Page 49 - 2010 - AOUT
P. 49
I was never really told how to do it because of course they wanted to teach a big‐doll class to me rather than
give away their secrets, but I did glean bits of information and from there it was trial and error and I
eventually came up with a porcelain doll.
I had no idea that I would become so thoroughly hooked on miniatures.. but it's been nearly 30 years and I'm
not bored yet!
What was your first purchase?
I've never been a collector (except of course for supplies such as fabrics, trims etc). My interest has always
been exclusively in the "making" end of it. The dolls I made were kept in a box until I heard about miniature
shows. Fortunately all miniatures were very popular at that time and they sold quickly. I kept replacing
those that sold, but kept none for myself. When a friend learned that I wasn't keeping anything she
convinced me that it would not be fair to my daughters to not let them have a sample of my "addiction".. so I
did save some for them. They are now adults, and really, I have to say that they do not have an interest in
them at all. They hid it well with profuse thank‐you's... but I never saw that "spark" each time they were
given another doll.
Have you had any unusual commissions?
I don't usually accept commissions because my own imagination keeps intruding into the project and it
causes me to stay away from the commission that was ordered. But I did one on my own at one time. I made
a witch and put her into a bubble bath. She had no idea she was less than attractive and was reading a
glamour magazine and looking into a hand mirror (that had cracked after it held her image). On a stool
beside the bath tub was her black gown and pointed hat.
Do you have any hobbies unrelated to miniatures?
I've had so many hobbies, crocheting, oil painting, leather work, quilting.. and on and on; but NONE has kept
my interest for as long as miniature making has done. Like most miniaturists, I began by making a dollhouse,
and then furniture and accessories for it. But... a house is not a "home" without a family, and when I made
my first dolls, I never went back to any of the other miniature items. I had found my niche. Doll‐making
seems to use up the majority of my time. If I had another hobby it would be my trying to write stories. I
don't mind that I'm not particularly talented. It's fun. I always loved reading and I think it's just another
extension of that activity.
Any phobias or fantasies?
I'm not aware of any. But then, does any miniaturist think their addiction to minis and their fantasies about
them are anything other than perfectly normal and usual? I'm afraid we view others, who seem to be free of
the mini fantasy, to be at least a little abnormal. And we pity them.
You can see more of Viola’s stunning dolls on her website:
www.violasdolls.com
Photographs & Text (Answers) © Viola Willliams 2010
Formatted By Bea Broadwood
give away their secrets, but I did glean bits of information and from there it was trial and error and I
eventually came up with a porcelain doll.
I had no idea that I would become so thoroughly hooked on miniatures.. but it's been nearly 30 years and I'm
not bored yet!
What was your first purchase?
I've never been a collector (except of course for supplies such as fabrics, trims etc). My interest has always
been exclusively in the "making" end of it. The dolls I made were kept in a box until I heard about miniature
shows. Fortunately all miniatures were very popular at that time and they sold quickly. I kept replacing
those that sold, but kept none for myself. When a friend learned that I wasn't keeping anything she
convinced me that it would not be fair to my daughters to not let them have a sample of my "addiction".. so I
did save some for them. They are now adults, and really, I have to say that they do not have an interest in
them at all. They hid it well with profuse thank‐you's... but I never saw that "spark" each time they were
given another doll.
Have you had any unusual commissions?
I don't usually accept commissions because my own imagination keeps intruding into the project and it
causes me to stay away from the commission that was ordered. But I did one on my own at one time. I made
a witch and put her into a bubble bath. She had no idea she was less than attractive and was reading a
glamour magazine and looking into a hand mirror (that had cracked after it held her image). On a stool
beside the bath tub was her black gown and pointed hat.
Do you have any hobbies unrelated to miniatures?
I've had so many hobbies, crocheting, oil painting, leather work, quilting.. and on and on; but NONE has kept
my interest for as long as miniature making has done. Like most miniaturists, I began by making a dollhouse,
and then furniture and accessories for it. But... a house is not a "home" without a family, and when I made
my first dolls, I never went back to any of the other miniature items. I had found my niche. Doll‐making
seems to use up the majority of my time. If I had another hobby it would be my trying to write stories. I
don't mind that I'm not particularly talented. It's fun. I always loved reading and I think it's just another
extension of that activity.
Any phobias or fantasies?
I'm not aware of any. But then, does any miniaturist think their addiction to minis and their fantasies about
them are anything other than perfectly normal and usual? I'm afraid we view others, who seem to be free of
the mini fantasy, to be at least a little abnormal. And we pity them.
You can see more of Viola’s stunning dolls on her website:
www.violasdolls.com
Photographs & Text (Answers) © Viola Willliams 2010
Formatted By Bea Broadwood
