Theresa LeFevre Folk Art

Artist/Company Information

Theresa LeFevre Folk art

20 Old Middle ST  Goshen, Ct 06756

Phone: (860) 491-3448

Q&W:

Please describe your art

Theresa:

I make hand sewn cloth primitive dolls.  Using a variety of fabrics, many vintage and recycled, I create a time worn look by staining, painting and/or sanding.  I use accessories that are vintage, recycled and/or items from nature.  My folk art dolls are my own designs and are all made completely by myself. 

Q&W:

How long have you been making your product?

Theresa:

I started displaying at Market Square in June of 1998.

Q&W:

How did you get started?

Theresa:

It all started in the early 70s with the sock monkey doll.  (You remember the one that was made out of the brown socks.)  Well, I was a kid that loved to sew and at 15, I decided I could supplement my babysitting money with sewing projects.  I made 2-3 monkeys and dressed them in little calico pinafores that I made out of scraps.  It was fun and neighbors and friends were buying my little monkeys.  Fast forward to college graduation, work and marriage, I started making Raggedy Annies at night to supplement our income and help support my graduate student husband.  Twenty eight years of marriage, three children, two dogs and two cats, I’m still sewing dolls.  And I ‘m happy to say that it’s still fun.

Q&W:

How did you let people know about you & your product?

Theresa:

I only display at one show, Market Square.  Because I’m a one woman show, it’s all I can handle.  About 75% of my customers are return customers.

Q&W:

Do you have a guiding philosophy?

Theresa:

It’s simple for me, I have to love what I make.  I also decided early in the business that I wanted to grow with my family’s needs in mind.  My work has always moved around my family. That is the main reason I’m still a one woman show.  I’ve been successful at balancing business and family and hope to continue.

Q&W:

I love selling wholesale.  I prefer order writing but have done cash and carry.  The reason I love wholesale order writing is because of the customers.  They know what they want and can see my product in their shops.  I enjoy the relationship that I have developed with my customers across the country.