Rhonda Ingram has launched a new line of dolls that she calls Thrift Shop Divas. Her first doll, Gloria, has been released, and she has already started working on a second doll. The artist also has a new website for her shop at Creamsoda BJD.
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Q: Where did the inspiration for your new doll series originate?
A: I found fresh inspiration when I noticed the surge of AI-generated images online. My mind started buzzing with ideas for a new collection called “Thrift Shop Divas”—fun-loving friends who embrace life, chatting, laughing, and dancing for no reason at all. It’s a great reminder to cherish every moment, regardless of age. Since I hadn’t sculpted in this style before, or seen a senior doll in the BJD scene, the challenge of crafting something unique really sparked my creativity.
Q: Which dolls have you retired recently?
A: As an artist, I quickly tire of sculpting the same style of doll all of the time so generally I retire my sculpts after about 6 months of production. Because I do all of my own work in the studio including sculpting, mold making, casting, and finishing I can create and retire several models every year. In the past year, Beverly, Bethany, Luna, and Clover along with a few others were retired.
Q: Will the new series include any males along with females?
A: Currently, I only have a group of fun-loving ladies planned, but you never know what might pop up.
Q: Are the dolls sculpted by hand or designed through a computer program?
A: All of my dolls are handcrafted from start to finish, beginning with sketches and blueprints, right to the final product. I truly love the hands-on experience of designing on paper and sculpting with clay. While many artists have embraced 3D printing for doll-making, I prefer to stick to traditional techniques.
Q: What do you have planned next?
A: What’s next? Edna of course, Gloria’s longtime bestie. You can bet she knows where all the best bargain shops are! Hop on over to my new shop and subscribe to get new updates and follow along with the sculpting process of Edna.
