The Simplicity and the Complexity of Thalita Dol Dolls

If you are skeptical about using Facebook to advertise your dolls now is the time to stop being skeptical and start using Facebook.  I believe that right now in the world of marketing Facebook is number one.  If you have to forget all those other sites you love to network on, just make sure you are using Facebook.  I hope to write more in the future about how I use Facebook to sell my work, but for now I mention it because generally I find all the artists I feature on my blog via Facebook.  I will just be minding my business, browsing along all the news updates, and then wow, a stunning doll will pop up on my feed.  That's exactly what happened with Thalita Dol, and I immediately had to see more.

Located in Rio de Janeiro Brazil, Thalita Dol makes Waldorf inspired cloth dolls.  I'm not sure what drew them to me at first, they looked so simple, but there was something so soft, so innocent under the surface.  I do like Waldorf dolls in general, but sometimes they begin to all look the same to me.  Thalita Dol really stood out in a big way.

As I did a little more research, as well as contacted Thalita to learn more, I found that these "simple" dolls were not so simple.  Underneath the surface was a complex sculpting system.  I was intrigued even more, and couldn't wait to learn more about this incredible doll artist.  I hope you will stick around to see what she had to say about her sweet babies.

This was the first picture that truly had me over the moon with Thalita Dol.

1. When did you begin making cloth dolls? 

I began making dolls when my oldest was little and I wanted special dolls for her.  I always loved sewing and used to make clothes for her, as well as some stuffed animals, so sewing dolls seamed a lot of fun!

2. Have you always made cloth dolls or have you made other types of dolls? 

My first attempt was a rag dolls from a Wee Wonderfuls pattern I had bought.  Than I tried making my own patterns with the details I wished.  Soon enough I found out the Waldorf dolls and totally fell in love with the Waldorf inspired universe.

3.  How did you learn to sew and make dolls? 

I'm self taught.  I started sewing doll clothes (always had some dolls of mine even before I had kids) and stuffed toys out of felt.  I used to make them by hand.  Than I got married and my husband got me a sewing machine as a gift for our first Christmas together.  I soon got pregnant, and started making baby clothes.  Mama sewing blogs helped me a lot in the beginning.  Soon I started drafting my own patterns.  I really love all of the process, from imagining, to creating patterns, than sewing and than admiring the magic of having in your hands something that was only in your mind before.

4. Do you have any advice for new doll makers? 

My advice is be yourself, don't be afraid of the process of trial and error, be unique and true to what you love.

Inside Thalita Dol there is a complex sculpting system.  Just amazing.

5. Does anyone help you in the creation of your dolls?

No, but my cats like to steal my embroidery lines and my kids like to stay nearby while I sew =)

6. Is making dolls just a hobby for you or a serious business? 

Well, a little of both.  I enjoy it so much that it can be considered a hobby.  I take it really serious, so it can be considered a business.  But as a stay at home mom, I don't have much time on my hands, and because of that production is slow.

7. Do you belong to any doll clubs/groups/forums? 

Oh, too many!  I love chatting to other doll makers!  Actually I first heard of doll making groups here on your blog, from the owner of Lali Dolls interview. Since than I have searched for those groups online and I'm much pleased to be able to do some dolly chatting.

8. Where do you sell your dolls? Where can people buy them?

I sell them on Etsy and on a Brazilian shop called Tanlup.  I also have a Facebook page where I talk about the dolls and post WIP pictures.

9. Do you collect dolls yourself? 

Yes I do!  I don't have many, but my collection is growing.  My most recent buy was a Mariengold baby, and she is so sweet!

10. Who are your favorite doll artists? 

I really admire Lalinda's work.  Also Mon Petit Frere, North Cost Dolls, Sweet Dimplicity, Lali Doll, Iva Dolls, and Bebe Babies of course.  The list could go on and on.  So many talented doll makers out there!

Hair detail

11. Anything else you want to share about your dolls?

Doll making is about love.  I think everyone who is inside the "doll universe" will agree.  Each doll is created with so much love and care.  They start as an imagination spark and come to life in our hands little by little, by thread and needle, and cloth and wool.  A little piece of the doll maker's heart goes inside every little dolly.  It's magical, joyful, and I'm so grateful to be able to experience this amazing process.

I hope you enjoyed learning about Thalita doll (as well as all the other doll artists she mentioned.  I had so much fun looking at those as well).  You can find her on the web in these places; Facebook, blog,  and Etsy.