The Doll Maker

Rita Olesen is truly a jack of many trades. From writing poetry and children's books to painting, there is little she is not willing to try once.

But Rita's true passion has touched the lives of everyone around her.

For the past 10 years, Rita, 82, has been making and collecting dolls as a way to give to others and express her creativity.

"Dolls have become such a big part of my life," she said.

Making dolls allows Rita to portray her life to others. She owns almost 200 dolls, and each not only has its own look and personality, but also represents Rita's experiences or a person she has met.

While growing up in a small town in Massachusetts, Rita spent time in an orphanage with three siblings. She never had the opportunity to play with dolls or toys. Since she missed out on an important childhood experience, Rita enjoys making dolls for children to make up for what she did not have.

Making dolls first became a part of Rita's life when she was a cadet nurse during World War II.

While Rita was in training to be a nurse, her mother-in-law became sick and was hospitalized. To cheer her up, Rita made her first doll.

"She just loved Betty Boop, so I decided to make one for her," Rita said while admiring the doll.

Rita collects not only dolls but also teddy bears. She has nearly 300 teddy bears given to her by friends over the years.

"When I was a nurse, I would give my patients teddy bears," Rita said. "When they would leave, they would give me a teddy bear."

What started as a friendly gesture soon became a hobby that has lasted for years.

"Once I started making dolls for my grandkids, they started telling their friends about it," Rita said. "Now I make dolls for orphanages in Africa, as well."

It is experiences like these that Rita uses as inspiration for creating dolls.

Rita not only designs her dolls based on life experiences, but she also writes stories to go with the characters. Her stories range from adventures in Ireland or Africa to her latest book about the life of a solider, which is based on her husband Clayton's service in World War II.

"He doesn't really like to talk about it, but I wanted some way to tell his story" Rita said.

Since she is a nurse, Clayton said, Rita learned a great work ethic, which is why she puts so much time and energy into each and every doll.

"Do you know how I've stayed healthy all these years? I've been sleeping with a nurse," Clayton said with a chuckle. "People always get a kick out of that."

Along with making character dolls, Rita has recently started honing her skills into a specific category.

"Right now angels are my specialty," Rita said.

As a way to say "thank you," Rita made an angel for each of her fellow nurses.

"All the nurses I worked with seem to be angels," Rita said.

To share her love for her hobby, Rita participates in the Dollings, a local club that highlights the art of doll making and collecting.

Once each year, the Dollings visit the Millhopper library to display their collections. In January, Rita will participate in Collector's Day at the UF science museum, and she hopes to one day give doll-making classes to local Girl Scouts groups.

Rita and the Dollings also participate in craft shows and visit the library and bookstore to display their doll collections and inspire others.

"Girls nowadays are only into Barbies and the Bratz dolls," she said. "I want to show the importance of the old-time dolls."

In order to keep the old-time feel of her dolls, Rita uses antique lace or cotton to dress them.

"It just gives them that antique, old-fashioned look," Rita said.

Because of poor vision, Rita has trouble making dolls the way she used to. Instead of using a machine, she now has to make each doll by hand, which takes about three to four days.

"The hair can sometimes take five hours," Rita said.

Most of Rita's dolls range from 12 to 14 inches tall, but she also makes life-size dolls.

Each of Rita's dolls has become a part of her family, she said. She proudly displays her dolls, which have won many awards in local contests, throughout her house.

"I wake every morning to see these smiling faces," Rita said.

Collecting and making dolls is not just a hobby to Rita. It is a way to remember the past.

During World War II, dolls were used to smuggle medicine to soldiers overseas because they did not inspect the mail back then, she said.

"I don't play with dolls. I study dolls," Rita said. "If you look back on history, you can see the important roles dolls have played." §

Hayley Mathis is a student in UF's College of Journalism. She may be contacted through the editor: editor@towerpublications.com.