Art and creativity have always been part of who I am

My Story

01

About Me

Art and creativity have always been part of who I am. Since I was a child, I have loved drawing, sewing, and creating things by hand. What started as a passion became a lifelong source of joy and self-expression.

I am a Brazilian woman who misses home deeply, but life has given me the opportunity to explore the world. Because of my husband’s career, our family has moved frequently, allowing me to live in four different countries: Brazil, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United States.

Every place I’ve lived has left a special mark on me. The colors, cultures, people, traditions, and everyday experiences I’ve encountered continue to inspire my work. Today, every handmade piece I create carries a little piece of my journey and reflects the memories, emotions, and discoveries I’ve collected along the way.

Most of all, I am grateful to be able to do what I love and to share my creativity with others through art and craftsmanship.

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02

My Creative Journey

Before becoming a full-time artist and maker, I built a successful career in Finance and Marketing, working for large corporations. I enjoyed the challenges and opportunities that came with the corporate world, but I never imagined that a completely different path was waiting for me.

Everything changed when my family moved to the Netherlands. For the first time in many years, I found myself without a job and with something I hadn’t had in a long time: free time. Instead of seeing it as a setback, I decided to use it as an opportunity to explore new interests and learn new skills.

I began taking classes and teaching myself different crafts, including crochet and knitting. What started as a way to stay busy quickly became a true passion. Then one day, a friend mentioned learning how to make Waldorf dolls. My answer was simple: “Sure, why not?”

That single “yes” opened a door to a whole new creative world. I immediately fell in love with the artistry, craftsmanship, and storytelling behind handmade dolls. It combined everything I enjoyed: sewing, creativity, attention to detail, and the joy of creating something meaningful by hand.

03

The Story of Nina Rose Art Studio

In 2014, my family moved to the United States, and once again, I found myself starting over in a new country. As I embraced this new chapter of life, I became increasingly interested in watercolor painting and drawing, continuing to explore my creative side.

Then came 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many people around the world, I wanted to find a way to help. I took my sewing machine out of the closet and started making face masks — first for my family, friends, and my husband’s coworkers. Soon after, I joined a group of dedicated volunteers, and together we sewed masks for retirement home residents, nurses, patients, and anyone in need.

During that same period, I also began making dolls with materials I already had at home. I remember having created only five dolls when I discovered Etsy, a platform where I could purchase supplies and share my handmade creations with others. That was the beginning of Nina Rose Art Studio.

What started as a small creative project has grown into a thriving handmade business, with 277 sales, many loyal repeat customers, consistent 5-star reviews, and countless handmade creations sent to homes around the world.

Nina Rose Art Studio represents creativity, resilience, lifelong learning, and the belief that beautiful opportunities can emerge from life’s unexpected changes.

04

The Dolls: Tiny Personalities, Made by Hand

The dolls hold a very special place in my heart. As an aunt to six wonderful nieces and nephews, I wanted to create something truly special for them. I discovered the world of handmade soft toys and loved the idea of creating safe, cuddly companions using simple materials like socks. My sewing machine quickly became busy creating an entire animal kingdom: monkeys, giraffes, lions, alligators, hippopotamuses, cats, dogs, and many other playful characters.

Later, I discovered Waldorf dolls, and once again I fell in love. The natural materials, soft wool, and 100% cotton fabrics appealed to me immediately. There was something special about creating dolls that felt warm, natural, and comforting in a child’s hands.

As my skills developed, my dolls evolved as well. Traditional Waldorf dolls often have very simple facial features, but I began exploring techniques that allowed me to create more expressive faces. Using wool and needle felting, I sculpt features with greater detail, giving each doll its own unique character and personality.

Today, every doll I create is truly one of a kind. Because each face is sculpted by hand, I find it almost impossible to recreate the exact same doll twice — making every creation unique and special, just like the children and collectors who welcome them into their homes.

05

My Paintings: The Villages Inside My Mind

Discovering watercolor reopened a creative door that had been waiting for years to be explored. I bought step-by-step books, watched hundreds of tutorials, and most importantly, gave myself permission to create without worrying whether the results would be good or bad.

I quickly realized that copying reference photos or recreating someone else’s work wasn’t what inspired me. I wanted to create something that came from within. Little by little, charming villages, winding streets, and colorful houses from the places I had visited blended with my imagination — and the villages inside my mind began to emerge on paper.

My paintings are not representations of real places. They are imagined worlds filled with color, warmth, and personality, a celebration of creativity, exploration, and the joy of building something entirely my own.

Ready for a new home?

Find your little friend

New dolls are listed in my Etsy shop as soon as they are finished. Follow along on Instagram to see them first, or send me a message on Etsy to ask about a custom doll.

Visit my Etsy shop → Instagram Ask about a custom doll ✉ Send me an email