In keeping the character alive, AMKI Products owner Ann Jackson has been making Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls since 1974.
Created by American artist and writer Johnny Gruelle in 1915, the whimsical doll has become an American icon. Raggedy Ann and her brother, Andy, who was created a few years later, became so popular that a day was set aside to pay tribute to them. Their Facebook page beams with the dolls’ fans posting comments, questions and items for sale.
In keeping the character alive, AMKI Products owner Ann Jackson has been making Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls since 1974. Working from her Camp Verde studio, Jackson sells her crafts at Udderly Divine Mercantile and at craft shows.
“My mom used to make Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, so I initially picked up the craft from her,” said Jackson. “When my daughter was born, she was hospitalized with two chambers in her heart and no oxygen going to her heart, so I spent that time in the hospital. I had to keep my hands and my mind busy, so I started making Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. My daughter did not survive, but I continued to make the dolls because they brought me comfort.” At the time Jackson was living in Rochester, New York.
Working from an original pattern that she obtained in 1974, Jackson says she embroiders the face of each of her dolls. “A lot of Raggedy Ann and Andy doll makers simply iron on the eyes or pencil them in, but I feel it’s important to take the time to embroider the way they did it when the dolls were first created, the old-fashioned way,” said Jackson.
She also enjoys making dolls that represent different cultural communities such as African American, Asian and others. “Sometimes I’ll dress the dolls up for Christmas, Valentine’s Day and other holidays.”
Exclusive to Jackson’s line of dolls is a patented pattern of grandpa and grandma versions of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. “I met the owner of this pattern and he sold it to me. At one time, these dolls were made with social security numbers, so I might start doing that again,” she said.
“These older versions of Raggedy Ann and Andy are so different and so cute. They are dressed in old-fashioned clothing and have wire rimmed glasses. I like the size of the dolls and they are so nice to have as decorations in my living room,” said artist Sheri Morris of Camp Verde. “The price is very reasonable and they have custom names on them.”
Jackson was born in upper Michigan and raised her four children in Hartland, Wisconsin. “I lost my husband in 1980. During that time, I made 29 Raggedy Ann dolls in one month. It kept me busy during my grieving.”
Education was important to Jackson, so when her children went to school, she did too. “I went to Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) and obtained degrees in graphic design, interior, residential and commercial design.”
In 2003 Jackson moved to Peoria to be near her daughter, who was stationed at Luke Air Force Base. When her daughter was scheduled to serve in Korea, Jackson followed. “While in Korea I made a lot of dolls and gave them away. It was kind of fun to think that maybe Raggedy Ann and Andy might become popular in Korea, too.”
When she returned home, Jackson moved to Camp Verde to work for a blacksmith shop. “I worked there for 15 years doing graphic design for a catalog. I really missed making my Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, plus I was getting some orders. So, I decided to become a full-time doll maker,” she said. “My dolls have been shipped all over the country.”
“My two granddaughters, ages 8 and 10, received AMKI Products Raggedy Ann dolls for Christmas this year. They were absolutely thrilled and are inseparable from their dolls,” said retiree Edie Huntting of Idaho. “I was impressed with the attention to detail on the dolls and how well they were made. Ann has truly mastered her craft.”
Some of her dolls are custom made with names embroidered on the heart. QCBN
By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN
For more about AMKI Products, Ann Jackson can be reached at amkiprod@gmail.com or 928-274-0675.
Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: Top: AMKI Products owner Ann Jackson displays her Raggedy Ann dolls at Udderly Divine Mercantile Store.
