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Show By KATHY CHRISTENSEN BOUNTIFUL For local businesswoman Julie Corbridge, the Christmas rush is on. Julies craft makes a very popular gift, especially at Christmas time. In nine years of perfecting her trade, Julie has made 2,000 of these treasured gifts, claiming no two are alike and each has its own personality. What are they? Theyre porcelain people. Or some would say, Dolls by Julie." Julie previously worked as a hairstylist and make-u- p artist, until her sister-in-lafrom California introduced her to the world of doll making, and from then on, Julie has engulfed her talents in this one hobby. The dolls are porcelain, and Julie hand paints their faces with china w paints, adds elaborate hairstyles and detailed, sophisticated clothing to create her tiny people. A lot goes into making a doll, Julie explained. Some dolls have glass eyes, some have paper weight. Some have lace dresses covered with hand-sew- n beads on them. All the different factors, including size, determine how much a Doll by Julie will cost. She has dolls from $35 to $700. Its these large, exquisite dolls that have won Julie awards and praise, in state and nation-widThe small shop Julie has owned for five years is divided into showcase and work areas. The showcases are full of gorgeous aware. dwinning pieces, laden with dozens of first place and blue ribbons from the Utah State Fair. Among the ribbons are a few Best of Show awards. Sitting in the work side of her shop, she meticulously hand-painte- d the eyes on a doll she is working on with care and expertise. Hike making little people, she said with a smile, theres something fascinating about it to me. It's a good thing Julie enjoys her work, because from now until Christmas, she will have all the work she can handle. Not only does her local business increase at this time of year, but her orders from the ZCMI Center, where her dolls are displayed, are demanding. Nows the time when I do most of my doll shows too, Julie added. Ive participated in shows in Los Angeles and Anaheim, Calif, and Las Vegas. Making dolls has led Julie to PHOTO BY meet a lot of fascinating people, she said, but she gets the biggest kick out of mens reactions to her work. Men are as fascinated with my work as women are," she said. They look at the dolls from an artistic view. Its fun to see their expressions, and hear their ques- tions. Julie said she takes a lot of orders to costume make dolls to look like wives, daughters and grandmothers. And she can make dolls that have a haunting resemblance to the actual person. Ive created people from the past by looking at a photograph, she said. One such doll was made for a grandmother, using a picture of the woman when she was about five years old. Julie duplicated the hairstyle, facial structure and even the style and fabric of the dress. I also do a lot of bridesmaid and wedding dolls, Julie continued. I can make a bride by looking at the wedding picture, and the dress can even be used to create the dolls dress. I guess you could say she is in the business of making keepsakes. But she also gives classes at her shop. So apparently she is not interested in a monopoly. I usually have a waiting list for classes, Julie said. I take 8-- classes. people for three-hou- r They work at their own pace and do as many dolls Julie described classes as being business is good, as they can. the shop and the really fun, and she added. Many of the extravagant dolls in her shop are Victorian inspired. She explains that dolls came from a Victorian time in history. Thats why we see so many period dolls, she said. Were seeing a lot more modem dolls now. Julie has also been known to fashion dolls like ballerinas, babies, little women, and Santa Claus, among others. The only way I can do a doll for myself is to promise myself I will sell it under no circumstances, but even then, someone usually takes me out of it, she mused. Other items Julie sells in her downtown Bountiful shop include collectable stuffed bears and cats. I try to find things that are unusual, Julie said. Dolls by Julie is located at 203 S. Main. Also, watch for a special on Dolls by Julie, this fall on KSLs Prime Time Access. Julie is from Centerville, she has three children and two ROGER TUTTLE 4 |