When Darya Zhauneryk began customizing dolls more than a decade ago, she did not expect it to become a full-time career. From a young age, she’d had an interest in sewing and tex­tiles, but it wasn’t until the birth of her first daughter that she began to have an interest in dolls. She said, “Since then, dolls have been my only job, my hobby, my creative outlet, and a part of my life.”

Zhauneryk was born in Russia and grew up in Belarus, but she now lives in North Carolina with her two daughters. At 8 years old, she enrolled in a sewing club and learned to make cloth toys. By age 12, she had advanced to sewing clothes. These skills came in handy when she began producing textile dolls. “I created an Instagram account to showcase my work, and new people began to follow me, leading to more orders,” she said. “I made dolls for over two years before starting to conduct workshops on creating these dolls.”

One fateful day, Zhauneryk came across a Blythe doll on Ins­tagram and was drawn in by the doll’s unique aesthetics; large, ex­pressive eyes; and limitless possibilities. She eagerly began seeking out information about how to customize one. Three months later, she shared the result with her Instagram followers. There became a demand for her custom creations, which has continued to grow alongside the development of her skills.

“Initially, my doll customization process was simpler,” Zhauneryk said. “I didn’t carve the new face with as much de­tail; I applied new makeup and changed their clothes. Over time, the technique became more complex. I started studying materials and tools more deeply, and I learned to create intricate hairstyles, carve plas­tic, and craft unique accessories. Now, I create my own fabrics for clothing and add movable parts to the dolls. Each doll has become a reflec­tion of years of experience and artistic growth.”

Inspiration comes to the artist from a mul­titude of sources, including her children, and the end results often feature bright colors and demonstrate Zhauneryk’s ability to home in on the individual characters being developed. “I pay special attention to every detail, meticu­lously crafting the appearance and personality of each doll. My passion for intricate accesso­ries allows me to give each doll a uniqueness and individuality,” she said. One accessory she often incorporates is the mask. “I love creating masks. It is indeed a complex process, but they look very striking on my dolls. I usually make the masks after finishing the work on the doll and its costume,” she said. Completed dolls are photographed, which Zhauneryk said is an en­joyable moment.

Taking time to reflect is beneficial when it comes to personal and professional growth, especially when one works from home. Shar­ing some of the wisdom she’s gained over the years, Zhauneryk said, “At the beginning of your creative journey, it’s important to remember that development takes time and patience. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things — this will help you find your unique style. Avoid comparing yourself to others; everyone has their own path and pace. Connect with other creative individuals and draw inspi­ration from their work. Manage your time and find a balance between work and rest to prevent burnout. Most importantly, maintain your passion and curiosity.”

In line with her own advice, Zhauneryk keeps her mind open to inspiration, continuously dreaming up new ideas and bringing them to life so others can witness her artistic evolu­tion. Consequently, she has formed meaningful connections with numerous people who have been drawn to her dolls. She said, “Thanks to my work with dolls, I have made many friends. Many of my customers have become close friends. Now we often exchange messages and inquire about each other’s well-being and our families. This brings me great joy.”