In the Dock: June 2008

In the Dock:

Christine Elizabeth - Doll Artist of Christine Elizabeth Dolls

Questions By Dave Williams...

1                     When and why did you become involved with miniatures? I had a 1:16 scale, home made, dolls’ house as a child and adored it. Then, some ten years ago, when my daughter showed absolutely no interest in the doll’s house her father made for her, I took out a 99 year lease! The commercial dolls I bought were so bad, I found Sue Atkinson and her book - and have not looked back
2                     Is this a full time occupation for you and what did you do before you started in miniatures? I was a social worker in a previous life but took early retirement on health grounds. Now costuming dolls is an absorbing hobby - hopefully an embryo business.
3                     Have you ever had any special training for what you do, or are you completely self taught? Completely self-taught - an internet addict and a compulsive book reader
4                     If you wanted to completely change what you make now, what would you like to make in miniature instead? I’d love to be able to make furniture like Colin Bird but then I’d also love to win the lottery
5                     Do you own a dolls house? Yes; just one, as mentioned above. It’s a ‘Georgian country house’, its interior set around a Christening Party in July 1901. I did know why I chose that date but the reason now eludes me completely.
6                     Do you collect miniatures? I have mostly completed furnishing the dolls’ house but have commissioned a portrait doll of my Nanna from Lilyelves, and a Wheel-back Windsor Chair from Colin Bird for very personal reasons.
7                     What do your family and friends think of what you do and do they encourage you? I have met some wonderful people in the miniatures world, particularly making a friend - Roz of Lilyelves - who has persuaded, cajoled, and encouraged me all the way and for that I am blessed. Those who aren’t in the miniatures world remain disinterested and a little bemused. They are pleased that I enjoy my “little hobby” but would be amazed if I sold anything!
8                     Do you keep anything of what you make? Yes - but little.
9                     What do you most enjoy making? Whatever I’m working on at the time - I find I cannot costume a doll if I don’t like the doll or the costume she is to wear.
10                 Is there anything you make that you do not enjoy making and why? After making ‘Papa’ and ‘Uncle Bert’ for my dolls house family, I accepted that I do not enjoy dressing men dolls - so I don’t make them!
11                 Do you ever get times where you think of giving it all up? Oh yes! Often! But I accept that as part of who I am. I don’t give up because I hate to admit defeat, refuse to let down my ’supporters’, and I am quickly absorbed again when I return to the doll I am making.
12                 Do you read books and magazines on Miniatures, if you do what is your favourite? I have a small collection of costume/fashion history books, books on hairstyles and millinery, plus regular orders from my library - these books are expensive! I also have an on-line subscription to DHW. My ‘bible’ was Sue Atkinson’s book but I adapt patterns for myself nowadays.

13 Do you have a purpose made workshop? No - my spare room is just fine for workspace.

14 Is your workshop full of very expensive machinery? No - only me.

15 Do you work completely on your own, if not who helps you? Yes - would be lovely to have a partner to bounce ideas around with, help out with the mundane times - but it’s just me [and a cat]

16 If you had one piece of advice for someone just starting out in miniature making, what would it be? The acquiring of skills takes time so don’t get downhearted if progress seems slow to you.

17 If you had to move house and workshop from where you are now and money was no object, where would you choose to go? York - or my favourite Greek island.

18 Do you think there is much, if any, rivalry between makers? Yes I think there is, more’s the pity, although I’ve never heard it voiced aloud.

19 Hour for hour, do your sales warrant what you do? No! Hold me up while I laugh! I haven’t sold anything yet apart from two dolls on eBay at grotesquely low prices.

20 Is there anybody from the miniature world whose work you really admire? Lilyelves, Marie-France Beglan and her sister, Catherine Muniere.

21 If a competitor came to you for advice, would you give it freely? Yes - no problem!

22 If you were told you could go back in time to a certain era, what period would you choose? I wouldn’t go back - the past is another country too often seen through tinted glasses. I rely on buckets of modern medicine and follow the concept that there’s only here, there’s only now.

23 Are there any bad things in the Miniature world that you would like to see put right? I don’t think I’m sufficiently involved in the Miniature world to say yet. But already I have come across a case of a man wanting a baby doll asking the maker disturbing questions. Doll sites need to be aware of this - terrible to say.

24 Do you think the Dolls house hobby needs more publicity? There’s never too much publicity!

25 Re the previous question, if you do, what do you think could be done to enhance its popularity? Use of the media to circumvent the idea that it’s just ladies playing dollies.

27 What do you think to the mass-produced imported items now available? I reserve the right to remain silent on that one!

28 If you were told you could come back in a second life, what would you change, ie would you still want to come back as who you are now and would you still want to be involved in miniatures? I’d come back as I am, knowing this time which turns to take in the road and which to shun, but always loving miniatures.

29 Do you consider yourself lucky to be able to do what you are doing? Very.

30 What was the first record or CD you ever bought? The Beatles EP ‘Twist and Shout’

31 After buying from you, do you get many customers come back for more? Oh to be in the position to be able to answer that!

32 One inch to a foot (1/12^th scale) is the accepted standard, but more smaller scales are now becoming available, do you make anything in smaller scales and if so what scales do you make in and what is your favourite scale? To date, I’m a dedicated follower of 1/12th.

33 Considering how long the 1/12^th scale has been going, how do you think the smaller scales will do in the long term? Not knowing, I cannot say.

34 If you were told you were to be marooned on a desert island and you could only take one CD, one DVD and one book, what would you choose? My compilation disc of songs, Forrest Gump, and To Kill a Mockingbird.

35 Do you only sell to the Dolls House fraternity, if not where else do you sell? I’d sell to anyone who had the funds - and wanted my work for legitimate reasons.

36 Do you think there is anything that cannot be produced in miniature? I doubt it.

37 What is your favourite tool or material for working in miniature? Almost impossible to say but how about the bowmaker - brilliant idea!

38 What is the strangest thing you have ever made or been asked to make? Well, I haven’t been asked to make anything yet. If I was then I would try, given that it was legal.

39 Do you exhibit at Dolls House/Miniature fairs? No.

40 Do you exhibit abroad, if not, is it something that you would like to do? No - sounds like a lot of fun though!!

41 Do you get a buzz from exhibiting or is it a nail biting affair? I’d probably be this side of hysterical.

42 Do you think working in Miniature has changed your life in any way? Yes - I’ve met some wonderful people, been immensely supported by a new friend, and found islands of contentment.

43 Why do you think customers should buy from you instead of someone else? For now because of the high quality of my work; in the future, I hope to be the only person from whom a certain style of doll can be obtained.

44 Have you ever sold one of your products to someone famous? No - I’m still waiting for them to call!

45 Do you think you have any advantage over any competitors, if so what is it? I tend to think everyone is better than I thus making this question redundant.

46 Do you sell through the internet? Yes - at the moment only via my website.

47 What do you think the world of computers and the internet have brought to the Miniature world? A massive expansion and exchange of ideas and market places as well as the world’s information (almost) at one’s fingertips

48 Excluding the last question, have you seen any major changes since you became involved in miniatures? My knowledge has expanded but was this information only there waiting for me to tap into it anyway?

49 What do you think, if someone from the Victorian era visited one of the top shows today, would they be very surprised at the changes? Having little knowledge of the Victorian mind-set outside Charles Dickens et al, I have no idea!

50 What would you consider to be your greatest achievement, in your real life and in the miniature world? In real life - nothing could ever better my two wonderful children. In the miniatures world - I have yet to discover, which makes living interesting.

51 Where do you see yourself in the miniature world in one year’s time? Hopefully, realising the satisfaction of selling my work, along with that sale to someone famous and devastatingly handsome.

52 Do you actually foresee a time where you will stop making miniatures? No.

53 And finally, if someone wants to commission you to make something how could they contact you? Via my website: www.ChristineElizabethDolls.co.ukOr by email: c.elizabeth51@yahoo.co.uk

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