Bra Dolls

Difficult to believe this zebra doll is made with a bra!  The teeth are actually made from part of an underwire bra.  This delightful doll was made by Kelly Riley-Duckworth, to help increase awareness of breast cancer.  Kelly has also been instrumental in getting Bra dolls donationed to benefit City of Hope or various cancer recovery places, where folks would love the supportive gift of a bra doll.  You see, Kelly understands how much a special gift like a bra doll, as well as the donation of money to the cause of increasing awareness on cancer and finding cures can make a difference.  You see, Kelly is a 8 year survivor of breast cancer. 

When I visited the San Diego Quilt Show this past September, I came across a delightful doll exhibit organized by the Imitation of Life Construction Company (IOLCC).  Within this exhibit was a collection of "Bra Dolls".  I enjoyed this collection and wanted to share more insights with you now.

Bra Dolls began when Barb Keeling stood at the grave of a friend who lost her 12 year battle with cancer.  Barb's father had also died of cancer, about 40 years ago.  Barb pondered what she could do to help with cancer awareness?

As Barb Keeling is a cloth doll and pattern designer, it was a perfect fit to create Bra Dolls, to help increase awareness about cancer.  She designed a collection of patterns, that as part of making the doll, you must use a bra. 

Part of the purchase price of these Bra Doll patterns goes to Cancer Research too!  Currently, Barb is using these funds to help sponsor Carrie Nissil,a member in IOLCC, who is walking in the Komen 3-Day walk November 20th-22nd in San Diego. 

http://bradolls.blogspot.com/


Judy Ward's Bra Doll (cat)

Sheila Godfrey's Bra Doll:

Get Well Bunny, by Paulette Carr and Doug and Barb Keeling

Here are a couple of dolls that have gone from being BRA DOLLs for Cancer Awareness to Prayer Bra Dolls Healing Gifts.  Created by Paulette Carr and Doug and Barb Keeling

Cynthia Brendza's Bra Doll

Kathy Houser's Bra Doll:

Lois Boncer's Bra Doll

Diane Shakahian's Bra Dolls

For insight on Barbara & Doug Keeling's doll patterns, or more info on the Bra Dolls:  http://www.keelingskrafts.com/catalog2/index.php?cPath=111

The above five doll designs,  in the Bra Doll collection, sell for only $15.  And a portion of the price is donated to various programs that increase awareness and fight cancer.

Barbara & Doug have also published many books on doll making faces, of which I'm lucky to have several of these books, and enjoy all of them!

Lastly, I want to say thank you to all of these doll makers for using their talents to help increase awareness on cancer, and for all their efforts to raise money to help fight cancer.  I found all of their Bra Dolls absolutely delightful!

http://www.keelingskrafts.com/

http://bradolls.blogspot.com/

http://keelingskrafts.blogspot.com/