Biography

The following information came with Ms. Van Osdell’s dolls.

“After owning a vintage clothing store in Houston, Texas for 10 years, Mary turned to doll making when she was introduced to reproduction doll making at a local doll shop. Upon mastering the difficult skills needed to paint the antique faces, and having a flair for the unusual, Mary began to make little characters of her dolls using antique fabrics and doll accessories. Entering many competitions and winning numerous blue ribbons, Mary was  soon discovered by Doll Reader Magazine and asked to write several how to articles. Tiring of the antique faces, she enrolled in local sculpture classes and started making her own little characters. Mary’s love for antique fabric and old things played a part in developing her own special style of depicting real children from by gone eras. Mary sincere hope is that her dolls brings to you as much pleasure as it has to her.”