By Lisa Carpenter - Contributing Writer

‘Most women have a love for dolls to one degree or another," said Jean Edsall.  The success of Edsall's porcelain doll studio, All Dolled Up, is strong support for her belief.

Esall began working with ceramics 36 years ago as a ‘night out’ from the family.  She had worked in the retail industry for many years, but she used the skill learned in ceramics classes to obtain a job at a local ceramic shop.  Edsall gained invaluable technical knowledge and experience regarding firing and painting ceramics in her 12 years at the shop.

When Edsall met fellow porcelain doll maker, Ginny Kolakowski, five years ago, it didn’t take long for the new friends to decide to go into business together.  They felt there was a real need for it, Edsall said.  Their research showed that there were potentially 100,000 doll makers in this area yet only two studios were giving doll making classes.  So, they each put in $15,000 to start up a doll studio.  Because Edsall had been selling dolls from home under the name ‘All Dolled Up,’ they had not problem coming up with a name.  When we opened the studio, I said: ‘Let’s use this name because I think it’s perfect for what we do,’ Edsall explained.

Edsall and Kolakowski opened their studio in March 1996. The first year in business they had 13 students enrolled in doll making classes; they now have 79, keeping the pair busy.  Classes are two-and-a-half hours long, given 7 times per week and limited to no more than 14 students per class.

Edsall said both she and Kolakowski try to be in the studio when classes are going on.  When you have more than 12 people in here, it takes more than one person to give them any kind of service, she said.

Students are first enrolled in a beginner’s class in which a 19-inch sleeping baby is made.  The closed eyes of the doll are easiest for a novice.  The simplicity of the doll and the special rate of $29.95 plus $7.50 per class (completion usually requires 3 classes) gives students the opportunity to test the waters before committing themselves.  It’s geared to figure out if they really are interested in doing this, Edsall said.  Almost anybody can do it but not everyone is interested.

Once a student decides to continue learning doll making, there’s a lot to learn, according to Edsall.  Classes are available in making modern dolls and antique reproduction dolls up to a master’s of doll making level.  You can go as far as you want to with this, she said.

The office wall is lined with certificates of achievement earned by Edsall and Kolakowski, affirming the fact that the learning never ends.  I contend this is more than a craft.  It goes beyond that.  It’s an art form, Edsall emphasized.

Classes in doll making may be the primary offering at All Dolled Up, but the finished product is not the most important aspect of a class, Edsall said.  What we do more than anything else is sell fun, she noted.  There is such good therapy meeting in a classroom situation where friendships are formed and in working with your hands.  Doll making is really good therapy.

All Dolled Up also carries a complete line of doll making supplies.  I’ve been told we’ve got the best thing going in the state, Edsall related.  Their offerings include clothing and clothing patterns, shoes, socks, paints, eyes, wigs, tools, and the porcelain ‘slip’ or mud necessary for making the doll itself.

Edsall and Kolakowski carry approximately $20,000 in inventory.  The cost of the cheapest slip is $12.00 per gallon and only approximately 10 dolls can be made from that amount.  But the most expensive element of the business is the doll molds.  The studio carries numerous molds for modern dolls, antique reproduction dolls, and molds for bodies.  Only 20 to 30 castings can be made from a mold and some can cost as much as $250.00.

We don’t go for too many of those, Edsall commented.  Edsall cites her husband Grant’s careful handling of the molds as one reason the molds last as long as possible.

Edsall said her husband is responsible for the majority of the casting duties.  He also is in the studio during evening classes as a safety precaution.  But, other than help from their husbands, Edsall and Kolakowski have not hired other employees.  Edsall feels there is no need to obtain outside help because they have all their bases covered.  We’ve been told that we’re a good team, she said.  She loves to teach and I get more into the business part of it.

And, the business part of it is going quite well.  Our business grown steadily nearly ever since we opened, she said.  We’ve been able to pay the rent without having to draw from our personal savings ever since we opened.  That makes me feel really good.

All Dolled Up advertises primarily in the Yellow Pages.  Edsall said she uses the phone book when in need of any service and believes others do the same.  They also advertise to a lesser degree in magazines such as Doll Artisan, Doll Pro and Doll Crafter.

Edsall has recently expanded the offerings of All Dolled Up by becoming an area manager for Seeley, a doll company based in New York.  As area manager, Edsall trains people in her studio how to open their own in-home studios.  It’s a new concept, she explained, noting that she now oversees two in-home studios.  Edsall cites customer service as the reason All Dolled Up has been so successful.  This is a service business, she said.  We’re here to serve our customers and make them comfortable when they’re in here.

I get my satisfaction seeing the ladies satisfied, happy, and making beautiful dolls, she said.  And we’ve sure made a lot of friends.

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All Dolled Up, Inc., Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Phone: 719-590-9988 or 719-306-3197