Maria made her first button doll over fifteen years ago — a keyhole-shaped fabric body, a blank face, a simply made dress, and buttons strung together on strong thread for the arms and legs. It's an almost forgotten Colonial craft, and she thinks it deserves a revival.
Over the years she's created all sorts of whimsical characters, plus DIY kits to inspire other people to keep the craft alive. She's also folded in her teddy-bear-making skills to produce steampunk cats and fairy mice.