Hi, I'm Dolla. I was born in Wash., DC. I have a marvelous husband, two sons and six grandchildren. Yeap six! Pray for me at Christmas time. :) I worked for a major railroad for 20 years in systems development and network administration. I started customizing in 1998 after purchasing my first customized dolls from a gentlemen at the National Barbie Convention in Atlanta, GA. I am founder of a ministry called Dolls 4 HIS Dolls which was birthed shortly after attending the convention. I was inspired to re-create fashion dolls for those with special needs. I donate dolls to local charities, nursing homes, children's homes and individuals. I don't always get to see the recipients of my dolls. When I do it's such a joy to see my work bring a smile to the faces.

I have a background in sewing and sewed doll clothes as a young child - by hand of course. My Mother and Aunt taught me sewing, embroidery and crochet when I was young. Mom and my brother made fashion doll clothes for me until I learned to make my own. My first dress designs were made from rectangles of fabric folded in half with a hole cut out for the head. The side seams were sewn leaving small openings for the arms. I attended sewing classes in junior high school. I went from designing doll clothes to designing my own wedding dress.

I belong to many online doll and sewing clubs. The first club I ever joined was FDA (Fashion Doll Anonymous) and Custom Dolls. Other clubs that I belong to are: Customizing the Pink Princess, My Victorian Clothing Designs, Black Barbie, Barbie, New Black Hair Millenium, Artists of OOAK, Custom Designs, Dolls of Color, Sew for Dolls and Figures and Sew Easy. I also moderate Fashion Doll Swap and Black Barbie and More. Every now and again I do some house cleaning and unsub from some clubs in order to join new ones.

My favorite part of customizing is the design concept. I love thinking up designs. I dream about designs and have to write them down when I awaken. My least favorite is rerooting the hair. Now the concept I like. It's the tedious job that isn't too pleasant. I like creating things that can be done in a short amount of time. Most of my rerooting has been done while traveling.

I work mainly with Barbie® (and friends) and Disney(tm); dolls both made by Mattel. Other dolls are Maxie® from Hasbro, Janay(tm), Alysa(tm) and Candi(tm) from Integrity Toys.  I also use dolls made by Lucky, Jakks Pacific and Ultra Corps just to name a few. I will use almost any doll. All fashion dolls make great manequins. I am most partial to ethnic dolls and fashions. I have now started designing for some of the larger 15" - 18" dolls. These is a very new concept for me and takes my face painting skills to a different level.

There are many things that inspire my fashion doll designing - tv, movies, fashion shows and magazines. My favorite fabrics are bright colored stretch materials, velvets/velveteens, animal print and faux fur. I do not have a particular style. My designs include everything, ball/evening gowns, suits, victorian, ethnicwear and celestial. My favorites are angels and I have even made a clown or two. I love hats, hats, hats and head-dresses with lots of feathers.

I am thinking back on my favorite moment as a designer. I recall getting a report about one of the dolls I donated to a local nursing home. I was told that one of the women grasped the doll tightly and would not allow it to be put on her dresser. That made me feel so good. This is what makes these creations worthwhile.

If I had to give advice to other customizers who want to sell their dolls, I would tell them to start out at doll shows. Bring other items besides customized dolls, like doll clothes, accessories and boxed playline dolls. These things sell when nothing else does. This will give you a feeling of accomplishment even if you don't sell your own designs. I have participated in a few dolls shows and sold dolls to friends and relatives. I really like being at the doll shows and watching the buyers and other sellers.  Another bit of advice - I use the really pretty metallic gift bags for my customized dolls at doll shows. I put the doll inside of tissue paper before putting it into the bag. You should see the face of the customer when they get that pretty bag. These bags can be found very inexpensively at some of your discount stores. I have also designed my own box and am working on perfecting it. Presentation says it all.

My favorite designer is the infamous new doll designer Jason Wu. Jason is an inspiration because he has blossomed into a professional designer. I will always remember something he told me "Sometimes less is more". His designs are so simple and chic. I have seen many of his Alysa® and Candi® designs and they are fantastic. Way to go Jason! I'm so proud of you. Another favorite of mine is Anita Healy and Michelle James. Anita's dolls have the zest and femininity that I love. Lace, beads and frills. Michelle's dolls have that ethnicity that is so gorgeous. They show the beauty of people of color in style. Go for it 'sistas'.

Let's see, a "How to" tip. Ok. When painting shoes, sand them lightly and use fabric paint followed by 4-5 coats of varnish. If you use regular acrylic paint, mix them with fabric medium and paint extender. The medium makes the paint flexible and more permanent. The extender keeps it from drying so quickly. This will convert your acrylic paint into fabric paint.