Little Souls are handmade textile dolls sold as one-of-a kind and Limited Edition collectibles, custom made in a Pennsylvania workshop by Gretchen Wilson for adult collectors. Each doll is characterized by Little Souls' trademark attention to detail and an individual-- and fully realized--personality.

Unlike their porcelain or plastic-molded peers that often idealize children or fictional adults, Little Souls dolls gently address the awkwardness of childhood we often still feel as adults. The vulnerability and innocence... how we might feel inside...what we adore in each other...how a sometimes difficult world makes us long for comfort and care. Our checklist for a successful Little Soul includes being unpredictable, quirky, tender, and humorous--a kid with her own endearing brand of tradition. A Little Souls touches the soul, speaks to what is positive in life, celebrates the joyfulness of children and gives voice to the child who still resides in us all.

Little Souls are sharp dressers. They are known for the 4-year-old's ''let-me-dress-myself'' mentality which often results when little ones gain access to dresses and closets. Their trademark look includes:
* Multiple layers of pattern, textures, and complementary color
* ''Real people'' hats
* Oversized shoes
* Unexpected accessories knows as ''discovery pieces''
* Vintage finds
* Found objects
* Great hair
* Flowers, buttons, ribbons, bows, beads, buds and the like
* A simply stitched face, the ''soul'' of every Little Soul

Hope , is a special holiday angel from 1993. She is made from cloth with a stockenette face and sewn features. She has dark brown hair which cascades down her shoulders in tight waves. Her left hand is signed:

©1993
Little Souls, Inc.
"Hope"
a Special Holiday
Angel
created by
Gretchen
Wilson

She comes dressed in her original cream dress with crocheted trim, antique-style pinafore, dark green taffeta pantaloons, gold socks, and a green velvet hat. There are three small jingle bells on the side of her right sock. She also has her green fabric wigs attached with gold braid. She comes with her original hangtag and is signed by the artist.