Ruby Ruth Dolls

I feel I should probably explain why I added a direct link to the Ruby Ruth Dolls website from my Blog. They're not my creation (Sadly!), but the creation of Brighton based Artist, Jenny Mustill. Jenny studied her degree in London and went on to work as one of Damien Hirst's studio assistants. She created the dolls to sell at a market stall in London's Brick Lane and also sold them at festivals. At this time the dolls looked very different, they were a lot smaller and filled with little beads (not dissimilar to Beanie Babies, just a lot more quirky and handmade!). During her time in Cornwall, Jenny came across the Lovely buttons which are now used as the Doll's eye's and the size of the doll's evolved to fit in with the button's! 

They're now made from a mixture of new and recycled fabrics, the little hats are made from jumpers found in charity shops and jumble sales! They're stuffed with a bead/polyester toy mix and finished with buttons and colourful threads. They each have their own little story so you might pick a 'Ruby' (who is building a spaceship in her garden and plans to take all her friends to the moon when it's finished!) or a 'Jack' (he's a Fisherman and a Poet) or perhaps even a 'Peggy' (she was quite a looker in her day and is never seen without her make-up and floral headscarf).

Lily Loves Sleeping Under the Stars

I myself have quite the collection. I bought my first, 'Lily' at the Southbank Centre shop nearly 2 years ago and now I have 11 (with a 12th being added to the collection VERY soon!). 

I have: Malcolm (Blue and White Stripes), Molly (small with flower button eyes), Lily (Pinky Stripes, Green eyes), Carol (Natural Stripes), Kim (a specially commissioned doll for Valentines day last year, Polka Dot!), Hugo (Green Velvet), Violet (Purple Velvet), Jess (Purple Velvet, Purple Eyes), Harry (Brown stripes) and Wendy (Silver Velvet). Quite the family!

Trying to get them all to sit still for a photo is a nightmare!

The 11th edition to the Family was Dave, he is very special and extremely tiny! I'm very lucky to have Dave as he is one of the Doll's from the day's when Jenny used to do lot's of fairs and she doesn't make them this tiny for general sale at the moment.

Dave is a very special edition to the Family.

Now, as you may be able to tell from the Picture above, I have been in the Ruby Ruth Studio in Brighton! This was very exciting for me as I'm such a fan of the doll's! I was looking for an Internship where I could learn new skills and manage social media whilst gaining a little insight into the running of a creative business. I got in touch and, luckily for me, Jenny was about to start looking for someone to help out so I was that person!

I've been helping to make the Doll's, Tweeting, Pinning, helping to find new Labels, connecting with Bloggers to find lovely people to write about the Doll's and lot's of other little thing's in-between. We started a Pinterest Competition to #WinWendy and it'd been so nice to be involved in such lovely projects! Being surrounded by the Doll's every week, I've done very well so far at not buying a new one every time I'm there but I suspect that in the coming weeks I will have a new arrival to my Ruby Ruth Family.

You can find Ruby Ruth Dolls on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter or by visiting the website Ruby Ruth Online.

Commission Orders can be made for Weddings, Anniversaries, Birthdays - Anything really! If you want to know if there is a Stockist near you then just send a Tweet or Facebook message and someone will let you know.

Malcolm was bought at Pussy Home Boutique in Brighton.

I Love my collection and I'm very fortunate to be able to work with Jenny and help make Pretty Doll's for other people to love!

Ruby Ruth PR Photo