In 1958, on the last day of Winter I was born in Sydney, Australia.

As a child I loved to draw and I remember playing with my paper dolls but being creative in our house was discouraged, as that wasn’t a good career path.

I was allowed to sew my own clothes though, so that was something.

So for years my sister and I led an un-creative life; our early years weren’t very happy as we grew up in a violent household. By the time I completed high school, I wanted a career in the Art Industry, but my father wanted us to be doctors or lawyers.  To spite him I refused to attend University.  I attended secretarial school instead and my one regret in life is that I didn’t get to study art. .

When I was 22 I married a wonderful and encouraging man, who doesn’t mind me dabbling in anything I want to.  I’ve now been happily married for 29 years.

 We have 3 beautiful kids and a very playful kitten, Piccolo.

After years of working in various office and supervisor jobs, I wanted to be a full time Mum when my first baby girl was born 23 yrs ago.

I found I had more time to be creative, I began sewing kids clothes, simple, flat faced dolls, bears, toys and items like doorstops and draught-stoppers.

By the time our son came along I was selling my items to a party plan company and shops.

I soon wanted something a bit more challenging, I tried mosaics, quilling, paper tole, folk art and more, which were enjoyable but I wasn’t hooked on anything in particular.  

One day as I was delivering my goodies, a new store opened nearby, I didn’t know it then but it was owned and run by the Australian designer Pearl Moon.

In this store was ‘The Cloth Doll’ magazine. I had never seen anything like it before, here in Australia no one I knew had ever heard of Cloth Dolls.

I was mesmerised by what each page displayed, gorgeous dolls with realistic noses and 3 dimensional, not flat faces.

I purchased as many issues as I could afford and started making the beautiful characters.

After years practicing and making many dolls by famous artists such as Ellise Peeples, EPB, Patti Culea and pouring over every page of the Susanna Oroyan books, I was absolutely hooked.

 Around this time (2002) I had my 3^rd baby (another girl).

While raising my family, actually this was a very hectic time, my oldest just started school, my husband was on permanent night shift, so taking care of 3 small kids was  more than a full time job, as all Mum’s know.

I think having a creative outlet has kept me sane, through the stressful times in life.

I began to experiment with my own styles and designs, and after hundreds of rejects pieces, I designed Zara, the Gypsy, which was the first pattern I released.

 Then came Tambalay

my first and still my favourite jester-

Maybe you’ve noticed I have a thing for jesters.

To my surprise my patterns began to sell.   I would dream of dolls, I’d wake up most mornings and sketch my next creation.

By the time my youngest started school, I was offered a position at the local Community College teaching my designs and Community Centres teaching various crafts. 

Did I mention how much I love to teach, seeing people come into my classroom who believe that they won’t be able to complete a doll, and when they do their joy is so uplifting and inspiring.

I have had students that have attended my workshops for approx. 14 years, they say it’s better than therapy, for a few hours each week they forget their problems, talk, laugh, sew and drink coffee.

For 12 years I have taught on-line workshops too, anyone can join in.

Theatre, period/costume films, art, music, people and places inspire me.

To date, I have designed more than 60 patterns and 15+ workshops.

I enjoy working in cloth, some of my pieces are painted over with gesso and/or acrylics and some are paper clay over cloth.

Fantasy, dragons, elves, fairies and jesters are my preferred themes, but Medieval, Commedia D'Arte and costume history also interest me.

I am a member of NODAAA (Australian Original Doll Artists Assoc. of Australia) and CDAA (Canadian Doll Artist Assoc).

My pieces have won many, trophies, medals, rosettes and ribbons.  

My OOAK, Prototypes and Limited Edition pieces are held in collections around Australia, the U.S.A, Canada, Italy, South America, Greece, England and Pakistan.   

My work has been featured in various publications-

*Dolls, Bears & Collectables- Australia

*Handmade- Australia

*Soft Dolls & Animals- U.S.      

*Doll Crafter & Costuming- U.S.

*Dolls United- U.S.

*Contemporary Doll Collector- U.S.

I hope to continue designing my Soft Sculptures and sharing them with the world. I also want to expand and experiment with  different mediums and try alternate arts, but doll making will always be my main passion. 

Thank you to all that have supported me throughout the years by purchasing my patterns, joining my workshops and sending encouraging comments, I appreciate it immensely.

Almost all of the pictured pieces can be found as patterns and workshops at Doll Street, for more see-

My Web site- www.mmunzonedesigns.com

My Blog- http://mmunzonedesigns.blogspot.com/

My Etsy Shop- http://www.etsy.com/shop/michelledolls

Past AOMs:

Linda Misa

Cody Goodin