The Art of Dollmaking Comes Naturally for Maria Asenova
By Hannah Kelley
Photos by Maria Asenova
With imagination and determination, even the simplest of materials can be transformed into works of art. Maria Asenova manipulates wool, cotton, and linen in such a way that her doll creations easily convey unique and endearing personalities. From facial expressions to the way they are styled, the love and happiness poured into them is evident.
Asenova was born and raised in Lom, Bulgaria, and has used art to express herself since she was a young child. She made her first doll at 7 years old and took a serious interest in 2D art in her teens. She said, “During my high school years, I had the incredible opportunity to attend private drawing lessons with the renowned Bulgarian artist Ivan Manoilov. His artistic guidance not only enhanced my skills but also ignited a deeper passion for art within me.”
Dollmaking was put on pause while Asenova attended school to become a psychologist, a profession she remained in for several years. But it came back into focus when her daughter was born in 2005. Asenova wanted to make her a doll that could be passed down for generations. Consequently, once dollmaking was back in her life, it was hard to ignore the passion it reignited. “I am a self-taught artist, and I’ve always felt that I was destined to be a master dollmaker,” she said. “It feels as though the diverse skills and interests I have cultivated over the years in various artistic pursuits have converged beautifully in this creative endeavor.”
Living with her family in a small town on the Danube River in Bulgaria nearly two decades later, Asenova still finds the dollmaking process magical. “My dolls are lovingly crafted from luxurious wool and soft cotton fabrics. Each creation is meticulously needle-felted and then adorned with beautiful fabrics,” she said, noting she prefers to use wool rather than porcelain or plastic because it has a “cozy charm — when you hug one of my dolls, it feels warm and inviting.” She affectionately refers to the dolls as her wool children.
In addition to their realistic features, the artist said, “I strive to incorporate a touch of whimsy, ensuring they exude a cartoonish charm reminiscent of illustrations from beloved children’s books. This combination of realism and playful aesthetic is what sets my dolls apart.”
The basis for Asenova’s dollmaking approach was inspired by Waldorf pedagogy, which also influenced the name she chose for her business — Marias Nature Toys. She said, “I embraced the use of natural materials and the charm of handmade toys, creating pieces that spoke to the innocence and creativity of young minds. As time passed, my work evolved and transcended into the realm of art, yet I chose to retain the original name of my dolls. This decision serves as a cherished reminder of my origins and the foundational principles that guided me. It is vital to honor those early experiences and the roots of success that have shaped my artistic vision.”
Unlike limbs, which are quite similar between dolls, the heads and faces readily allow for creativity to take hold. “While I always begin with a vision of the final outcome,” Asenova said, “I’m often amazed at how the finished piece evolves in unexpected ways. There are moments when it feels as if my hands are guided by an unseen force, intuitively creating something beyond my imagination. It’s a truly magical experience, as if the art itself comes alive through my fingertips!”
Depending on the size and design intricacy, a single doll can take anywhere from one week to two months to complete. Factoring in a growing list of clients, the wait time can be up to a year, but it’s worth it. Asenova makes the dolls and their clothes entirely by hand, and she compares the process to nurturing children, in that she imparts her dreams and a piece of her soul on them. It requires her full dedication and an acceptance of working mostly in solitude, but she said, “It’s this deep commitment to my work that I believe is the key to my success. Each brushstroke, every moment spent in creation, draws me closer to the heart of my art and the fulfillment it brings.”
All of this takes place in a small attic studio with a terrace. Asenova said, “It bursts with color and creativity. It’s a delightful chaos of vibrant threads, rich fabrics, and a treasure trove of children’s books. Scattered throughout are some cherished toys from my own childhood, alongside my daughter’s dollhouse, where the dolls continue to live their whimsical lives. This space is a joyful blend of nostalgia and inspiration, inviting imagination to flourish in every corner.”
Recollecting and forming new memories are natural parts of dollmaking. For example, Asenova fondly remembers her grandmother telling tales of European adventures while teaching her to sew. The earthy smell of the wool brings to mind times spent lying in the grass with her grandpa as they watched over his sheep. Skipping ahead to when her daughter was young and helping package dolls to ship, Asenova said, “She would earnestly request that I poke a few holes in the cellophane wrapping, insisting that the doll needed to breathe. Isn’t that just the sweetest thing?” The artist also recalled a small doll she made for her mother, who always encouraged her to believe in her dreams: “It accompanied her in her final days on this earth. Now, it resides in my studio, a priceless treasure imbued with memories of her hands cradling it until the very end.”
On a larger scale, dollmaking has allowed Asenova to gain new experiences while sharing her talents. “Courses are a wonderful part of my journey as a creator,” she said. “I meet wonderful people with whom I share common interests, and I pass on to them what I have learned over the years. Traveling is a part of my life and fills me with inspiration. I go to teach wherever I am invited, and I am always grateful for every opportunity. Art in itself is therapy, and if I want to teach them anything, it is to give freedom to their imagination and to create with their soul.”
Further reflecting on the significance of dolls, both in her own life and in general, Asenova said, “In my heart, dolls represent that whimsical, innocent side of me that society tends to bury as we grow up. They are a connection to the forgotten joy of our youth, a reminder of the purity and creativity we tend to stow away as we embrace adulthood. Each doll I create carries a piece of my spirit, crafted with love and a smile. I take joy in knowing that my creations bring happiness to their owners, and that shared joy makes my heart swell. Thank you for welcoming me into this community! Remember, no one achieves success alone!”
Marias Nature Toys
