About the Artist

Joyce has been sewing since the early 1960s. She is a descendent of hand-sewing craftspersons from Grayson County Virginia, a rural community nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her grandmother, Mazie Lou Chandler, was born there and learned to make her own clothing by hand due to economic necessity. At an early age, Joyce learned to sew skillfully from her grandmother in the tradition of their Virginian ancestors. Affectionately known as "Mam-Maw" by Joyce, Mazie Lou Chandler is the leading inspiration for JoyLou Stitchery. In her honor and memory, Joyce has named the Mazie Dolls after her.

Joyce grew up in the rural, farming town of Jarrettsville, Maryland. While many things have changed since then, she still remembers childhood stories with wide-eyed wonder. In one such story, she recalls playing with her older sister in a neighbor's chicken coop. While playing, they noticed Federal Revenuers lying on the ground, hidden beneath the low boughs of a pine tree in their own front yard. As it turns out, the agents were raiding an illegal moonshine operation at an adjacent farmhouse!

Throughout her childhood, she continued to hone her sewing abilities under the tutelage of her grandmother. She made many of her own clothes, as well as clothing for her dolls. After high school, she earned a degree in Interior Design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Despite her busy schedule and successful career in commercial interior design, Joyce never lost her love for sewing and crafts. She made her first Clown Doll 30 years ago, beginning a tradition of making these as baby gifts for friends and relatives.

Soon after, she began to make custom handbags. Everyone wanted something special: a conversation piece, something unique that no one else had; yet, was as durable and functional as any commercially-made bag.

JoyLou Stitchery is a true family business where everyone pitches-in. Her sister, Carol, and daughter, Laura, often help with cutting fabric and making yarn hair for the dolls. Her sister, Linda, suggested the name of JoyLou Stitchery. Her husband, Russ, handles the business of managing inventory and order fulfillment. The website was created by her son, Justin.

Now, the labor of love that goes into each of Joyce's creations is available to the general public. You can own the keepsake doll or unique handbag that you do not have the time to make yourself; yet, reflects your personal tastes and is made with the same love and care that you would use.

All of us who are involved with JoyLou Stitchery hope especially that children of all ages will have the opportunity to enjoy the lifetime treasure of a handmade doll.

We hope that you will bookmark our website and visit often as there are other items Joyce makes that will soon be offered through the web.