WOMAN DOLL MAKER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23160, 5 October 1938, Page 5

WOMAN DOLL MAKER

NO TWO ARE ALIKE HUNDREDS SENT OVERSEAS To-day an Australian woman is regarded by critics as one of the finest and most artistic Lenci doll makers in the world. She is Mrs. Genevieve Beveridge, of Hampden Avenue, Cre,morne." This quiet, unassuming, darkhaired woman in the last few years has made hundreds of dolls for overseas and inter-State visitors. Her dolls can be found in England, Scotland, France and America. They have taken nearly 10 years to perfect. Originally Mrs. Beveridge promised a sick child a doll. The baby girl had been ill for several months. A search of the shops failed to find a suitable one. To keep her word there was no other alternative but to make one. It was a success. Every bit of it was hand-made, except the face. Not only did she dress it and make the body, but also the hands, feet, hair and legs. Friends who had been interested m what she had been doing congratulated her and asked her to make them a doll. This she did. News of her name and work soon spread. She named the dolls "Genevieve," her own Christian name. Madame Delysia, while in Sydney, praised them. Arrayed in silks, satins and net, and looking for all the world as though they have stepped from the pages of history, these gcorgeously-attired and bewigged dolls recall to one the days of Queen Elizabeth and the Court of Louis XIV.

The detail is perfect, the tight-fitting bodices, high mcdici collars, heavilyribboned and brocaded dresses, lace, net and beribboned underclothes, so appropriate to their period, are all there. Even dainty hand-made lace-up shoes and slippers are conspicuous, / The skirt itself is usually six yards around. It takes nearly 15yds of silk, satin or velvet to make the complete dress.. This does not include trimmings. Some of the dolls have over 75yds of lace and ribbon worked into them. All are hand-made. The only part bought made is a face. These aro imported from Paris and Berlin and have false eyelashes. The most surprising thing about the making of the dolls is that Mrs. Beveridge has very little idea, other than the bare outline, of what they will look like until she has finished them. Every one is original. Never at any time has she made two alike.