Transforming recycled stories into beloved dolls that inspire.
My name is Leslie, the artist behind LadyLsLe's Artspace.
I don't just make dolls, I create from a place of love, loss and healing.
I dedicate my African Newspaper Dolls to my daughter Kiara, who I lost, and my granddaughter Aleah, who passed away after a courageous battle with Neuroblastoma.
My daughter was trying to cope with the pain of a 4 year old battling cancer, and in that pain, I lost her too.
Creating these dolls became my way of surviving....my way of honoring them...and my way of continuing their story.
Each doll is made from recycled newspaper — handcrafted with intention.
The faces are intentionally left blank.
Because they are not just my story.
They are yours,
They are our mothers, our daughters, our grandmothers...our ancestors.
They are love. They are memory. They are legacy.
More than Art
Each doll one of a kind, more than a doll - this is a story, a memory and art you can hold.
My Cape Verdean roots run deep!
"Saudade" a deep feeling of love, longing and remembrance.
These dolls are more than art — they are a reflection of my heritage. I am Cape Verdean, proud to carry forward the strength, beauty, and resilience of the remarkable women who came before me. Each doll I create is a tribute to that lineage — handcrafted with love, rooted in culture, and made to be cherished for generations to come.
Dedicated with love to Anna Viera Gomes, Rose Fortes Viera, Lillian Dias Andrews Pires, and Fannie Gomes Fernandes and Lorraine Andrews Jones — the strong, beautiful women whose spirit lives on in every doll I create. She's not just a doll. She's a story.
Carry her story Forward...
Cultural treasures
Each doll tells a unique story, reflecting diverse traditions and artistry.
She's not just a doll. She is a Story.
Every doll is handmade from recycled newspaper and wrapped in Culture and Art.
Each faceless figure represents strength passed down from Grandmothers
No two dolls are ever the same - because no two stories are the same.
If you see anything you like here, or have a custom doll that you want made, email me at
LadyLsLe@icloud.com
Call me 508-292-4394 or
Click on the contact page below:
More from LadyLsLe
Women on canvas
Women on Canvas is a dual celebration of art and everyday beauty. This collection features original paintings of women — bold, expressive, and deeply rooted in culture — alongside reusable canvas bags painted with those same striking images. Art you can hang. Art you can carry. A statement of pride. Wear the art. Live the story.
Reusable Canvas Bags
your go-anywhere, carry-everything bag. Skip the plastic and carry something that actually says something about you — Shop smart. Carry beautiful. Can also be custom made.....
Reusable Trick or Treat Bags
are made for little hands and big hauls! 🎃 Durable, colorful, and roomy enough for all the candy, these eco-friendly canvas bags are perfect for every Halloween adventure. Easy to carry and fun enough to use all year long — because why should the fun stop on November 1st? Grab your bag and let's go trick or treating!