Sarah creates one-of-a-kind dolls. She gently shapes polymer clay to capture the essence of children's many personalities. Her dolls are exceptionally realistic. She bases the doll's features on her own children and their friends, who are often called into her studio to model. Through skills in sculpture and drawing learned at a local art center and the ability to see and capture form and dimension, she is able to make her dolls come alive. Sarah works with the finest fabrics for the doll's clothing. She chooses silks, finely woven cottons and vintage handkerchiefs to complete design of each doll. Some of the doll's accessories are made by her while others are purchased from an antique or gift shop. From the tops of the dolls' heads to the tips of their toes, every detail is important. Like children, her dolls loved being fussed over. Creating doll is full-time work, and in addition Sarah tends to the needs of her family. But as she says, "through perseverance and a supportive family, I have been able to work at something I love." (Bio Courtesy of Sarah Niemela)

Trina