March 10, 2024, Meeting

Members were asked to bring a new doll or a doll that has special meaning for them. Pam Hardy brought this cute porcelain doll by artist Donna Rupert. She told the club that she had bought the doll when her granddaughter was born. Her granddaughter is now 18 years old. 

Jan Irsfeld shared this stunning Cissy. She said that when she first moved to Austin, her doll collection was packed away. Jan visited a local doll shop and found this Cissy. She created the gorgeous hand-beaded gown for her,

Bette Birdsong received this charming child from Jenell Howell as a thank you gift for helping Jenell sort out a doll collection. The vinyl doll is by the Spanish company Famosa and winks when you squeeze her tummy (Bette calls her "Winky").

Jenell brought this Elise by Madame Alexander that she is currently restoring. 

Elaine McNally shared this comic wooden German character. 

She also brought this Hitty doll that she carved and dressed. Elaine said that she tried to make the doll resemble the illustrations in the book. Also, her dolls were recently featured in "Doll Castle News" in an article entitled  "Tiny Texas Treasures." 

Sylvia McDonald brought this doll by German artist Elisabeth Pongratz. The wooden doll is hand-carved  and has spring joints that allow her to pose without a stand. Her wig is real hair and her dress is crocheted by hand.

Myrna Loesch rescued this early composition baby doll from an estate sale. She said that it reminded her of a childhood doll.

She also brought this very well loved carved-hair Schoenhut, which dates from 1912 to 1918.

Myrna told the club that this antique papier mache head doll has special meaning for her because the doll was given in 1883 by a grandfather to his granddaughter with the last name of Bader. Myrna said that Bader was also her grandmother's name. 

Sharon Weintraub brought two dolls she recently added to her collection. This bisque-headed clown doll was purchased at a local antiques mall. It is by the French company Jules Steiner and appears to be all-original.

She also has shared this unusual Black German all-bisque doll.

Elaine Jackson brought this collection of carved wooden dolls created by Austin artist Nancy Grobe, who was once a member of our club. Nancy eventually had to give up carving because of arthritis and became a skilled painter.