Mimi's Frequently Asked Questions Department contains answers to the most frequently asked questions in my snail-mail, e-mail and magazine column in Soft Dolls & Animals! These are also the most frequently asked questions in the on-line dollmaking clubs and at conferences and workshops.

If you have additional questions about dollmaking, and you can't find answers somewhere on this website, just email me at and I will try to find you an answer.

Please keep in mind that I travel a lot and don't use my computer on weekends and holidays (I'm too busy making dolls), so it may take me a few days to answer your question.

Which
Convention
Should I Go To?

They are all different.

They are all good.

Usually you pick which convention to go to based on location, classes offered, or date.

Copying
Patterns or Videos

There are several good reasons for not copying doll patterns or video tapes:

• You can be sued:

• You are stealing the work of another.

On a practical basis, nobody wants to sue and take away your house for making a copy of a pattern or selling a doll made from a pattern. If you make a few copies of a pattern or sell a few dolls on a local basis without attracting much attention, you will be breaking the law, but you aren't likely to be caught. On the other hand, if you set up a factory and produce thousands of copied patterns or dolls, you are certain to get caught and certain to pay a whole lot.

How to
Copyright
Your Work

There are two reasons for having at least a basic understanding of copyright:

• To protect your own work.

• To avoid infringing on another's work.

On-Line (Computer) Clubs,
Mailing Lists, and Newsgroups

Making dolls is usually thought of as a "high-touch" activity, so it may seem surprising that many dollmakers are active on the World Wide Web, the epitome of "high-tech." Indeed, some sociologists have stated that high-touch activities have become more popular as a reaction to the high-tech activities that are an increasing part of our lives. It seems that high-tech is also becoming popular among the high-touch crowd.

Pricing
Your Doll to Sell

Here is an article on pricing your dolls to sell, reprinted from my doll patterns.

Selling
Dolls Made From Another Designer's Pattern

Many of us need to sell the dolls we make to support our habit. Here are some things you should know about selling dolls made from other designer's patterns.

How Do I
Start a Doll Club?

Many dollmakers have asked me how to form a dollmaking club in their area. Here are some general instructions together with answers to some of the questions people have asked. A lot of this information comes from talking to members of existing dollmaking clubs.

Teaching
a Workshop

Most of us are frightened by the idea of getting up in front of a group of people and trying to teach them something. It's not really that hard, and can, in fact, be quite easy.

• Just pretend that you are in your own studio making a doll with a friend.

• Be yourself, and the rest will follow.

It's just that simple. Give it a try. Here are some more suggestions that I use when I am teaching.