DOLLS: What do you create?

Sara Bolaños: I make jewelry for dolls out of seed beads, chain, wire, crystals, and semiprecious gemstones.

DOLLS: How did you get started making jewelry for dolls?

Bolaños: I started making beaded jewelry for people and selling at powwows and other Native American events, as well as cul­tural events, fairs, etc. I fell away from the craft but still made an odd birthday gift here and there. One day, someone asked me if I’d be able to make their collectible 16-inch doll an accessory, and I did. It was so enjoyable that I bought my own doll and continued making and selling my beaded doll jewels on eBay. I bought dolls with the money I earned from my jewelry making hobby.

DOLLS: What makes your jewelry unique?

Bolaños: I find that my jewelry is very well pro­portioned to the doll sizes. I also use a lot of in­tricate patterns of seed beads with a needle and thread that you don’t really see too often. I like to upcycle bits and pieces from other jewelry I buy at garage sales and thrift stores to make one-of-a-kind designs.

To make the doll necklaces, Sara Bolaños uses needles and thread to link together size #15 rocailles.

DOLLS: Where do you find your inspiration?

Bolaños: I have a lot of very artistic doll collecting customers that have a keen eye for clothing and accessories. Seeing the en­sembles they put together with my doll jewelry as the ultimate accessory is really inspiring. Even now, many of my friends on social media still mention me when they share their doll pho­tography featuring a well-dressed, well-accessorized doll, and I find it so inspiring! I also don’t feel pressured to create solely for the profit. I do it because I genuinely enjoy crafting.

DOLLS: What is the general price range of your jewelry?

Bolaños: $18 to $30 and possibly up to $50, depending on what I create.

DOLLS: Where can your products be purchased?

Bolaños: I usually advertise on Facebook groups and sometimes will list on eBay. Mostly, I sell privately using PayPal. I plan to attend one event coming up in San Diego — a ball-jointed doll convention, which I attend every November — and possibly another in January in the city of Verdugo Hills in Southern Cali­fornia.

DOLLS: If someone wants to learn more about your offerings, what should they do?

Bolaños: They can look me up on Facebook (Beads by Sada) or In­stagram (@beadzsada), or email me at sadamb1111@gmail.com.

Beads by Sada