By Michelle Adserias
Alicante, a province in Spain, has been known as Toy Valley since the 1800s. The area is particularly known for producing dolls — one of the oldest toys in history — and has led the European market for nearly 100 years. The small town of Onil is at the heart of this province.
It’s not surprising, then, that it was in this community that Nines d’Onil (also known as Nines Artesanals d’Onil) opened its doors in 1985. Their commitment to upholding the reputation that preceded them is clear. All of their dolls, and the accessories that go with them, are handcrafted with great care from high-quality materials and with the well-being of children in mind.
Proof of their dedication to fine craftsmanship comes from three endorsements:
- The Valencian Community Craft Seal, which recognizes and endorses their handcraftsmanship
- Their membership with ASEPRI, the Spanish Association of Early Childhood Products
- Backing from AIJU, confirming they comply with European toy safety standards
When Nines d’Onil introduced their Mia (and Mío) doll line, their goal was not to produce collectible dolls, though the Mia and Mío dolls draw the attention of collectors worldwide. Their goal was to produce affordable, well-made dolls that would engage a child’s imagination and help them grow in every way through interaction with a special little friend. They have accomplished that goal.
Each durable vinyl doll is free of phthalates, a chemical that can be harmful to children. As an added touch, these toys are vanilla-scented, making them even more appealing to cuddle.
The dolls’ heads swivel and their jointed limbs move readily, so youngsters can pose them in numerous positions. They have thick, implanted hair that stands up well to being combed and styled. And their sweet faces are accented with sparkling acrylic eyes. To complete the package, they come in beautiful presentation boxes.
to accompany Mia.
New Mia dolls are introduced each year. In addition to the base collection, there are seasonal and special occasion dolls. There’s a summer doll with a surfboard, a doll to celebrate a child’s first Holy Communion, a doll in costume for Halloween, and one dressed for Christmas — to name a few.
A Word From the Creator of Mia Dolls
What inspired this charming line of dolls? Consuelo Juan Cerdá, the company founder and Mia doll designer, explained they are modeled after the rag dolls she likes so much. She transformed her idea into vinyl dolls because that’s what the company was already making at the time and they wanted the dolls to be part of their collection.
Regarding their styling, Cerdá said, “Since I was a child, I have enjoyed making dresses for my dolls and creating new, different designs.” When she finished her studies, she turned her attention to patternmaking and tailoring. She has since used these skills to create new versions of Mia, combining different outfits, hairstyles, and hair colors. Now, there are dolls ranging from Cotton Candy Mia with her colorful pink, aqua, or purple head of soft hair to Mia Xmas with a traditional red-and-white ski hat, sweater, and winter boots. “They have become a key piece of our production due to the novelty of their designs and collectible components,” she said.
Because every doll is handcrafted, hand-painted, and dressed in handmade clothing, each one is unique and very dear to those who played a role in creating it. It is gratifying to transform a doll from nothing more than an idea into a treasured toy.
“I enjoy creating a new idea, developing it, making its dresses and hairstyles with new finishes, and adding the final details to differentiate it from other models,” Cerdá said.
The makers of Mia dolls have their eyes toward the future. They work hard to create dolls that will continue to be admired by the public. It gives them great satisfaction to see children learning through imaginative play and fills them with joy when they see the smiles their dolls bring to children’s faces. They will continue striving to make children happy.
These reasonably priced dolls are offered by multiple retailers, with one of the largest in the U.S. being Samantha’s Collectible Dolls & Bears (samanthasdolls.com).
Nines d’Onil
ninesdeonil.com
