Mabel is the first to greet what comes to Broom Hollow. She keeps watch at the threshold, helping you leave the day’s troubles outside and welcome in what belongs. Her black pocket can hold a small worry, and the silver flower on it is a reminder that gentleness can guard a home, too
Her head began as a fresh apple, carved by hand and slowly dried for about 30 hours or more. As it shrinks, it forms her own expressive, weathered face. Then I build her broomcorn body and sew her dress by hand, tailoring it just for her. Mabel wears a soft gray geometric print, a pale hood, and her little black pocket with its silver flower detail
Apple-head dolls are a humble North American folk craft, often traced to Indigenous makers of the Northeast and later carried on by Appalachian makers. Mabel is one of my original Worry Women of Broom Hollow, made with that old handmade tradition in mind.
Mabel is the first to greet what comes to Broom Hollow. She keeps watch at the threshold, helping you leave the day’s troubles outside and welcome in what belongs. Her black pocket can hold a small worry, and the silver flower on it is a reminder that gentleness can guard a home, too
Her head began as a fresh apple, carved by hand and slowly dried for about 30 hours or more. As it shrinks, it forms her own expressive, weathered face. Then I build her broomcorn body and sew her dress by hand, tailoring it just for her. Mabel wears a soft gray geometric print, a pale hood, and her little black pocket with its silver flower detail
Apple-head dolls are a humble North American folk craft, often traced to Indigenous makers of the Northeast and later carried on by Appalachian makers. Mabel is one of my original Worry Women of Broom Hollow, made with that old handmade tradition in mind.
