Elizabeth Julianna de Almeida,
founder of Lizjul Doll Designings, (Lizjul) a small craft business, where she creates one of a kind dolls, writes articles
and fictitious stories, and is involved in other artistic forms, such as professional singing (cantoring) and music. But the
main part of this path of creativity is that it is all done for the sole purpose of sharing the gifts given to her. It is
also a wonderful tool for her to explore the complexities of creating through the sheer power of inspiration and imagination.
Birth Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Resides Now: Westchester, New York
Designs: Lizjul designs take
the forms of folkloric and ethnic inspired attires from African, American Indian, and Celtic cultures to name a few. Lizjul
also simply draws on her imagination to create make believe doll characters.
Start of Lizjul: Lizjul entered the world of entrepreneurialism in the year 2000, after the
idea of making a doll as an unprecedented gift for her mom, who, when growing up, did not have dolls. It was this incident,
this gift that started this labor of ingenuity and craft. Hoping to offer that same excitement and happiness to others.
Inspiration of Dolls: "Dolls for me, seem to have given me the courage to branch
out in my designs and express other forms of art, such as writing. These are forms of expression that I
never thought would come to fruition nor thought would ever develop. There seems to be a subtle message in the
making of my dolls. And it's saying to share the skills that I have, so that I may discover the true purpose of these
gifts."
First Writings:
"I was a dreamer as a child. I decided at an early age that I would write about love and adventures. This thought
was provoked, through watching old black and white films of Nat King Cole, Carey Grant, Jean Tierney etc. At the age of 13,
I wrote two unpublished love stories. One was called A Three Week Vacation On The Love Boat, and the other was Elizabeth and
Rita's Love Life On Astire Island. I still have the stories. I wrote them in this book-keeping notebook,
my mom gave me. I loved this book, because it looked like it was an old literature book. It was a great
way to pretend I was a great author and the story written on the pages was a masterpiece. I not only told
the stories, I also drew colorful pictures to illustrate the scenes."
First Published Book: In February of 2008, Elizabeth of Lizjul, through iUniverse, published
Sounds Like A Doll. Sounds Like A Doll is a book of short stories depicting characters
of various professions, who experience many challenges with their trade, until they discovered the power of inspiration
through extraordinary art forms, which in the end helped them to go beyond their every day approach to their work and to look
for innovative ways to present their skills, wares and talents; to find their true purpose in what they
do in life.
Education:
Elizabeth of Lizjul, graduated cum laude, from Mercy College, with a baccalaureate in 1989 with the major, Psychology,
and minor in Art. Then, encouraged by her parents, went to Long Island University, to pursue a Master’s degree
in 1995 for Developmental Psychology. She, then received great guidance from WEDC, Women’s
Enterprise Development Center, where she earned her small business certificate, in the year 2005.
Hobbies/Ambitions: "Knitting,
crocheting, painting, annoying my family and friends. J
When I was in college and years before, I painted and sketched a great deal. I do
some painting but mostly on my dolls instead of a canvas."
Elizabeth is also a hired and professional cantor(leader of song) at her place of worship, Saint Pius X. She sings
not only for the noon mass, but also, due to the request of parishners, weddings and funerals.
"My life ambition
is to grow the talents that I have. Music has been added to the plate, and I hope to nurish that side of me."
Love of Dolls As A Child: Elizabeth of Lizjul, favored all kinds of dolls, but mostly vinyl baby
dolls and Barbie dolls. My Mom, from time to time, helped me to sew clothes for the baby dolls. As
my dolls became worn, overtime, after playing with them so much, I'd refurbished them, by adding new hair, new clothes.
Favorite Childhood Barbie Doll: "The 14’ inch Chrissy
Barbie. I still have her."
Favorite Childhood Baby Doll: "There was a baby doll I loved so much (African American Talking Drowsey Doll,
with drawstring) I left it at my nursery when I was small, and for some reason didn’t have the courage to tell my parents.
When I finally did, it was many years after, and my mom went to the nursery to find it. It was there, but my mom mentioned
that she didn’t think I would want it, because it was completely destroyed. I was so sad that it
was ruined."
Awards: Lizjul, received the Non Traditional
Entrepreneurial Award” by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Zeta Nu Omega Chapter, and Agnes O'Grady Business
Award By Mercy College, Delta Mu Delta
Believe: I
believe that inspiration and imagination are not only the source of great ideas, but it is a source that brings forth the
knowledge and heart that dreams can be fulfilled. And we continue to get closer and closer to unlocking the soul of imagination.
