Artist Profile

 When people come into my booth, the smiles on their faces are most gratifying.  "Josephine's Family" dolls are lovingly handmade with simple embroidered smiles, eyebrows, needle-sculpted noses, beautifully painted and embroidered eyes using French knots for eye-popping appeal.  Bodies and clothing are made of the highest quality materials with an eye for aesthetics.  Various colors and textures of yarn ‘hair’ imported from all over the world is hand-sewn to the head to ensure longevity.  No glue or Velcro is used in the construction of dolls or garments. 

 Josephine & Baby Lucille 1943

Lucille Gruppo, creator of “Josephine’s Family” cloth dolls has been making dolls for twenty years. When Lucille’s mother passed away in 1993, she decided to name her dolls in memory of “Josephine." The tiny seashell sewn onto the left cheek of most of Lucille’s dolls is taken from one of “Josephine’s” necklaces. This seashell has become her trademark, ties all the beautiful and exceptional hues of children together, and makes them all ‘members’ of “Josephine’s Family."

In 1994 Gruppo was juried into the Artisans’ Circle craft guild, Northampton County PA Chapter of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, continuing on to become State Juried by the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen in 1998.  Juried Status is an Honors award; a form of recognition earned by Guild members whose craftwork shows excellence of craftsmanship, resolved design, and a flavor of style unique to the craftsperson. This award carries with it the responsibility of maintaining high quality work and supporting Guild standards.
   

In 1998, Lucille’s Victorian doll “Sue” was featured in the “Inspirations Gallery” of Soft Dolls and Animals an internationally circulated doll magazine.
 

In 2000 "Honour" was featured on the prestigious 'Back Page'. 

Lucille’s Christmas doll “Anna Maria” won “Honorable Mention” and was featured in the December 2002 issue.  

Commissioned to create a “Signature Doll” for Soft Dolls and Animals magazine.  Lucille was very flattered to be chosen from all the wonderful dollmakers in the world to create their "Signature Doll".  Named for her daughter Danielle, “Danny” appears on the COVER of the January 2005 issue in his “Winter Jumpsuit” and includes Lucille’s original patterns. “Danny” is also featured in the May 2005 issue in his “Summer Romper” with ‘Toy Blocks’, all original designs.

Several of Lucille’s selected “Christmas Ornaments” patterns were featured in the December 2006 issue.





 
 
 

In addition, Gruppo has been published in many newspaper articles over the years.  

Soft Dolls and Animals magazine has featured Lucille’s original “Baby Bunting”  pattern in the March 2004 issue.  Created first as a “Teaching Doll”, Baby Bunting  has appealed to children of all ages, becoming her most popular doll.

Baby Bunting has again been highlighted in the March 2009 issue featuring “Baby Themes."

 
 
Lucille’s designs are always changing in order to perfect her craft. While working  towards this goal, Lucille is having the most fun making her dolls and meeting all the wonderful people who take a member of “Josephine’s Family” into their homes.