About Maker Dolls

Maker Dolls are inspired by my interest in today’s maker movement. Around the world, people are beginning to shift from passive consumers to active, creative makers, largely in response to the Internet-based information explosion and an emerging open source philosophy in the online world. The maker movement is fueled by curious people who create, innovate and provide value to the community.

Maker Dolls also build on thousands of years of history. Archaeological evidence suggests that dolls are the oldest known toy; dolls found in Egyptian tombs date to as early as 2000 BCE. In most cultures, dolls were used as carriers of cultural heritage--icons passed down through multiple generations, who both preserved and communicated stories of the human condition.

I think of Maker Dolls as present-day icons--unique messengers who remind us that our lives can be rich and multidimensional through imagination, creativity, and the act of making (or learning to make). Each is a caricature of a real person. Each tells a unique story. Some are archetypes from folklore or history; some are famous personalities; others are my clients, new and old friends, and of course, loved ones. Each persona is carefully researched before design and construction. Each face is hand-painted, and needle-sculpted. Each body is crafted using organic and/or recycled fabric, and dressed with custom designed, handmade clothing. Many feature recycled jewelry, vintage buttons, beads and in some cases, found objects.