Allow me to introduce you to Viola Williams who sculpts beautiful dolls to perfection.

I think I've finally met someone who can talk more than me! (yes, believe it or not, its possible)

So who better to tell you a bit more about what she does than Viola herself!:

I make 1:12 scale porcelain dollhouse dolls from my own sculpture... sometimes using molds for other artists for the dolls' hands and feet, and other times using my own molds for the whole doll.

I put "real" eyelashes on my lady dolls and try to give them life-like expressions...

For example, I make little girls sticking out their tongues, ladies-of-the-night winking and smoking gamblers.

I was one of the original owners of "Dolls in Miniature" magazine, the name was later changed to "Dolls and Miniatures"so tiny teddy bears could be included in its pages.

I sell on eBay, Miniatures Only, at shows and from my website

So Viola, tell us a bit of random stuff about yourself (not miniature related)...

I didn't move far from L.A. though... not much further than to Sunnyvale where I met my husband. 

I've since become an American citizen and love this country just as I always loved Canada.  But my home is now here with my husband, children, our dog and the lovely sunshine!

I spend most of my time on the computer or making dolls or as a free lance writer for miniature magazines.

I think of myself as a patient person (most of the time) but am upset when I am lied to... and even more angry when I see children or animals mistreated.

I love my three grandchildren and spend a lot of time with them.  The girls love to adorn themselves in their dress-up clothes and then either put on a fashion show for "grandma and poppy" or have a tea party with their grandfather acting as the waiter. 

My grandson tries to teach me how to play "Mario Wii" with him.. but I can't even pronounce it correctly and have no idea how to play the game.  It's not unusual for him to say:  "oh grandma, you just killed me".... obviously I'm not his favorite play partner. 

Both granddaughters are quite artistic so we always have things we can do together.  And my grandson is such a pleasure to be with too.

My worst habit is probably throwing myself so totally into whatever currently has my attention to the point that I don't even realize when I am being spoken to

What did I do this morning? This morning, as on most mornings, I took an early morning walk, then checked my emails, did some yard work and then went out to breakfast with hubby.

Collector, creator or both?...

Although I have saved a few of my own art pieces (paintings, dolls etc) I am primarily a creator. I love, LOVE to make things.  After I began making minis I found that I quickly collected up way too may dolls houses, furniture, etc.  But when it came to dolls, they added up even fast than my other mini projects.  I was pleased when I discovered that I could sell them.  Those sales played a huge role in putting our daughters through college.
 

I think I already know the answer to this one, but what do you specialise in? ...

Mini dolls

When did you first get interested in creating miniatures and why?...

One day as I was looking through a magazine (I can't even remember which one... could have been a home decorating one) I saw a project for a doll house.  At that moment, before I'd even finished turning to the last page, I was hooked!  Of course I didn't realize the extent of my addiction at that time, nor could I have imagined the many detours that would find me working almost exclusively on the dolls... but here I am, 30-plus years later!  Mini-addictions can happen to the best of us.  So far, no one has discovered a cure.

I know the feeling! So, where do you create your miniatures?...

Fortunately we have a fairly large house for just the two of us, so I have assigned one of the bedrooms to serve as my studio.  Another is my office where I keep all my doll-making files and information... and one section of our garage holds an office desk and my kiln as well as lots of shelving for molds, porcelain etc.

I have often thought it would be nice to live in a smaller house, but then I realize... I am USING EVERY ROOM and don't know how I could manage with less. So I guess we'll stay put.. at least for as long as I make dolls.  This "mini" business is a real misnomer... There is nothing "mini" about the amount of space they can take up.

I'm so jealous...I have a walk-in cupboard under the stairs! What is the oddest thing you have created?...

I'm not sure I've every made anything odd.. but I did do something that was not typical of my work. I made an ugly witch, bathing in her tub reading a glamour magazine and looking into her hand mirror (which had cracked when it reflected her face)  Draped across a stool next to her tub, was her black gown and peaked hat.

That's my sort of miniature! So out of curiousity, who inspires you?...

My husband.  He supports me in every possible way.  I am also inspired by the work of many other fine doll artists. 

When your mind is blank...what inspires you?...

When I seem to be "stuck" I pick up a piece of silk fabric... and search for complimentary trims.... and then I'm ready to "create"

Do you do commissions and if so what sort of things do you get requested to make?...

I used to do commissions.  I rarely do so any more... I find that it's much more fun for me to reach into my own imagination and pull out ideas to develop.

What's  your "other" job or is it miniatures all the way?...

My other job is being a grandma. 

A very enjoyable "job" that must be!

If you hadn't started miniatures what would you have liked to have done instead?...

I have had so many other hobbies: leather tooling, quilting, oil and acrylic painting, making hand puppets, knitting, crocheting... and more.

What I haven't done much (or any) of and would enjoy doing is to try acting, to try writing a book, to become a hair dresser, to work with handicapped children, to study psychiatry, to be a teacher... and a few more. 

I wonder what age each of us would have
to reach before we had accomplished everything that interests us.

I can tell that your husband is supportive but what does the rest of your family think of  your obsession?...

I think they are proud of me... My husband has encouraged me and brings me to all the shows. My oldest daughter has even helped me at shows.  None, though, have any interest in learning the hobby.  However, I've been looking carefully at my 10 year old granddaughter who (at least at this age) has shown an interest in learning how to make dolls.

Do you plan each creation or do you run with your imagination...

I start out with a plan...but often make several changes along the way.

What with being a Grandma and making all these dolls, do you have time for fairs?...

Yes.... I regularily do the Good Sam show in San Jose, Ca., the Nostelgia in Miniature show San Diego, Calif and Miniature Fantasy in Culver City, Calif..  I even did Miniatura in 2008 and would love to return again in 2010 if I'm able to get a table.

If you could change anything about the miniature profession, what would it be?...

I'd try to convert more collectors to this hobby.  It's such a great hobby... you never outgrow it.  It starts when you are just a child.. and then you and the hobby can grow old together.

What a lovely way to look at the miniature hobby.

Pros and cons?...

The Pros of course are obvious.  So much peace is earned when a piece turns out as well as you hoped it would.  You meet absolutely the most wonderful people.  And so much more than there would be time to list.

The Cons?  It is easy to become so focused on the hobby and the people in it, that you never step outside the box.

The hobby is a sedentary one if you are a creator... and possibly if you are a collector as well.  And that seems to widen out one's hips.

Hm...you've seen a photo of me then!

If you could create any miniature what would it be?...

A perfect doll.  Some people already do that... and I hope that one day I will be able to do so as well.

I would say that you do too Viola. Don't be so hard on yourself, we've seen your work!

Is there a miniature task/project that you’ve been putting off or procrastinating about for a long time?

Organizing my supplies.  I've started doing that with my silks... I still need to go through all my laces, and trims and put them in some kind of order.

What is your ultimate goal?...

To keep trying to make the perfect doll.

Describe yourself in 3 words...

Dedicated, loyal and fairminded.  (I chose only the GOOD qualities)....

Anything else you would like to share?...

Another auction side people might like to know about is MOA (Miniatures Only Auction site)
 http://miniaturesonly.com
 
 This site shows ONLY miniatures,making it easy for those of us in that hobby.