![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WJZBLPACQFABDJ6VGLP5LAMGN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=50e3cf6014680fbf928ef159f233ceb0b0701d16b079e9e8805b78c2536a417c&width=400&height=225)
QueeBee Dolls are popular as gifts
Indian dollmaker Radhika J A, who took to the craft to help her cope with depression, has found success online with her creations. All photos: Radhika J A
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4H52Z6WDPNGP5OFCC373IELJF4.jpg?smart=true&auth=c885e3476f5188f2aec5f2a2b12c4fe49cdf334466928f979ad6f70da08187a1&width=400&height=225)
Radhika began making dolls after she saw a video online
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UMAD3FLTXNG6PI42NGUBMWWN7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=1542bd00837e1489341726e39c6fb7fbb441e85691182deac92f67b5213c1daa&width=400&height=225)
QueenBee Dolls now has a large following online, with customers from across India and abroad
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S4O4HTWRHBCUZLNZOGLSSUSMXE.jpg?smart=true&auth=0bbb58db7be9f85f5d2c40335964331ed7e86d539aefca5c8ce65b1c9f9d6c43&width=400&height=225)
Radhika was diagnosed with brittle bone disease at the age of six and spent much of her childhood within the confines of her home or a hospital room
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FM5F6FOG5ZAKPGKEYRZUSYH4VY.jpg?smart=true&auth=3643bb1e1432cee006f03dcc99d4db5aa4e7da486256ab624387dd7c22616be9&width=400&height=225)
Crafted from recycled newspapers and embellished with colourful accessories, the vibrant dolls stand out due to their intricate details
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HD3H327WDRHPPEROLPJILSWYWM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ba7463aad9bd8a9860cd727a3f3fa792f08722a27b0b964e0858c9f451d54ab3&width=400&height=225)
Radhika employs a variety of materials in her doll-making process, including acrylic paint, adhesives, pages of glossy magazines for doll faces and bamboo sticks
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2V5E7YMHOJBZPPCH7RJPKMN3GI.jpg?smart=true&auth=b1f0d807034710cbe3a4fc972ce35e24c3eb98839536b506272359133a6845a6&width=400&height=225)
Due to her health problems, Radhika can sit only for two hours at a stretch
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5LVES5K2MNGZREWQ2EOHEFAAS4.jpg?smart=true&auth=ac4b7e7074f576eb25a4971af1a66ca57264669eeba4b9e0c5313d29af946d9f&width=400&height=225)
Wedding dolls are popular with her customers
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3FTQYVH6FZATHJOYCXDYVTPF5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=003757ac09efd773984bd76e46fc65704c0f6873cb495197ba1a1c75100538e0&width=400&height=225)
Once denied admission to school due to her health, Radhika is now invited to conduct workshops for pupils
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LZIXT6W4BZFLBEAT2LOYDXRTTU.jpg?smart=true&auth=ea23784ccf8d5be033ded3e639f3150f518e7e685085ead7a62228d934ab4c0c&width=400&height=225)
Radhika has faced a backlash for making dolls with black faces, but she insists that is what makes them unique
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/57AEDB2F6ZEK5KQO7PBASKSW4U.jpg?smart=true&auth=f399629c81da95652b507a069dbf64bad285b38d802ae8696163f5621da6cb7d&width=400&height=225)
Her decision to not change colours has caused her to lose orders, but she does not mind
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WJZBLPACQFABDJ6VGLP5LAMGN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=50e3cf6014680fbf928ef159f233ceb0b0701d16b079e9e8805b78c2536a417c&width=400&height=225)
QueeBee Dolls are popular as gifts
Indian dollmaker Radhika J A, who took to the craft to help her cope with depression, has found success online with her creations. All photos: Radhika J A
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4H52Z6WDPNGP5OFCC373IELJF4.jpg?smart=true&auth=c885e3476f5188f2aec5f2a2b12c4fe49cdf334466928f979ad6f70da08187a1&width=400&height=225)
Radhika began making dolls after she saw a video online
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UMAD3FLTXNG6PI42NGUBMWWN7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=1542bd00837e1489341726e39c6fb7fbb441e85691182deac92f67b5213c1daa&width=400&height=225)
QueenBee Dolls now has a large following online, with customers from across India and abroad
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S4O4HTWRHBCUZLNZOGLSSUSMXE.jpg?smart=true&auth=0bbb58db7be9f85f5d2c40335964331ed7e86d539aefca5c8ce65b1c9f9d6c43&width=400&height=225)
Radhika was diagnosed with brittle bone disease at the age of six and spent much of her childhood within the confines of her home or a hospital room
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FM5F6FOG5ZAKPGKEYRZUSYH4VY.jpg?smart=true&auth=3643bb1e1432cee006f03dcc99d4db5aa4e7da486256ab624387dd7c22616be9&width=400&height=225)
Crafted from recycled newspapers and embellished with colourful accessories, the vibrant dolls stand out due to their intricate details
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HD3H327WDRHPPEROLPJILSWYWM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ba7463aad9bd8a9860cd727a3f3fa792f08722a27b0b964e0858c9f451d54ab3&width=400&height=225)
Radhika employs a variety of materials in her doll-making process, including acrylic paint, adhesives, pages of glossy magazines for doll faces and bamboo sticks
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2V5E7YMHOJBZPPCH7RJPKMN3GI.jpg?smart=true&auth=b1f0d807034710cbe3a4fc972ce35e24c3eb98839536b506272359133a6845a6&width=400&height=225)
Due to her health problems, Radhika can sit only for two hours at a stretch
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5LVES5K2MNGZREWQ2EOHEFAAS4.jpg?smart=true&auth=ac4b7e7074f576eb25a4971af1a66ca57264669eeba4b9e0c5313d29af946d9f&width=400&height=225)
Wedding dolls are popular with her customers
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3FTQYVH6FZATHJOYCXDYVTPF5I.jpg?smart=true&auth=003757ac09efd773984bd76e46fc65704c0f6873cb495197ba1a1c75100538e0&width=400&height=225)
Once denied admission to school due to her health, Radhika is now invited to conduct workshops for pupils
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LZIXT6W4BZFLBEAT2LOYDXRTTU.jpg?smart=true&auth=ea23784ccf8d5be033ded3e639f3150f518e7e685085ead7a62228d934ab4c0c&width=400&height=225)
Radhika has faced a backlash for making dolls with black faces, but she insists that is what makes them unique
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/57AEDB2F6ZEK5KQO7PBASKSW4U.jpg?smart=true&auth=f399629c81da95652b507a069dbf64bad285b38d802ae8696163f5621da6cb7d&width=400&height=225)
Her decision to not change colours has caused her to lose orders, but she does not mind
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WJZBLPACQFABDJ6VGLP5LAMGN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=50e3cf6014680fbf928ef159f233ceb0b0701d16b079e9e8805b78c2536a417c&width=400&height=225)
QueeBee Dolls are popular as gifts
Indian dollmaker fights bone disease and finds online success through her craft
Confined to her home as a child, QueenBee Dolls founder who uses recycled newspapers is now a big hit on social media
Resmi Jaimon
04 January, 2024
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