Author: Regina

We went to The Joy of Opera event at the Cockpit theatre this week.

Shea, Lee, Cristina, Emmanuel, David, Rose, Melvin, Richard, Philip, Stacie, Ellie, Mariia, Connie, Red and Michelle joined us to make dolls.

Most of the makers started their dolls then they paused to attend other activities at the event and then they came back to complete their work. We made 16 dolls in total – 12 we finished at the Cockpit and 4 of them I finished at home.

‘Spread the love. A lovely opportunity to be still and present.’

‘I enjoyed the collaborative direction the doll making take – we all sat and made our dolls and chatted – a lovely way to spend an hour.’

‘This has been really freeing. I was initially resistant and wanted to do it quickly. I then calmed down and felt invested in creating something new – filled with dreams. I was so pleased to add a heart. I was filled with joy when they all stood up.’

‘It’s a wonderful and healing experience! Very relaxing…’

‘Making the doll today was so therapeutic, not only did I feel helpful and somewhat creative but I also got to meet lots of new and very interesting people. I got to work on my skills with needle and thread and also my people skills. After completing my doll, the meditation we did as a group left me most relaxed I have been in months. This was a lovely experience, thank you Regina.’

‘Relaxing and informative work. I hope my doll has a good impact on the world.’

‘Craft something for someone that has meaning for her work, that has dreams with a heart, it was very interesting and fulfilling. What my experience is I’ll keep it for me. Thank you to have shared with me part of your world.’

‘It was a beautifully mindful thing to do to create a heart person in the middle of my shift at The Cockpit. To concentrate on making a peace/heart doll made me more aware of time passing in my surroundings and also made me aware of how lucky I am to work in a place where this sort of thing happens. I hope the doll goes onto new adventures.’

I am so grateful for all the makers and for the special time we spent together. The dolls were introduced to the leading Cock of the Cockpit, thank you so much Michelle, they got so excited, they can’t stop talking about it! I am super mega grateful for Bill who invited me to the event. It was an absolute joy to be with you all, thank you!

The Joy of Opera

Lauren, Molie and Iona joined us to make dolls yesterday at Barons Court Theatre scratch night. We worked part while we were in the audience and part at the end of the scenes in the pub above. We made 9 dolls in total.

‘The simple things are usually the best.’

‘It’s nice to spend time creating and meditating.’

‘A great creative experience. Would recommend for a friend.’

I am grateful for the makers and for Leo and Sharon for having me again, we had a lovely time together, thank you!

We went to the D&D event ‘How can the Fringe add the greatest value to the UK creative sector?’ in Edinburgh.

Elspeth and Kathryn joined to make dolls. Varshini came over to be with us. We had inspiring conversations about the right and left side of the brain, we agreed that simple pleasures are the best. We made 5 dolls in total.

‘Feeling grateful for my community. Shared dreams and exploration. A gentle way of being. Changing things and holding space gently. I’m feeling calm, settled.’

‘Thank you again, Regina, for the chance to sit quietly ad make a doll with dreams and a heart. I had a lovely time!’

I am grateful for making dolls once again in my beloved event D&D. I felt quite moved as the last time I was in Edinburgh was 25 years ago with a show I directed and we had a fantastic time.

Thank you so much for the makers, for Elspeth who donated her pillow full of dreams and for Varshini who once more made a brilliant introduction, thank you!

What a privilege making dolls this month in the stunning island of Paros in Greece! 

Marouso and her son Odysseus joined us. I’ve finished Odysseus’ doll as the law of mobility took him to other adventures. 

Marouso made her doll and meditated hers and Odysseus’. We made three dolls in total. 

We had a lovely conversation and I’ve just discovered I’m a digital nomade. 

‘It was a very peaceful and really inspiring experience.’ 

I felt blessed to have made dolls in Paros with someone I’ve just met and felt like family. Thank you so much Marouso and Odysseus for helping the project, thank you! 

Francesca, Sowmya, Carolina, Laura, Jagoda, Emily, Lauren, Lucy, Leo and two other people , a boy and a girl I forgot to ask the names, made dolls at the last scratch night. We made 13 dolls in total. One of them is missing, I hope we will recover it soon.

Actually only two makers finished their dolls and meditate. I’ve already finished all the others, they were almost finished so it was an easy task.

‘I just forgot to add a heart to my doll, it was very sturdy but had no feelings – and I thought that was a nice metaphor for how we humans can be sometimes. Fortunately Regina helped me to fix the doll. I loved the whole experience.’

I’m really grateful for everybody who made dolls and for Leo and Sharon who always receive the project with such care and love, thank you!