The magic of Mer Mag’s Merrilee Liddiard
Author, illustrator, doll creator, dream catcher and magic maker, Merrilee Liddiard’s love of creative play and childlike imagination inspires a generation.
"I miss the days where kids were able to explore and daydream more - to be free to create their own mini magical worlds from what is around them."
Growing up in a wildly creative family, Merrilee would watch her mother cast porcelain, stitch together cloth bodices and paint doll faces. Her passion for heirloom doll-making has remained ever since. She has now grown her imaginative empire at Mer Mag to include books, printable and endless craft ideas to inspire interactive play at home.
Merrilee inspires childhood pursuits that you’ll actually want to engage in and adorn your walls with. With muted colours and nostalgic creations that are similar to Printebebe’s aesthetic, the Mer Mag world is both beautiful and not-too-precious, inspiring family time that’s both messy and magical…
You’ve credited your own mother for instilling your creativity and interest in imaginative play - can you tell us more about her and your upbringing?
My mother was very resourceful in using things around the house to encourage play for us kids. I remember making so many fun things out of what we could find, like paper plates, tin cans, wooden spoons, scraps of fabric and of course, cardboard. My mother was always making things herself (she is a seamstress) so we used to love raiding her fabric scrap bins, finding just the right prints to make our own creations come to life. Seeing her create, and having various resources around me, really helped fuel my curiosity and creativity.
You split your time largely between making beautiful dolls and your role as an illustrator - illustrating books, creating printable, commissions et al? How do you split your time and does each creative extension feed the other?
Each creation definitely fuels the other. I love working with my hands and creating using different mediums, whether it's stitching and painting fabric dolls, illustrating with watercolors, or playing with paper. I like the challenge of mixing it up - it keeps me coming back again and again so I never get bored.
There is a timeless nostalgia to your brand and creations - what can we learn from days gone by to keep the magic in childhood?
I really am drawn to a slower, more simple time and way of play - those of using our days and resources more thoughtfully and creatively. I miss the days where kids were able to explore and daydream more - to be free to create their own mini magical worlds from what is around them. I yearn at times for a time when kids weren't so overscheduled, plugged in and overstimulated. I do believe there is something to be learned from taking time to slow down, go out in nature, dream and use our hands to make and create.
Have you always drawn? What do you love most and can you tell us some recent commissions you’ve enjoyed? And any favourite prints in your shop?
I have always loved to draw. As a kid I would draw my own paper dolls with my sisters and we would play for hours. I think really all my creative pursuits stem from my love of drawing and painting. But I can't keep my creativity to just the printed page, I need to bring it to life by playing with cardboard, fabric and more! I've been so grateful to have worked and collaborated with many wonderful brands on some very fun projects. I think a favorite will always be my world map with Gathre. And recently I'm loving the selection of cards available through my new collection with Paperless Post. It's a dream to be able to put invites together with my printables!
Tell us about your collaboration of fairy printables for Printebebe. What was your inspiration? What are your favourite image/s.
Oh this was a dream to work on! I was so inspired by the light and airy fabrics that Printebebe is known for (and my daughter can't get enough of the softness!). This made it easy to create magical little fairies to go along with such dreamy clothing. I love them all and especially enjoyed creating a little fairy friend looking over her shoulder.
What three words would you use to describe the Mer Mag brand vibe?
Playful, Warm, Magical
Describe motherhood in three words -
Snuggles, Tears, Love
What do you hope most for your children as they grow?
I hope my children grow to be happy, thoughtful, and know how to let go of the world every now and then and dream.
What do you love doing together as a family?
We love playing games, going on trips together and now that they are getting older, we love to talk, laugh and bake together.
Favourite Printebebe print?
Oh this is hard. They are all so amazing! Right at the moment I'm really drawn to the Summer Alice print. The colors are so sweet and the print is timeless.
Printe Sheet - Take 5
1. Your happy place - at art desk embarking on a new project or at a thrift store
2. Favourite activity with your children - creating, reading, traveling, laughing
3. Daily pleasure - a warm cup of tea before I begin sketching
4. Favourite holiday/season - Halloween/Fall
5. Quote to live by - "Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground." Theodore Rosevelt
You can find all of Merrilee's incredible creations online here.
