Thursday, October 15, 2009

Corn Husk Doll

This time of year in Arkansas has fond memories for me. It consists of three words that Lora reminded me of in her post earlier today.

War Eagle Fair.

I've only been three times, but it is the most amazing thing I've been to. It's a shame to call it a craft fair, because it is so much more than that.

You start out by driving over steep, curvy roads to get into the beautiful depths of Arkansas in the middle of fall, just to park in a cow pasture. Then you have to make sure you don't walk through any cow gifts as you head to the four big circus tents that are just the start of your day.

As I remember it, there was at least one exhibit hall on this side of the water mill where the circus tents were located. The fair had gotten so large that it had crossed over the little one car bridge (that you walked on en masse with others as single rows of cars occasionally were) to where hundreds of individual exhibitors had their tents set up on the other side.

The first year Hubby and I went was 1990, before kids. I know my grandparents and aunt and uncle were there, but that's all I remember. If I pulled out the pictures I'd remember who else, but I'm too lazy.

My aunt loved Nan's Corn Husk Dolls and specifically took me to her booth in one of the large tents. She had me pick one out for myself. Of course I picked one that had a blue dress and a basket of kittens.

I can't put my hands on the card that came with her, but the part of Nan's story I remember is that her family was having trouble making ends meet and so she started making the corn husk dolls to sell. It was much more successful than they ever imagined.

My doll lives in the cabinet with my other dolls. They are all unique, but she's one of the ones that has a special story.

This post is linked to Show and Tell Friday hosted by Cindy at My Romantic Home.

29 comments:

Ang said...

A beautiful story to go along with such a beautiful doll. Thank You for sharing!!

Mari said...

She is really beautiful, and what good memories she brings when you see her!

Lenore said...

A very lovely unusual doll and a great story to accompany it.

Lora @ my blessed life said...

I LOVE the drive out to the War Eagle Mill! It's one of my favorite parts of going. The first year that I went, my friend and I looked through all the big tents (at the bottom of the cow pasture), and we thought that was it...then we looked over the river and saw the tons of other tents. We were so excited:)
Your doll is really sweet! Isn't it fun to go back and visit the same vendors over and over?

Rebekah@Red's Nest said...

I love that she's holding a basket of kittens. Sounds like War Eagle Mill would be fun. I just love visiting places like that. Blessings.

Anonymous said...

interesting doll!! Love the husk dress on it.

Sue said...

Hi

Lovely corn husk doll--It is great you can take things that may others wise be compost or put in the garbage and make something so lovely.

Great story


Sue

Hootin Anni said...

She is so darling!!! Wow, beautifully made. I love it. And it's great for this time of year. And the memories with her...terrific


Mine's posted ---

Click Here * a Slideshow

Sheila said...

WOW another arkie.. I live close to Searcy... I posted a little on Loras blog and said hello.. Hello to you as well .. I have never been to War Eagle but knew some people that were vendors for years there.. Nice to meet you

Cindy said...

A lovely story to remember and share! I could just envision walking along as you told the story. The doll is so sweet.
cindy

Gee said...

thanks for sharing yr story. i love the doll too. have a nice weekend.

Carla said...

What fun!!! I want to go!! Love your doll, how cool to have a doll case for your treasures:>

Miss Mustard Seed said...

Wow! She's a beauty.

Betsy Brock said...

What a sweet story! I can see why she was successful with the selling of them. I like the blue dress!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Pretty doll and a nice story to go with it. Saw some corn husk dolls at a arts and crafts fair recently that were pretty.

The Watts Family said...

What a beautiful doll hard to believe it is made out of corn husks. Thanks for sharing ~Blessings Heather ;D

memakingdo said...

Wow that is the most beautiful corn husk doll I've seen. Great story

The Old Parsonage said...

She's wonderful. I love hearing about the background of things - the "tell" part.

What fun memories!
Leann

Susan B said...

A lovely story to go with the sweet doll! She's so pretty. Thank you for sharing her.

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Your doll is beautiful... with her blue dress and basket of kittens!

Abramyan Avenue said...

I LOVE this! And what a story! I love how these special items have such special stories attached to them. I love hearing those stories! Thank you so much for sharing and your doll is beautiful!

Controlling My Chaos said...

What a neat doll, but that War Eagle Fair thingie sounds awesome. I long to go to an amazing craft fair like that. The next time you go, will you swing by and pick me up?

Mrs Twins said...

Love your post on Friday it was really good to read about the doll. Nice story! Thank you for visiting my blog. I'm only a basic crocheter honestly! I can't even read patterns! Please visit me again. I love these Show and Tell Fridays!

Love Bears All Things said...

I've never seen one quite like that.

I wonder where the name of the fair came from. War Eagle is one of Auburn's mascots.

Thank you for the comments on the crocheted purse. It won first place in the county and will be judged at the state level next week.
Mama Bear

Cindy said...

I've never seen a beautiful corn husk doll. I've only seen the very primitive looking ones! Thanks for sharing you story for Show and Tell!

sez said...

I like your special doll, and the story behind it. The craft fair sounds wonderful!

joyh82 said...

What a sweet doll. I had a kit to make one when I was younger but I don't remember what ever happened to her. I wish I was with it enough to plan for the whole week.
We eat out way too much.

Anonymous said...

how much do those dolls sell for? I have a couple that belonged to my aunt and I need to get ride of them

Unknown said...

I found one of these about year ago at a yard sale in Arkansas. absolutely love mine. it seems to be very old thou...much older than the ones I've found online. I notice that all the ones on eBay and other places have a tag that has a trademark of Nan with a heart but mine is hand written. it has "NAN" and then a little heart. I would love to know if it were one of her originals or even if it has a number.

 
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