Today we’d like to introduce you to Yamile Meza.
Yamile, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have been making dolls for the past 8 years. I was working freelance as a graphic designer and had always had toy making in the back of my mind. One day I just did it, or rather found an excuse to make the first doll. Slowly but surely, an audience grew. Turns out, there is a market for handmade dolls out there, not only for kids, grown up’s need them too. It’s turned into a matter of representation I think. I put a lot of my culture into them when I can be creative with the doll I’m working on.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I mean, handmade is not a necessity in the world, better put, a few years back it wasn’t recognized to have the value it actually has. What I mean by this is, yes, struggles along the way, absolutely. There were times when no orders seemed to be coming in, and you have the time to doubt every decision you can remember to have made along the way. I’ve learned to remember two things when a bump on the road comes along: it’s all about navigating peeks and valleys, and you can always use that down time to work on online presence… because it really works when you put in the work.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am known for makings dolls, sometimes Catrina/ day of the dead themed dolls are what people recognize, sometimes it’s the custom orders I’m lucky to get to work on, other times is dolls with whimsy I put together, like last years holiday dolls which had a completely surprising color palette and Mexican “posada” touches all over.
Any big plans?
Sometimes I daydream about a brick and mortar, I can see the type of space I would love, how it would be decorated, how dolls would be displayed, the stationary you would fill orders in, packaging I would design and use. A workshop/store with space for an in person class once in a while.
Doesn’t that sound fun?
Also, I need to hire people to help me with the process of material prep, this operation of ONE, is no longer viable.
Pricing:
- Dolls start at $45 USD
- Custom orders & Catrinas start at $55 USD
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Alfiie Doll
