Andersen’s fairy tales have always held a special place in my heart. When I was a little girl, my dad and brother read them to me. I read these fairy tales to my younger sister. Andersen’s fairy tale book was one of the first books I bought for my daughter.
My dad and brother always avoided The Little Match Girl. They thought the fairy tale was too cruel for a little girl. Later, I read it myself and decided that my father and brother were right. Of course, I also skipped this fairy tale when reading it to my sister and daughter.
My daughter was read this story in kindergarten. I can’t tell if it was read too early. The story moved my daughter very much. I saw then what serious questions my child can ask. We talked for a long time about why no one helped the girl. About how the world has changed since Andersen wrote his fairy tales. About organizations that help children nowadays. This conversation stayed with me for a long time.
What I make dolls somehow comes from inside me. I just feel like sewing a doll like this and not another. When dry felting and painting the doll’s head, I tried to make it as delicate and fragile as possible. I had a feeling it was going to be the girl with the matches. I think it worked. It’s so ethereal and delicate. The pictures don’t do it justice, but in real life it looks like it’s about to cry. I hope she will find a home where she will be able to live and enjoy the owners’ eyes.
