From Italy to America, Alessandra Marcellan Thor’s journey to doll making began in a small town located just outside of Venice.

By Jill Jackson

The seeds of Alessandra Marcellan Thor’s dream to become a professional doll artist were planted in Padova, Italy, a small town located just outside of Venice where she was born and raised. As a child she showed an early interest in art and took extra courses in painting and sculpting techniques whenever the opportunity arose. The seeds were nourished by her mother as Alessandra learned intricate needlework arts by watching her sew fine dresses for Italian fashion companies.

When Alessandra was 24 years old, Ramkam (an Italian magazine) published a photograph of one of her first dolls. Within weeks the young artist received more than 100 requests from people who wanted to buy the piece. “Although I thought my doll was the most beautiful in the world at the time,” recalls Alessandra, “I hope the pictures of that first doll will never be found again. I remember she was painted with acrylics, had only three eyelashes, and one eyebrow. Her lips were bright red, and her dress was glued to her body. It’s amazing that anyone found my doll attractive in the first place.”

Nevertheless, this early success encouraged the artist to create more of these dolls. In l997, she discovered the Doll Artisan Guild School of Dollmaking and guild instructor Susan Seitinger, to whom she gives much credit for her education.

With the realization that fulfilling dreams takes hard work, Alessandra quit her job and, using the money she had saved from her doll sales, left her life in Italy to pursue her education in doll making.

In March of 1998, Alessandra attended her first Seeley’s International Doll Show, where she received honors for three separate “Best in Category” events, the “Seeley’s Choice Award,” and the “MAGGE” award for best modern doll. She returned to Italy as a “Master of Dollmaking,” and was well on her way to obtaining her dream.

Later that year, she traveled Atlanta, Ga., to attend the annual Seeley’s Doll Convention. Not only did she fulfill her lifetime dream by obtaining the designation of a Grand Master of Dollmaking, but she also met a young man named Kirk Thor. A very much in love Allesandra returned home to Italy, packed her belongings, and moved to Atlanta, where she and Kirk married.

Since that time Alessandra Thor has continued to garner awards for her dolls, obtained the title Doctor of Dollmaking, write articles, and she has now begun a new dream.

“My dream now is to share my passion for doll making around the world,” says Allesandra. With appearances throughout the U.S., and abroad, Allesandra Marcellan Thor is well on her way to achieving that dream.

Read the complete article in Doll Reader's October 2008 issue.

Buy this issue: October 2008