So...John says, "What do you want for your birthday?"

I'm taking an on-line art class to make a Santos Cage doll.  What I have discovered about these dolls is that you are either in one of two camps with these dolls...you are either in the "they are creepy" camp, or you are in the "OMG, they are so angelic" camp.  I actually think I'm in both camps. They are so...oddly strange that they appeal to my sense of fun. What is a Santos Cage doll?  Well, look them up on the web..they are all the rage in the "OMG, they are so angelic" camp.  Note:  I found mine all dirty and alone sitting in a little shop on Main Street Battle Ground, WA.  My mood when I saw her went from strangely attractively creepy  to OMG....

I couldn't get her off of my mind...I had to have her...I bought her and brought her home to the first camp of on-lookers....the camp of creepy. So be it.

When I bought her, I was misinformed as to what she was.  I didn't care...the OMG factor had taken hold of my senses and home with me she came. Thinking all of the time that she was a Victorian entry way doll that victorian age women folk would put plants on her stand and the plants would grow and resemble her skirt...I was happy with that description.  Until.  Until, that is until I tried to find another one to buy.

These are not mine....pictures pulled off Google Image Gallery-but they are good representations.

I had no idea how to descriibe the doll or plant stand for an internet search...so I began cryptically typing in all sorts of descriptions. One finally popped up. THERE SHE WAS.  My OMG camp factor grew enormously when I found out what kind of a doll she really is/was/is. It seems they are wildly popular. Who knew?

The dolls are religious in their origin. Catholic to put a point on which religion.  I'm not Catholic...I don't care about that aspect of the dolls...I'm obsessed with them.  The Santos dolls take their name from the Spanish word for Saint, and are also known as Santons (French) and Santibelli (Italian). The Santos that started the genre of dolls we currently represent (primarily Spanish Colonial and Western European style), were originally started as copies of 17th century carvings by priests. Originally, Santos were created for use as in-home altars.  They were needed in small villages that did not have a priest, as well as for when it was not possible to travel to church, such as during times of war.  Their development flourished in Europe  in the 1700's and 1800's, primarily due to these wars.

They come in different sizes, shapes - some with slatted skirts...some with legs.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

So, John says, "What would you like for your birthday this year?"  Boy, does that leave the purchasing door WIDE OPEN!

This little girl stole my heart with her serene, angelic face. 

I couldn't resist this one either. Her face is so pretty

The hunt on the Web netted me two sweet Santos dolls that I could afford.  Hey, the reproductions are spendy. My little collection is up to 3 right now.

My three little girls adorn  my entry way close to our great room...they greet me coming and going and every time I see them, I smile cuz I'm in the OMG camp with these girls!

I haven't started my on-line doll making class yet ... still gathering the list of items.  Once I start...I will post pictures. Thanks for reading.