A few years ago I started this doll Theodora, after the Byzantine empress of Constantinople, wife of Roman Emperor Justinian.

She is one of my feminist heroes. I never finished her because I worked myself into a corner with her costume, and couldn’t find a way out.

So, as I usually do In such cases, I put her away in a drawer to let the passage of time sort things out for me.

That was 9 years ago 🤯... but it feels like a blink of an eye. It’s shocking how quickly a decade passed...😳... but I digress.

For the past nine years, Theodora’s been sleeping in this drawer, and waiting for me to complete her. Every few weeks I would pull it open, and stare down at her, thinking, thinking... year after year, after year. And then, I found this beautiful antique Egyptian textile, and all the puzzle pieces began to fall into place. Soon I will show you!