When Charles Stephan decided to launch his own doll company, he didn’t have to look far to find a clothing designer. His sister, Linda Stephan, was his natural first pick to work with him on his unique tiny dolls. Both Charles and Linda grew up in an artistic household. Linda and her sister Joan were very interested in handwork, and Linda learned  how to make crochet chains, embroidery, knitting, and other items when she was young. Charles still owns some gnome hand puppets made by Linda when they were young. She and Joan also learned to make their own clothing when they were teenagers.

So when Charles began to design and sculpt his first Woodling dolls, he went to Linda. “He asked me to do the outfits for his own designed ball jointed dolls, and I felt really honored doing that.” Linda said. Despite the fact that she hadn’t worked on handcrafts in quite some time, Linda was ready to return to her childhood hobbies. It wasn’t hard for Charles to persuade her to join the team. She expained, “He really got me enthusiastic immediately with his inspiration and it was a good moment for me to do some hand work again, somehow the hand working is like a kind of meditation sometimes.” Linda started creating outfits for the minute Woodling characters that were based on a story written by Charles and Joan.

Linda’s doll fashion line is created under the name Lin Murasaki Designs. Working in such a diminutive scale can be tricky, but Linda soon mastered the intricacies. From tiny floral shifts and little trousers and hats to fluffy white Christmas outfits all for dolls smaller than her hand, Linda uses all her crafting talents. Her brother’s dolls charm her as much as they charm his enthusiastic collectors. “My most favorite doll is Yoshi and of course now Noanie Autumn. I like the Woodling babies very much also.” When asked what outfits she was especially happy with Linda replied, “My most favorite outfit is Himi Yuki van Deer Faith, I also like the pants from the baby fauns.”

The most resent project that the two worked on together was the Limited-time release of the Noanie Autumn doll. She was designed and sculpted as a memorial to their sister Joan who passed away in 2005. “(Noanie Autumn) is so special to us because Char made it special for our beloved lost sister Joan, and she is so much looking like Joan, it gives me the shivers. We believe Joan is still around sometimes, especially at special moments when we miss her and I do believe that she is so proud of Charles’ work.” Currently Charles and Linda are now working on a new Halloween surprise project.

Linda has enjoyed her past year of employment as seamstress to tinys. When asked if she wished to work on larger dolls, she replied, “If I had a chance, maybe yes, but I prefer the little ones. If I really had a chance I would have an atelier with a lot of fabrics and all kind of stuff I need for making the clothes in hand’s reach.” For now she is more than happy to dress new CCC creations. “Last month we celebrated CCC’s 1 year anniversary and I must say I am really proud of my ‘little brother’, he really is talented and works so hard to accomplish all this. I believe the making of the 2 gnome puppets in our childhood was a little foreseen happening, we kind of do the same thing now together, only in another time and setting. Isn’t that special?!” Charles has also greatly enjoyed having Linda on board “I feel lucky and blessed that my talented sister Linda is working with me for CCC. Her designs and outfits are unique and full of detail, considering the tiny pieces she often makes for my Tiny BJDs. It’s wonderful and much fun to be working within a small artistic company, and especially to be able to be working with my own sister Linda, well…that really makes it all feel ‘right at home’, as if we’re still young children, creating our own world filled with magic and wonders.”

Above: Woodling Baby Faun Issa in Lin Murasaki outfit
Lin Murasaki Designs are created exclusively for Charles’ Creature Cabinet
Photo Album for Lin Murasaki Designs

Boneka Kayu with Yoshi wearing a Kitchen Garden

Deer Faith dressed for Christmas

Fidelia in basic outfit and handmade fur wigs

Yuki 'Yuyu" Bohetei in one piece with hood

Noanie Autumn detail

Linda behind CCC's Noanie Autumn

Gnomes made by Linda as a girl