March 14, 2018

Meet Heather Carson of Lilly Lynne Designs in Northwest Bear Creek Area

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Carson.

Heather, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Being an artist was all I ever wanted to be growing up. I loved drawing and loved creating many different art pieces in school. I loved being creative and I eventually wanted to go to art school. My life took a turn. I married had a baby and after that relationship ended, I decided I wanted to pursue art again. So, I began taking classes through a private art school where I met and married my current husband. Together we have 3 children along with my daughter whom he loved and cherished as his own. I always loved the idea of learning to sew. My Granny was a quilter, she made over 100 quilts in her lifetime so that’s where my love of sewing came from. I began teaching myself to sew from books and I mainly sewed quilt blocks for fun. My husband came up with the suggestion of sewing dolls. So, without any patterns I began trying my hand at doll making. When I look back at my first dolls, I must say I have to laugh but you have to start somewhere right? I decided I needed to really learn the skills so I bought my first pattern from a company called Dolls and Daydreams. I learned so many skills and I became proficient with everything it took to make a doll. I even decided I would try my hand at drawing and making my own patterns. I really enjoy what I do now and I am so thankful to my husband for guiding me in that direction. He challenges me to be creative and pushes me to try learning new skills to make them even better. He’s an artist and art teacher as well so he loves my creativity. I can say there is nothing I’d rather be doing than sewing and learning new fiber art skills.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I have to say that it hasn’t been a smooth road. I went through a very debilitating depression after I had my last child. So, debilitating that all I wanted to do was sleep all day and I had to be taken care of. It was hard on my husband and my children but thankfully I found the right doctors and medicines to help me break free from the depression. God helped me to remember how much I loved sewing and the joy that my art brought to so many people. I found my purpose and much relaxation and mental focus when I was painting or sewing. It helped redirect my thoughts and I was able to climb out of the negativity.

Please tell us about Lilly Lynne Designs.
If you know many quilters or fabric needle artists you know that many are fabric addicts. We see a cute fabric design and we have to have it. So, we accumulate ridiculous amounts of fabric. I knew I needed to help fund my addiction, so I decided to begin selling my dolls. Lilly Lynne Designs was born. I was met with so much support from my family, friends and the community. And I realized how much joy my dolls put on so many faces. It wasn’t just from children but adults too. They could see how much love and artistry went into them and it has been such an amazing journey. Many of my customers will snap photos of their children with their dolls and I just get so overwhelmed that the talent God put in me really touches others.

Some of my dolls are made from patterns by another company but I decided I also wanted to come up with my own designs so some of them are my own creation. I also decided I wanted to share my skills with other doll makers so I made a couple patterns of the dolls that I created.

I love that new moms buy dolls for their babies and adults buy them for home decorating or to honor someone they love for a birthday, Christmas, or other special occasion.

I’m proud of how far I’ve come learning what it takes to create and provide a place to share my skills with others.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I probably would have started much sooner. I didn’t realize that doll making was my niche until I was in my mid 30’s. I think by now I would have had many more dolls and patterns done so that really is my only regret.

Pricing:

My dolls range in price but begin at $45.00 depending on how much detail and clothing needed the price goes up from there.
I often sell totebags and they are $40.00 each
Pillows are $45.00
Patterns range from 9.50 to 12.50 depending on the pattern
I always I have new items I offer for sale so Facebook is the best place to keep up to date.

Contact Info: