When the first settlers arrived in this
part of the Ozarks they found a land
of virgin forest and intermittent
prairies. Wood was used for almost
everything. It not only heated their
cabins it provided the logs to build them.
Oak bark rendered the acid for tanning
their hides. Ashes were used for soap
making and hulling hominy. Charcoal
was made for heating their forges.
Maple trees yielded sap for syrup. Ash
was chosen to make grain cradles, white
oak for wagon parts, black oak for
clapboards and hickory for tool
handles. Cedar was used for tubs,
churns and buckets. White oak was
used to make barrels and kegs. The
Missouri walnut made strong beautiful
gun stocks and furniture.
The first water powered sawmill in
Taney County was built in the mid
1830's on the Swan Creek. By 1850
most tributaries of the White River had
one or more mills.
Needless to say it's easy to imagine
that sawdust made it's way
into many early Ozark home made
dolls. As an Ozark doll maker I think
its only fitting that I make the
occasional sawdust doll. Over time I
think this type of stuffing won't last
as long as wool, and it's a favorite of
little mice, the very reasons these
early dolls didn't survive. But, it does
make a lovely period doll.
Louis Allen a very talented local wood
worker has been saving his aromatic
cedar shavings for my dolls.
(hopefully bug resistant)
She smells so nice
but, she's a little hard & lumpy.
A simple stitched face.
Her simple cotton chemise and
pantalettes are hand sewn with flat
felled seams.
I chose this mid 1800's reproduction
print for her dress. I have had this
fabric awhile, never quite finding
the right doll for it. The color is a
red orange and soft blue on a cream
background. It has a coarse old look
to it, although it feels smooth.
Hand crocheted lace.
Antique china buttons in orange.
The perfect fit for this fabric.
Hook and eye closures.
Period hand sewn.
She's been aged to have that
well loved look. Although it
doesn't show much in the photos.
Taney Butternut
One of my blogger friends
suggested I use the name Taney
for a doll. Just perfect for a
simple sawdust dolly. Why didn't
I think of that!
( Who suggested that?)
Mary at Colony Mountain Stitcheries
Thanks for that wonderful
suggestion!!
She will be available at Early Work
Mercantile on the 1st of August.
(Taney has found a home in Texas)
History from "The Land of Taney"
By Elmo Ingenthron.
