TIS parents and students know Ms Jasinski as TIS’ elementary principal, but she has a very unique talent that many people don’t know about. She has a passion for making beautiful soft body rag dolls!

Ms Jasinski began making dolls 25 years ago when her young daughter was hospitalized. In order to cheer her up, her aunt made a rag doll that had no face. All of the children in the hospital loved the doll because they could decide what kind of face they wanted to give their own doll. Ms Jasinski made some similar dolls and gave them out as gifts.

About 15 years ago in Canada, she came across a doll making class by well-known doll maker, Becky Holloway. She took beginner lessons from Becky for several years and then went on to advanced classes. Most of Ms Jasinski’s dolls are made using Becky Holloway’s techniques.

First, Ms Jasinski draws her designs on paper and then makes a pattern in the shape of the doll. Muslin, a neutral fabric, is used and then air-dry clay, paint or embroidery are employed to create the frame. All of the dolls are made using a needle sculpting technique. The finished product is then sealed with an aerosol spray. Afterwards, Ms Jasinski sews clothing to fit the individual personality of the doll.

On average, each doll takes about 40 hours to make, but more intricate ones can take anywhere between 60 to 80 hours. Ms Jasinski enjoys the creative process that goes into making each doll; it provides her with some quiet time to just relax and focus on something she loves doing.

Ms Jasinksi says her dolls evolve quite a bit during the creation process. Most of the time, final creations do not resemble the original designs. Ms Jasinski chooses not to make custom designed dolls because what people have in mind may not be what she eventually creates.

Inspiration for her dolls comes from everywhere. At the moment, her inspiration is twisted fairy tales and she is currently working on an interpretation of Red Riding Hood.