A Gift for World Doll Day: Let's Get to Know Each Other

In this topic, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all of my subscribers for being here with me. 😊

Your support and feedback mean so much to me. Please never hesitate to reach out—whether you have a question, a comment, or simply want to say hello. I always enjoy hearing from you.

I am delighted that you enjoy my doll art, that you find pleasure in reading my articles, and that you continue to follow my creative journey. Yet somehow, despite all this, we do not really know each other very well. So why not change that?

My name is Marina, though many people in the doll community know me as Marina-AllforDoll. It is wonderful to meet you!

Today is World Doll Day, and I would like to wish everyone a very happy celebration. May your creativity flourish, may your imagination soar endlessly, and may you bring many ambitious and inspiring artistic projects to life!

And in honor of this special day, please accept a small gift from me—a story about myself. 😊

Almost a year ago, in August 2025, an article about me was published in Dolls magazine. I have been wanting to share this exciting news with you ever since. Please forgive me for taking so long—I am a rather shy person. 😊

Since not everyone has a copy of the magazine, and the digital edition is available only as a paid download, I would like to share the article here in this post. This way, you can read it at your leisure, enjoy some pleasant reading, and perhaps get to know me a little better.

So, let us begin!

So please, make yourselves comfortable and allow me to share with you the story of my love for dolls.

Like many girls who grew up in the Soviet Union (I was born in the 1970s in Siberia, near Lake Baikal), I had many dolls. My parents bought them for me, relatives gave them, friends of my family brought them. I still remember how my father specially built a tall, long shelf along the entire wall of my room, where all my beloved dolls stood and sat in a neat row. By the time I was 14, I had already amassed a large collection of about thirty different dolls. Probably because I preserved them so carefully and protected them. I constantly admired them, talked to them, and at least once a month, I would wipe them down with a damp cloth to dust them off…

But, as often happens, my interests shifted in my teenage years. My “doll era” came to an end, and I gradually moved away from dolls. Almost the entire collection was given to my nieces, the children of friends, and neighborhood kids — something I’m honestly happy about, as my dolls found new, kind little hands. I kept three of them — my most beloved ones.

Three Dolls from My Childhood That I Still Have Today: (standing) a 1970's Sonni Doll from Sonneberg, Germany; (seated on left) 1960s Sonni baby doll also from Sonneberg, Germany; and (seated on right) a 1980s Dasha Doll made by Krugozor, a toy factory in Soviet Union. In 2004, I moved to the United States, to the state of Colorado. Dolls remained in the past… until one accidental moment changed everything. To summarize, my mother is a professional seamstress and has spent her life sewing delightful, simple, and beautiful children’s clothes, especially outerwear. Even after retiring, she continued sewing, but her hands gradually became less steady, and working with large patterns was challenging. Yet my mother can never sit idle; she always needs to be creating. Every time I spoke with her, I felt her frustration and a sense of being lost.

I made it my goal to find her an interesting sewing-related hobby that wouldn’t require too much energy. I scoured the internet tirelessly, and you won’t believe it — I found it! On one website, I stumbled upon an incredibly beautiful doll — somewhat like a larger Barbie — dressed in an elegant outfit trimmed with faux fur. It was a Gene Marshall doll… though at the time, I didn’t know her name.

*Photo sourced from publicly available sources. I showed my mother the coat in the photo and simply asked, “Can you make this?” She answered, “Easily!” And I bought her the doll! She used to buy them for me, and now it was my turn to gift her one . I even set up a small private handmade online shop for fashion doll outerwear. She was overjoyed! Here you’ll find a few photos of doll outfits made by my mother. 😊

While helping my mother, I became so absorbed myself: I read countless books, flipped through numerous magazines, browsed hundreds of websites, and arrived at the shocking realization — there are so many people in the world devoted to dolls. Moreover, the doll world pulled me in relentlessly, and I loved it… I became obsessed with dolls. I was fascinated by everything! There is no explanation or logic — the love had simply returned. It never really disappeared; it had just been quietly tucked away somewhere deep inside. Our childhood passions, dreams, and fantasies never leave us; they remain within. And to truly feel that childlike happiness again, we must uncover them… sift through the clutter of life… And it’s always important to listen to ourselves, never ignoring the warning signs, but responding gently to them. That’s how, by helping my mother find a hobby, I unknowingly found my own calling.

I began dedicating my free time to doll museums, attending doll events, and exploring exhibitions here in Colorado. I noticed that porcelain dolls fascinated me the most, yet I was afraid to get close to them — I feared breaking them, thinking a single touch might shatter them into pieces. Had anyone told me then, “Marina, one day you will create such dolls yourself, paint their eyes, assemble porcelain parts, and even make porcelain slip…” I would have replied, “Are you kidding me?!”

At one such exhibition, I met someone I proudly call my Teacher — Delores Gray. She represented her school, Dolls Anonymous, specializing in creating porcelain dolls. I was fortunate to study with this wonderful person, a great artist and talented master. She taught me exactly how to create a porcelain doll from a mold, using the techniques from the 1980s–90s. She shared knowledge that cannot be found in any book and revealed secrets unavailable anywhere online — knowledge I still use and will always remember. I am forever grateful to her.

However, the doll face painting I now use — which I continue to refine — I “invented” myself. Though I am self-taught in this area, I drew upon the techniques of renowned doll artists for the eyes. Yes, I have talent, and my nearly six years of art school as a child certainly helped, but I firmly believe that talent alone is not enough — constant growth is essential.

During this period, I discovered and “met” Dianna Effner’s dolls and molds. I was captivated, completely smitten — I fell in love! Specifically with her porcelain dolls (forgive me, vinyl enthusiasts). Her porcelain dolls are extraordinary; something close, yet distant… magical in a way words cannot describe. I am certain that Dianna Effner was a remarkable person — exceptionally kind and deeply loving toward dolls. She left an unforgettable mark on the doll world and its culture. I am thrilled to have the humble privilege of creating dolls of her molds. It is both captivating and thrilling, though also a great deal of meticulous, handcrafted labor — a process I continually refine and enjoy immensely. Creativity brings joy, and the doll world, in my view, is a parallel reality requiring dedication, yet it always rewards effort with fulfillment.

I truly believe that creating a porcelain doll is magical. Porcelain itself is a “living” noble material, whose history takes us thousands of years back. While ancient, porcelain remains highly popular and in demand, not only in doll making but across many industries worldwide. I was fortunate to touch this “miracle” called porcelain slip and learn to work with it.

In 2024, I acquired Ultra Chic porcelain slip Company. Both Ultra Chic and China Silk Porcelain Slip were developed by Tony Tanner (He is a remarkable person whose passion for craftsmanship shines through everything he creates!) from The Porcelain Place — China Silk in 2000, followed by Ultra Chic in 2006. Both are considered by artists worldwide to be the finest on the market. They never separate in the bottle, are easy to pour and release, and clean up effortlessly. Firing requires almost no propping, and the finished surface is perfect for China painting. Chemical-free, they are simply the highest quality available today.

Many renowned doll artists work with Ultra Chic porcelain slip, and I constantly hear words of gratitude, saying that using it feels like pure magic. Ultra Chic offers 28 stunning skin-tone shades, along with 31 colored porcelains from the China Silk collection — ranging from soft and sweet to bright and dynamic. All of my dolls are created using this slip. I would also like to add that Ultra Chic is perfect above all for doll making, while also lending itself beautifully to other exquisite porcelain creations.

I never stop learning, pursuing goals, and exploring new aspects of porcelain doll artistry. In the 1980s–90s, creating dolls from molds of famous artists was incredibly popular in the U.S. Thirty years ago, Colorado had nine schools for porcelain dolls; now there is none. I aspire to continue this tradition and hope to open such a school soon. I also believe that creating porcelain dolls, like any art, is a form of therapy — a process of self-discovery where emotions are expressed and transformed through the doll. Doll making teaches mindful patience; it is far from easy, yet incredibly rewarding. In all these multifaceted, unusual, and exciting processes, a magnificent and one-of-a-kind Her Majesty Porcelain Doll is born. Teaching porcelain doll creation is meaningful work.

Whenever I begin a new doll, I always ask myself: “What will it become this time?” :) I have already created quite a number of dolls, and they have become somewhat popular — my fans enjoy the way I paint their faces.

Each doll I create is unique. Even if I use the same molds, repetition is impossible. Every doll is special, with its own character and charisma, imbued with happiness as it is crafted with a piece of my loving heart.

People often ask me, “Are you a collector?” No, I am not, though I do have a few prized pieces. Another small hobby of mine is giving dolls a second life. If I find abandoned, dirty, or broken dolls, I lovingly clean them and bring them back to life.

Do you believe it 🙂, my birthday is March 21 — World Puppetry Day! Although this day mostly celebrates theatrical puppetry, many artists, including myself, also consider it our professional holiday. What a happy coincidence 🙂!

You may have noticed I often use the word “accidentally” in this article — and perhaps nothing in life truly happens by accident :) The key is to believe and never give up. I have faced many challenges, and I am grateful to God, my family for their love, support, and sincerity — and this gratitude is mutual. I would also like to acknowledge the people who've supported and cheered for me along the way.

We all share a wonderful gift: love for dolls. Not everyone receives it. Cherish this gift, nurture it, and share it with others. Through the pages of this beautiful “ART DOLLS Magazine”, I sincerely wish you all the fulfillment of your dreams, happiness, and blessings."

I truly hope you enjoyed reading this article and learning a little more about me.

Once again, Happy World Doll Day to all of you! Sending you my warmest wishes and a heartfelt hello from across the miles.

With love,

Marina-AllforDoll-MAFD

www.allfordoll.com