Jan McLean Designs Dolls: Jan McLean

"Jan McClean started dollmaking when she wanted to make reproduction dolls, as heirlooms, for her daughter, in 1983. In 1985, Jan became inspired by the work of German doll artist, Hildegard Gunzel when Ms. Gunzel visited New Zealand, and Jan saw her dolls there. Jan was so inspired that she began to sculpt her own dolls. Her very first original dolls, Chloe and Phoebe, were "born" in 1987 and were followed by Poppy and Pansy.

In 1991, Jan McClean exhibited her dolls at the New York Toy Fair. Despite this daunting milieu for a first-time exhibitor, Jan became a literal overnight success when she won her first DOLLS Award of Excellence for Pansy, and the orders from stores poured in.

Jan produces limited edition dolls in porcelain, as well as more affordable dolls in vinyl (which are also produced in larger, although limited, editions). Jan employs cobblers, milliners, beaders and jewelers to ensure both quality and detail. Jan paints every face on her limited Original dolls, and works closely with a team of 8 to complete each doll at the workshop. Jan's shop and studio is located in Dunedin, New Zealand.
     - "Doll Collecting, Making Dolls the Jan McLean Way"