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I consider it my mission to create beautiful clothes for adorable dolls and to equip them with all the tiny accessories necessary to live a full doll's life! Dolls have been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was blessed to have a mother who believed that it was more important for me to have one quality doll rather than a dozen poorly made ones. That commitment to quality has stayed with me as a collector, seamstress, and creator.
Growing up in the 1950's, there was a wide choice of dolls available and doll outfits and doll accessories. This was, to me, the heyday of playing with dolls. They were no longer fragile (made of porcelain) and were made to represent the best of childhood. We didn't have a lot of money, so things like horseback riding and skiing didn't happen for me, but my 8" Wendy had jodhpurs and boots and skis and a red jersey ski outfit.
I grew up in Manchester, Connecticut, and Kiddie Fair was THE toy store in town! I don't remember the name of the owner, but he was a very kind, patient man. He had lots of Madame Alexander dolls (my own favorites!) and others as well, along with every conceivable outfit and accessory. I think he had nice other toys, too, but I was very doll-focused! |
At least once a year, at Christmas, my brother and I were taken to G. Fox and Co. in Hartford. The 11th floor was the toy floor, and it was absolute magic! Steiff animals the size of real animals! Even MORE dolls than Kiddie Fair, sigh! I think Santa was usually there, too, although I don't remember ever sitting on his lap (I was very shy!), but the dolls and the stuffed animals made up for everything else.
Like so many other little girls, I had fantasies of being the beautiful princess in the pink gown and gold crown! I'll never forget the morning I woke up to find a beautiful strapless pink ball gown for one of my dolls lying on my bed. My mother had made it while I slept out of a party dress I had outgrown.
I grew up with a sense of wonder, a belief in the kind of magic that brings joy to all, and a very high ability to dream dreams! My creativity was nurtured by my mother and my aunts and celebrated by all my family, most of whom have the same proclivities!
I've been widowed for over ten years now, but my husband, too, understood my passion for dolls. It was Ben who bought my very first Heidi Ott doll, nearly 20 years ago. He found a wonderful cradle for her, and a lovely swing just right for a little girl, and a chest of drawers to hold her things (well, some of her things!). His hobby was making jointed Teddy bears, so we made a good team!
Travel is a joy to me and has brought me to wonderful
original doll things. I am particularly attracted to traveling in Germany and Switzerland where attention to detail continues to flourish in a very abundant toy industry...the Christmas markets in December, the small workshops where lumps of pewter and hunks of wood are transformed into tiny works of art, the great number of doll designers... The land of the Brothers Grimm is still the home of a 400 mile stretch known as the Fairy Tale Road...throw in some Cinderella-like castles...I just love it!
My goal is for  ™ to take you back to a time when clothing for dolls was made with great attention to detail and with high quality fabrics, trims, and notions. My favorite childhood memories are of my mother and aunts making all sorts of creations for my dolls. They indulged my fantasies of tiny things for my beloved Martha and Betsy. In making clothes for your dolls and finding delightful accessories, I hope to continue that tradition of quality and detail and whimsy and charm. I hope you will love these little doll things as much as I do!
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