Helen Kish & Kish & Company – A Legacy of Artistry in Dollmaking

For over four decades, Helen Kish has been at the forefront of collectible doll artistry, captivating collectors with her distinctive sculpting, exquisite detailing, and heartfelt storytelling. As the creative force behind Kish & Company, Helen has blended fine art and traditional dollmaking to create figures that embody beauty, personality, and emotion.

Renowned for her delicate yet expressive sculpting, Helen’s work spans a range of styles—from whimsical childhood innocence to elegant fashion dolls—each imbued with a unique character and charm. With a background in fine art and an unwavering passion for craftsmanship, she has continually pushed the boundaries of doll design, introducing innovative materials and techniques that have set her work apart.

At Kish & Company, every creation is a testament to Helen’s dedication to artistry, precision, and storytelling. Whether through her beloved vinyl and resin dolls or her sought-after limited editions, her work continues to inspire and delight collectors worldwide. Welcome to a world where imagination meets craftsmanship—welcome to Kish & Company.

UPDATE FROM HELEN, MARCH 2025:

It has been a long time since I last posted here. There are a number of reasons for that—chief among them is a change in the direction of my life. I am still sculpting passionately, though I’m creating fewer dolls as the sun begins to set over the horizon. Although we haven’t produced a full line of dolls for many years, Tamas and I have stayed involved by creating special editions for select shops and UFDC conferences.

Our most recent special edition is called The Little Flower. She was created in collaboration with Ruby Ho for Rachel Hoffman's Virtual Doll Convention, in a limited edition of 200. The new head sculpt is based on the actual visage of little Thérèse Martin, the youngest of five daughters born to Louis Martin and Marie-Azélie Guérin Martin in Alençon, France, in 1897. This extraordinary family saw four daughters enter the Carmelite order. Young Thérèse fervently longed to follow her sisters into religious life, and she was so determined that she even petitioned the Pope to allow her entry despite her young age of fifteen.

By the time she passed away from tuberculosis at just 24, Thérèse had become known as The Little Flower—and was already on the path to becoming one of the world’s most beloved and well-known saints.

When I begin a new sculpt, my hands start in softened oil-based clay. I use my fingers first, then small tools to ‘sketch’ out the basic forms, slowly refining the features as much as the clay will allow. From there, Tamas creates the first mold and casts the model in wax—a medium that allows for a high degree of polish and delicate detailing.

After the wax model is sent to the factory, metal molds are made for casting the vinyl. I then wait for the first vinyl sample to arrive, which I paint as a prototype for production. This model is sent back to the factory, along with a wig, to begin the process of counter-sampling.

The next step is creating a sketch for the clothing, which is sent to Ruby so she can work her magic. Naturally, there are changes along the way—fabrics are chosen, small details are added to enhance the original sketch, hair length and color are adjusted, and accessories are thoughtfully considered.

Finally, we design the artwork for the box and certificate, and voilà!—we have a finished doll ready for collectors.

Every part of this process is a true labor of love from both myself and my dear friend and collaborator, Ruby Ho. We hope you’ll consider adding The Little Flower to your collection—for that little extra joie de vivre in your home.