Look Who's Been Spotted - April 2010

Denise Hill Higgins, President, Dolls With A Scent

Denise Hill Higgins is an Original Doll Designer. An original doll artist/designer takes an idea and transforms it into a three dimensional doll form by using his/her hands to sculpt or rearrange raw material.

"Dolls With A Scent" began in Philadelphia 13 years ago in my home office and I continue to make dolls in Clinton, MD. I specialize in the art of making handmade dolls and I love it.

My introduction into the world of doll making and my decision to become a designer was based on my mother, Glendora Hill. She was an abundantly talented seamstress. She developed her skills working for Arrowhead Shirt Company and After Six Formalwear in Philadelphia for many years. In addition, my mother made all of my clothes as a child. She received many awards for her skilled creativity. I believed that God placed some of these same talents in me, so I asked Him to show me mines and that He did. Thus began my journey in the wonderful world of doll making.

Each doll is sculpted by cutting and assembling materials from around the world, one piece at a time. One of the reasons why I started making dolls was to show how we are created in so many different shades and cultural backgrounds. I hand paint the faces of each doll to represent the many beautiful colors and special ethnic groups. I make my dolls just as God made each one of us, one at a time.

I have designed and sculpted works with a variety of mediums to produce a One-of-a-Kind or Limited Edition doll collection. Each are finitely detailed and the scented replaceable air fresher base makes it an extra special sweet smelling gift. I produce each of my dolls with love and a great amount of detail. The use of wax, mud cloth, silk and other fabrics are used to reproduce these finely detailed pieces from different cultures around the world. My artist expression is almost limitless and timeless in these dolls as new inspirations come to me from the different people and places. I also specialize in personalized embroidered dolls. I have created special request dolls representing various businesses, sororities and fraternities, churches, special event dolls, and etc. Dolls with a Scent, have been seen in Mocha Gallery and Liguorius Bookstore in Philadelphia, also Echo Gallery in Union Station, DC and at numerous vendor events from Canada to North Carolina. This is the most rewarding part of it all, to see one’s creations displayed and admired enough to be displayed in homes and offices everywhere.

My family and I are no strangers to the world of art. One in particular, Rose M. Green-Jackson is a local artist in Maryland. To date Jackson has produced over 30 pieces of oils on canvas and has participated in numerous art shows here in the Washington Metropolitan area. Several of her pieces hung in Citibank at 14th and G St, NW in DC for several years. In 2002 she opened the Children’s Art Studio for children ages 5 to 15. Today her students are either applying or attending colleges and universities in the Visual and Performing Art Programs. The Children’s Art Studio has been featured in the January 2003 New Business Section of the Washington Post and many other local Newsletters.

Because of the support and love of my husband, Michael and children, MJ and Charise, my sister and event partner Arleatha Rayfield, all the women business owners that bought and sold my dolls at their art galleries and bookstores. I have learned that it takes faith and a village to build a business. "My dream has been and still is a success."

Please visit my web site and "Let me serve you, with the perfect gift."

DOLLS WITH A SCENT
President, Denise Hill Higgins
www.dollswithascent.com
Clinton, Maryland 20735
215-669-3372 (ph)
Higginsd707@aol.com

See Who Else Has been Spotted by KC Ford