Travel out the scenic Bodega Highway and find a tiny gem in the valley at the edge of the Sonoma Coast: the quaint hamlet of Bodega. Forever famous for serving as Alfred Hitchcock’s film set, Bodega is home to a handful of charming antique stores. Bodega also has its very own Artisan's Cooperative where a hand painted sand which board calls out “Meet Today’s Artist”. Venture into a clapboard cottage and awe over the unique works of local artisans, including German doll maker Christine Schreier. Christine’s work demonstrates fine skill and profound intention, earning recognition of the highest order among craftspeople.
Skills: Fine Hand Sewing, Knitting, Crocheting, and Embroidery
Handcrafted in the Waldorf tradition, Chirstine creates gnomes, finger puppets, and forest folk. Her dolls are “suitable for any age, from the very young, to the young at heart.” Created using bits of recycled cashmere sweaters, sheep’s wool stuffing, and finely knit exotic yarns and colorful threads, Christine Schreier’s dolls exude a tangible, ethereal quality which calls on you to pause and pick one up. Each piece is hand sewn or knit and embellished with her trademark crocheted collars and touches of embroidery.
While finding a doll that speaks to your soul is best done in person, such as by visiting the Artistan Cooperative or finding Christine vending dolls and fine knittery at one of the many local Waldorf Faires, Christine recently made her dolls available through Etsy and her on-line Puppenstube (German for doll house) store. Buy a Valentine's doll through Puppenstube today, and Christine will send proceeds to benefit Doctor's Without Borders in Haiti.
Intention
Many respond to more than just Christine’s hand work. “My dolls speak to people’s souls by connecting to an innocence and reminding us of a gentler time.” Christine intentionally keeps her dolls form and expressions simple, crafting what she describes as a pared down "gesture of love" into the shape of the body and arms.
“I encourage people to look at an object they are considering buying and to consider asking oneself: What does this object convey? What is put into this doll that may surface in my life?”
Recognition
Those discovering Christine and her dolls are often fascinated with her creations and personal story. First featured in the original Ark Toy Store, today she’s enjoyed sharing her crafting with national audiences through renowned publications such as Living Craft. See her forest people pattern or star baby pattern and more in past Living Craft issues.
Visit the Bodega Artisan's Coop to marvel over Christine’s works. Then wander about the store to see hand-crafted leather boots (sure to knock the socks off your Ugh’s), felted caps, hand-spun yarns, sterling silver necklaces, paintings and more. You’ll be glad you made this stop, and be sure to return again for more Artisan's Coop discoveries on future journeys to the Sonoma Coast.
Read more about Christine Schreier, her spirit, and passions at Sono-Ma.com.
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