“My mother gave me her gift of spiritualism. Her abilities were unexplainable.
One day I wanted a doll. That's when I got some paper cloth and pulled out my machine. I had everything I needed. Face was embroidered, made patterns for body, then measured body for clothing when she was completed. Then I began my son's one thing lead to another. Now they come in many sizes colors and for many reasons.
I have been given the blessings to create dolls in the spirits of our ancestors. The most important element in making the dolls is the input of the person who orders the doll. Remember, almost everything is possible: creativity has no limits.”
Mercedes Molina is a self -taught artesana living in El Barrio Harlem NYC. She has a B.A. from Antioch College and has been an educator for over 40 years. Mercedes has been making dolls for the past 13 years and always stays creative.
Photos by Juan V. Nunez
I saw the beginning of Mercedes’ doll-making and, I’m proud to say, have one of her early dolls! I remember Mercedes sitting on the floor of Mixta Gallery, embroidering the mouth of her first doll. Many years have gone by since then, and her dolls continue to evolve with each stitch. Meanwhile, I always take the opportunity to ask her about the spirituality behind her dolls and how it all works! Like most of us, I am unfamiliar with the Puerto Rican tradition of spiritual dolls. So if you are curious too, keep reading and take a look, and if you are even more curious, contact Mercedes at spiritualdolls@yahoo.com!