Saturday, December 30, 2017

Why Tosh Fomby Creates Black Dolls

With her permission, Tosh Fomby's article, "Why I Create Black Dolls, Part I," is shared below.  This post serves as an introduction to her doll art as well as an introduction to the Black Dolls, Black Makers WordPress platform she created for "dollmakers of the Diaspora to share their art and adoration of crafting cloth dolls."  The link to the forum follows her interesting article, which details the reason she creates black dolls.
Why I Create Black Dolls, Part I
by Tosh Fomby

Like writers, artists have to find their voice. It essentially becomes our brand in which audiences identify. As a mixed media painter, I accomplished that. After exploring every media, I found none were better or worse than the other, as long as what I was using told the story best. And the way I translated best was through mixed media; paper, acrylics, patch n’ paint, beads and buttons. I never knew that would come in the way of dollmaking years later.
me2
After brief pursuit of my MFA, I discovered Yinka Shonibare in a doll magazine. His work was intriguing and I couldn’t stop thinking about those bold fabrics on the life-size figures he built but more than that, there was a message.
While I create dolls for play and some home décor pieces, my voice is evolving and immersed in the social movement of the 1960s. To tell you how art inspires art, I was watching a morning news show, where a photographer was exhibiting images he’d taken of The Black Panther Party during that time. He documented them and those visuals speak to a time that’s a relevant part of African American history. I want to tell stories of our consciousness through a different media, particularly referencing women of color. They were instrumental to the movement but they had no voice.
brave24This particular doll is called Brave and part of The Heritage Collection. It was inspired by the social movement of the 60s and into the 70s, where fashion is concerned. The collection was also inspired by Maasai women; their tall stature, long jeweled necks and the strength they also bring to their culture. It’s my tribute to these women of very different worlds and my growth in understanding how we have emerged and become empowered with the consciousness and spirit of who we are authentically.
I have a thing for 70s fashion; the flare-legged slacks, crotchet vests, big hooped earrings, colors, fabrics, etc. To reflect on fashion at that time, it all seemed flashy, hip and downright cool to me. I’m very conservative in dress but I can imagine I would’ve been dressed to the nines had I been old enough for that kind of flash.
Each doll is accompanied with the chair she’s sitting on. With that and the story behind the collection, they become more than dolls. They become sculpted mixed media pieces that speak to a time and place of yesterday and where we are currently; how we need to see ourselves.
The recurring theme in this collection is strength, which is reiterated in the name of each doll. The chair, in context of the doll sitting on it can connote different meanings. I’ll let the viewer arrive at their own conclusion based on what I’ve already stated.ClothDoll1970s3
Pride is what I call the image above. For people who were disenfranchised and made to feel less than, African American people had to raise their esteem and away from what was put in front of them as standards of beauty. Black women arrived at a new consciousness, which has evolved over time, sometimes toward extreme means that says little about dignity or pride but screams ‘Look at me.’ Media platforms have changed and we’ve conformed to giving up pride for something quite the opposite in some respects. 
Rebel123
And here is Rebel. During her construction, I was strictly thinking Black Panther Party after watching Sunday’s CBS Morning Show photo exhibit on TV. There are additional paraphernalia to add with the dolls, like books, Rebel’s black leather jacket and Brave’s matching yellow jacket to complete their ensemble. If you have ever seen the photograph of Huey P. Newton sitting on the wicker chair and armed with weaponry in each hand, that image inspired Rebel.
I suppose you could say these are fine art pieces and their design is vastly different from the heirloom collection I have for young children. I’m equally in love with creating both styles. I created narratives in my mixed media pieces and that’s what I want to carry forward with my dolls as well.
To see more work created by Tosh Fomby , visit Love Totsy Presents and StudioTosh.

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Tosh Fomby's forum, Black Dolls, Black Makers includes this and several other articles by Fomby and other cloth doll crafters of the Diaspora.  If you are interested in joining the forum and contributing articles about the black dolls you make, contact Tosh through the contact link at the forum.   

Monday, October 2, 2017

TWISSI HANDMADE DOLLS

Stacie Johnson, founder and creator of Twissi Handmade Dolls


Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black (EEoDiB) is honored to share the profile of doll artist, Stacie Johnson, the ultra-talented woman behind Twissi Handmade Dolls (THD).  By reading her answers to a series of interview questions, readers will learn the inspiration behind her one-of-a-kind dolls and delight in their beauty.

Handmade Cloth-Dress Bag Doll:  Underneath their full-length dresses is a storage compartment.

EEoDiB:
  What inspired you to become a dollmaker and how long have you been making dolls?

THD:  I began making dolls by accident.  I love painting faces.  I used to paint faces from fashion magazines. I did not like painting faces for custom orders.  I then began to paint figures on furniture which I enjoyed tremendously.  When I was an Army soldier, I received orders to go to Kuwait in 2004.  My job was simple, so I finished work early.  I had time on my hands, so I craved to find a way to be creative.  I could not paint furniture while living in a tent. Where would I find wood furniture in a desert? One day, I called my neighbor who was watching my home while I was away.  I told her I had no way to create on this tour.  My friend sent me small gourds to decorate for Christmas ornaments.  Once the tiny pumpkins arrived, I saw faces! I then started painting faces.  For the body of the doll, I used the stuffing of my pillow and the fabric of my pillowcase.  Next, I ordered fabric and sewing accessories online.  The rest is history.


EEoDiB:  Please share the meaning of Twissi and why it was chosen as the name for your doll art.
THD:  When I was a little girl, my dad called me Twissi.  I wiggled when I walked as a child.  I was very close to my father. Even though he is not here anymore, he is a part of my dollmaking business.

Lovely doll in a three-tiered dress
EEoDIB:  Was there any particular reason you chose cloth as the main medium?
THD:  I chose cloth as a medium because it is like painting on a canvas.  I can add details or take away details easily with paint.




Glass beads were used to adorn the shoes of the previously shown doll.
EEoDiB:  What other materials are used to make your dolls?

THD: I love to use glass beads and durable 100 percent cotton fabrics. I use recycled fabrics from old or worn out garments. Oils are my preferable paint.


EEoDiIB:  Are your dolls made to look like people you know or people you have met, if not, what inspires their faces?

THD:  The faces of my dolls are from my imagination.  I have painted one doll from a Pinterest photo.  I wanted to challenge myself to see if I could still capture a likeness from a photo and I still have it. Sometimes when I finish the faces, the doll reminds me of someone I work with.


23-inch Egyptian-inspired doll with classic bob cut hairstyle and jewel-embellished dress

EEoDiB:  Do you name your dolls or is the naming left up to the buyer?

THD:  The buyers can name the dolls. The only dolls I name are the Egyptian dolls because they are from history.


This doll is Queen Tiye, the mother of King Tut.  I decided to make a doll of Queen Tiye because she made a status for herself outside from being married to royalty.  Her husband looks to her for advice on important issues in politics.

EEoDiB:  What sizes are your smallest and largest dolls and what is the average height of your dolls?

THD: The smallest doll is 18 inches; the tallest is 39 inches, and the average height is 26 inches.

This doll is supported by a cone-shaped stand underneath the tulle of her skirt.

For a better view of her face, the doll with cone-shaped stand is shown from another angle.


EEoDiB:  Would you ever consider making smaller dolls, around 10 to 16 inches tall?
THD:  If a customer requests a custom order of a doll between 10 to 16 inches, I would be happy to make a doll that size.

EEoDiB:  So you do make custom dolls.

THD:    Yes, I make custom dolls.


This half fairy, half ballerina is 27 inches tall.

EEoDiB:  What is the price range of your dolls? 

THD:  The price ranges from 60 to 170 dollars.


EEoDiB:  Where are your dolls sold? 

THD:  My dolls are sold in my Twissi Handmade Dolls shop on Etsy.

Lovely water fairy has colorful costume and face
Close-up of water fairy

EEoDiB:  Do you see yourself making dolls long into the future or is this just a steppingstone to other things?

THD:  I see myself always making dolls.  I have other creations with my love for painting faces.  I have made pillows and a backpack with faces. For now, it is all about dolls. I am so very much inspired by Ancient Egyptian women and I want to make more dolls to show my love for the history.

This doll is Goddess Serqet, an Egyptian Goddess who has many great inscriptions like the Goddess of Marriage, Goddess of Nature, Goddess of Medicine and the Goddess of Magic.  The title that interests me the most is the Goddess of Protection.  Serqet is often depicted with a scorpion on her head and an ankh in her left hand. She could save lives when a person was bitten by a poisonous scorpion. The most dangerous type of scorpions can be found in North Africa. She healed with medicinal herbs. This makes Serqet a very important goddess.  A gold statue of Serqet was found inside King Tut's tomb.  She was also called the Goddess that Gives Breath.

EEoDiB:  Please share any additional information about your doll artistry that you’d like readers to know.

THD:  I am currently working on a website that will feature a video about my dolls.  I wish to tell the story of why I chose to make each doll.  Dolls are more than a pretty figure to look at.  Dolls can inspire confidence and aid in learning about a culture.

EEoDiB:  How can potential customers reach you?

THD:  I can be reached by email, on Facebook, and as mentioned on Etsy at the links provided below:
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Thank you, Stacie, for sharing your artist profile with the readers of EEoDiB.  Readers, please browse Stacie’s Etsy shop, like her on Facebook, and/or email her for additional details about her dolls.  

Monday, July 10, 2017

Black Dolls by Svetlana Lukina

Boy and girl dolls by Svetlana Lukina were inspired by the works of nineteenth century doll artists,
Ella Smith and Martha Chase 

Russian doll artist, Svetlana Lukina’s doll making is inspired by nineteenth century dollmaker, Izannah F. Walker.  Some of her dolls have been inspired by other nineteenth century dollmakers, such as Martha Chase, Ella Smith, and others from that period.  Having recently donated her first two black dolls to the National Black Doll Museum of History and Culture, Svetlana agreed to share her inspiration for making that pair with the readers of Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black.  She also shared information about her most recently made black doll.

US postage stamp, released in 1997, features dolls by Ella Smith and Martha Chase.  Ella Smith designed the cloth Alabama Baby doll with molded and painted features.  These dolls were originally named "The Alabama Indestructible Doll" and were made from 1900-1925.  The second doll was created by Martha Chase and is an all-cloth doll made between 1890-1925.

“I have been a fan of the early American dolls for many years.  I was inspired by the black dolls of Martha Chase and Ella Smith, whose dolls are depicted on the US postage stamp. I made a girl with a red apron and a boy in a sailor's suit.  I love these dolls.   They are my first black dolls made to sell.  Unfortunately, these children could not find a home for a long time.  After learning about the National Black Doll Museum, I wrote a letter to the director. I’m glad to know about such museum, because I’m sure every nation must know its history, culture, and traditions. I am happy my dolls now live in the American museum.   Of course, I would like to sell my dolls, but I'm very pleased they will be seen by many people!  It is an honor, very exciting, and I appreciate the exposure."  

Before traveling to America, Svetlana's Martha Chase-inspired girl sat quietly in her chair.

“My dolls range from 17-20 inches. I use natural fabrics (cotton, linen, silk). I make the body of the dolls from fabric.  They are stuffed, gessoed, and painted. The heads are made of paper-clay, papier-mâché or gypsum (it depends on the kind of doll, because I try to repeat traditional old technology).   My Izannah Walker dolls’ heads are made only of textiles (layers of silk knitting and cotton fabric)."

Although he traveled from Russia to America by airplane, Svetlana's Alabama Baby-inspired boy
remained ready for a nautical adventure.

“At first I was a student of Dixie Redmond (2012).  Later in 2013, I was a student of Paula Walton and bought lessons from her. The technology of the head is the know-how of Paula Walton.  First I must make a sculpture of a head of plasticine (wax) or plastic.  The mold is removed from gypsum. Then I lay the fabric (cotton and silk) in the mold.  For each doll, I make personal clothing patterns.  The dolls’ clothing can be removed and washed."  

Each doll receives great attention to detail in keeping with traditional dollmaking styles.

“I have a textile and art education and try to make my dolls qualitatively and professionally. Time spent on each doll is very extensive, between 90-100 hours of pure time.  Therefore, such dolls cannot be inexpensive. They are made for the adult collector.   My dolls are all different.   No two are the same.”

Svetlana’s New Black Girl

This sweet girl is approximately 18-inches tall.  She wears a colorful lined dress with sash, matching head wrap, pantaloons, beaded necklace and anklet.

“After my first two black dolls were sent to the National Black Doll Museum of History and Culture, I wanted to make more.    My newest sweet black doll is about 17-18 inches, also made of fabric and paper clay.  Inspiration for this doll came from dolls of Martha Chase.  It was very difficult to find the fabric for the dress, but I found it!  The hair is made of natural sheepskin.  She is currently available in my Etsy shop."  


The newest girl poses without her head wrap to illustrate the texture of her natural sheepskin hair.


Where to Buy
“I sell my dolls on Etsy.   The first reader of this post to purchase an in-stock doll from my Etsy store will receive a 50% discount.  I also make dolls by request, but the sale to the first blog reader only extends to dolls already made and shown on Etsy.  I can be reached by email, through my blog, or on Facebook.  I take into account the wishes of my customers and I am always happy to customize dolls for them."


Additional Links:



Friday, June 16, 2017

M'simbi Dolls Teach Cultural Identity

Kondwani, Limpo, and Luyando are three of the five 18-inch Naturally Beautiful M'simbi Dolls.

M'simbi Dolls (MD) is a Zambia-based manufacturer of Naturally Beautiful 18-inch dolls.  Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black (EEoDiB) had the great pleasure of interviewing the founder.    Interview results and photos of the current doll line are shared below:

EEoDiB:  What does M’simbi mean?

MD:  M'simbi means "girl" in a language called Nsenga in Zambia.

EEoDiB:  What inspired the creation of M’simbi Dolls?


Young Co-founder, Lindiwe; and her mother, Mainga, the Founder of M'simbi Dolls
MD:  M’simbi is an inspiration of my 6-year-old daughter, Lindiwe. She went through a phase were she didn’t like the way she looked and wanted long silky hair and lighter skin. It’s really a story about me wanting to desperately show my daughter that black is beautiful and that she did not have to look like her friends of a different race to feel beautiful; hence, the tagline Naturally Beautiful.  That was how M'simbi Dolls was established last year.  My husband, Wilson, and I along with a friend of ours, Dr. Cheswa Vwalika, brought to life the dream of a Zambian toy company. My daughter, Lindiwe, is a co-founder of the company.

EEoDiB:  How long has this line of dolls been available?

MD:  The dolls have been available in Zambia since November 2016. The sale of dolls was officially launched in May 2017. We currently have a range of five dolls namely Luyando, which means Love; Kondwani, which means Happiness; Towela, which means Beautiful; Mapalo, which means blessings; and Limpo, which means blessings.  We plan to expand to include smaller doll sizes. Many other products by M’simbi are also in the pipeline.


L-R, Front-Back:  Luyando, Kondwani, Towela, Mapalo, and Limpo

EEoDiB:  Please describe the dolls’ attributes:

MD: 
Height:                  18 inch/ 45cm doll
Weight:                  1 kg with packaging; (each box is personalized with a doll's name).
Material:                Full body vinyl. Lays and sits down.
Hair:                      Manual implantation, can wash and dress up.
Eyes:                     Open
Skin color:             Chocolate
Safety Certificates: CE En71 F963 ISO 1824
Five Dolls:             Luyando, Kondwani, Towela, Mapalo, and Limpo 
Disclaimer:            Recommended for children 4 years and older

EEoDiB:  What sets M’simbi dolls apart from other dolls made for the target market?

M'Simbi Dolls help teach cultural identity.
MD:  M'simbi Dolls teaches against internalised colourism, which is defined as feeling inferior and not embracing one’s natural features. We teach cultural identity because we believe that no one should feel inferior because of the colour of their skin or texture of their hair. Each M'simbi doll bears an affirmation tag to encourage girls to speak positively about themselves and to realise their innate potential. In short M’simbi not only affirms black beauty but aims at teaching that beauty is in the colour of your skin and that doesn’t need to change.

EEoDiB:  Do your dolls meet child safety guidelines?

MD:  Yes. We have safety certificates: CE En71 F963 ISO 1824 and have a disclaimer that the dolls are recommended for children 4 years and older.

EEoDiB:  How can M’simbi Dolls be purchased and at what price?

MD:  M’simbi Dolls can be purchased in Zambia and its neighboring countries from a number of existing retailers who are engaged as distributors. Further, M’simbi has an online store at www.msimbidolls.com/shop and is developing an Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/msimbi. The dolls retail at USD 34.

EEoDiB:  Do you sell the dolls globally?  If so, how much is shipping to the US?

MD:  Yes, the dolls are sold globally through the website store.  Shipping to America is USD 29 using EMS, which takes around 7-10 days.

EEoDiB:  Do you sell the dolls wholesale?  If so, how should retailers contact you about the possibility of purchasing wholesale and selling your dolls?

MD:  M’simbi has established a simple distributor recruitment procedure. In an effort to empower a number of local small retailers and businesses, M’simbi sells a minimum of 10 dolls at a wholesale price to distributors. Interested distributors can contact M’simbi through the website, Facebook or Instagram pages [see links below]. Potential distributors from any part of the world are most welcome.

EEoDiB:  Please provide your contact information:  website, email, address, phone, etc.

MD:  Website: www.msimbidolls.com
Phone No.: +260 955 805 626
Office Location: Plot 22788, Leopards Hill Road, Ibex Hill Lusaka Zambia.

EEoDiB:  Please share any additional details potential customers should know about M’simbi Dolls.


A future CEO poses with a M'Simbi Doll.
MD:  M’simbi is a brand that stands to empower young children, especially girls. M’simbi, aside from establishing a clothing line (matching doll and girl), is currently working on empowering stories for children in line with its tag lines of natural beauty and the empowering vision of dreaming, believing achieving and in turn inspiring others.

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For additional information about M’simbi Dolls, please use one of their contact links provided above.  To purchase one of the dolls, visit the website store.  To see one of the actual dolls, read the post devoted to Mapalo here.

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Melanites Celebrating Brown Boyhood



Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black had the opportunity to interview Jennifer Pierre, founder of Melanites, "Action Pals: that celebrate “brown boyhood.”  The interview transcript follows:

EEoDiB:  What inspired the creation of Melanites?

Jennifer:  I’m brown, and as a young girl I enjoyed playing with dolls. Yet growing up, it was next to impossible to find toys that looked like me. Many years later, the industry is finally starting to understand that we all don’t have blonde hair and blue eyes as seen by industry giants’ recent roll out of diverse dolls. But for the 7 million boys of color under the age of ten, not much has changed. This is where Melanites comes in.  Melanites designs diverse toys, storybooks, and games that celebrate brown boyhood. Our mission is to inspire children of color to dream big, stand tall, and live out their childhood.

Summer 2015, I was a mentor and volunteer at my local community center. After months of working with the kids in the program, I started to notice that many of the boys were not expressing their full potential and dreamed within a bubble. The messaging they received on a daily basis from various factors like TV and media did not provide positive affirmations about different possibilities for their future. I founded Melanites to celebrate them and change the internalized beliefs they were absorbing. My goal is to remind them that they can be whoever they wish, regardless of what society maps out for them.

Our society is a beautiful mix of different ethnicities, cultures, and personalities. Unfortunately, when a consumer ventures into toy stores or searches online, there aren’t many positive, educational, and diverse options available. Melanites is revolutionizing what it means to have toys and products for boys. We are challenging social norms about gender and diversity.

Melanites are articulated and can stand on their own.


EEoDiB:  Please describe the features:


Jennifer:
Height
  • Approximately 16 inches tall
Material from which they are made
  • Full vinyl body
Are they jointed (if so where)?
  • Articulated in the neck, shoulders, elbow, wrists, hips and knees.
Sturdiness of construct - will they withstand boy play?
  • Yes! We have spent months testing our action dolls in after school programs, playgrounds, and living rooms.

Is the hair molded or rooted with synthetic fibers?
  • Intent on creating a holistic play experience, Melanites decided to have textured wig hair.
Are the eyes inset or painted?
  • Inset eyes


EEoDiB:  What sets Melanites apart from other toys made for the target market; do you believe they are a first of their kind?

Jennifer:  Melanites is the only company currently in the market tackling gender stereotypes and diversity simultaneously. We are developing products that provide a space for the millions of children of color in the country who do not currently see themselves represented. Moving beyond just dolls, our future roll out of storybooks and apps will create an entire ecosystem that celebrates who they are.


Actual image of "Action Pal" Jaylen above design mage of entire Melanites crew.

Our launching toy product, Jaylen, is the new “Action Pal” that combines the emotional appeal of a doll with the novelty of an action figure. Intent on celebrating the diversity of our multicultural society, each Pal comes in diverse skin tones, facial features, and hair types. What makes Melanites especially unique is our development of characters and personalities behind the Action Pals. Our Action Pals are based on four characters who are nine-year-old boys with different personalities. They represent the “Thinker, Doer, Maker, and Performer” in all of us. Our accompanying storybooks and games follow the crew as they go on different adventures that highlight S.T.E.M. and the importance of staying true to yourself.


EEoDiB:  How can Melanites be purchased or preordered?

Jennifer:  Melanites can be pre-ordered starting February 28th through our crowdfunding link hosted by Indiegogo. We will be launching our first action doll Jaylen and potentially through stretch goals, our first storybook Jaylen and the High Five Machine.


Contact information, website, email, crowd-funding link

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Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing the inspiration for Melanites, details about the "Action Pals," and the preordering information through the crowdfunding link provided above and here.  Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black wishes you much success getting the Melanites crew into the hands of little people as well as adult collectors, who will be inspired by owning them.  

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Four Little Girls by Starkey's Daughter Cloth Dolls

Pressed felt faces of dolls that were in the making by Rachel McCullough Sherrod of Starkey's Daughter Cloth Dolls

Rachel McCullough Sherrod of Starkey’s Daughter Cloth Dolls has been making dolls off and on for decades but seriously began dollmaking in 2012 after her retirement. 

Among others, she enjoys making childlike dolls of historical significance.  Her most recent dolls are a set of four, a tribute to the four little girls who tragically lost their lives during the September 15, 1963, bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.   According to Rachel, the idea to make this set was suggested to her by a seasoned, experienced, and well-respected doll collector. 

The Four Little Girls:  Carol Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, Addie Mae Collins, and Cynthia Wesley are beautifully represented in doll form.


As shown above, the completed dolls represent Denise McNair, whose full name was Carol Denise McNair (age 11); Carole Robertson (age 14), Addie Mae Collins (age 14), and Cynthia Wesley (age 14).  Their pressed felt faces are individually sculpted, and their bodies are made of cloth.  With the exception of Denise, each doll stands 20 inches tall.  Denise, described as petite, was the youngest of the girls.  The Denise doll stands 16 inches.


Carol Denise McNair's sweet expression is captured in doll form.
Carole Robertson's closed-mouth, wide smile is artistically reproduced.

The bespectacled Addie Mae Collins doll has a large red ribbon in her hair.
Cynthia Wesley's sweet smile and bright eyes are nicely duplicated in the Cynthia doll.

Currently only one set of the Four Little Girls dolls exists.  Rachel has not determined if additional sets will be made.

On February 5, 2017, the Four Little Girls dolls will be on display at a viewing of the award-winning documentary, Why Do You Have Black Dolls?  Rachel will host this event, which includes two viewings of the documentary at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. EST.  The flyer below contains full details.


For more information about these and other dolls made by Rachel of Starkey’s Daughter Cloth dolls, please contact her by email or by visiting her website.


Read more about the tragic deaths of Carol Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, Addie Mae Collins, and Cynthia Wesley at the first two links below.  The third link redirects to the Why Do You Have Black Dolls? website.

16th Street Baptist Church Bombing
Four Little Girls of Birmingham Remembered
Why Do You Have Black Dolls?

Monday, January 23, 2017

Hearts For Hearts Dolls Relaunch

Heart for Hearts Rahel from Ethiopia is 14 inches tall, made of artist-type vinyl with well-rooted natural-textured, Afro-style hair.  She is one of four returning Hearts for Hearts Dolls.

Having originally entered the doll market for the playline in 2010, the Hearts For Hearts dolls have returned.  The following is notification about the relaunch from Jennifer Crisanti, Director of Business Development for Splashworks.com:

The award-winning multicultural brand, Hearts For Hearts Girls is back. Our mission is to empower girls to become agents of change in their communities, and around the world. Four dolls, Rahel [shown above] from Ethiopia, Nahji from India, Dell from the USA, and Consuelo  from Mexico are now available through Amazon Prime and specialty retailers.
It’s a brand built on a foundation of rich content. Girls can learn about the characters through their diary entries and they will be able to interact with characters in the upcoming mobile apps.  
Together we CAN change the world — one heart at a time! 
You can check out the dolls at : http://www.hearts4heartsgirls.com  
Jennifer added:
Our team feels very lucky to be able to participate on this brand.
We have an opportunity to deliver the brand's messages through games and apps.
 As we move forward, it will be important to continue to connect with the community.  
I have attached a link to a promotional game on our site.  There is more fun to come!  Play the game at http://www.hearts4heartsgirls.com/play.


An empowered girl will become an empowered woman.