I've always been surrounded by handmade. It was a big part of my childhood and a way of life growing up.

Those childhood memories inspired me to initiate the art doll making journey and start working with needle felting.

I enjoy the process of each creation, the metamorphosis of each doll. I usually come up with an idea, inspired by a feeling, a cool material I found, a memory, a song, an experience in my life… As the doll evolves everything starts taking place and a little personality starts to emerge. My dolls express the way I see life. A fusion of opposites looking for equilibrium to make it work.

All my dolls are sculpted by hand with paperclay. No molds or patterns are used in the process. The process of creating a doll can takes days and sometimes weeks depending of the complexity of the doll. My process includes sculpting the initial base for the doll, drying, sculpting with more detail, drying, sanding and finally painting and sealing the doll.

It has been very rewarding working with customers on custom art dolls. I love connecting with their imagination and being able to translate their ideas and emotions in the creation of the doll.

Here is a link to see examples of art dolls I have made in collaboration with my customers:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyriamPowellDesigns?section_id=8104909

Needle felting is another of my joys. I taught myself how to do it through reading and watching videos. Love the texture and easy manipulation you get working with wool roving!

The initial creation process is pretty similar to when I’m making a doll. Basically, an idea comes to my mind and I let the needle take over. I work freehand meaning I don't trace patterns on the wool. I choose the wool roving I’m going to work with and let the needle dictate which direction I go.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have or if you would like to collaborate with me creating an art doll or a needle felted piece just for you.

If you would like to see my work in progress and the first peek of my creations. You can follow my fan Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/myriampowell

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy my creations as much as I do.

Myriam :)