Bartlett artist celebrates women’s history one doll at a time
March marks Women’s History Month, and as a Bartlett-based primitive artist, Marie Morgan’s work over the past 30 years is a modern celebration of American women who, one stitch at a time, wove rich stories into the handmade pieces they created — timeless treasures for those they loved.
“I love creating with the thought of how generations of young girls, mothers and grandmothers would have fashioned a doll or toy for a gift in the 1800s from their fabric scrap basket. They were not artists, and items were crafted somewhat crudely, but made with love and ingenuity,” Morgan says. “I taught myself to design my own dolls with this image in mind. Each one of my creations is completely unique, crafted completely with vintage materials, and has a small piece of my heart.”
Morgan, who showcases her works at Prestige Creative Markets in Bartlett, is widely known for her handcrafted, one-of-a-kind dolls, each one a nod to an earlier time. Her pieces are thoughtfully crafted with keen attention to detail, including vintage buttons and embroidery thread, hand-dyed muslin and vintage doll clothing sourced throughout Illinois and the Midwest. Her seasonal creations include bunnies, snowmen, angels, witches, Santas, pillows and “Goofy Jacks,” handcrafted one-of-a kind pumpkins — each hand-stitched or hand-painted and flourished with a dried pumpkin stem.
Launched in 2019, Prestige Creative Markets on West Army Trail Road is a restored, 100-year-old barn property. Spanning 8,000 square feet over two floors, Prestige is home to more than 90 independent artisans and entrepreneurs carrying vintage furniture, modern and vintage home décor, clothing, jewelry, and an array of locally-made honey, jellies, granolas and other giftable goods.
There are two dedicated Primitives by Olde Lady Morgan shops within Prestige. Some of Morgan’s “superfans” own as many as 50 of her designs collected over the years.
“My works intertwine necessity and simplicity, and embody multicultural American history from our earliest days,” she says.
A proud small business owner, Morgan celebrates 30 years of running her own successful “passion-driven” enterprise on April 1. Beginning from home when her children were small, Morgan has roots in folk art and blogging, and later launched shops in vintage markets and antique malls throughout Illinois. Her offerings complement her creative works and are carefully curated with vintage authenticity and locally-made charm in mind. Morgan proudly carries Illinois-based 1803 Candles, hand-poured soy candles, as well as a wide and ever-changing collection of thoughtfully selected antiques and primitives.
“It is my hope, whether you visit my shops in Bartlett, or visit me on social media, that you find the vibe warm and welcoming like a step back in time to a simpler era,” Morgan says. “My lifelong passion is a tribute to ordinary American women and their quiet but rich contributions to primitive family life and our nation’s history.”