Contact Information:
Mia Burton
About the Artist
My name is Mia (My doll artist name is Jezara) and I love making rag dolls :) I've been a collector of unusual dolls for years. But one day I decided to try my hand at making them and now I'm hopelessly addicted! ;)
Each doll is sewn by hand and by machine using patterns that I have created. Each one also has their own distinctive personality. Their faces alone, which are hand painted, ALWAYS turn out different. :) I love watching them come to life!
I live in Huntersville, North Carolina with my husband and two beautiful children. My children love to help me out with the little things that go into making the dolls, like pushing the sewing maching buttons, digging in the supply box and laying out the stuff they know I'll need next. (3 buttons, 1 chocolate cookie, 2 balls of yarn, 1 pink ribbon, 1 slightly sticky toy donut, 4 cheerios and spool of blue thread) I'd never get anything done without them! ;)
A bit of History:
Before April, 2005, I had never sewn a thing in my whole life. I'd drawn a bit, written some stories and poems but never really felt that satisfaction you get from doing something artistic that makes you truely happy.
Years ago, in 1995, I was visiting a friend who wanted to show me a rag doll she had made from scratch. It was a darling little gothic doll and I was utterly enchanted. I thought, "Wow! I'd love to do that!" But I was afraid of what she would think if I tried. It was her thing and I didn't want to seem like I was immitating her. ...Silly now when I look back on it.
But I kept thinking about it as the years went by and every time I brought it up to my husband and mother, they both said--" Go for it!" So, 10 years later, I got up the courage to buy some of those blank pre-made rag doll bodies and see if I could make one of them into something. I was surprised when she didn't turn out half bad, but the thought of making one from scratch terrified me.
It was about this time that I began talking a lot with a fellow dollmaker named Jodi Cain of www.tatteredrags.net . She's the one who encouraged me to try making a doll from scratch. She was positive I'd make something beautiful. Her belief in me gave me the push I needed to make that first one. To my surprise she turned out really cute and sold quickly on Ebay. Needless to say, I was hooked and have been making them ever since. :) So, settle back in your chair with your favorite tasty beverage, grab the nearest cat off the floor and come meet my dolls! :)
~Jezara
