Flo Hanover ~ About the Artist

Flo Hanover

I grew up in Amsterdam, NY but have spent most of my adult life in Boxborough, Massachusetts, USA, which is near Boston. I was trained to be a painter in art school but have always been most comfortable working in three dimensions. Once I was introduced to making dolls from polymer clay, it became my creative outlet and my avenue into the doll world.

I have been an artist, teacher, weaver, wife and gardener. Now I can add doll designer, sculptor, costumer, wig maker and more. Everything is a process that never really ends. That’s why every time I bid farewell to one of my creations, I start another different, new, surprising adventure toward another doll.

My work can frequently be seen in DOLLS Magazine and Contemporary Doll Collector. I had a feature article in Antiques & Collecting Magazine, March 2001, "Flo Hanover’s Angelic Children" and in DOLLS Magazine, November 2003, Fresh Faces.

My doll "Katherine" graced the cover of Doll Castle News, March & April issue, 2005 which also contained the article "How My Beauties Come to Life". Several of my dolls were featured in the book Christmas Dolls by Joan Muyskens Pursley, published by Reverie Publishing Company, 2005.

I was a winner of the DOLLS Award of Excellence in both 2003 and 2007.

In 2009, Contemporary Doll Collector magazine featured the article "Flo Hanover Creative Dollmaker" by Judy Izen which included a picture essay and explanation of my doll making process, as well as a gallery of my dolls.

At ODACA Day in 2009, I was juried and inducted into the Original Doll Artist Council of America. ODACA is an organization of artists who create original dolls without the use of commercial molds or patterns. ODACA stands for high quality of doll art, and members must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in their work.

I sculpt each original doll from polymer clay by hand. Each costume is created for a specific doll using new materials and often made special by the addition of an antique or vintage element. The wigs are made of the finest mohair and styled to suit the character of each doll.