Adoption Fees Go Towards Gifting Stuffed Animals to Children
A message from Miss Robyn—the Dollmaker
Back Story: I began making dolls in December 2020 during the pandemic. My only intention was to make a few and give them away. I never intended to sell them. However, I posted some photos of my creations on Facebook and requests to purchase them began to pour in. Each handcrafted doll takes at least eight hours to complete, sometimes twice that depending upon hair style and clothing. I had no idea how to price them.
Adoption Fees: Continued requests to purchase my dolls and stuffies led me to a decision: Charge an adoption fee. Use those funds toward supplies for the dolls and stuffies I donate. To date I’ve made over 200 and given over 100 away to non-profits who help children in crisis. I’ve donated to Children’s Receiving Home, Sacramento Crisis Nursery, and Women’s Empowerment. Teenagers at the Receiving Home were gifted warm, handmade, fleece blankets.
How it Works: When a doll or a stuffy is adopted, the adoption fees go into supplies for making stuffed animals to donate to children in need. Stuffies include bears, puppies, kittens, bunnies, and most recently dragons—all very soft and snuggly. Children love them. They can also be custom ordered and adopted. Some are made from soft cotton flannel and others from polyester fleece. I’ve even made custom puppies to look like Frenchies, Bulldogs, and Dachshunds. I’ve also made custom dolls with hair and eye color similar to the child who will be receiving the doll as a gift.
Made to Last: Each doll and stuffy is hand crafted and made to last through all of the loving and carrying around it may experience. Doll clothing is removable. Doll faces are hand-painted with waterproof fabric paint. Hair is handstitched to head. Arms, legs, and head are securely attached. Filling is flame-retardant. Dolls can be sponge-bathed, or gently hand washed in cold water and air-dried. Stuffies can be machine washed and dried on cool and gentle cycles.
One-of-a-Kind Custom Dolls: Heirloom dolls are each handcrafted and one-of-a-kind. I have made dolls and stuffies to order for adoption. Clothing can be a favorite color or style, often incorporating T-shirts made from newborn onesies. I love repurposing clothing to dress a doll or make a memory bear or puppy. Currently, two types of dolls are available: the 18” raggedy doll with floppy legs and custom clothing, or the snuggly, sitting-up baby dolls that fit into newborn sleepers.
Robyn DeLong, 916-224-9580, www.dollsbyrobyn.com, email: robyn@dollsbyrobyn.com