Handmade dolls can bring such personality and life to country displays. When the dolls are made of corn shucks--or cornhusks--in the time-honored tradition of the people who lived in the Appalachian Mountains, you've got a country accent with a really special story. Artist Anne Freels, who has been making these dolls for nearly 30 years, shares why creating one of these delicate works of art is a true labor of love.
- Cornhusk dolls originated with the Native Americans who in turn taught the settlers how to make the unique play things.
- Freels adds her own personal touch to her dolls by adding items to reflect her Appalachian and Gulf of Mexico heritage, like herbs, pine cones and seashells.
- Each of her creations has a different theme or personality, like the "herbal ladies" carrying tiny bags of her own dried herbs (figure A) and the "kitchen witches," which, according to Scandinavian folklore, are supposed to help everything cook and taste better (figure B).
- Freels' dolls are made entirely of corn shucks with only wire used to form the body. She buys 200 pounds of cornhusks a year from restaurant suppliers. The husks are separated by quality with the smaller pieces used for stuffing. She dyes the husks by hand using commercial fabric dye.
- One thing each doll has in common is that none have a face. Freels says Native American legend is that a young Indian maiden made a beautiful doll that went off into the woods and became too vain. Found gazing into a pool at her reflection, the Great Spirit punished her by taking away her face.
Guests Anne Freels
Doll Maker / Artist, Wingshuck Corn Shuck Dolls
Phone: 865-457-1624
Email:
wingshuck@comcast.net
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