How a Chance Class Sparked a Lifelong Passion for Porcelain Doll-Making and Inspired Generations of Crafters
Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Priscilla Nickerson spent her early years in Beverly, Massachusetts, where she graduated from Beverly High School. Known for her energetic spirit, Priscilla has always liked to keep busy. One day, a friend invited her to join a doll-making class—a concept that initially surprised Priscilla. “Taking a what?” she recalls asking. But her curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to give it a try. That decision would change her life. “I just went for it and loved it to bits,” she said.
Over the next twenty-plus years, Priscilla found her calling in crafting porcelain dolls. She mastered the intricate art, which involves several delicate steps. From casting molds and firing the dolls in a kiln to sewing costumes and hand-painting each face, Priscilla made every element of her dolls herself. Her dedication and passion led her to become a grand master artisan, a title achieved only after many years of hard work and refinement.
Despite the complexity of the craft, Priscilla loved every moment of it. “I was never at work; I was at play,” she often said. Her love for the art extended beyond her personal creations. She taught doll-making in her home studio, Mystical Merriment Doll Studio, in Durham, NH. Her studio was filled with excitement and creativity as she guided students through the process of making their own masterpieces. “The most satisfaction I got was seeing my students’ excitement as they created their own dolls,” she shared.
Through her membership in the Doll Artisan Guild International and other doll associations, Priscilla traveled to conventions and seminars across North America. These experiences allowed her to make lifelong friends and continuously learn new techniques from fellow doll-makers. “I was always learning from others,” she said, finding inspiration in the creativity of her peers.
Priscilla’s life was also rich with personal joys. She and her husband, Irvin “Nick” Nickerson, were married at the Kittery Point Congregation, where Priscilla, a true craftswoman, even sewed her own wedding dress. After their marriage, the couple settled into a home in Kittery, where Priscilla relocated her doll studio. Nick, a supportive partner, often helped her in the studio.
Priscilla has three daughters and enjoys the love of many grandchildren. Priscilla’s life and career truly embody the saying: “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”
About the Resident Spotlight
In our Resident Spotlight series we celebrate the incredible lives of the residents who call Rockingham County Rehabilitation, Nursing Center, and Assisted Living Community home. Each spotlight features a unique story that reflects the heart and soul of our community’s residents.
