The Story Behind Love Bali Arts Dolls : Ykpa Bali dolls

 

The Story Behind Love Bali Arts Dolls

Since I was a little girl, I never had a doll of my own.It wasn’t that my parents didn’t buy me toys, they did. In fact, I had more toys than most of my friends in the village. My father often brought me toy cars, toy guns, and puzzles, mostly the kinds of toys for boys. Maybe those toys were really meant for my brother, or perhaps even for himself, because when he was little, he never had toys. no body buy for him. He grew up as an orphan, without parents. What he gave me most often, though, were books. Every time a new issue of Bobo or Ananda magazine came out, he made sure I had it.

I grew up a bookworm. Of course, as a girl I loved reading fantasy and fairy tales. My favorite story was about a family with three children who traveled and even slept in their car while having adventures in San Diego. At that time, I could never imagine that one day I would actually live in San Diego myself. A girl from a small village under Mount Batukaru in Bali, Indonesia. Who would have thought life would one day bring me to the very place I once only read about?

But still, one thing was missing in my childhood: a doll.
Maybe that’s why today I create dolls. Each doll I make carries a piece of that longing I once had, and now they also serve a greater purpose, to support YKPA.org, helping children receive education and empowering women to earn income for their families.

The very first doll I ever received was a teddy bear, when I was about 19 or 20 years old. My boyfriend at that time, Agung, bought it for me during the Bali Arts Festival at Ardha Candra in Denpasar. Until today, I’ve kept that teddy bear, not only because it came from someone I loved, but because it was the first time in my life someone gave me a doll. 

Years later, another unforgettable moment came from my dear friend Kyra, from Australia. She has always been like a sister to me, someone I deeply love and admire. One day, she asked me, “What is something your parents never gave you as a child?” I told her, “A doll.”

Not long after, her parents came to Bali for their wedding celebration, and during the gathering, they surprised me with a gift. When I opened it, I found a brown Barbie doll, ts skin tone like mine, with short tomboy-style clothes, glasses resting on top of her head, exactly my style. At that very moment, I couldn’t hold back my tears. I was 35 years old, but it felt as though my inner child was finally seen, finally heard. That doll meant more to me than words could ever describe.

 

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to keep it for long. My daughter, Cinta, took it without permission and played with it until it was broken. I was really upset. Michael tried to comfort me, saying, “It’s okay, it’s just a doll, not a big deal.” But for me, it wasn’t “just a doll.” It carried a lifetime of longing, and the memory of that gift will never be forgotten.

Now, through Love Bali Arts, I create dolls with love, care, and meaning. Each doll is not just a product, it carries a story, a memory, and a mission. With every stitch, I remember the little girl I once was, and I hope these dolls can bring joy, hope, and opportunities to others,
especially the children of YKPA and the women who craft them.

Because sometimes, something as simple as a doll can hold the biggest meaning in life.

The Birth of Love Bali Arts

The Birth of Love Bali Arts  https://lovebaliarts.com/

By Putu Etiartini

From the beautiful island of Bali, I came to the United States with a clear intention—to step out of my comfort zone and embrace new challenges. In Bali, I had already built what many would call a meaningful and successful life. I had spent years growing my business, facing the full spectrum of success and failure—rising, falling, and rebuilding again. Alongside my business, I founded a nonprofit organization, YKPA (Yayasan Kasih Peduli Anak), to support children in need. Over the years, we helped hundreds of street children receive an education, and provided two safe homes for abandoned or vulnerable children.

When the pandemic hit, life changed dramatically. Schools in the villages shut down, leaving children without access to education. I couldn’t just watch. I opened free English and art classes for local children. At the same time, I helped care for the elderly—many of whom were left alone because their adult children were too busy or unable to care for them. Sometimes, all it took was a warm blanket, a smile, or a simple meal of nasi campur to bring comfort and joy. Every week, I distributed food packages—modest offerings, but filled with love. During the darkest days of lockdown, I did what I could to bring light and hope.

At that point, I felt settled in Bali. I had worked hard for years and was proud of what I’d built—three homes, a loving extended family, and a vibrant community rich in kindness and Balinese culture. Many people dream of moving to Bali for its peaceful spirit, its deep connection to nature, and its spiritual richness. Life in Bali is simple in material terms, but deeply meaningful.

So why leave it all behind?

Sometimes healing requires movement. After losing both of my parents to COVID and illness—and facing the heartbreaking suicide of a close friend—I realized I needed to reset. I needed space to clear my mind, grieve deeply, and challenge myself in new ways. So, I made the bold decision to start over in the USA.

The beginning was not easy. I arrived in a world that felt completely different from mine. The people, culture, language, and even the way of life—it all brought stress, anxiety, and loneliness. But I reminded myself: transformation often comes through discomfort. Even when I felt out of place, I held on to the belief that humans are fundamentally the same—we all eat, cry, laugh, dream, and feel. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Bali or California—at the heart of it, we are all connected.

As an old Indonesian saying goes, “Dimana langit dijunjung, di sana bumi dipijak”—wherever the sky is upheld, there the earth is honored. In other words, we must respect and adapt to the place we stand. I took this to heart and gave my best to adjust, learn, and grow.

While waiting for my green card, Thank You for Michael Pate and JC my best friend in San Diego sponsor my Visa, I decided to study at a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) school. I chose this path because I have always had a heart for caring for the elderly. Although the classes were entirely in English and very difficult for me, I kept pushing forward.

Before even receiving my certificate, I was offered a job at Wesley Palms, a beautiful independent retirement community. I felt grateful and excited. Even though I hold an associate degree 3 year complete in Management Informatics from Bali, which isn't widely recognized in the U.S., I’ve always used my skills to create websites, brochures, video creator and visual designs for my own small business and nonprofit. I believe no learning is ever wasted.

I’m especially thankful to my Filipino classmates, in CNA school Nelly and Eric, who became help me to find Job and helped open the door to this opportunity. They were a blessing in my new journey.

Although I failed the CNA state exam on my first attempt, I passed the medication assistant exam, which allowed me to work with residents and administer their medication. Balancing work, study, and personal healing was not easy, but I was proud of how far I had come. I had reached a dream I didn’t even know I had—caring for the elderly, learning medical skills, and working in a peaceful and supportive environment.

Wesley Palms was a beautiful place to work. The residents were kind and appreciative. Mr. Justin, the executive director, and Ms. Claudia in HR director were always supportive and protective of their team. I met many wonderful coworkers—some who became good friends. The dining area, affectionately called “the restaurant,” was full of young, energetic people. Special thanks to managers name Mr. Moha and worker name Ryan, who even helped me learn some Spanish. It was a fun and warm atmosphere.

But not everything was perfect. One new coworker began to treat me unfairly and spread negativity. I’m still unsure why. No matter how hard I worked or tried to stay positive, it became clear that her goal was to make my work life harder. I felt targeted, manipulated, and emotionally exhausted. Eventually, I made the difficult decision to leave— Of course everyone work chase money for me more important to chase my peace, I used to it hard worker and try my best and quality being employer. for the sake of my peace and mental health. 

That’s when I realized it was time to return to my roots.

I decided to focus once again on what I know best: business and nonprofit work. And from that choice, Love Bali Arts was born—this time, in the USA.

I have always been passionate about art, crafts, painting, and especially designing dolls. For years, my handmade dolls were sold in shops across Bali to help fund YKPA’s work and support children’s school and living expenses. Now, I want to continue that mission here in San Diego. I am creating and selling dolls, earrings, necklaces, and other unique handmade crafts.

And I create Digital design service is about IT program service for personal and company,  I’m not doing it alone. I’ve formed a small team of creative young people skilled in IT and digital design. Together, we offer services like website creation, social media content, Canva designs, newsletters, brochures, video editing, Video creator for personal put at you tube or for company promotion  and digital marketing. I use my knowledge in management informatics to guide and manage our team effectively. It’s not just about arts—it’s about empowering others with creative and digital skills.

10% of every Love Bali Arts sale goes directly to support our U.S.-based nonprofit, Join With Us International, a registered 501(c)(3). https://jwui.org/ This organization exists to fund programs like YKPA https://ykpa.org/ in Bali and to support underprivileged children globally.

Our mission is simple:
Create beautiful things to support a beautiful cause.

I’m currently looking for more shops, galleries, and retail partners across the U.S. special in San diego  California to carry our dolls and handmade items. Each piece is full of heart, culture, and a story that gives back.

Please support our mission by visiting:
🌐 www.lovebaliarts.com
📸 Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @lovebaliarts

Thank you for being part of this journey—from Bali to the world—with love,
Putu Etiartini