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Crafty Crafts

Charlie Rainbow Wolf

Samhain is the time of year when the veil between our reality and other realms is believed to be most transparent. It’s the season when wearing masks and fancy dress to try to fool malevolent spirits into not recognizing us is popular, and when carved pumpkins or turnips for talismans of protection are seen on many doorsteps. It is also an occasion when many traditions reach out to connect with their ancestors.

So, what does a doll have to do with Samhain?

Spirit Dolls

A spirit doll is a sacred connection to a spiritual entity. It might embody the energy of a tree or a river, it could be made as an offering to a deceased loved one, or it may even be an homage to a spirit guide or patron god or goddess. They’re particularly appropriate for Samhain, simply because the veil is the thinnest.

Spirit dolls are not a modern practice; they date back for centuries and are practiced by many cultures, but recently they’re seeing a resurgence in popularity. Perhaps people are hungry to connect with something meaningful that returns them to their roots. It does not matter what path you walk or how you make the doll. The most important thing is your intent. Remember, you are calling an entity to come and dwell in the doll; create a comfortable and meaningful habitat.

Materials

It’s hard to instruct you on exactly what to get, because every doll is different. The materials do not need to be expensive, and most can be found either in popular craft retailers or online shops. The list below is a sample of what might be used; the actual components are left to your creativity, and not everything listed will be needed.

Something for the face: An old doll head or perhaps a form made from a mold.

Fabric or wadding for the body: Straw, polyester, or scraps of material all work.

Fabric or other materials to dress the doll: Let your imagination run with this one!

Something for the stability: Any kind of stick—and this might even be optional.

Inclusions: What you want to put in the doll—herbs, crystals, amulets.

A needle and thread: Sharp needles and quilter’s thread recommended.

Glue: I like Elmer’s or tacky.

Embellishments: Think about charms or other items that help identify the doll’s purpose.

Cost: From absolutely nothing to over $50; it’s subject to what you have and what you want to spend.

Time spent: Anywhere from an hour to several days, depending on how deeply you want to involve yourself.

Birth Your Doll

As you start to gather the materials, think carefully about the spirit you want to embody in the doll. Is it a nature spirit? A guide or guardian? An ancestor? Just as different people have different personalities, your spirit doll needs to reflect the personality of the spirit you are inviting. Of course, allow any glue or additional paint to dry.

You might want your spirit doll to be made up of natural components—although if you already have polyester stuffing and nylon fabric, you’re not breaking any rules. Intent is everything. Many items can be wild-harvested, especially if you live in a rural area. Ensure you have permission either from the landowner or from the nature spirits to take what calls to you.

The doll requires a sturdy form for the materials to be wrapped around. Sticks work, as do dowel rods if sticks are not available. I’m an avid knitter, and I have a plethora of odd or wonky knitting needles and crochet hooks—yard sale finds, or given to me by others when they were getting rid of their craft items, etc. These are the “bones” of my spirit doll.

The doll also needs a body, something to give it form and shape. I have seen straw and florists moss used, but I wonder about the durability of these, especially if the spirit doll is to last longer than a season or two. I’m keen on recycling, so I tend to scavenge old t-shirts from my friends and family, cutting them into long strips and then wrapping them around the stick form until I get the desired shape. It’s possible to give the spirit doll arms by attaching a smaller stick perpendicular to the larger one, but I don’t bother with this. By the time I have clothed my spirit doll, the additional limbs are not missed.

Inclusions such as herbs or crystals or charms should be added now, wrapping them in the body materials and making sure they are secure. Anything that helps you to tell the story of the doll or enhance its purpose is appropriate. I can’t say it enough: it all comes down to intent. I frequently add sage or cedar to the spirit dolls I make. According to Scott Cunningham, sage represents protection, longevity, and wisdom (Cunningham 1985, n.p.). Cedar also offers protection and purification (Cunningham 1985, n.p.). My Cherokee friends say cedar represents the ancestors.

Once the doll has form, it’s time to add the face. This is probably the most important part of the doll, for this is where it gets its character. Being a potter, I make clay faces for my dolls and attach them to the wrapped t-shirt body with a bit of glue—or, more recently, I’ve been making holes in the clay before firing it, so I can sew the faces onto the body. It’s possible to use old fashioned doll faces, or make an original face out of clay; air-dried clay works just fine. Free form the face or use a mold—usually available in the same section of the craft store as the polymer clay. The face could even be stitched or painted directly onto the body fabric; there’s no right or wrong way to do this.

Finally, the doll needs dressing. This is the fun part! Add bits of lace, crochet, knitting, fabric, moss, leaves, twigs, beads; the choices are infinite. Let the doll reflect both you as its creator and the spirit you are honoring. The face gives the doll expression, but the clothing is where the doll comes to life with personality and purpose. If the fabric seems to need more shape or form, it can be starched or immersed in watered-down glue or even have florist’s wire threaded through it. Add any accoutrements for the doll to wear at this time, such as jewelry, charms, or other items.

Does the doll want wings or multiple limbs or more than one head? Let your imagination run riot and see where it takes you. You’re connecting with the other realms; ask the spirits what they seek of you, then let your hands reflect the message. It’s been my experience that making the dolls doesn’t just connect me to another entity; each one also allows me to explore a different aspect of myself.

Your spirit doll has the potential to become your friend, confidant, and ally. After all, it is an expression of your true nature; it is something you have created with your heart and your soul as well as your hands. It was born from an idea in your mind and came into being through your own actions. Treat it with respect and see it as an extension of both yourself and your faith.