Today, I got up at 7:40. I made myself a pour-over espresso, had a little cereal and a banana, and headed off to the subway station. I rode across town and met a girl named Emily from England whom I had corresponded with. Emily works for an organization called Caritas. She chatted with me on the walk to the place where I would be volunteering for the day. She told me she was led by God to come to Bulgaria and has been learning a lot, and asked me about my travels. When we arrived, she introduced me to the ladies, and the one who I would be with for the day, Vania; and then headed off. I immediately started to learn what making “felt dolls” was all about. I only really learned the very basics, but Vania taught me about everything there was to know on a first day.
She gave me this little booklet, and the story is here on the back. Inside are many of the cool felt dolls and decorations being made for sale.
Today I was mostly making these balls. They can be used to make bracelets and necklaces, or the big one could be a doll’s head. It’s NOT a quick process. You take the loose felt and use a needle to continually poke the fabric so the fibers come together. I stabbed myself and bled and broke a needle within the first hour. But it got better! After you make a ball like one of these, you wash it with soap and roll it in your hand until the ball’s consistency is right, then dry it off, and make more. I only made about 20 balls in six hours. I got a lot better towards the end, and am regretful that I cannot come back. Because of a Bulgarian holiday, they will be closed during the two days I could come. We are leaving Bulgaria in about a week. 
Below are only a few of the many felt creations being made.
Vania has been doing this for eleven years! She kept mentioning that she is experienced, and she most definitely is! She can make an entire doll in about an hour. Seeing her put all these details together so quickly was intriguing! She showed me these “children’s project” type felt drawings and wanted me to try it out, so I did my best abstract rose. Roses are a BIG DEAL in Bulgaria, so it seemed appropriate. (Literally, it’s the country’s flower, and the streets and people smell like roses. I even bought a rose jam and some rose soap since I’ve been here. Much of the world’s rose oil is produced in Bulgaria.)
I had a really amazing day. I wish I had more like this one. I have a heart for non-profits, especially ones that help people who can’t exactly help themselves. When it was lunch time, I was surprised to find that all of the staff and some women that the organization is helping all came together for a great meal together (lentil soup, bread, and salad.) I would love to have a job where we all ate together daily. It feels homey there. Vania took the opportunity to really learn about America, asking about many of the societal problems, and how our government responds to this. She asked about me and shared some of her opinions about her own life, and life in Bulgaria. It was an informative, slightly productive, and quite heart-warming kind of day.
^^Vania has such a young spirit. Her joy and curiosity for life is contagious. I’m so thankful for her, and who she is for this community. I hope I have the opportunity to make felt projects again one day, but even more, I hope to remember my time here because days like today are a reason to be joyful.
