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Meche Alayza

"I'm Mercedes Tijero de Alayza and I was born in Lima on May 30, 1933. I'm a librarian and file clerk in charge of clinical histories and worked quite a while in this field. But at the same time I studied business administration in the Universidad del Pacifico to carry out a project with my son making doll clothes. In 1990, my son suggested I study art and I took him up on it. I signed up for a ceramics class and found it fascinating. Later on, I studied painting and sculpture at the Lima Art Museum.

"In 2002, as though it were a game, I decided to dedicate myself to crafting dolls. This came about by happenstance when I was leafing through a crafts ideas magazine. There were a dog, a pig, a bear and a sausage dog. I had cut out the patterns when I realized I couldn't sew. I sought out an artisan to help me and now I've developed each part of the technique.

"I took courses in toy-making and I'm always looking at magazines dedicated to this specialty. I like to keep informed and up to date, and not let a single detail slip by me. I let my imagination fly free and then make these creations a reality. This is how I began in this field.

"Amid fabrics and sewing machines I give life to each personality, and I love to see them so happy and cute that every stitch carries my affection and all the pleasure of creating. My grandchildren are fascinated with me. They say, 'Grandma, how wonderful to live in a doll factory!' It fills me with happiness that every doll reaches the heart of the little ones who fill each day – the children!

"To describe my work, I'd have to say that it's something that makes me very happy. It motivates me to seek fulfillment as a person and to provide work for others. I strive to share the happiness."