Rag dolls

• Rag dolls keep traditions and legends alive, which have always been essential to the Russian people.
• Doll in ancient times was considered as a lucky charm (“obereg”); it protected the owner, the house from harm, misfortune and evil spirits. People believed rag dolls help with work, protect from diseases and accidents and bring luck. Rag dolls were used for playing too.
  The doll was the famous and the lovely toy of children. The very first rag doll met the new born in the cradle. Mummy made it when she was expecting a baby. It was called “Pelenashka”.
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   The baby grew and played with the doll. The children started making dolls from the age of four or five. Boys could make dolls only before seven years old.
  

  A girl’s doll was her friend and helper, she shared her troubles and her happiness with it. She taught to cook the kasha with ”Kasha doll”. After the wedding she took the dolls into the husband’s house with the dowry.
  “ Krupenichka” comes from the word “krupa” which means “cereal”. The doll brought the abundance and wealth and was given as a wedding gift to couples in their first home.
  “Kubyshka-travnitsa” comes from “ trava” (“grass”). It was made to protect from illnesses.
• Traditional rag doll has no face, it’s white, blank. So evil spirits couldn’t settle in these dolls. Each doll has its own value. And it is incredibly important to do it with love, with clean and bright thoughts, with an open heart.
  Dolls were made from two or three pieces of fabrics without using scissors and a needle. Rags just was torn with hands. All parts are usually held together only by threads- red ones. People believed that red colour could protect them from the evil spirits. The doll was born with its own character and a great value.
  I adore these amazing dolls! While I’m making them, I feel the warmth, the joy and happiness to touch to my roots.
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