When the house grows quiet and the shadows get long, Ruthie takes her watch. Her little crow keeps close at her shoulder, and she carries her lantern to help see you through the worries that visit after dark. She’s a gentle guardian, here to help carry trouble…not bring it!
Her face began as a fresh apple, carved by hand and slowly dried until it settled into its own wonderfully weathered expression. The apple head spends about 30 hours or more in the dehydrator. Then I build her broomcorn body, add her details, and make a dress just for her: this navy celestial print is hand sewn and tailored to fit her little frame.
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. Ruthie is one of my original Worry Women of Broom Hollow, with her own story and purpose woven into the old handmade tradition.
When the house grows quiet and the shadows get long, Ruthie takes her watch. Her little crow keeps close at her shoulder, and she carries her lantern to help see you through the worries that visit after dark. She’s a gentle guardian, here to help carry trouble…not bring it!
Her face began as a fresh apple, carved by hand and slowly dried until it settled into its own wonderfully weathered expression. The apple head spends about 30 hours or more in the dehydrator. Then I build her broomcorn body, add her details, and make a dress just for her: this navy celestial print is hand sewn and tailored to fit her little frame.
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. Ruthie is one of my original Worry Women of Broom Hollow, with her own story and purpose woven into the old handmade tradition.
