Recipe for Art: Trouble Dolls

Sometimes during a flare or especially painful lesions, those of us with HS can be stuck in a loop of depression and inactivity. Art helps us to process our feelings and reprogram our brains. Art is personal, not perfect. 

You will need some basics for this project, most or all of which you can find at a dollar store: mini clothes pins, embroidery floss, glue (I prefer using my mini glue gun that I've had for about a decade because it's quick, but please use your best judgement and caution), scissors, and a fine-tipped marker if you would like to draw features.

We all could use a little help sometimes

What does it mean to you to have trouble dolls? Some might enjoy this project because like me, they received a set when they were younger, and the nostalgia is a nice memory. Some are struggling and feel like they would like to unburden whatever it is they are carrying with them, whether it's frustrations with their insurance (or lack of it), feeling fearful of the path HS is taking in their body, feeling ignored by doctors, or viewing themselves as undesirable by romantic partners. 

We all could use a little help sometimes. When you make these dolls, maybe you are making another coping device to get through all of the obstacles that HS throws our way. Engaging the creative side of your brain can also help to counteract loneliness and depression.