Inner child dolls for healing ~ in the press10.10.2020
The Argus, Brighton UK Hove woman on how making dolls helped heal childhood trauma >> Read full article online #MentalHealthAwareness I am a personal empowerment guide and am very interested in the concept of the inner child restoration healing. Due to my tumultuous life I have had to find every technique, therapy and method to feel safe and comfortable in this world and discover heart-centred sustainable ways to do this.
By making dolls over the years I have discovered tremendous healing and comfort. I tend to make dolls when I am REALLY HAPPY. So the energy that I transmit when I make is of real love and celebration. That's why my dolls (and animals) always look cute and have a cheeky glint in their eye... |
|
Maria's other work includes Self Empowerment Guidance, Leadership Training & Music
|
|
|
|
In my role as a personal empowerment guide, I offer a total integration journey that gets you from where you are now to a place where no matter what is happening or not happening in your life, you are always okay and at one with your authentic self.
>> Go to MARIA ADRIANA |
Body Intelligence is a somatic leadership training, physical learning system for high performance senior executive teams. Clients include O2, Toyota, Zara, Santander, Telefonica, Brighton University, Heineken, ISS, Repsol, Gas Natural, HSBC.
>> Go to Body Intelligence |
"The power of your performance comes from your authenticity, your passion, your emotion, your connection to the song that is made by your whole being - your body, your mind and soul comes shining through."
~ Shirah Mustarde >> Go to Maria Monroe Music |
Why do I make dolls? How did it all begin?
Hello! My name is Maria Adriana Contreras and I just love making dolls...
It all started when a friend bought over a TOYMAKING book to our regular Craft Club sessions at my place and we made a very cute bunny each.
I was delighted and over the moon as I remember my mum once made me a rabbit soft toy when I was a little girl and I remember how much she struggled making him! And I received it with so much love - the love it was made with.
So making soft toys I discovered was a gesture of great love in every way!
I wondered... I didn't put ears on the rabbit and instead made some kind of hair out of fabric and made a face - might that make a doll?
YES! It did indeed and there was my first ever doll! She is called Maria Ballerina and I gave it to a very special little girl who loves her very much!
Then I looked online for patterns and went to the local libraries and found the most amazing selection of make your own cloth doll books. So I went on to make them all and learn the technques! There are so many to learn and some are not as easy as they say - you have been warned.
Now I'm a good stitcher! I am a fashion graduate and was in the year just after Stella McCartney went to Saint Martins school of art - the trendiest art and fashion school ever especially since the song about it!
And so I was able to bring all my fashion knowledge into my dollmaking. What I discovered is that by making dolls its a fab blank canvas to bring all manner of ideas, techniques, crafts all together in one project! That for me is the ultimate winner!
It all started when a friend bought over a TOYMAKING book to our regular Craft Club sessions at my place and we made a very cute bunny each.
I was delighted and over the moon as I remember my mum once made me a rabbit soft toy when I was a little girl and I remember how much she struggled making him! And I received it with so much love - the love it was made with.
So making soft toys I discovered was a gesture of great love in every way!
I wondered... I didn't put ears on the rabbit and instead made some kind of hair out of fabric and made a face - might that make a doll?
YES! It did indeed and there was my first ever doll! She is called Maria Ballerina and I gave it to a very special little girl who loves her very much!
Then I looked online for patterns and went to the local libraries and found the most amazing selection of make your own cloth doll books. So I went on to make them all and learn the technques! There are so many to learn and some are not as easy as they say - you have been warned.
Now I'm a good stitcher! I am a fashion graduate and was in the year just after Stella McCartney went to Saint Martins school of art - the trendiest art and fashion school ever especially since the song about it!
And so I was able to bring all my fashion knowledge into my dollmaking. What I discovered is that by making dolls its a fab blank canvas to bring all manner of ideas, techniques, crafts all together in one project! That for me is the ultimate winner!