Exquisite detail, chubby cheeks, and engaging eyes--for decades now, Annette Himstedt has been sculpting cherubic faces for dolls that are highly sought after in the marketplace. Her approach to children's expressions and, more recently, different ethnicities, is what sets her apart from other dollmakers. Her ability to take inspiration from children she sees on the street and translate that into new creations is her hallmark.

For someone who didn't have dolls as a child, Anette Himstedt has certainly made a name for herself in the doll world. She had a uncommon childhood--she and her family were refugees after World War II and this kept her from experiencing typical childhood delights like having a doll. A former insurance saleswoman, Himstedt started out by spending her spare time modeling a doll after her own daughter, moving on to neighborhood children later. Little did she know that this would be the beginning of a new career that would blossom into a worldwide enterprise.

Due to their popularity, Himstedt dolls can be very hard to find. Each doll has a limited production number--anywhere from 300 to about 700--and frequently sells out. With all of the detail that goes into each doll, including exclusively designed clothes and shoes, incredible skin color variations, and hairstyles that are unique to each doll, it's no wonder these dolls can be pricey. New dolls can cost as much as $1,000 due to the currency exchange rate.

Himstedt often models her dolls after actual children (with their permission) and has also been inspired by the works of painters Carl Larsson and Alfonso Mucha. Many of the dolls feature hand-blown glass eyes and actual human hair. Himstedt is based in Germany and the dolls are manufactured in Spain under her supervision. There is an official Himstedt Club that offers up-to-date information and free gifts to members.