Jan comes from an artistic background. Her grandmother was a sculptress and her mother was a portrait artist. As a child she was given dolls her grandmother made in the 1950's. They had wonderful faces made from fine papier marche modelled from the faces of children, very like the dolls made in Europe in the 1940's. Jan never forgot the dolls, and while researching her family history, decided to make a doll for her only daughter to be passed down through the generations. She studied dollmaking in 1983, and initially made reproduction dolls, learning her craft as she taught others.
In 1985, the wonderful German doll artist, Hildegard Gunzel visited New Zealand. Her dolls were the most exciting creations Jan had ever seen and inspired her to try sculpting her own. Her first dolls, Chloe and Phoebe were "born" in 1987 and were followed by Poppy and Pansy. It was not until 1991, that Jan's talents were discovered, when she exhibited her dolls for the first time at the great New York Toy Fair. She became an overnight success winning her first DOLLS AWARD OF EXCELLENCE for Pansy.
Today, Jan's dolls are widely sought after and receive many international awards placing her among the top doll makers in the world. Her limited edition porcelain beauties continue to bewitch and entrance the most discerning art and doll collectors worldwide. "Each has her own cheeky or alluring expression, precocious or demure and innocent, an attitude that exudes personality."
She employs the skills of a mouldmaker, cobblers, milliners, a beader, and a jeweller. Her happy and enthusiastic team of eight work in a bright airy workshop with mezzanine floor at the many tasks involved in doll-making. It is here that Jan paints every face and with her team assembles each of her very limited Original Dolls for her discerning collectors.
To tour the premises is a revelation, with cupboards overflowing with rich luxurious fabrics and superb laces, boxes brimming with headwear, furs and leathers, bright blooms and plumes, shining beads and bows, along with custom-made jewellery pieces which adorn her top-end dolls. For those who travel to Dunedin, it is an experience to visit her elegant store on the main street where many of her dolls are showcased along with collectable bears.
In an effort to make her dolls more accessible to more people, Jan designed and moulded a collection of prototypes in her Dunedin studio which are now produced in larger numbers for offshore. Jan maintains full [and strict!] control of quality, spending many weeks at a time, working alongside the artists and seamstresses reproducing her designs down to every last detail. Collectors are assured that Jan's reputation for superb quality and design is maintained.