Supermom and her Sewing Machine; Kristy Hoffman
Inspired by Individuality
Inspiration for Nova’s Dollies comes from an extraordinarily girly, unicorn loving, five year old Nova, however the credit of all the unique dollies goes to her momma Kristy Hoffman.
(Kristy Hoffman, creator of Nova’s Dollies)
Around the Fall of 2014 when Nova was just one year old, Kristy made her, her own doll. It was the first one she had ever designed and was received well by everyone who caught a glance.
“I had seen pictures of dolls similar to the ones I create now and thought it would be cool to make one for her from me, one that looked like her.” In fact, Kristy LOVES creating dolls with individuality for each client. She says, “I want people to be able to have their dolls exactly how they want them.”
It was when Kristy created this first doll and shared it on her personal social media pages that she got the idea to create more and sell them. “When I posted it people were giving me a lot of positive feedback and telling me they wanted to buy one.” She went on to tell me that her husband Curtis, was the first one to encourage her to start her business.
Matching Outfits; Matching Scars
She has since experimented with different size dolls, hair textures, and outfits which she explains is not only her favorite part but Nova’s as well. “I’ll be making a new outfit for a doll and she will stand there and watch and then ask for it for herself.”
Kristy has actually made quite a few dresses and skirts for her girls as well as herself. She has even made several matching outfits for girls and their dollies.
(Nova and her dolly, matching outfits made by Kristy)
This summer, I personally, have been teaching summer school to 9 and 10 year olds, and happened to show them some of Kristy’s creations. The girls (who at that age are often ‘too cool’ for everything) became obsessed with the dolls and each wanted one for themselves. They, like Nova, were asking if Kristy could make them some of the outfits she has created for these dolls.
Nova’s momma did say that Nova’s favorite part of the dolls are all their cute outfits however upon observation while interviewing it was clear that Nova’s favorite doll was her unicorn doll (which was attached to her nearly the whole time I was at their home.)
(Dolly creation by Kristy)
Kristy also created a customized doll for her son Hudson. Her oldest Hudson, was born with a cleft lip and pallet and has undergone two different surgeries to repair both. She says she feels blessed to have a case as simple as his. Saying that he probably won’t need any revisions, perhaps just a bone graft surgery on his mouth when he turns eight. She was able to design a doll for him when he was four years old and says, “He was so excited to have a doll that looked like him. I let him pick out the clothes for his doll which made it even more special.”
(Hudson and his doll who has a matching scar)
Kristy is a supporter of boys playing with dolls simply because she says every kid wants a doll that looks just like them. She says it makes them feel special and her dolls definitely do that.
Amongst many projects Kristy was also able to make a doll for a little girl who had open heart surgery (which is my personal favorite doll, I secretly want one for myself) “I reached out to her mom because I just wanted to show people that I can make a doll look exactly like their kid to make it more special and meaningful. People wouldn’t normally think of including a scar on a doll so I wanted to show them it was an option.”
(Doll with open heart scar, created by Kristy)
Kristy even had a woman find her Etsy page and request a customized dolly for her little girl who happens to wear leg braces. Kristy was emailed a picture of the little girl and was able to match the doll to look like her, going the extra mile, making the leg braces detachable with little straps. She even went as far as to leave the leg braces white for the little girl to color and love on to look like her braces she wore.
Dads Buying Dolls
Kristy says she gets most of her clients by word of mouth or by people who discover her Instagram page (which is completely adorable and should be followed by all readers @novas_dollies).
One woman from Kristy’s church, whose husband is a police officer, suggested that she make police officer dolls to which Kristy gladly made a few. She said that it was fun because with those ones she had a few dads reach out and order dolls for their kiddos which she told me doesn’t happen often and that moms usually order them. Kristy said she enjoyed that experience and that it was a way for the children to show their pride in their parents.
(Policeman dolls created by Kristy)
Finding the Time as a mom
It was around this time that she was making these police dolls that Kristy says he was the busiest she has ever been. “I made about 30 dolls in a 6 week period,” She explained, “It was Christmas time which is always busy but the year before I had only made about ten, I wasn’t expecting to get that many orders.”
Kristy says that she makes the dolls in an assembly line process most of the time, that it’s easier to do one step at time but even then it takes 4 to 5 hours to make each doll from start to finish.
(Dolls in progress)
This past Christmas while Kristy was creating 30 unique, customized dollies for customers, she had just had her fourth baby. “I told Curtis that it was like I was going to work two nights a week and he would take over dinner and bedtime with the kids. He has definitely been my biggest support.”
Of course, I had to ask Kristy how she manages to find the time (and energy) to put so much work into her dollies when she has four little ones at home. “I usually find time while they’re asleep, nap time or bedtime. Occasionally I’ll put a movie on, make sure they’re fed and happy, and try to sneak away but they usually still come in and talk to me.”
(Nova with her dolls, which one is real??)
While I was interviewing Kristy, Nova came over a few times to ask questions, once complaining about Hudson wanting to watch Minecraft (boys, right?) to which Kristy very lovingly and kindly helped Nova find something else to do, making her needs feel recognized and validated.
Kristy says that it is both important to find a balance and that it is also something she struggles with between motherhood and creating her dollies. It was clear watching her as Nova brought over ‘tea’ and ‘cookies’ that she was meant to be a mom which is what she always said she wanted to be. It is also clear by looking at her creations that she is meant to be an artist and provide these unique dolls for the individuals who are lucky to bring them home.
(Candid shot of Kristy and Nova in her sewing area)
Kristy says to all the other moms who want to start projects of any kind but struggle with starting, “They need to realize that they do need time to themselves, even if it’s hard because mom’s want to give kids their literal all,” She went on to add, “I mean you gotta give up something to do it. Do it don’t ignore it. If you want to do something, go for it, don’t find excuses. Communicate with your husband (or those who support you) and find your ‘me time’.”
Coping Through Creative a Creative Outlet
She explains that her ‘me time’ is any time she can get away and create something in her sewing area. She says having the quiet time to think and create is when she is able to process daily events and to cope with any stresses.
Kristy told me that when she was going through everything with Hudson’s surgeries she was using writing as her creative outlet (hm, that sounds familiar) and that it really helped to write it all out. She said it also helped to find people who were going through what she went through and connected with them through outreaches on her blog.
She says, “. I think for anyone to have something to go to that’s just theirs could help someone cope. Something they can take pride in and know they can do a good job.” Kristy relates this to her job as a mom verses her job as an artist, “I can post my work, any new dolls I’ve created and get positive feedback from people which makes me feel good but as a mom you don’t always get that even when you know you’re doing a good job.”
A doll made just for you
From sewing with her mom at the age of twelve creating Halloween costumes to now creating specialized, prized possessions for people all over the country, Kristy has both benefited herself and benefited the lives of others.
(Nova and dolls created by Kristy)
Her custom dolls are 22” and of course come with customized outfits (multiple at an extra cost) and start at $45.00. Kristy is always open to hearing what others want in their dolls and is always willing to accommodate customers. All of her Etsy reviews show how responsive and how caring she is towards her customers. Kristy is definitely an advocate for individuality and as a momma of four recognizes that each child has their own unique personality that deserves to be represented.
So love this!
What an extraordinary talent! All mothers need an outlet, I love the ones that turn you toward other people. The individuality of each doll is remarkable!
Kristy made a Dollie for my granddaughter! She lives close by, so I was able to pick it up from her home! It was adorable! I wanted to keep it and hold it myself!!! The dolls are darling and Kristy is indeed-very talented!