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Have you ever realized that an art collection can have the same function as a library? All of the creations by doll artist Jennie Hepler-Takens are stories and her body of work is her book. Every doll Jennie creates tells a story.\\xa0 Sometimes she even continues to work on a character\\u2019s story long after he or she is settled into their new home.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0

In this episode, we learn the stories behind some of Jennie\\u2019s past and current works. There\\u2019s a bearded lady, who gives us a glimpse into the life of a side-show performer. A blue little boy expands upon the story of Jack Frost. A witch peddles tears in vials for all who desire them. A wolf doll inspires us to think of Little Red Riding Hood in new ways \\u2013 was the wolf really the bad one?\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0

When Jennie appeared on this podcast 3 years ago, she was creating as Prim Pumpkin. She has since transformed into My Dearest Witch. Her new name is a nod to her husband\\u2019s term of endearment for her and doesn\\u2019t lock her into any particular style.\\xa0\\xa0

Jennie pours her heart into her work and her hope is it fills up the hearts of her collectors. My Dearest Witch connects with everyone differently. Every piece is deeper than face value.\\xa0\\xa0

She is inspired by David Bowie, Victorian mourning, antiques, textiles, oddities, baskets, fairytales, and hairy creatures. She is sentimental and loves to preserve old things \\u2013 for example, she lovingly cares for a collection of fire-damaged antique dolls.\\xa0

Jennie is a community builder. In addition to producing Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween, she loves to lift other artists up and inspire people to get into Halloween art collecting. Her husband Joe taught her to never be embarrassed by where she began \\u2013 you cannot have progression if you forget where you started.\\xa0\\xa0

Jennie recommended Slater Basketry - https://www.instagram.com/adkbaskets and the book \\u201cThe Graves Family\\u201d by Patricia Polacco. The castle they visited on Halloween was: https://www.hendersoncastle.com.\\xa0\\xa0

Her web site is: http://www.mydearestwitch.com.\\xa0\\xa0