A Little About Me
My path to the joy of porcelain doll making began well over forty years ago—I just didn’t know it at the time. Back then, mine was a world of Nancy Drew, hand-me-downs, and my beloved Barbie doll. I certainly could not afford her vast array of “store-bought” costumes, so I learned to create an entire wardrobe of “haute couture” for her. She became the best dressed doll on the block! A few years later, upon entering seventh grade “Home Ec”, I began to sew clothes for myself—no more hand-me-downs! And at the ripe old age of fifteen, I was crafting “haute couture” for my older sister, who was thrilled with her new wardrobe. Sewing had opened a whole world of creativity and self-reliance I had never before known.
Many years later, after becoming a military wife and being sent to the “last frontier” of Alaska, I learned the popular art of ceramics. At the base ceramic shop, I learned how to pour, clean, fire, stain, glaze, and to use countless artistic techniques of the craft. It was fun, inexpensive, readily available, and an effective remedy against “cabin fever”. Another step in the creative learning process had been taken.
Creativity has always come naturally to me. My grandmother was a consummate seamstress; talented artist; professional organist; and a master china painting instructor. My mother was an expert chocolatier and skilled cake decorator. Over the years I have enjoyed some of these skills myself, as well as crochet, eggery, knitting, and—of course—porcelain doll making. My mother took up this fascinating—albeit short-lived pursuit some years ago. I’m sure she would have continued, had she found it available after a move. She only made four dolls, so they are quite precious, indeed. One of them was inscribed to my daughter, and came to be the turning point in my own introduction to porcelain dolls.
On a fateful autumn day in 1999, my toddler granddaughter attempted to climb an armoire upon which that prized doll sat. Needless to say the armoire came crashing down along with my mother’s cherished creation. The doll’s head was in a million pieces, as was my daughter’s broken heart. But its body was intact, including the special inscription, so it was decided that perhaps a professional could reproduce the head and repair the doll. I took the doll to a local studio, to see what could be done, and the moment I walked in the door—I was completely enchanted! I was immediately in love with porcelain dolls! There were sweet baby dolls, beautiful fashion dolls, charming child dolls, exquisite antique reproductions, tiny fairies and even a life-sized Victorian beauty! This was my calling! I made that replacement head for my mother’s doll, and—as they say—the rest is history!
Now, I can have all the “babies” I want! I can keep my grandchildren little forever! Watching each one “come to life” is a joy to behold. I never run out of inspiration for ever more unique and beautiful dolls. I continue to learn new techniques almost on a daily basis, and through ongoing seminars. My goals are simple—to create high quality, one-of-a-kind porcelain dolls that will be treasured for countless generations. And to teach this wonderful craft to others who want to learn for themselves. It is my hope that in passing on my own knowledge and enthusiasm, I will be able to inspire others to continue this wonderful art form.