Thousands of “Inbox” users every day at their free time use Inbox Smart to check their knowledge and wit. For “Inbox” product content administrator Marina Afoņina its daily work. In her spare time Marina makes souvenir dolls.

“Hand-made dolls have fascinated me as long as I can remember. Perhaps its because in them I can display my inner world and emotions the best. Each doll is unique by its very nature, often showing it even in the making process, that’s why the outcome sometimes is significantly different from the original conception,” says Marina about her hobby.

“Ideas for the doll outlook are not specifically searched for, they occur spontaneously. Sometimes even a small piece of cloth or some other trifle detail triggers the imagination and gives birth to another character,” says Marina. At first, the idea is realized in the outline and then associatively matching the person to whom a souvenir will be given as a gift, the idea turns into a doll.

Marina points out that a handmade gift is more valuable than one bought in store, so her hobby is often very practical.

Depending on how large or complex the doll is envisioned, the production time can be quite different – one can be created in a couple of evenings, others require more time. Everything depends on the components wished to incorporate in the overall image. The primary material used in the manufacture of dolls is oven baked polymer clay, but to create an overall image a variety of other materials and techniques are used, for example, felting.

Enthusiastic, interesting and also practical is not just Marina’s hobby, but also her work. She has specialized in the Inbox Smart and Inbox Sites and is responsible for the collection of information for Inbox Company. Marina is one of those helpful “Inbox” workers, who complements the questions and answers in the Help section and responds to requests that are sent to feedback@inbox.lv.