The small Swiss town of Dübendorf (near Zürich) is home to Corinne Käufler, the winner of 2 Colliii Awards from 2009. The remarkable thing about her triumph was the fact that she won 2 awards with 2 different dolls, in 2 different categories!.

We met up with Corinne to find out more about her and help doll collectors around the world get to know this outstanding doll artist.

Colliii.com: Hello Corinne, congratulations again on your achievements in the Colliii Awards 2009. Are these the first awards you have won for your dolls?  

Corinne: Hello and thank you! These aren´t the first awards that I have won for my dolls. I have won several in the past for my porcelain dolls and this year I also won the "World-Award" for my Mini-Baby which is a Eurodoll award and is also the doll that won "Best Mini-Baby" at the Colliii Awards.  

Colliii.com: How did you react when you watched the Colliii TV episode where Petra and James announced the winners? (which can be seen by clicking here)

Corinne: I was really taken a back and at first I couldn´t believe it, I almost fell of my chair! It was amazing especially coming so soon after winning the Eurodoll award.

Colliii.com: You won 2 Colliii Awards, one for your OOAK and one for your Reborn. Which one means the most for you?

Corinne: That is hard to say... both awards are special. The one for Minaku is special because it was for "Special Effects" and I have always loved art, be it painting or drawing. It has always been a passion of mine since I was a child. I put a lot of details in to Minaku and I am really happy and thankfull that she won! This award shows that at least I am on the right course with my work and that is great for my customers!

Colliii.com: How did you get into doll making? Did you start with sculpting or with Reborn dolls? 

Corinne: I started sculpting back in 1991. I was really into artistic dolls back then and I visited a doll course from Hildegard Günzel. She is a big role model for me and she helped me to work with procelain.
I made my first porcelain doll back in 1996. I never really did babies, mostly older children, elfs and even grown ups. Then around 1997 I got into teddy bear making, and I had "Teddy Fever" for a good 3 years!. I made all kinds of Teddies and I got into Reborns by seeing them at a Teddy show I visited around 3 years ago. Since then I have had "Reborn Fever" and my passion for doll making is back.

Colliii.com: Which kind of dolls do you make more of, Reborn dolls or OOAK dolls.

Corinne: Up until a while ago I was only doing Reborn dolls, but recently I started sculpting again. At the moment it is pretty equal, but I would have to say that I do a little bit more sculpting. I think it wont take long before I am just sculpting.

Colliii.com: What are you going to do with the winning dolls?

Corinne: There are in my collection at home!

Colliii.com: What was your motivation to do those particular dolls for the Colliii Awards?

Corinne: I have always been fascinated by miniatures. I have a large dolls house in my cellar and that was a motivation to test out making mini-babies.

Colliii.com: The Reborn doll Minaku was an interesting choice. Many people registered dolls from kits that were not so potentially risky. Your risk paid off in the form of an award. Wha did you choose that kit?

Corinne: That is a good question. There are so many kits that are beautifull but this one captured my attention and heart in way that the others didnt. I didnt really think about whether it was a good or risky choice as I loved the doll and wanted to it anyway!

Colliii.com: Where can doll collectors find more of you dolls?

Corinne: You can find them on my website which is: www.ateliersmallworld.ch

Colliii.com: Thanks for the interview Corinne. We wish you all the best for the coming year and look forward to seeing more of your dolls be they Reborns or OOAK dolls!