Colliii: Hello Hanni. Thanks for taking some time for us. Congratulations again on your success last year! Tell us a little about yourself. 

Hanni Posch: I live with my husband in the south west of Germany in Baden-Württemberg which is famous for its wines. I work as a foreign language correspondant. I have 3 children (inc twins) and I have also spent a long time as a mother and housewife, so I have never been bored! I started back in my career a few years ago.  

Colliii: How long have you been sculpting for and you did you get into it?

Hanni Posch: Creative hobbies have been a nice way to relax for me, especially in these turbulent times in which we live, and artistic dolls have interested me for some time. It was just a question of time before I tried my hand at making my own doll.

I remember discovering a "OOAK" doll that was made out of an oven hardend sculpting mass. I was fascinated by the detail and the fact that it looked so realistic, I wanted to try it for myself. I searched out as much info as I could how to do it and my first doll "Lucy" was finished in January 2006.  It was a wonderful feeling for me to hold a finished doll, that I had made in my arms. After that I was biten by the doll mkaing bug!  

Colliii: Many artists need an inspiration for their sculpts, what is yours?

Hanni Posch: I get inspired by normal everyday things. Its funny though, I cant walk past a pram without glancing inside. I have also seen some nice baby outfits and then I have sculpted a fitting baby. I also like watching documentarys from around the world, you can get a lot of divirse inspiration from them too.

Colliii: How did you create Maylin?

Hanni Posch: Maylin was inspired by a documentary I saw about Asia, I saw a child and she really stuck in my mind. I took some time until I started sculpting her, and it was quite a challenge to recreate the ethnicity. It took a long time to finish her as I can mostly just sculpt at the weekends, when I have time.

Colliii: Why did you decide to enter her for the Colliii Awards 2010?

Hanni Posch: I entered my doll "Leon" for last years competition and I was thrilled to be nominated. I didn´t really want to take part in 2010, but seeing as I had Maylin finished a decided at the last minute to enter her. I was very intrigued by the competition and it was quite exciting as so many people were taking part. I never thought I would even be nominated , let alone win an award!

Colliii: How did you react after finding out that you had won a Colliii Award with Maylin?

Hanni Posch: I first found out in my sculpting forum where somebody congratulated me. Then I watched the Colliii TV episode with the winners and I was tremendously happy when I heard my name! 

Colliii: You have had several doll reproduced as doll kits. What are the plans for Maylin? 

Hanni Posch: I´m not really sure what will happen with her, I haven´t decided yet. But I regularly post news on my website. 

Colliii: You have had both doll kits as well as artistic collector dolls produced for you. Which do you prefer?  

Hanni Posch: I can´t really answer that. I love sculpting as it is very diverse. I love giving each new doll its own character, facial expressions etc. It is always fullfilling to see how a piece of moulding clay transforms into a beautiful child or baby.

Colliii: What plans do you have for the future?

Hanni Posch: I haven´t really made any concrete plans fo rthe future. I love sculpting and it is a wonderfull escape for me. I am also very happy to be able to pass on a pleasure to the doll collectors too. I have been able to make lots of new friends through my hobby and that is also nice.

Colliii: Where can people find your dolls?

Hanni Posch: I don´t often sell my OOAK dolls. My doll kit "Maurice" is currently on sale. Seeing as HSE24 has stopped selling dolls I wont be selling any collector dolls at the moment. You can always find out more on my website too: www.hanni-dolls.de Ich

Colliii: Is there anything else you would particularly like say?

Hanni Posch: I would just like to say that I really appreciate the hard work that you put into the competition. I am thrilled to have my beautifull award. I would also like to congratulate all those that were nominated and won, and also I would like to wish all those entering for the Colliii Awards 2011 all the best!