Empowering Women, Promoting Sustainability: Upcycling, Circular Economy, and Crafting with Purpose – The Future Women’s Shed in Action - Happy Dolls

The "Women’s Shed" is an innovative business incubator designed to empower minority women in Aberdeen. Specifically aimed at supporting women on benefits, single mothers, caregivers, survivors of abuse, the unemployed, and other marginalised groups, it offers local women the opportunity to learn new skills and grow together, utilising the space to develop their micro-businesses and sell their handcrafted products.

The Heart of the Initiative: Happy Dolls

I call them "Happy Dolls," crafted with intention and love. These cloth dolls are handcrafted using upcycled fabrics, transforming what would otherwise be waste into beautiful, joyful creations. This workshop not only teaches valuable crafting skills but also fosters a sense of community and connection among participants. Each Happy Dolltells a story of resilience and creativity, serving as a tangible reminder of the empowerment that comes from crafting something meaningful.

The Happy Dolls are more than just dolls; they represent joy, healing, and the transformative power of art. Participants in the workshop experience a sense of accomplishment and pride as they create these dolls, reinforcing the belief that their skills and contributions matter.

This initiative encourages women to express their creativity while also promoting sustainable practices, showcasing the importance of reusing materials to reduce waste.

Building a Supportive Community

The impact of the “Happy Dolls” project extends beyond crafting.

It builds a supportive environment where women can share their experiences, heal from past traumas, and forge lasting friendships. This sense of community is integral to the Women’s Shed, as it cultivates a space where women can uplift one another and celebrate their achievements.

Eco-Feminist Walks

In conjunction with the “Happy Dolls”workshops, the Women’s Shed also hosts “Eco-Feminist Walks”. These events blend physical activity with discussions on environmental sustainability, women’s rights, and community resilience, further empowering women to reclaim their space in society and engage with their surroundings.

Empowering Women and Promoting Sustainability

This initiative offers a positive path for minority women to re-enter the workforce, achieve financial independence, and nurture their entrepreneurial potential. It also provides a supportive community for healing trauma, fostering connections among women of different nationalities, and encouraging cultural dialogue despite global politics, with a focus on women supporting women.

At the core of this project is a green initiative — a vertical garden powered by a bike that generates electricity, exemplifying sustainability in action. The space will also include a café and breakfast area, further promoting community engagement.

Making Scotland Beautiful

This is a vision of “making Scotland beautiful” by weaving the contributions of minority women into its story! Situated in Aberdeen’s Union Street, this project transforms vacant spaces into social impact hubs that generate revenue, create jobs, and showcase a "Made in Aberdeen" product line using weaving, sewing, mending, knitting, and crafting.

Focus on Slow Fashion and Crafts

The focus will be on slow fashion and crafts, utilising locally sourced materials like North East Scotland wool, nettle fibres, upcycled fabrics, and mehendi designs, to name a few. This initiative will not only support women but also benefit local wool farmers, traditional skills, and local artists, breathing new life into traditional crafts with flexible times and a work culture that is female!

Up cycling Workshop

Aberdeen Ethnic Minority Women’s Group recently participated in the eco-festival Envirolution. We hosted an upcycling workshop to promote the circular economy, inspiring participants to repurpose old or baby clothes into new products. We also organised an eco-feminist walk and offered Mehendi designs from one of the women who is a survivor of domestic violence, allowing her to earn using her skills and keep all the proceeds. This highlights the crucial need for financial independence among marginalised women.

We are also teaching the next generation to make their own dolls using “something old” they love! Kids especially enjoyed making these dolls with their parents, creating cherished memories and learning valuable skills. Here’s an idea – brides could gift "their something blue and old" to wedding guests, showcasing their skills while promoting the circular economy!

This is the vision for the Women’s Shed – creating together, fostering sustainability, and empowering marginalised women, especially from minority communities, to earn and thrive.

Happy Dolls Story - Founder Elizabeth Spencer’s Perspective

Cultural Inspirations, Zero Waste, and My Personal Connection to Happy Dolls

The “Happy Dolls” project is deeply rooted in cultural inspirations and personal connections that fuel its mission. During a recent workshop, participants shared heartfelt stories about dolls from their own cultures, enriching the project with a tapestry of diverse traditions and techniques. These shared experiences weave a sense of community and belonging among everyone involved.

My journey with "Happy Dolls" began when I made the first doll for my daughter in Aberdeen, inspired by my design mentor Uma Prajapati's Tsunamika dolls, which are recognised as a UNESCO heritage symbol, during my time as a fashion student and later in my design career.

My life took a dramatic turn in 2004 when I narrowly escaped the tsunami that devastated the coast of Velankanni. Despite having booked tickets to enjoy our annual beach visit, my grandmother urged the family to stay away from the coast that day. Listening to her wise advice, we let the tickets go to waste. Tragically, that day marked the loss of 10,000 lives in the very place where we would have been.

This harrowing experience profoundly affected me and deepened my connection to the Tsunamika dolls, imbuing them with a significant sense of purpose, especially as we commemorate the 20th anniversary of this tragedy.

The inspiration behind the “Happy Dolls” project resonates with my experiences and those of many others involved. My exposure to zero waste practices through various workshops in Auroville has shaped my perspective on sustainability and creativity. Writing about these practices for *Fashion and Beyond* has further inspired me to integrate these principles into my work.

The “Happy Dolls” embody the essence of intentional creation.

Crafted by minority women, these dolls promote the idea of “Buying Minority Women Made” while supporting the Women’s Shed project, which harnesses the skills of marginalised women to produce items “Made in Aberdeen.” I aim to incorporate North East Scotland wool for stuffing and repurpose scraps from tartan weavers, creating a range of dolls—from Aberdeen to Indian, Polish, Bangla, and beyond. These creations not only support local wool farmers but also represent Scotland to the world, highlighting the beauty of cultural exchange and sustainable practices.

Through the “Happy Dolls” project, I feel a profound sense of connection—not just to the traditions and stories shared by the women involved but also to the enduring hope and resilience that each doll represents.

Together, we are not only preserving our cultural heritage but also empowering each other to thrive in a sustainable future.

#EcoFeminism #CircularEconomy #WomenEmpowerment #Sustainability #Upcycling #DiversityAndInclusion #CommunityBuilding #Envirolution

©️Blog post by Elizabeth Spencer

©️Aberdeen Ethnic Minority Women's Group CIC