I’ve always loved to make things, from a new outfit to a new computer. Any medium appeals to me—it’s the act of creating from scratch that gives me great joy. I discovered the art of making reborn artist dolls recently, and am hooked! Exquisite detail and care goes into every baby, and I strive to achieve the most realistic look possible. Since I love dolls so much, it was a natural progression to move to creating these sweet babies, and a little piece of myself goes into every adorable doll.
I have been sewing since age 7, and was a Home Economics major in high school. I have taken several courses in modern sewing techniques over the past 2 two years, and produce a professional quality finished garment. My doll clothes are in such high demand, I can’t sew fast enough to keep up!
When I was young, I pretended very hard that I was a mommy with a houseful of children to take care of. I played for long hours with my dolls, dressing them, combing their hair, feeding and burping them, and reading to them—the fun never stopped! My mother tells me that my first birthday I was dragging a doll around behind me everywhere. That was the first clue what the rest of my life would be like!
As I grew older, Barbie, Ken and Skipper came to live with me, and my doll collection continued to expand. Do you remember Thumbelina, Chatty Cathy, Patty Play Pal, Pebbles and Bam Bam? Play kitchens with little dishes and pretend food, tea parties, nap time. Sweet little beds, tiny little clothing that Santa brought, magic bottles with disappearing milk.
Sigh. Then, I became a teenager, and it’s wasn’t “cool” to play with dolls, so the dolls were packed away in boxes and forgotten.
The fun started again when my children were born—thankfully girls—and I was able to live my doll life vicariously through them. At one point I had 8 cabbage patch “grandchildren”. It was quite satisfying to play with my dolls. Oops! I mean with my daughters dolls. Um, I mean dolls with my daughters. Well, you get the picture. The silly shared laughter will always be a treasured memory in my heart.
As my children moved out on their own, I’ve re-discovered the fun of collecting dolls. I just don’t care anymore if my kids or anyone else catches me combing their hair, or dressing them in a new outfit, or arranging them on the couch. I’ve come “out of the closet”, and collect whatever catches my fancy. Some are collected for the future value and I consider an investment in my retirement. Others are collected because they look good with the rest of the room. And others are collected because they just jump into my arms and say “take me home!” A real bond sometimes forms between me and the doll, so those are the most valuable to me.
Today, I have so many dolls I’ve lost count. My collection includes Lee Middleton, Adora, Shirley Temples, Gepeddo, Berenguer, as well as artist dolls like Waltraud Hanl, Elke Hutchens, and some antiques and composition dolls.
My philosophy is “When you stop playing, you begin to grow old”.
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