, each one is OOAK (original one of a kind). Each face is an Original Sculpt of Clay, and each body shape is uniquely different. Collectors can have some input on their commissioned spirit doll - Color Choices, Gemstone and Bead preferences, Long or Short hairstyle options, or incorporated symbolism around an additional healing theme.
 Approximately two weeks are needed for the creating. Each Arrival Spirit Doll comes ready to hang as Wall Art, AND with a signed copy of the Arrival Poem that inspired it.


I fashioned this design to reflect the essence of the poem, focused on Women's Empowerment, the Spiritual Journey, and the value of Self Love.

My Art Dolls are all a part of my Wisdom Keeper Art Doll Collection. They are created for adult collectors and not as children's toys. They are meant to be Companions for the Woman's Spirit and intended for empowering and inspiring.

Each Arrival Spirit Doll is approximately 20-22 inches in height. A strong fancy ribbon loop is sewn at the back of their head in order to display as wall art. Their size and detail make them a statement piece, lending the beautiful energy of the Divine Feminine to any space. 

You can learn more about them on my website here
Made to Order The Arrival Spirit Doll Wall Hanger

Della Wheatfield and her Hippy Chick Folk Art Doll

Della Wheatfield and Hippy Chick, her companion chicken, are found at the farmer's market every Saturday morning in Spruce Pine, North Carolina. This is her favorite day of the week, when she brings the beautiful bounty from her farm to market to sell to her neighbors.

Della Wheatfield and her Hippy Chick Folk Art Doll

 Her tables are filled with fresh vegetables and herbs that she tends in her gardens on a daily basis with love and care. Baskets are filled with lavender bundles and soaps that she creates on Tuesday evenings. Hippy Chick, her companion chicken, is always at her side to keep her company and who advises her on the needs of the farm animals. When you meet Della, she always has a smile on her face and a hug for her friends as she fills their baskets with healthy foods. Never a Saturday goes by when she hasn't brightened the day of those she meets.

Folk Art Doll Della Wheatfield at Farmers Market

Hippy Chick Folk Art Doll

This shabby chic style folk art doll is a girl from the farmer's market with her chicken, created by Jeanne Fry. Her name is Della Wheatfield, and she brings a sweet feminine touch wherever she resides. Della is a completely hand stitched cloth art doll. Her body is sewn from a soft brushed tan colored fabric. She wears a white cotton tunic dress with small folk stars, with a jumper over top that is a deep red with cream colored stars. Small wooden star buttons embellish the jumper straps and at the bodice. A cotton beaded lace necklace is draped around her shoulders. Attached to the hop of her jumper is a burlap type of flower. Cream colored flower lace embellishes the trim of the jumper.
Her face is created from clay, painted, and sealed. Her blonde hair is made of spun silk and done in two pigtails, and she wears a head wrap that matched her jumper.A flower is attached to her ankle.
In her arms she holds her companion, "Hippy Chick" chicken, who is hand stitched from a folk art farm fabric. Hippy Chick has a clay face that is painted and sealed, and her tail feathers and front are beaded with seed beads.
Della Wheatfield measures 18 inches tall and is designed to display as a wall hanger, with a loop sewn on her back for hanging display purposes. She could also be displayed in a sitting position.

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Nissa the Gnome from the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina

Nissa the Gnome lives on the edges of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. She is one of the happiest gnomes you could ever meet, and because of that is a sort of guide. When the tourists come to town (the leaf lookers) as they are called, she will come out... especially when they seem lost.

Nissa the Gnome from the Blue Ridge Mountains

When a visitor is getting hungry and looking for a diner, or a place to lay there head down at night...Nissa will appear and whisper suggestions in the wind for them to hear. She wants everyone who visits her mountains to fall in love with them as she has, so she makes sure that they can find everything they need to be comfortable and and content.She will often have brochures tucked in her pocket and will sneak and place them within a visitor's reach so that they can find an abundance of beauty while here. I suppose she is the best little travel agent in the forest.

Gnome Art Doll Ornament

Felt Gnome Art Doll Ornament

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Mrs. Ellette Autumn, a gnome in Spruce Pine, North Carolina

Mrs. Ellette Autumn, is a gnome originally from Llangenny,Wales who now resides in Spruce Pine, North Carolina. Ellette is a domestic gnome goddess...taking wonderful care of her family and creating a beautiful home that always smells as if cookies just came out of the oven.

Mrs. Ellette Autumn, a gnome from Spruce Pine, NC

 During her days she checks in on her elderly neighbors, tends the gardens, and rummages through tons of cookbooks finding new and exciting recipes to delight the kids with (who can tend to be picky eaters)...and finally in the evenings when the children have gone to bed, she and her husband spend their evenings sipping cocoa, holding hands, and star gazing.

Ellette Autumn Gnome Art Doll Ornament

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Radella the Listener Red Haired Gnome from North Wales

Radella Gnome resides in Colwyn Bay, which is in Conwy, North Wales. Her personality is much like her town, filled with beauty. Radella, since a child, was always an excellent listener, and anyone speaking to her knew that she was as captivated with their words as they were with her raving red hair and sweet eyes.

Radella the Listener Gnome Art Doll Ornament

 When she grew older it was of course a natural choice that she became a counselor so that she could truly help those that came to share their story with her. She emits serenity, healing, and love to those around her and she is admired by all that meet her. She is often found on the seaside and is always ready to share a story.

Radella the Listener Gnome Art Doll Ornament

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Aludra Star Art Beaded Art Doll Ornament

What would you do if there was nothing stopping you? What could you accomplish if you didn't know the word "couldn't" ? Just ask Aludra Star....one of the smallest little stars who is part of the Canis Major constellation. She lives on the edges of the constellation, her family, and some would probably ignore her existence. What can one little star do in the Universe?

Aludra Star Art Doll Ornament

Well, Miss Aludra Star shines brighter than the Sun...truly she does. How can that possibly be? Quite simply, because no one told her that she couldn't. Her heart and spirit are as big as the sky and it radiates through her, around her, and lights the world for others. THAT's what one little star can do. (She inspires us to do the same)

Aludra Star an Art Doll Ornament


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Her Treasured Memories Shabby Chic Art Doll

"She holds close to her heart moments in time that are special and endearing...memories of her grandmothers, her mother, her sisters, and loves. She holds these close and is grateful for the lessons she learned and the growth that she experienced, for these are all the things that made her the woman she is today, and she loves to share them...Her Treasured Memories."

Her Treasured Memories Shabby Chic Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

"Her Treasured Memories" is a cloth art doll with that vintage look of the feminine. Designed to display on a wall with a special loop on her back, she captures memories from the past. At 12 inches tall, she is hand stitched from batik fabrics with a batik fabric wrap with a tribal design to represent wisdom from ancient ones from her family. A trim of cream colored fabric flowers wraps around her waist and on her chest, along with a white satin beaded trim that wraps around her hair. Over top of her head and shoulders is gold colored organza. Her skirts holds memories..charms of a clock, tea pot, tea cup, flowers, as well as an old key. More room is available on her skirt for you to add more charms to her skirt of memories. Her face is created from clay and painted and antiqued with acrylics. She is a vision of sweetness and beauty to add to your space to remind you of the treasured past.

Charms on Shabby Chic Art Doll

Her Treasured Memories Art Doll Wall Hanger by Jeanne Fry

Shabby Chic Art Doll

(My art dolls are meant for adult collectors and not as children's toys)

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Her Treasured Memories



Marla Gnome the Flower Shoppe Keeper

Marla the Gnome has a cute little shop in her woodland community where she sells cut flowers from her garden. You can always find her at her shoppe under the blackberry bush where she has bundles of flowers wrapped in handmade papers and tied with ribbon

Marla Gnome the Flower Shoppe Keeper

 She always know just the right flower that will brighten some one's day and suggests certain bouquets to the men gnomes who are looking for gifts for their love. She takes evening walks in the woods gathering wild flowers to add to her bouquets, and leaves a trail of petals wherever she walks.

Marla Gnome Art Doll Ornament by Jeanne Fry

Marla is an art doll ornament that is hand stitched from felt. She wears a light brown skirt and light blue shoulder wrap with a red fabric leaf, green fabric leaf, and grey dried flowers that adorn it. Her hair is yarn fibers that flows about in waves under her brilliant red cap. Her face is clay and painted with acrylics. A leather loop is attached to her back to hang as an ornament. Marla measures 10 inches tall.

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Bea the Woodland Gnome and Chipmunk Keeper

Every woodland gnome in the forest has a particular job, a job that keeps the families together and the forest running smoothly. Bea spends her time as the Chipmunk Keeper. Now some may not think this is very important job, but to the contrary...it is a sacred job to the little animals that run in the forest.

Bea the Woodland Gnome

Bea watches over the chipmunks and helps them conceal the entrances to their burrow homes. She visits their homes each day, covering them with leaves and flowers creating their camouflage.

She loves to play with the little ones, who run and scamper so quickly, and she herself has learned the skill of swiftness in her movements.

Bea the Woodland Gnome, the Chipmunk Keeper by Jeanne Fry

"Bea" the Woodland Gnome is an art doll ornament created from felt and clay by Jeanne Fry. Her body is hand stitched of felt, wearing a deep brown skirt and light brown shoulder wrap. Her skirt and wrap are adorned with silk fabric leaves and a leaf garland runs down the side of her skirt. Her face is clay and painted with acrylics, with hand dyed wool roving that creates her hairdo. She wears a red cap with a flower and dried botanicals on the front. A leather loop is attached to her back to hang as an ornament. Bea measures 13 inches tall.

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Serendipity Brought to Form

I have always been delighted by serendipitous moments, when your dreams are confirmed, those happy little surprises, and you know that things are working out as they should.

 This is what inspired my latest art doll, named of course ~ Serendipity.

Serendipity Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

Serendipity is the sweet little spirit that arranges those serendipitous messages that come to us throughout our days...the messages that are confirmations to us that we are on the right path. During those moments when we question our own instincts and wonder if things are "right", she creates those little messages that appear in unexpected places, reminding us to trust our intuition.

Cloth Beaded Art Doll

She is a reassuring little being, that offers a confident and relaxed persona, and extends that energy when she is near.

(Serendipity is an art doll that is hand stitched and beaded. Her body is created from rich blue batik fabric that is hand stitched and beaded down the arm and around the ankle with auburn and amber seed beads. She wears a wrap around skirt and a gauze type scarf in reds and oranges. Around her neck she wears a silver key that has the word "Life" stamped in it. Her face is made of clay and painted with shades of cream and periwinkle blue. Hand dyed wool roving creates her beautiful hair in shades of magenta, browns, and highlights of amber with some simple beading that adorns it. Seated in a relaxed and casual position, she measures 7 inches tall with her leg extending 9 inches.)

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Katrina Maize the Crystal Healer Spirit Doll

I'd like to introduce to you a new friend...a bounty of beauty in a small package. Her name is Katrina Maize and she is a crystal healer.

Katrina Maize the Crystal Healer Spirit Doll by Jeanne Fry

She comes from a very distant, remote, and private island in European waters where she grew up learning everything there is to know about crystals and gemstones. As a child, you would never see Katrina without gemstones with her, most often her pockets were stuffed with them.

Crystal Healer with Citrine Druz Crystal

 As she grew older she learned how to use them in healing, realizing how powerful these beauties from nature could be. She collects her rocks from all over the Earth, but she is always willing to share her treasures...she always has just the right one to give as a gift to someone who needs a little love in their day.

(This cloth and clay art doll is a Crystal Healer named Katrina Maize. Katrina is completely hand stitched from a vibrant print fabric and sculpted into a seated position. Her face is clay, painted, and sealed. Her hair is hand dyed wool fibers that is intricately placed and swept back and adorned with gemstones. In her hands she holds several gemstones of rutilated quartz, carnelian, and green aventurine. She wears a small black velour mini skirt that is beaded up the side with carnelian and green aventurine. On her left knee sits a citrine druz crystal cluster. Katrina is approximately 6 inches tall, rich and divine. Her lap is a perfect place for you to place even more of your own crystals.)

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The Story of Lady of the Wood, gourd art sculpture

The Lady of the Wood is not often seen, but her presence can be felt when you are strolling  in the forest. During those moments of long walks and soul searching, she watches over  seekers (those that are on a quest for peace and perspective). She knows that her land is more than a geographic coordinate, it's a journey, and while seekers visit she offers them serenity, a new outlook, a chance to breathe easy.

Lady of the Wood by Jeanne Fry

She listens even when words are not said, and knows that the gifts she offers are of high value. For truly, what is more important than soothing another soul? The world can often be harsh, and she has chosen to be a friend to all who need comfort.

Gourd Art Sculpture by Jeanne Fry

She asks for very little in return for the nurturing she provides...only that you arrive with honesty in your heart and respect for the woods and those who inhabit it.

So the next time you venture on your walk...remember that the Lady of the Wood is present, listening, and loving.

Lady of the Wood

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The Wee Bit Garden Spirits

We humans can easily get caught up in a whirlwind, hurrying from here to there, busy busy all the time..and sometimes we forget to slow down...slow down and listen. When we stop long enough and block out the outside noise (televisions, electronics, smart phones) we may be able to hear the wee ones.

They are all around us you see, even in your yard. Of course those are the wee bit garden spirits. Have you ever seen them?

Wee Bit Garden Spirits

These three were conversing under my Rosemary bush, right on the edge of my porch. They had the tiniest of whispers and I had to bend down closer to get a good listen. They were very friendly and happy to meet me, and Ooohhhh the stories they had to tell.

I had to pick them up in order to hear their sweet little voices, and they each introduced themselves to me.

This is Ella. She is the wisest and elder of the Garden Spirits. She holds the knowledge of every plant and flower that exists. She tells of how important it is for one to keep their connection with the Earth and how tending the soil is healing to the soul.

Ella the Wisest Garden Spirit

This is Felicity. She is Happiness through and through. She talks about keeping it simple, and how simplicity is the key to happiness. She reminds us not to let the worries keep us down, but to cherish the sweet things in life.

Felicity the Happy Garden Spirit

And then of course there is Bella. Bella is the listener of the group. Bella listens to whatever is on your mind...your hope and dreams...and your fears and worries. She takes your worries and plants them in her garden, and soon they become a flower bloom, full of transformed positive energy.

Bella the Garden Spirit

I hope you take the time today to....Listen, you never know what you will here.

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Symbolism of Sweetgrass Blessings Medicine Doll

Sweetgrass Blessings is my newest art doll in the Medicine Doll series. Her symbolism  is representative of sweetgrass, a cleansing of negativity and a calling in of kind kindred spirits around you. I think we all need to take an inventory of our relationships from time to time, and ask us ourselves which ones are healthy...which ones are unhealthy. During certain periods of our life, we may find that we need to move on from those unhealthy relationships. This is the period that Sweetgrass Blessings symbolizes.

Sweetgrass Blessings Medicine Doll by Jeanne Fry

When you have decided to set new boundaries on how others treat you, and that you only want people that are kind, nurturing, and with good heart around you...this is the personal healing time that is representative of Blessings of Sweetgrass.

This medicine doll was created with these very intentions in mind, lovingly hand stitched, sculpted, beaded, and painted. She is meant to remind you of the importance of you.

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The Story of Jillie the Dragonfly Mermaid

You might be thinking that Jillie is the only one of her kind. Well, she is unique in so many ways, but there are many more like her. Jillie is half Dragonfly and half Mermaid. She comes from the Dragonmaid family who live in the deepest waters in the Bay of Fundy between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Jillie the Dragonfly Mermaid by Jeanne Fry

Now Jillie, being a Dragonmaid, has the special ability to swim in those wonderful deep waters and the ability to fly within the sweet breezes up on the earth scape...both of which she loves doing. She spends her days whale watching and occasionally will ride the water spray from the whales and then fly off among the clouds and dance through the sky. During her exploration flights up top, she listens intently and watches carefully all of the goings on of the humans and animals  who live there. She keeps notes of little stories and sketches pictures of them on a shell tablet she carries with her.

Dragonfly Mermaid Art Doll

In the early mornings right after the sun rises, she goes exploring with her sisters looking for fossils. She loves history and seeing where things come from. This passion of hers has made her a great storyteller, spinning tales for the younger ones and entertaining them for hours. And this is Jillie's destiny...to become the Master Storyteller for all of the Dragonmaids, telling them the tales of the Bay of Fundy and beyond. 

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Folk Art Doll Miniatures carry Bundles of Inspiration

For the past seven years I have created Folk Art Dolls that were created in a variety of themes from whimsical to cultural to spiritual. They have allowed me to explore endless possibilities in mediums, sometimes evolving from Gourd and Paper clay, all Clay sculpts, or Beaded Cloth and Clay. But one of my greatest joys in the creating, is expressing myself through my Art Doll Miniatures.

Beads, Cloth, and Clay to create an Art Doll Miniature

 Folk Art Doll Miniatures are known as Art Doll Ornaments, Ornies, Mini's, and Poppets. I call mine Wisdom Keeper Poppets, because they carry bundles of inspiration in each little Art Doll.

Mermaid Folk Art Dolls by Jeanne Fry

Each of these  Art Dolls are based from cloth and clay. I hand stitch each of them from batik, cotton, one of the many fabrics I have collected over time. Their faces are crafted from Art Doll Clay, and then hand painted with layers of acrylics and sealed with a satin or gloss finish.

Once I have stitched the body and attached the face, the possibilities are endless in how they evolve. I add hair using fleece, fibers, and silk mohair  from alpaca or sheep that has been hand dyed, or knitting yarns. Sometimes I even just bead their hair using seed beads.

Folk Art Doll Miniatures with hand dyed fleece locks for hair

Once she has formed, I begin embellishing with lots of different seed beads, glass beads, clay beads, and beaded trim. I attached small metal charms, ribbon, organza, paper flowers, dried botanical.....the list is endless. (This would account for the countless boxes, bins, and jars of embellishments that fill my studio)

For those that will be Ornaments, I sew a small leather loop on their back. Some have pin-backs so that they can be worn on a coat lapel, attached to a tote bag, or even to a curtain. Some of my Art Doll miniatures are designed to be Wall Hangers, with a loop on their back to hang on a picture hanger on a wall. This alleviates the need for shelf space that many of us have a shortage of.

Many of my collectors carry them in or attached to their purse of tote bag, others hand them in their car or on their office wall.

I tend to create my Art Dolls in themes...Inspirational, Empowering, and Whimsical. I make separate lines of Gnomes Dolls, Mermaid Dolls , and even Rabbit Art Dolls for Easter.

Gnome Folk Art Doll Miniatures

Rabbit Folk Art Doll Ornament

Trinity Goddess Folk Art Doll Wall Hanger

And of course I create Frida Kahlo Folk Art Dolls too, one of my favorite inspirations.

Frida Kahlo Folk Art Doll Ornament

Creating Folk Art Doll Miniatures or Ornies, are such a joy...to create a small piece of Art with large meaningful impact.

If you would like to see my current Folk Art Dolls you can find them in my Etsy and Indiemade shops here

https://www.etsy.com/shop/JeanneFryArt

http://jeannefryart.indiemade.com