How Paddlefootz Dolls & Thangs came to be…
Thanks to my mother and grandmother, sewing was a part of my life long before I existed. I began making my own in high school and then for my children when they were small. My evolution to crafting came in 1997 with a request from my mother for a Black Santa. Soon after that, I experimented with Rabbits, Bears, and Angel creations. The first Angel I made
was for my sister to keep her company when she went into the hospital. The idea of doll-making came from conversations she and I had during that time. My sister and I talked about many things, but mostly our conversations were about how hard it had been and still was to find black dolls that were true reflections of us as Black people she wanted to purchase for my daughters. I’d seen quite a few patterns while working on the earlier crafts, but none of them to me were cute. I’d already made her an angel and a beautiful chocolate rabbit, so I decided to make her a doll. Some may remember the Kewpie dolls. They were funny looking as plastic dolls and even funnier looking in cloth. Sadly, that is as close as I could get to what I envisioned in my mind. I made a couple before I finally tweaked the pattern and got to my sisters, but once hers was completed and was the true reflection I was looking for, I was hooked and determined to improve upon this new fun thing I found. My sister passed away not long after that. I believe she’s up there smiling because of the part she played in this journey and how far it has evolved since it started. Twenty-five years later, there is still room for continued growth and improvement. I thank my uncle Aubrey Pounds for the nickname Paddlefoot. He bestowed it upon me as a baby because of my funny waddle walk and pigeon-toed feet. He thought it was cute and has followed me throughout my life. As I experimented with my first doll and held her before me, with those same “paddlefeet” pointing at each other…the Paddlefoot brand and collection began. The walk and the feet are thanks to my grandmother Limmie Lucille Webb Pounds and her baby boy, my daddy William Henry Earl (Bill) Pounds. Sewing, dressing making, and hairstyling skills are thanks to my maternal grandmother, Vernelle “Mommie” Wright, and my mother, Bennie Joyce Pounds. Encouragement and inspiration came from my sisters Felita and Annelida Richardson. They have all now transitioned along with my other beautiful and talented African American, Black, Colored, Negro, and Mulatto ancestors, known and not. They all came before me and laid the foundation. Without them and God, none of this journey would have been possible. Each one left me with a legacy, unique talents, and pigeon-toed feet I share with my children, grandchildren, and these dolls that will live on after me for eternity. For everything else, I thank my children Jamyl, Niambi, and Jalia, my “Homies” Joy, Lisa, Marilyn, and Marlene, and Aunties Faye and Pat. Their support through the years has been priceless. Thanks for taking the time to read and learn my story. I hope you enjoy what you see as much as I enjoy bringing them to life. Peace and blessings to you and yours!
