Xenis Family Carves Out an Incomparable Niche

There’s a tried-and-true saying: “The acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree.” In the case of Marlene Xenis and daughters Tania and Jesse, this wood-themed maxim takes on a whole new significance.

The Dolls of Lynne and Michael Roche Hold Timeless Appeal

Lynne and Michael Roche’s creations should come with a warning label. “Caution: Once you own a Roche doll, you’re hooked for life.”

In a sea of dueling divas, babies and tots of every description, and quirky, stylized ball-jointed creations clamoring for collectors’ attention and affection, Roche dolls stand apart. Dainty and demure, they might seem like shy wallflowers at first glance. But don’t be fooled. Their enchantment is all the more potent for its sweet subtlety.

Nicole Marschollek-Menzner’s Perfectionism and Creativity Drives the Quirky Cuties

The conventional lends the world its existence. The unusual gives the world its value.” So reads the Oscar Wilde quote on Zwergnase’s Web site. Indeed it’s the quirky nature, combined with superb quality, of designer/owner Nicole Marschollek-Menzner’s dolls that imbues them with the magical appeal collectors seek.

Susan Krey’s 2008 Collection Honors Universal Truths

Since 1980 doll artist Susan Krey has been beckoning collectors to join her in an imaginative journey. Skilled and insightful, the creative Krey sculpts dolls that are lovely and realistic. She has the rare ability to make art that is both lyrical and empirical: Her work celebrates beauty and poetry while simultaneously honoring the faces and traits of everyday down-to-earth people from across the globe. Her dolls are international ambassadors, glowingly and meticulously depicting citizens of the world.

Lorna Miller-Sands is a highly motivated artist with a huge zest for life. She has an infectious personality that comes through clearly in her creations, each one as individual as the next and infused with personality and soul.

One-of-a-kind Artist Shares Her Never-Ending Story

Dutch artist Ankie Daanen’s porcelain dolls reach out, imploring the viewer to hear the story each one has to tell. When one enters her exhibit at a show, there is tale upon tale being conjured up on the display tables. In one corner, a joyful child manipulates strings and sets the world to dancing. There, a young woman wonders how she will juggle her way through all life has to offer. Yet another piece tempts you with a teacup filled with fun and fancy. Each doll arises from a world of its own through Daanen’s use of posture, facial expression, props and costuming.

Peni Dyer Brings Her Sense of Realism to Cultural Creations and Fantastical Figures

There’s an old, familiar saying: “A penny for your thoughts,” which implies a person is deep in meditation, conjuring up bright ideas, lost in a world of her own. Switch the spelling of “penny” to “Peni,” and you’ve got the perfect profile of Canadian artist Peni Dyer.

Marissa May Labors Over Beloved Baby Dolls

Every dollmaker likely feels like her work is truly a labor of love. But for California artist Marissa May, the proof is in the final product—her charmingly real newborn baby dolls known as the Nod & Dream collection.

With His New Line of African-American Laborers, the Talented Artist Works at Expressing Universal Experiences

DOLLS Magazine interviews Mark Dennis about his choice to represent the African-American experience of pre-Civil War Southern slave laborers.  He shares his hopes that each person will see beyond skin and time to view the universal theme behind his dolls.

Inviting Collectors to Grab Their Passports and Depart From Ho-hum Reality, the Creations of Brook Burns and Vista Scott are Heartfelt Flights of Fancy

The fascinating thing about Brook Burns is how her so-called mundane, steady- paycheck job en­hances her imaginative, soul-soaring, part-time vocation. By day, Burns is a mild-mannered residential lending agent, but at night, she allows her penchant for pretending, her bias toward make-be­lieve, to run free. Working with number crunching and mortgage re­quirements means Burns knows a thing or two about zoning and amortization, prime rates and escrow. When she heads home in the evening, she is the founder of a land steeped in the love of learning, which welcomes all dreamers and where the greatest currencies are individuality and talent. Equity takes on a whole new meaning in her parallel universe.