Dreams and a Heart D&D21 (2)

Our lovely makers this year were Stephanie, Esme, Ben, Taisiya, Kylie, Zoë, Mayou, Stephen, Margarita, You-ri, Rachael, Stella, Claudia, Tilly, Matt, Angela, Amelia, Mary, Mikey, Michael, Nina, Regina, Marit, Hahna and Ali.

We made 25 dolls. Ben brought a pillow, we are running out of dreams atm so pillows are very welcome, thank you so much Ben.

I feel really moved by how wonderful are the moments we spend together making dolls. I am infinitely grateful for all the generous makers I’m SO lucky to spend time with.

‘Dreams and a Heart is the meditative respite of life (not just D&D). It is one of the most precious gifts one can give to oneself (or receive from Regina). That of time, openness, honest talk, love, community, therapy, meditation. Love you!’ ‘

‘My third doll. The moment to connect, the possibility of conversations, the doll holding space for my spaces, the allowing of consciousness and body, embodied joy in dreams with a heart, thank you, Regina.’

‘It was a joy to be given the space to sit, talk, meditate and contemplate the nature of dreams, and to put a physical dream into the world.’

‘This was a beautiful, supportive and meditative experience, the conversation flowed very easily due to Regina’s calm guidance and the fact we were keeping our hands busy filling the dolls with dreams. A calm circle in a busy world.’

‘Thank you for a wonderful moment of creating. I am feeling very emotional and overwhelmed today and my heart and my dreams are confusing me. It was lovely to have some time to sit with them.’

‘Good to remember what lies within us and hold us up – a good night sleep and all the dreams.’

‘Regina, thank you for welcoming me to this doll making circle. My doll had a head that bent to the side – which resembled the attitude of listening. This was significant to me because my current interest is modes of listening and also sound art installations.’

‘Making a doll was such a grounding experience – I love working/creating with my hands and focusing on the task was so meditative. And a great chance to have conversation with those working with me. I felt so relaxed after the meditation and so proud of my doll!’

‘It felt peaceful and quietly joyful to make this doll for the second time. Placing ‘dream’ into its body…sometimes with no thoughts at all, and sometimes with many. During the meditation I felt as though I placed my heartbeat into the doll and it began to live in my hands. It was really profound experience. Thank you Regina. Now the doll I made will become one among thousands.’

‘I got overwhelmed with meaningful exciting conversations I found in this maker’s corner. What a time. We wed together discarded materials. It’s exactly what I appreciate a lot and do as an artist. It was a great experience. I loved learning Regina’s style of facilitating and the way she gave instructions, so educating. Also I took part in a major project as a result which is a strong felling. Thank you.’

‘Thank you for creating such a relaxing and therapeutic activity. Thank you for letting me hold my dreams in my hands. Thank you for letting me be creative amongst new people. Thank you Thank you Thank you!’

‘I met some beautiful people while I sat making a doll. We spoke about Regina’s Dreams and a heart project – listening to how it began- and I feel like I am part of something special. My heart is now connected to this project.’

‘My life force spread through the world that so needs love, peace. Thank you.’

‘It was so soothing to work so tactilely and to feel like I’ve created a little life. Thank you for such a calming, instructive and enriching experience.’

‘Thank you so much for this. It was very calming and grounding. Much needed!’

‘A very restful meditative process. An easy metaphor to understand. No formal skills required and therefore very democratic – everyone can dream.’

‘Really relaxing and Regina is very comforting. Was nice to take a minute and think in a busy space.’

‘Making a doll today was such an uplifting experience. Meeting Regina brought a big smile to my heart. Thank you for spreading joy and connection through your lovely little dolls.’

‘Lost threads, found heart, grounding, calming, relaxing, regulating. I am here. I am safe. Comfort. Candy floss. Build-a-bear antidote. Don’t be the pin (the aggressor), be the needle (the healer). Thank you for guiding us.’ My doll’s name is Deep Blue Okay.’

‘I never found it easy to operate in public or groups. This D&D reminded me one of the first D&D I attended ( probably ten years ago). It would not have been possible for me to talk, contribute to the groups and circles had it not been for Regina’s dolls. Making a doll while listening to others speak somehow deepen my understanding and gave me the freedom to also chat, share, interact, shedding all shyness and impostor syndrome. Thank you for making and sharing ideas and then sitting still to meditate and reflect. Grateful, love.’

‘Good balance between challenge and easy – get me engaged.’

‘I felt that I am part of a ritual that is sacred, coming from a secret into the heart, my pulse beats in time with my breath, these dreams, this heart, full inside the cloth body ready to join the community of other dream- filled heart full heart beings.’

Thank You!