MY STORY.....AND I'M STICKING TO IT!
If you had asked me…What do you want to be when you grow up? I'm sure the answer would NOT have been a dollmaker. Actually when I was a little girl, I always dreamed of being a flight attendant.
To make a long story short, I was born in Hanau West Germany. At the age of twelve, I moved to the US with my mom. I had to learn a new language and a new style of living. So let's just say my life has been a challenge from an early age.
Sewing was never a strong interest of mine, not until my daughter was born. I wanted to make her a dress. That, I think opened the door to a new beginning! I tried many things; Macramé, Basket Weaving, Tole Painting, even made some Teddy bears. True inspiration didn't hit, until I attended a local Doll Show. Being able to see in person, some of the most wonderful creations ever. It was that day that was going to change my life forever!
I was so inspired, that I joined our local Doll Club. This is where knowing how to sew would have been a real plus. Determination and the help from many Doll Artists helped me get my feet off the ground. A newbie to dollmaking! Inspired, buying patterns, taking classes, I started to create dolls. I had finally found something that I totally loved.
Soon after having made a few dolls, I decided to create my own. Of course, I wanted and had to make something different. This is how I came to creating Trolls. Not because they were mean ugly creatures, but because they had great big features, lots of texture and each one was so uniquely different. Those little or big creatures, with the big noses and those fuzzy tails. It really did something to me. Literally!!
In the spring of 1999 I released my first pattern. I try to make each pattern uniquely different, giving each doll its own personality. Some of my dolls have been to exhibits as far away as Japan & Australia. Others have been recognized by publications listed below.
Recognitions in Publications:
Soft Dolls & Animals ~ July 2005, Artist Trading Cards - pages 18 & 19
Soft Dolls & Animals ~ July 2004
Art Doll Quarterly, Spring 2004
Doll Crafter, pages 26 - 29 ~ August 2003
Soft Dolls & Animals ~ July 2003
Soft Dolls & Animals ~ April/May 2003
"Creative Cloth Doll Making" Book, by Patti Medaris Culea
Soft Dolls & Animals ~ March 2003
Soft Dolls & Animals ~ November 2001
Soft Dolls & Animals ~ June/July 2000
Free Stuff for Doll Lovers on the Internet, Judy Heim & Gloria Hansen
