Creating Success Around the World - Neta of Doll Stories

 

 

Popped into the toy store and it was plastic this and plastic that, disproportionate dolls and weird  looking contraptions. Wouldn't it be good if we could made our own toys, or even make dolls out of scrap materials? Toys that we can actually keep?  I came across Neta of Doll Stories and was amazed by what she makes!

Amazing sock toy!

Neta is from Israel and she makes dolls from old socks. She sources all her materials from textile companies, families and friends - she doesn't need to buy anything new!  

What inspired you to start  recycling /upcycling? Neta started Bobilina, her studio, in 2005. It was called Bobilina after her first doll that she made. In fact, Neta was originally a fashion designer but "missed the feel of handmade items" so she turned to making her own dolls, a hobby that she has had since she was a child. Doll making using scrap materials is now Neta's full time job - it's her passion!!

 

Where does she find her inspiration? Neta finds many ideas as well as inspiration in her immediate environment. In fact, her neighbourhood is a melting pot of people ranging from factory workers, artists, students, rockers, and immigrants. It is this surrounding environment that offers her the inspiration but Neta says it comes to her intuitively - “Like when you meet someone whom you'd like to know better and you can become friends with. There has to be a certain atmosphere, a mix of humor and sadness, some humanity. I look for this kind of feeling while making my dolls. It is necessary to love them; they are temporarily living in my home, so I'm careful to which characters I open the front door.”  

I like how that because Neta's dolls are made from scrap materials, each doll has it's own personality.  Neta sells her creations and she holds workshops on how to make dolls. So, if you're ever in Tel Aviv, you know where to go for the extra inspiration. 




Thank you to Neta for agreeing to be interviewed and " sharing" your dolls with us!  Join us next week for another round of Creating Success Around the World and remember to link up below and hop over to the interviews!