Maya Angelou, Leontyne Price, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, Phyllis Stickley, Mr. & Mrs. E. Joyner, Dr. F. Banks, Dr. M. Jones, Dr. Paula Harrell, Eric J. Dickey, Susan Taylor, Vivica Fox

“A fine collection of African American Dolls!“
            “I’m so happy to have found my beautiful Black Doll – My Diva Doll is fabulous!  Thank you SO much!”

Soft sculpted dolls begin at $350.
Clay dolls start at $500.
Price is contingent upon style, fabric content and other personalized design variables.

 

Mastercard, Visa, Discover, or Certified Checks are acceptable methods of payment.  Full or ½ payment is due before project begins.  Deposits are non-refundable once materials have been purchased to create your one of a kind doll.  Remaining balance plus NC sales tax (7%) is due before doll is shipped. 

Cost of shipping is additional and is the responsibility of the buyer. 

 

Contact Marilyn to discuss your desired creation or email her at KanikeDolls@yahoo.com

Serious inquires call: 919.682.6927

Just as the Dolls created for Jane Fonda and the cast of the hit movie “Nine to Five,” creations can be designed as life-like replicas of a loved one.  Doll creations can be designed to look like individuals and Marilyn can work from photographs as long as she can see the eyes.

 

Marilyn Griffin is a native of Durham, North Carolina.  Her artistic roots travel back to her mother and father.  Both parents were very creative.  Her mother made quilts for the family, designed dresses for her four girls, and also designed greeting cards.  Marilyn’s father was a brick and stone mason who used colored brick, broken glass and ceramic tile to create his one of a kind walkways and fireplaces. 

 

Marilyn’s interest in dolls began when a roommate visited a local art festival and purchased an expensive but unattractive doll.  Marilyn said, “I can make a better doll than that.”  At her leisure she began to create her first doll.  She cut a circle to form the head and then cut two small tubes for the arms, two more for the legs, and a square to make the body.  Satisfied with what she had done, Marilyn dressed her doll in fabric from an old dress, added hair and small earrings.  The first fabric that she used to make the body was black velvet, inspiring her to name her company, Kanike Artiste Doll Company.  Kanike means black cloth in Swahili.

 

Marilyn’s dolls are handmade, unique, and one of a kind.  Choice vintage fabric and fabulous jewels all contribute to the divine creations known as Kanike.