Once Upon a Time…

This is the story of Little Dearies – how we began, and how we got our name. It started in the year 2014. I wanted to expand my crochet business, and decided to make baby items. I thought how cute it would be to have doll models at my craft fairs. So I started looking into getting a realistic doll. The first ones I stumbled across were the Adora Toddler dolls. I bought one for myself, and my youngest daughter bought one too. I named mine Dominic. We about died over their amazing smell and thought they were the cutest, most realistic little things. We added to our collection quickly, and by January 2016 we had a total of 12 between us. I got involved in the doll world on Instagram, and made my very first post on littledearies on March 27, 2016. We loved them very much, and I really enjoyed sharing them with the doll community. If you scroll all the way back to the beginning of my account (yes – I actually did this to get these screenshots!), this is what you will find. My very first Little Dearies.

In the midst of following doll accounts, I found out about Ashton Drake dolls! So, in June of 2016 I ended up adopting a Sweet Dreams Danny who had been modified and re-weighted. I thought he was so realistic! I named him Jackson Luke. Jackson was my baby boy. I dressed him and took photos practically every day. I don’t think I could ever part with him. Sometime before or during those first few months of having Jackson, I discovered reborns. I was absolutely blown away by how lifelike these dolls were – and that people were making them! I just had to own one and I ordered my first reborn. I took so long to choose the kit, and ended up with Xavi by Adrie Stoete because I felt that she looked like she could be one of my own babies.

The same lady that I bought Jackson from also reborned my first baby doll! She was diving into reborning and I decided that I wanted to learn to be a reborn artist as well! I received Jovie Danielle in September 2016 and I was hooked! It was during that very same month that I began my journey as a Reborn Artist! I had a rough start of it. I ruined my first kit. Then the second kit got her head melted in. I am so glad I pressed on!

Something special that I have done since I began is to add a sparkly crocheted heart to each baby I bring to life. At that time, I saw no other artists doing it, and wanted to have my own unique touch for my Little Dearies. It also fit in so perfectly with my slogan! It’s always on the left, just beneath the body (where real hearts are). You can see and/or feel it if you look closely! I don’t think it will beat, but you never know! Some of these babies look extremely real 😉

Here is a photo of the birth announcements that I used to make when each baby was “born”. This is Rina, made for my stepmom – and she was the first reborn I actually finished! I had terrible lighting, and it was very time consuming. I stopped making these announcements in May 2017, after my 24th baby. Does anyone remember these from back then?

Now, we get to the naming process! During the beginnings of our Adora doll collecting, we were very much invested in the TV show, Once Upon a Time. As we sorted through various options of related names for our little nursery, I remember thinking about Storybrooke Nursery. But we absolutely loved the character of Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold. And he was always using the term “Dearie”. This is why Little Dearies is Little Dearies! I chose a deer as my logo because I do love double meanings and a little deer is dear. LOL. Another fun tidbit – we had SO MANY of our dolls named after Once Upon a Time characters. Here are a few:

Henry Daniel
Regina Joy
Cassidy Belle
Snow Madison
Emma Bae
Destiny Brooke

I designed this first banner with purple billowing clouds because that’s how “magic” was portrayed in the show. I never did get around to publishing this blog.. Since I registered littledearies.com in November of 2015, I have had my domain redirecting to my Etsy shop, where I sold bottles, custom onesies, and crocheted baby hats and bonnets. Finally after 5 1/2 years, the time has come for a real website But the design needed some updating. I chose Enchanted Forest because that is just my reborn roots. It’s the magical land in Once Upon a Time. So it’s where the magic of my work takes place, bringing the babies to life. I also loved the movie Frozen II, and the magic forest there is also called the enchanted forest, full of gorgeous autumn colors (that also match my deer). And…last but not least, the leaves blowing reminds me of the leaves in Pocahontas. So, I get a triple meaning on that one! And I think this concludes our story, even though it’s not the end.

May we all find our own