Life with Style Helen Green with her basket of 3-Dolls In-1. Her character dolls are blue ribbon winners.

Photos of many of the babies made of a composition substance and a three piece mold to make babies that smile, cry and sleep all in one head.

Article Dated July 16, 2003 Some people zig. Others zag. Helen Green zags. by Staff Writer, Johnnie Davis Helen Green puts her skills as a doll maker into creating one- of a- kind babies that are" made to be loved". There is a block on Main St. in Benton that is famous for being the location of the birth of lots of babies. Many folks around Marshall County can claim taking their first breath of air at McClain's Clinic. Now, right across the street, it's happening again. Babies are being born everyday right there in the 1300 block of town. These are special babies created one by one from raw materials by doll technologist, Helen Green. Green said, They are "Made To Be Loved, and each is One- of a-Kind". The unusual design of the dolls is patterned after the Trudy Doll that was first made in 1946 for Macy's of Chicago. The dolls have a spindle (knob) on the top of the head that allows it to be turned inside the cap, revealing three different doll faces. With the help of a child's imagination, the Trudy Doll or Green's Three In One Doll, can be sad, sleeping or laughing. When Green was asked to dress two dolls alike recently, she made them different by using variations of eye color. She estimates she has made 300 dolls that have found homes as far a way as Australia and in hearts all across America. Green takes great pride in the craftsmanship of her dolls and their clothing. "The lady who taught me to sew said that an outfit should look good enough that it can be worn inside out," Green said. The doll clothes she makes are lined so there are no raw seams exposed.

This grouping of "three in one" babies are dressed similar, but each is one-of a-kind.

This patchwork baby is wearing an outfit with patchwork detailing on every square of fabric. Most of the dolls Green are made to order for customers she meets on the internet. She always asks the customer if the doll has a name. Each one is shipped with a photo and a birth certificate. "They seem to take on personalities as I paint their little faces and dress them. If you look at their eyes and turn to their different faces, you begin to see who they are". Green has had favorites to work on, and some of her orders have reached deep into her heart. One particular doll order came with very specific instructions. The customer wanted an angel doll with a specific ethnic skin tone and a particular type fabric. After several communications and hours of testing paint to get the right color for the skin, Green finally finished the doll. It had been a tedious task because of the detailed directions, and at times was a little frustrating. Green was touched when she found out the doll was a memorial tribute to someone who had lost their life in the 9-11 tragedy. These babies start out as a wet putty like- composition material that is more durable than ceramics. They are not likely to break, making them safe for children. Green starts out with a composition substance that is added to a chemical then stained and poured into a mold. It is allowed to set to just the right thickness and then poured out of the three-piece mold. The doll head is then carefully sanded and polished and painted in layers. It's then allowed to set, then dipped in acrylic, then painted some more. You can easily see why Green says she is not getting rich with her doll creations. At least not in material wealth. "It's good for my mental health," Green smiled as she talked about the love that goes into her babies. The sanding is the part Green says she dislikes the most. The whole process is very labor intensive. Once the heads are finished, Green then goes about making soft sculpture bodies and outfits for her babies. All together, she estimates it takes 40 to 45 hours to make one of these dolls. You too, can have a 3-Dolls In-1 by special request. The finished product can be drooled on, carried around and given love by wee ones and collectors of all ages. Velcro is usually used as a fastener, making doll dressing simple for the tiniest child's hand, or the arthritic hands of a grandmother. Green learned the craft of doll making and repair through a home study course. She earned her certification by working with real dolls. The doll certification training requires locating dolls that need rescuing, repairing them, then donating them to charity. The dolls rescued are graded and evaluated before certification is awarded. Green is originally from Northern Illinois, but has been in Marshall County for 16 years. Her family is made up of children and grandchildren all across the country from east to west. Her doll family includes a doll dressed in camouflage, a doll with a football theme, patriotic dolls, a St. Patrick's Day doll, a kitchen doll, dolls in pink, dolls in blue, and dolls in patchwork. A little spot identified with a heart on the dolls tummy can be pressed for a special surprise. Music boxes that play tunes like -Happy Birthday- Jesus Loves Me- Mary Had A Little Lamb, and other little tunes, that adds to the enchantment of Green's babies. Green said she got her first doll with three moods in 1946. It went with her everywhere as a constant companion. When she became a teenager, it sat on her bed and was patient. When she became a young adult, it took a long nap wrapped in tissue. When her children were little, Green's doll would sometimes come out to play. Eventually even the doll grew old enough that play wasn't possible, but Green's love for dolls has never died. Green's old fashion dolls are crafted with patience, skill and an old black singer portable machine. And they are "Made to be Loved."

Each Doll Is " Made To Be Loved" !

Here are 3-Dolls In-1 a version of the 1946-Trudy Doll. Dressed in basic in pink and white flannel. Would you like your's to be made with the basic look or do you would you like a special made for your baby doll?

How the 3-Dolls In-1 begin ... Mold has three pieces. Each piece displays a different expression.

Doll head -drying in the mold and then they are hand sanded.

Getting their little faces painted.

Hand crafted, 3-Dolls In-1- of many colors. Her outfit is made using 166 -2" squares. Each square is different and enhanced by hand stitched quilting by the print in the square. Expressions change by turning the knob on top of the head. She sat among all of the beuatiful quilts at the fair - and won the 3rd place quilting ribbon and has won one doll blue ribbon.

Little 3-Dolls In-1 went to the fair and -won -1st Place-Blue Ribbon Winner-here she is showing off!

Front and side view of Large 3-Dolls In-1 dressed in soft basic blue jacket and pink flannel bunting.

One has blue eyes; one has green eyes, but they like to dress alike. Great gift idea best friends, sisters or cousins.

Additional information for special request- How to have 3-Dolls In-1 E-mail: seemydolls@yahoo.com; for a one-of a -kind shelf ready 3-Dolls In-1; Should you like to have one of these dolls made for you or as a gift- contact Helen Green, 1312 Main Street, Benton, Ky. 42025-1655

Chat line: 270-527-0472 (central time zone)