When/Why did you start making dolls? I began making dolls several years ago . I wanted an antique Father Christmas one year for my daughter. Hard to find, and those few available were very expensive! So I decided to make my own. We still have the little fellow put together with a dough recipe clay over a wired and stuffed body, a smart suit and a jaunty hat, as well as a sack full of toys! After that a few special orders came my way. While the work has improved enormously, there's still something about that first 'Santa' that is endearing!

When did you start making one-of-a-kind dolls? I guess my interest was piqued. I received compliments and support on my early work, which in turn led me to doll magazines and books that featured some astonishing work. I discovered there were professional art doll makers out there in the wide world! I experimented with with super sculpey and fimo, two mediums in which I enjoyed a modicum of success making commissioned Father Christmas figures and Fairies. As well, I experimented with combining air drying clay and fimo over a wire armature, which resulted in a Unicorn that I would not part with for anything! Then I discovered fabric needle sculpting. These dolls found an appreciative audience and were highly successful. Now I am also experimenting with paper clay.

What type of dolls do you make? Fantasy figures, fabric needle sculpted, wire armatures. Some are free standing; others are jointed. These 'Elves' emerged one day �after I had spent a number of years making more 'human' type figures. The elves have been quite successful. One of them, named Thistle, was exhibited (along with other dolls by Canadian doll makers) at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Thistle also won First Prize, Best Handwork: $500 in merchandise in a Contest run by Michaels Arts and Crafts magazine, 1996. As well, the Guild Shop in Toronto has for several Christmas seasons past sold a number of my very small mixed media (paper clay and fabric) pieces which stand on top of decoupaged or painted boxes. I am still interested in exploring further what can be done

What type of media do you use? Cloth, wire, polymer clay, paperclay.

What do you consider special about your dolls? This is a difficult question to answer. I've seen so many figures done by other, more experienced artists that I truly consider 'special'. However, I do think there is a certain 'aura' around my figures that people have been drawn to and have remarked upon. Call it 'soul' or 'spirit' if you will. I think my figures are imbued with that.

What are your goals as a doll maker? To improve.

Tell us about yourself: Professionally I was a journalist for a number of years. And I have continued to write in one way or another: as a free lancer; as a poet; as an amateur and hopeful (but not yet published) novelist. Interestingly enough as a child dolls didn't interest me at all. I had a number of beautiful dolls, but never played with them (although I did manage to break a couple of them!) I've been creative in a number of areas all my life it seems. Lately I have been involved in making jewelry utilizing found objects and fabrics, some of which I have sold. I am also interested in exploring paper dolls, which is quite fascinating.