Gayle's Dolls

Here is a letter to the Ipswich community from Gayle about a very special group in Ipswich.

Here is a bit of information about myself and my doll classes.

My name is Gayle Salmon, I am married and 47 years of age with a grown up daughter who has recently 'flown the coop' to buy a house with her boyfriend. I started to make dolls about eight years ago as a hobby and my first few dolls were awful over the years I have gotten better. I get that much enjoyment out of making the dolls that I now design my own dolls. I wanted to share what I was getting out of making dolls so decided to start doll classes a bit over 2 years ago.

My classes start off with me teaching right from the basis eg. sourcing out a design to make, cutting out the pattern because I found that some women were a bit hesitant about cutting the fabric, then we move on to the actual sewing the pieces together which then need to be stuffed to give them shape. Finally they then have to design and make the clothes to dress the dolls. I have had the some women with me now for approx, 2 years and even though they now make beautiful dolls they like the interaction of the morning that much that they continue to come each Thursday.

My health is not the best and I have had cancer a few times and my dolls & the ladies that come to thursday classes seem to pull me thru.   One of my ladies died in May last year of brain cancer and even when her health was deteriorating she still came to doll classes because she loved them so much.   We have morning tea and some days we talk so much that I have to tell them its doll time now.

The cost of my classes are $5 which simply goes towards morning tea and patterns etc that are supplied, they start at 9am and go to whenever although most classes run until 11.00 - 11.30 am. All my ladies have become very important people in my life.  The classes are held at my home at 4 Frost Street North Ipswich.

Kinds Regards

Gayle Salmon

If you would like more infomation on Gayle's doll making classes, you can contact her on:

Home Phone: 33897728

Mobile: 0419670201

E-Mail: g.salmon@optusnet.com.au