Cindy Rice

About Cindy Rice

My wonderful husband, my beautiful daughter, and I live in northeastern Illinois with our two sweet chihuahua boys. For as long as I can remember I have loved dolls and making things. I got my first Barbie when I was only three years old! My mom sewed for my Barbie dolls and taught me how to use her sewing machine when I was only seven. I cannot believe she let me near that needle, but she did. Not having enough money for my clothes habit in high school and college led me to start sewing all of my own clothes. There were so many fabric stores around back then and fabric was so inexpensive. I would wait for the 99 cent pattern sale and go crazy. Sewing for myself continued well into my 30’s. (I even made my wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses.) Shortly after I got married I left my full time graphic design position and started designing cross stitch patterns. I called my company “The Lilac Studio” and sold my botanical patterns at trade shows, through distributors which sold to retail shops, and mail order. My most popular pattern, “A Bouquet of Pansies” sold 5000 copies and won a J&P Coats Golden Needle Award! I was also featured in various cross stitch magazines and designed special projects for the magazines. When my daughter was born I didn’t have the time needed to cross stitch and design patterns all day long so I let my pattern design business slip away. And then I started discovering dolls again and I now had an excuse to start buying them. The only problem was that they were for my daughter and not for me. I soon discovered all of the adult collectors out there and decided I would be one of them. I started small at first, collecting Mattel Kelly dolls. Soon I collected over 100 Kelly dolls! After Kelly, I discovered Helen Kish’s Riley and Tonner’s Ann Estelle. I have since learned to knit doll sweaters and love an excuse to knit so most of my doll outfits include a sweater and/or hat. I love creating miniature outfits for dolls and enjoy sharing them with others. Currently I create doll ensembles for Ruby Red Fashion Friends, Kish Bethany, Dianna Effner's Little Darlings, Wilde Imagination's teeny tiny Amelia, Kaye Wiggs BJD, Boneka 10", Linda Macario's Penny.

I placed an order for some new Kemper mohair wigs a couple of months ago and wanted to share them with you. I am always amazed at the way a change in wig changes a doll’s look. I prefer mohair because the strands stay where you put them and I just prefer natural fibers. Kemper’s prices are very reasonable for these wigs and they arrived quickly.

The Tomboy wig is the only wig in my order that I thought I would never use. However, I found it looks adorable on my Little Darling when she is wearing a hat. It is in size 7″- 8″ (roomy, not tight) and in auburn.

I also ordered this Hannah mohair wig. I think it is very cute on my Little Darling. I haven’t yet styled it too much. It arrived in these spiral curls, instead of the waves like their website shows on Bleuette. I ordered the size 7″- 8″ for a roomy fit in the light brown color. For some reason this size and color are priced lower than other sizes and colors.

Lastly, I ordered Giselle wigs in pale pale blonde and medium brown (7″- 8″). I love pageboy bobs on my dolls. This style is thinned out, which I like. When these wigs arrived they needed some trimming to even out the shape and the blonde needed even more trimming than the brown color.