I was born in Port Huron, Michigan as the only child of antique dealers. Being born into that business gave me an early appreciation of Art History and finery. It also came with a lust for hunting for bargains! My favorite places were family friends' homes, as many of them collected an endlessly interesting assortment of teddy bears, dolls, carousel horses, music boxes, pop art, vintage clothing and handbags, Deco furniture and Art Nouveau décor just to name a few. I have always been in love with the Boudoir dolls and Liddle Kiddles of the 1960's in particular. I truly appreciate the doll making genius of Martha Armstrong-Hand.

At age three I was snuck into a ceramics class with five to seven year old's because I would not stop doodling on any unadorned space! I have painted the walls of estates, the windows of businesses, vehicles, a 20-foot canvas live to music, thousands of faces as a professional face painter of nearly 15 years. I have been on the radio, in newspapers and magazines. But still, working in 3D has always been my calling. Artdolls require an artist to be a sculptor, painter, fashion and jewelry designer, seamstress, caricaturist, engineer, illustrator, photographer, colorist, beautician, conceptualist, and more. My favorite dolls to make and appreciate are dolls that invite a story or offer a surprise. My art is taken from what I already know about life drawing (both human and animal)and then stylized. I am not so much interested in my art looking like a photograph as I am in it being uniquely mine.

I love a good challenge, so when two of my pieces broke in shipment to the Kansas City Art of the Doll, I decided a change was in order. So I began to experiment with Superflex, and then fell head over heels in love with needle felting.

The felting bug took over and soon I was making a complete menagerie of animals with felted features. Now I have turned that style toward dolls again. They are felted wool over wired cloth, with bendable fingers. Look for me to head into puppetry and even handbags!

I just love all of my collectors. They are a small but unbelievably supportive fanbase. Richard Simmons is among them. Thank you all for letting me bring your new friends to life. It was a joy and a pleasure. Keep them coming!

Now 39, I attribute my ability to work to my husband, Jim Lampshire, and our 3 great kids. They love what I do which means so much. The Lampshires are all cozy in a little house in a Detroit suburb.

We never forget to LaFF!