Lola, as she likes to be called, is clear: “Craftsmanship is identity and culture”. This Master Artisan of the Consell de Ibiza has been dedicated for more than 30 years to making rag dolls.
Born in Barcelona, in 1987 she landed on the island for her husband’s work and, since then, she began a career in the culture and tradition of Ibiza.
Ibicencan culture and tradition
with the making of her dolls.
From a young age
María Dolores Francisco grew up among threads and sewing machines. Since she was seven years old, she used to make clothes for her dolls with scraps she got from her mother, who was a seamstress. Over the years, as she grew up, this hobby was forgotten and, due to family pressure to study, she ended up training as an accountant, but her passion and vocation was always dressmaking. In fact, she never felt comfortable working in an office.
At the age of 25 she met a group of women who were doing workshops in Barcelona and, among them, there was a rag doll workshop, so she decided to sign up and take up her childhood hobby again.
Three years later, when she arrived in Ibiza with her husband and son, she began to put into practice what she had learned professionally to earn extra money and help the family economy. First, she tried to make children’s dolls, but it was “hard to compete with the Nancys and Barbies”, so she came up with the idea of making clown dolls. An idea that changed her life.
Master Craftswoman
Lola was introduced to Ibicencan culture by studying the traditional costumes and, from that moment on, she recognizes that she has not stopped. The first years she sold the dolls to a store in the Port, but in the year 2000, during an exhibition, she met a Master Craftswoman of the Consell who insisted her to get the Master Craftswoman card. Still, it wouldn’t be for another year before I would listen to him. From then on, he began to participate in the island’s craft markets and fairs.
She draws the patterns, cuts, sews and even dyes the fabrics to achieve the appropriate skin color for each of her dolls. With silk, lycra, cotton and synthetic silicone, she manufactures dolls for clowns, brides, hippies, gothic or mermaids, among others. In addition, all materials are purchased on the island, thus supporting the local product.
In 2009 he formed, together with other artisans, AAPLE (Association of Artisans of Local Products of Ibiza). Now retired since last December, she only does commissioned work.
At present, it is part of the Insular Commission of Craftsmanship to examine those who wish to acquire the artisan’s charter. He also recognizes that in recent years the sector has been enhanced with the support of the Consell.
