- The Rains!
The word for rain, in Sanskrit, is Varsa. Nabhas refers to the months by which the rains span in India and it means mist, clouds or sky. This describes our little Varsa.
Varsa loves loves LOVEEES the rain. Most people get the blues on dark, foggy, misty, cloudy, rainy days. Not Varsa! Varsa laughs and jumps for joy with giddy-ness. She dresses up in her most favorite yellow raincoat and her colorful rain boots and she rushes outside to dance in the rain. She dances. She splashes puddles. She digs her toes into the mud. She laughs with the pitter-patter of the drops. She climbs. She explores. She doesn't even need a proper umbrella because she just picks up banana leaves along the way and turn them into pretty practical umbrellas. Varsa Nabhas...that's her name.
I love rain. Rain really does make my heart very happy and it really does encourage relaxation or exploration, depending on the day. Since we were so blessed with heavy rain in December, I heard Varsa calling my name. So, here she is. She sports a banana leaf umbrella as opposed to a traditional one. In many countries where manufactured umbrellas are not available or even affordable for some people, natural umbrellas can be made from palm leaves or banana leaves. And truth is...they work just as well. Have you ever been up close to a big and healthy banana tree? If you have, you understand how big and useful their leaves are and therefore, how practical they are for seeking shelter when the rains come.
Varsa is a Wee-Bee Mini Elfcup doll. She stands less than 6" (15 cm) tall. She is made with all natural materials. Her doll skin is made with premium quality cotton jersey imported from Europe. She is firmly stuffed with bio-wool made in Oregon. Her seams are sewn twice for reinforcement. Her locks are made of mohair yarn tied into two pigtails. She has embroidered facial features. Her facial structure is lightly sculpted to give her an itty-bitty chin, round chubby cheeks and deeper set eyes. Her cheeks, nose and various body parts are blushed with red beeswax. She is a sitting doll with sewn joints that are made flexible for easy movement and changing of clothes. She also has a belly button and a bum.
Varsa comes dressed for the rain. Her yellow rain coat is made of linen and lined on the inside with a polka-dotted cotton fabric and closes at the neckline with nickel-plated hook and eye snaps. Her skirt is made of a light cotton fabric and supported underneath with tulle. The waistline of her skirt is embellished with a delicate trim and the skirt opens fully on the back with nickel-plated brass sew-on snaps. Her top is made from a cotton knit fabric. She comes with a cute pair of undies made of a cotton knit fabric and lined with a delicate trim. Her boots are hand knit with a variegated Malabrigo 100% wool yarn.
Varsa comes with a banana leaf umbrella made of 100% wool felt. The banana leaf is entirely edged with a satin stitch and there are over a hundred rows of individually and closely stitched lines that characterize the texture of a banana leaf. The leaf measures a little over 12 inches (30 cm).
Varsa is recommended for ages 5+ due to the nature of her delicate design. The small parts on her may pose as choking hazards for children who still enjoy exploring with their mouths and the clothing closures require manipulation by hands that are adept at extra fine motor skills and can handle small parts with ease. If you are interested in giving Varsa a home, she is now available in the Etsy shop.
