| The Doll Maker Story | |||
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The Doll Maker … Linda Rick Once upon a time…there was a doll created just for you… Fairy tales can come true… if only you believe! |
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 Once upon a time in a faraway place, lived a little girl
who dreamed her dolls to life. The story started many years ago in
Michigan in a little girl’s bedroom that was decorated in the
softest colors of pink and that was shared with her many dolls. She
was very shy and so her treasured dolls offered conversation as she
grew up. Linda’s mother was very artistic and taught her how to sew,
knit and crochet at a young age. She also assisted in Linda’s
creative development, as Linda groomed her dolls to her personal
liking, redressing her dolls and creating new hairstyles for them.
Adding paint to their already perfect lips and trim and ribbons to
their already adorable dresses, made them even better than one could
imagine. Linda’s love of dolls came from a very enchanted childhood. Once asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she replied “a fairy princess”. Perhaps being a doll artist is the next best thing! Princesses, angels and brides captivated her the most and much of the memories of her favorite dolls have contributed to the distinctive look for which she has come to be known. She always wanted little girls in her family and as her fairy tale unfolds, she was blessed with 2 sons, Garrett and Harrison. Always feeling that gift of dolls was God’s way of appeasing her desire for a little girl, all the dolls that she creates are her little girls and each one has a bit of the magical look of a fairy tale waiting to happen. Linda started her business in 1990, calling the company The Doll Maker. As she would always say: “It is not who I am that is important, but what I do…and I am The Doll Maker!” Many knew her dolls for years but it was always a mystery as to who the maker of the doll was. It was not until recent years when she was on QVC/HSN and attended many signing events, that collectors finally met “The Doll Maker”. She started with full porcelain, all American made dolls that were exquisitely dresses. Always fascinated my make-up artists, she applied many of the same techniques to her dolls. Her business started as a hobby when her son Garrett started school and she wanted to remain flexible to be able to travel with her husband, Tom, who owned a Ford dealership. They often traveled together. Soon after offering the dolls in the wholesale gift market in Michigan and Atlanta, the business flourished. She offered 8 dolls at these venues and 2 of them are still in her line and offered again in still another version in 2007. The Apple Orchard Girls, Apple Annie and Annabelle, along with their little brother, Apple Andy, are offered this year in an 8” collector’s edition. They come in an apple shaped box. They are now many years old and still a classic look from The Doll Maker. They were two of the very first dolls she ever created. Many still know her for her adorable apple sisters as they were featured in many publications and even graced the cover of a J.C .Penny catalog. Inspired greatly by the beloved American artist Lee Middleton, Linda felt she too could follow her heart and find her dreams. The work of Robin Woods will always be a favorite of hers and still adorn her office shelves today. Linda’s dolls were only offered in the gift industry for many years before her first introduction at Toy Fair in 1998. From the very start at Toy Fair her dolls were very well received in the doll industry and had a distinctive look of their own. Her dresses were always large and full and their hair was long and flowing. They were All American made and had a quality and style that set them apart from all of the other artist dolls. She has been often told she looks like her dolls and accused of making a few too many blonde dolls!! After her first experience at Toy Fair, she found herself surrounded by many offers from staple companies in the doll industry that wanted to use her designing talents. Excited and overwhelmed, she pursued a few of the offers. Most of the dolls at this time were from original artists and were redressed by Linda. These did not give credit to the designer, who was instead referred to as a “ghost” designer. Many of Linda’s creations were featured on Home Shopping Network and also Home Shopping Europe for years. Most did not feature her name and many now are realizing that some of their cherished dolls are unmistakably the work of The Doll Maker. Often, upon looking closer, one will find a small label on the inside of the dress that says: “Once upon a time... by Linda Rick, The Doll Maker”. During her time at HSN, she has dressed a multitude of artist dolls and found friendships that would later follow her in other adventures. Once upon a precious moment… is a fairytale in itself. Linda has designed dolls for Precious Moments since 1990 and has brought a new and fresh look to the face created by Sam Butcher more than 30 years ago. She has brought a new found collectability factor to the editions. Her first editions sold out in record time, indicating the need for her feminine touch to bring The Doll Maker magic to Precious Moments. Every year since 1990, she creates numerous designs that fill the pages of each catalog and brochure offered by Precious Moments. Richard Hay, the president of the Precious Moments Doll Division has long been a mentor of hers. Linda says: “Richard does not just open the door of opportunity for me… but holds it open long enough for me to walk through it”. Linda has represented Precious Moments in many venues over the years, including QVC, Chapel events in Carthage, Missouri, guest artist at signing events at Bronner’s world famous Christmas store, Walt Disney World, Knott’s Berry Farm and many others. Her Precious Moments doll designs start at $10 retail and go up to $120 for the limited editions. These dolls range in style from fairy tales to fireman, communion dolls to county belle, nurses to Indians and everything in between. Two of the Precious Moments Doll Catalogs also won prestigious awards in the graphic design industry. If you have attended a PM Doll signing event, be sure to look closely at the message Linda has written on your doll. She always likes to convey to her collectors that they should “Make Every Moment Precious”. As if keeping up with The Doll Maker creations and Precious Moments were not enough…Linda has expanded her company into two more entities: Key to My Heart and Doll Maker and Friends. Both of these collections were introduced in January 2003. Key to My Heart was created to have all the romance and enchantment of a Doll Maker doll, but in a smaller size and price. The response has been overwhelming and the first editions of 8 dolls sold out in weeks. This was the first sculpt Linda had created under the direction of Master Artist, Berdine Creedy. The dolls were offered in 18” and each one had a key around her wrist indicating the “Key to her Heart”. A few other sizes have been added: 8”, 12” and 22”. The line now offers over 80 adorable darlings raging from$50 to $150. These dolls are full vinyl and have all the attention to detail for which The Doll Maker has become known. This year offers new magic with enchanted fairy style dolls in satin covered heart boxes, Rapunzel, Princess and the Pea and Princesses that must kiss that special frog to find their prince. They are very delicate and petite in size and are offered in the classic Doll Maker style. They are sure to hold the Key to your Heart! Doll Maker and Friends is a special collection of dolls sculpted by friends of The Doll Maker. Since 2003, Linda has had the pleasure of working with many talented artists. Click here for a list of the current artists now in The Doll Maker & Friends line. Linda creates all the costuming of the dolls and brings to life the work of the finest sculptors in today’s industry. Doll Maker and Friends offers many styles of dolls that range in price from $20 to $300. This venue is most exciting because it offers the diverse work of many artists and a collector friendly price in various mediums, including vinyl, porcelain, resin, cloth and silicone. After many years of dreaming of dressing the original dolls of Lee Middleton, 2006 was the magical year that Linda introduced Lee Middleton Moments. This collection of dolls honors the original work of the beloved American artist Lee Middleton…some of these faces you just never forget! Nor should we! As an artist, Linda feels it is most important to remember those that paved the road of success for us and Lee has been a major influence over the years for every artist and collector. The essence of her genuine love for the art of doll making is felt in each doll she has ever created. She was a great story teller and she gave this gift to her dolls as they can tell you a story without ever saying a word. Those that had a chance meeting with her will always be touched by her kind and gentle spirit. She had a dream and believed in her dream and it came true. Linda feels she will always be thought of and remembered as America’s most beloved doll artist. Her children, Daniel and Brynn have been very attentive and play a major part in the direction of Lee Middleton Moments. After all, they are her legacy. In 2007, we introduced the work of Brynn Middleton Riordan, who is certainly blessed with her mother’s talents in sculpting and storytelling. She is an incredible speaker and loves to share her love of dolls to the stores and collectors that she visits each year. One of Linda's favorite times is when she attends signing events where she meets with collectors who continue to inspire and motivate her. Linda is on the road approximately many weekends a year at signing engagements. She gives back to her collectors the love and warmth they show her. In designing, Linda starts with a dream (often literally) and then a vision of the entire look, getting the best fabrics together and researching just the right face to go with the dress. The doll then often takes on a look all it’s own from Linda’s original concept. In the snap of a finger (almost!), the doll just comes to life with a distinct character…playful and fun, or elegant and graceful. All of the designs are lovingly put together in the Naples shop, which is a dreams come true for any visitor who sees all of the dolls, dolls, dolls and 1000's of yards of fabric and 1000's of accessories. Each design is from the heart and imagination of Linda, who indeed is feminine and frilly like her dolls. She is truly grateful to be playing with dolls every day and living the fantasy dream that comes when one is creating a work of art from one’s imagination. Over the years she has been nominated and won numerous awards, including the Diamond Awards, Awards of Excellence and the prestigious DOTY awards. Each of the companies she has started has been the fruit of her vision and her love of collectors. Here is a time-line for each: The Doll Maker - 1990 24” full porcelain all American made Dolls from $350 to $600 “Once Upon a time…there was a doll created just for you. If you believe, fairy tales can come true…” Precious Moments Dolls – 2000 7” – 26” vinyl dolls $10 - $150 “Make Every Moment Precious” Key to My Heart – 2003 8” – 22” full vinyl “Who holds the Key to Your Heart?” Doll Maker & Friends – 2003 8” to 32” dolls in vinyl, porcelain, resin, cloth over porcelain, silicone “Collaborative Artistry from the kindred hearts of…” Lee Middleton Moments – 2006 14” – 23” vinyl or silicone “Some faces you just never forget!” |
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