Michele Seraphim

When/why did you start making dolls? I started seriously studying and creating my own dolls in 2005. I had great teachers throughout my life with a Grandmother who loved to knit and sew, and another Grandma who worked in the factories in England before the war making teddy bears. My mother had me sewing at a very early age, so my love for fabrics began long ago.

I became a hair and makeup artist for the film industry, recreating period hair and makeup, as well as creating large prosthetic monsters and resin props. I then went on to teach at an international film school. But something was still calling to me.

I married a fellow artist who is my great inspiration, and was brought into a family that owns a couple of businesses. We decided to move to the country and run them so my husband's parents could begin their retirement. I began running a mattress store, and suddenly had a lot of spare time between customers. I am one who cannot sit around, and decided to bring in my sewing and knitting to make a few Christmas presents. One thing led to another, and now I have a full workstation at the back, where I sew and create my one-of-a-kind dolls all day long- in between helping customers of course.

Having so much time, and the knowledge I was given throughout my life, it was an inevitable evolution for me. I am a perpetual student and teacher, and know that this is the beginning of a journey that has no end! I am passionate about what I do and feel very blessed to have the opportunity that allows me the freedom to do something I love and share it with everyone.

When did you begin making original one-of-a-kind dolls, and why? Having had the experience in sewing already, and being an artist, it was inevitable that I would create my own one-of-a-kind dolls. I love creating patterns, and making what is in my head come to life. The why is easy - I created my own dolls because no one else makes dolls that look like what is in MY head or my husband's. Therefore I couldn't find patterns to create what I wanted so that lead to me creating one-of-a-kind art pieces.

What type/style of dolls do you make? This is a difficult question as I feel it is fluid like water, and ever changing. There are aspects of the primitive, and also elegance of the well refined. Some dolls that I make are simple and rag-doll in construction, where others may contain an armature and be permanently fixed.

Some dolls it is important to feel and touch and play with, and others that are fixed are meant to ignite an emotion in the viewer. I use all different materials to suit the particular doll that I am working on, from metal to wood, leather to botanicals, and foam, resins and paper - the list is never ending. I use whatever I can find.

What media(s) do you use? Cloth, Polymer Clay, Paperclay, Felting, Wood, Mixed Media, Wire, and Paper Mache. I use anything I think will work - there are no limits, and every doll brings me to something new.

What do you consider to be “special” about your dolls? They're mine and no one else can make what one artist sees. They can possibly try to copy it but never to the success of the creator of the vision. I am also a perfectionist and good student, so I study in order to be sure that the structure to what I am doing has a solid foundation. In other words I make sure that it is well made with the best materials and construction. That doesn't mean that I have to use expensive materials, it means that I think through what materials I use in each doll to create the desired image.

What are your goals as a doll maker? To become who I already am. I am like Geppetto with Pinocchio creating the boy he falls in love with as his son. I want to be in print, in shows, in galleries and most of all in love with what I am doing. If I ever lose the love, I will stop forever.

Tell a little about yourself: I have two lovely boys, both Siamese, and a wonderfully creative husband who is my biggest inspiration. We often work together on a concept, and he often is a large part of the finishing touches of a created piece. I live in a small town called Belleville and love the country life. I love to sew, sew, sew, and am honoured to be a part of such a fantastic group of artists. I have learned much and hope that will never end.