Why Ruby Ruth Dolls?
Why Ruby Ruth Dolls?
When I first embarked into the business of handmade dolls, I wanted to create a different identity, a whole new persona if you like. However, there is more to the story.
My full name is Jenny Ruth Mustill. Ruth is also my mum’s middle name. We were both given the name to honour my great aunt Ruth.
Ruth was born in Leipzig (Germany) in 1911. She had three sisters, one of which was her twin: my grandma, Ilse (pictured below with their dad Karl).
Twin sisters Ilse (left) and Ruth (right) enjoying a hug with their father Karl (my great- grandfather). I love their bold little hand gestures pointing to the sky and matching outfits!
Ruth was a very determined and creative woman. When she was young she designed costumes for the Ulm theatre. She went on to run her own business designing and making dresses from her atelier on the top floor of a block of flats in Hildesheim, in northern Germany.
Growing up I loved hearing my mum tell me stories about aunt Ruth's life.
Hearing about the huge pattern cutting table and the seven apprentices that worked there was very inspiring to me. I liked to imagine the space and creativity of the group of women working together.
Although I can't even remember meeting Ruth in my few visits to Germany as a child, I felt and still do feel connected to her by sharing her name as well as her passions. Even before I started making dolls I hoped one day I too would be able to support myself with a creative business and have a studio space with a large table to work at!
When thinking about a name for my business, Ruth seemed like a natural choice for me. By adding the name Ruby I found it rolled off the tongue nicely due to the alliteration.
Initially I wasn't sure about adding the word ‘dolls’ to the brand name as I thought it could give the impression that the characters are only for children but from the very early days selling the dolls at markets and festivals it quickly became clear that they appealed to both adults and children alike.
I'm glad I chose the name Ruby Ruth Dolls because I feel that it honours the passion and creativity of aunt Ruth and challenges the idea that playing is exclusively for children. Children and adults enrich their lives through play. I’m not suggesting that adults sit and play with the dolls in the same way that children do, I think they speak to their inner child. The dolls decorate customers homes and provide a colourful tangible link to childhood. At least I like to think that Malcolm, Rita, Jasper and co put smiles on their owner’s faces after a long tedious day at work or school. Sitting a bookshelf or a cosy chair, their smiley faces appealing to the inner child that lives inside all adults.
