Our Story

Three women, three creative souls representing over a half century of working in porcelain.

Jan Doehring was an extraordinary artist known for her skills in doll making, painting, sewing and designing porcelain dolls. For many years her paintings were exhibited and sold in New Orleans. In the mid-1970's she began to study the art of antique porcelain doll reproductions, thereby beginning her lifelong mastery of doll making. Her dolls were used in many commercials. Perfume maker Estee Lauder shot a complete series of commercials featuring a model standing amid Jan's dolls and holding one in her arms. Each of her dolls was dressed in a hand-crafted ensemble, which was designed and sewn by Jan. Jan's dolls were also featured at Boyer's, an exclusive Doll Shop in the French Quarter.

Jan Doehring

Stacy Ann Hofman

Nancy Lewis Crossno

Over 37 years ago while visiting my parents in Texas, I taught my stepmother to make silk ribbon roses and miniature hats. My childhood memories are filled with Nancy doing crewel needlework and she sewed many of my clothes when I was young. Still remember a short denim jumpsuit with a sailor collar that zipped up the front! For the next 20 years she used my porcelain dolls as the basis for everything from 1950's New Look Dior elegant day dresses to the elaborate southern belles with their picture hats. Noted for her spectacular flowers created from brass wire and faux enamel, these dolls are prized my collectors. She retired from doll making over 15 years ago and moved back to Texas. Officially 90 years old this year and still one of the smartest women I know!

Stacy Ann Hofman currently 63 years young and the last of the doll dynasty. I created my first porcelain reproduction when I was 12 years old. Started sculpting in my late teens and started delving into the mysteries of plaster mold making in my twenties. I moved to the great Northwest when I married and was blessed to stumble across a miniature shop. Located in SPOKANE, WA , the shop "Small Wonders" introduced me to magnificent artisan miniatures from all over the world. The year was 1987 and the owner Elizabeth Senske talked me into trying to make miniature dolls. I started with the House of Caron plaster molds and used Susan Sirkis 's fantastic booklets on dressing miniature dolls. Sold dolls through Small Wonders, started doing miniature shows, and eventually ended up selling to miniature museums. When my son was born in 1995, I branched out into producing plaster doll molds for fellow porcelain artists. As my son has no interest in continuing the business, eventually it will all come to an end.