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Telephone Interview with Fayzah Spanos - November 9,
2007 |
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© The Doll Empire - All Rights Reserved.
Copying/advertising/broadcasting prohibited without
prior written permission from The Doll Empire. |
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Question: |
how
are you? |
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Answer: |
"I
started my first sculpt in porcelain in 1987." |
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Question: |
W |
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Answer: |
"I
started my first sculpt in porcelain in 1987." |
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Question: |
When
did you start making dolls? |
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Answer: |
"I
started my first sculpt in porcelain in 1987." |
|
Question: |
When
did you start making dolls? |
|
Answer: |
"I
started my first sculpt in porcelain in 1987." |
|
Question: |
When
did you start making dolls? |
|
Answer: |
"I
started my first sculpt in porcelain in 1987." |
Fayzah is in business
making dolls.
Can produce as used to because
No mass production no more Home Shopping Network.
Doll business is smaller but still doing them.
Light of life is coming out in 02/2008
Fayzah will notify everyone |
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Interview with Fayzah Spanos - February, 2005 |
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© The Doll Empire - All Rights Reserved.
Copying/advertising/broadcasting prohibited without
prior written permission from The Doll Empire. |
|
Question: |
When
did you start making dolls? |
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Answer: |
"I
started my first sculpt in porcelain in 1987." |
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Question: |
What
are the advantages and disadvantages of
manufacturing porcelain dolls? |
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Answer: |
"Working with porcelain is hard -as far as the
artist is concerned. Polishing porcelain can be
harmful for health. It is carcinogenic to breath in
the powder caused by the process of polishing
porcelain. The artist has lot more control over
vinyl. I like the feeling of it. Vinyl is a lot more
cuddly. It is more lively, has more warmth and it
does not break. The startup cost involved in setting
up vinyl manufacturing is a lot higher in comparison
to porcelain manufacturing." |
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Question: |
Is
doll manufacturing labor intensive and can your
dolls be mass produced? |
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Answer: |
"Doll
manufacturing is very labor intensive and our dolls
could not be mass produced. All of our dolls are
manufactured by hand." |
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Question: |
Do you
experience the competitive struggle from other doll
artists who manufacturer in the People's Republic of
China and other developing countries? |
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Answer: |
"Foreign competition has always been there and will
continue to be there. As a rule, most consumers do
not have a clear understanding of the processes and
expenses involved when manufacturing in the USA.
Fortunately, most of my customers are placing
quality of workmanship as the higher priority." |
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Question: |
How
many dolls do you manufacture annually? |
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Answer: |
"Out
output varies from year to year. The edition numbers
vary between 50-500 pieces." |
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Question: |
What
is your best market for selling your dolls? |
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Answer: |
"Certainly North America (United States, Canada)." |
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Question: |
What
is your next best market for selling your dolls? |
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Answer: |
"Western Europe, possibly Germany (HSE - Home
Shopping Europe). |
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Question: |
What
serves as the inspiration and idea for your
creations? |
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Answer: |
"Inspirations can come from anything. Something that
I hear or see can create an entire concept for me
like seeing a baby in a stroller. Inspirations can
come from impulses ... possibly from a phrase I hear
.. entirely unpredictable." |
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Question: |
What
are the processes involved from the inspiration to
the finished doll? |
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Answer: |
"My
inspirations lead to a vision ... the vision leads
to the design. I start to work on creating a mold
for the sculpting. After sculpting I look for the
clothing and accessories materials to finish the
doll." |
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Question: |
What
serves as the motivation for your success? |
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Answer: |
"My
success comes from the satisfaction of my customers.
My motivation comes entirely from within. I don't
look at doll manufacturing as being my job or career
... it is a way of life to me." |
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Question: |
What
type/style of dolls are your favorites? |
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Answer: |
"Cuddly babies are a little bit closer to my heart
... children in general." |
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Question: |
Any
particular image? |
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Answer: |
"Any
expression that records the true emotions of
childhood: Smile, tearful, innocence." |
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Question: |
Do you
prefer designing your dolls for Holiday themes? |
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Answer: |
"I
have done it in the past and will do it again." |
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Question: |
What
sculpt was the most successful in your opinion? |
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Answer: |
"Certainly
the
sculpt of the 'Kisses' doll." |
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Question: |
Which
doll is your favorite? |
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Answer: |
"All
of them are my favorites. I love them all." |
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Question: |
Do you
place marketing research at a high priority? |
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Answer: |
"I
design my dolls coming from the impulses of my heart
... the market responds favorably." |
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Question: |
What
goals and objectives can we expect in the future
from Fayzah Spanos? |
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Answer: |
"Hope
to stay healthy and continue what I was doing the
past 17-18 years." |
