"China painting is the next step, and to me one of the most enjoyable parts of doll making. This takes several firings in the kiln to ensure that I achieve the depth I want in the eye of the doll."

And it isn't just working with the porcelain and paints, there are fabric choices and designs to be made.

"Designing patterns for the dresses or suits, as well as the design of the shoes, and choosing suitable fabrics, then following that up with the actual making, fitting and finally draping of the costume, so that garment hangs realistically on the doll is part of the process," she said.

"Wigging the dolls is the last step and always an exciting part of doll making as this is when the character of the doll starts to shine through. Accessorising is always the least stressful part of making a doll, as by this time most of the precision work has been done."

Her dreams for future dolls?

"I would like to learn how to sculpt my own dolls and I would like to earn accreditation for my dolls. Also to have the honour of displaying a doll of mine in a museum would be fantastic. There are so many facets of the mini world that I would like try, but creating something out of wood would be a great project."

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