Amongst the miniature dolls that I produce you will find my Original Dolls. These dolls house dolls are my own unique designs, cast from the moulds of my personal collection of miniature figures. This range took a year to create, working closely with a Wedgwood sculptor. No detail was spared; the dolls are lovely to work with by virtue of their diversity and well defined features, even down to the creases in the palms of their hands. My Original Dolls are very special: they are completely unique and cannot be found elsewhere.

I mark each of these miniature dolls so that you can easily identify them on my website and at shows. There are 18 dolls house dolls to collect in total. Four children/toddlers: Niamh, Simon, Louise and Michael. The child dolls are all bisque (all porcelain) with fully jointed bodies. At the other end of the spectrum I have two grandparent dolls: Grandma Dora and Grandpa Edward, who can be easily recognised by their mature and well defined facial features.

The Ladies include Emma, Vicky and Katherine — these can be platinum dolls (see below) — and Margaret, Caroline and Nell. All six of these miniature dolls have moving heads, whereby the head moves at the jaw line as opposed to the neck. Finally, Ruth and Molly (modelled on the ‘unsinkable Molly Brown’) complete the collection of ladies.

Men include Bill, John, Craig and Charles, modelled on the Scottish artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh; the resemblance is uncanny. These miniature dolls receive many compliments on account of their realistically masculine facial features—an effect which is very difficult to create when making miniature dolls. Although I may be slightly biased, I favour my original dolls over any other when making up male dolls house characters.

The Platinum Doll

The platinum Doll is an all bisque figure and took almost a year to perfect - it is an unusual miniature doll by virtue of its production process. Most miniature dolls are assembled after they have been fired, whereas the platinum doll is assembled before the initial firing by using intricate clay modelling techniques.

The platinum doll demands great patience and dexterity, and I therefore only make a handful of these dolls each year, making them an appealing prospect for many collectors. I fashion this miniature doll as a ballerina and as a couture model.

To make Original Dolls even more special Lesley Middis supplies her beautiful handmade miniature knitwear from patterns designed specifically for each dolls house doll’s personality. Lesley also makes stunning outfits for the Platinum dolls, including a beautiful Fair Isle dress.