I’ve loved animals and collected many plush toys when I was a child. I always dreamed of owning a unique creature from my imagination. So when I was 16, I started self researching with wool, artificial fur, and wire skeletons, and made my own fantasy creature dolls. These works later became part of my portfolio and helped me get into UAL.
Last month, a girl messaged me after seeing my work‘s posts on Xiaohongshu. She asked if I could make a custom doll of her dog Tibble. At first, I rejected directly because I honestly didn’t think my skills were good enough to take commissions. My stitching wasn’t always neat and my fabric patterns weren’t perfect. I’m just a self-taught hobbyist who has only made five dolls rather than a professional. Then she told me that her dog had passed away and she wanted a doll to remember him and hold close. I was deeply moved, so I decided to try.
I felt a lot of pressure for my first paid commission. I wasn’t confident in my craftsmanship — I worried that she might not be satisfied and ask for a refund. Also, this time the doll was not a fantasy creature but a real pet, which made it even more meaningful. I carefully studied dozens of Tibble’s photos and videos she sent me, analyzed his features, made sketches, and selected materials. I also researched different doll-making techniques to make the structure stronger and the finish better. Then came many days of testing, sewing, felting.
After more than 20 days, I finally completed a doll that I am satisfied：
When my client received it, she cried. She told me that over the past year, she had commited more than ten doll makers, but all their works looked like strangers to her. But my works made She felt that her Tibble came back home. She also told me that when she first saw pictures of my other works, she believed I could capture her dog’s expression. She felt that my dolls had a vivid spirit and were full of my love, which is more important than perfect skills.
I earned around £200 from this commission and used it to make a big gift for my cats.
Compare to my hard working for 20days, this £200 probably wasn’t huge, but it was a meaningful start — I had earned money through my skills and passion. creating a memorial doll for client’s pet and receiving their gratitude made this experience unforgettable. It encouraged me to keep improving and sharing my work. More importantly, I’ve realized that sensitivity and devotion are always the most important things in artistic creation.
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