Meet Jasmine “Jax” Kohlbrenner | Dollmaker & Marketer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jasmine “Jax” Kohlbrenner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jasmine “Jax”, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
When I was young, I’d always watch DIY YouTube tutorials ranging from how to make your own squishies to lip scrub. One channel in particular, My Froggy Stuff, specializes in creating accessories, furniture, and displays for dolls like Barbie and Monster High using common materials. I would follow many of her tutorials, making new clothes for my dolls and furniture like a couch, which I still use to display some of my dolls to this day. One series in particular she started was taking Monster High dolls and turning them into My Little Pony characters by giving them new hair, eye, and lip colors, as well as new clothes. I tried replicating one of the tutorials, creating my very first custom doll at the age of 10. Even though mine looked nothing like the end product in the video, it led me down a rabbit hole of creating more custom toys like Funko POPs and My Little Pony figures.

During the pandemic, I returned to my “doll roots” and created new custom dolls using supplies I had at home. Over the years, I improved on my craft and started taking commissions and vending at markets. Today, I have a waitlist for custom orders and have had my work displayed at places like Knott’s Berry Farm and Midsummer Scream.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I create custom dolls, which entails taking a doll like Barbie and giving it new hair, a hand-painted face, hand-sewn clothes, and sculpted accessories. Everything is made by hand, creating an art piece that you can hold and pose. I create dolls of many shapes and sizes, some even made fully by hand. I mainly draw inspiration from events and shows I like, like Knott’s Scary Farm and Adventure Time.

I got to where I am now by creating custom dolls for creators that I liked, like Mouse Vibes and Knott’s Network. Creating those free dolls not only allowed me to practice my craft, but create unique gifts for people that I look up to, who can now call my friends. I also posted my work on social media apps like YouTube and Instagram, which allowed my work to gain attention from people all over the world.

It was definitely not easy to get where I am now, and I had many doubts about even taking custom orders, as I felt my work was never good enough to sell. I told myself to just go for it and see what happens, since it’s my own business, I can create my own “rules”. I’ve learned that it’s ok to set boundaries on what you’re comfortable selling and not to push yourself to an unhealthy amount to get the work done. It’s always good to try new things, but remember to take breaks, eat food, and most importantly, drink water.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My go-to spot is always Burbank, more specifically, Magnolia Blvd. The street is filled with unique vintage/antique shops, horror-themed stores, photo ops, delicious eateries, and a lot more, all within walking distance. They have it all in Burbank, with one of my favorite stores being Blast from the Past, a store filled with old toys, books, and other knick-knacks for sale, Be Kind Video, a video store with VHS tapes and DVD rentals, and The Mystic Museum, a horror and oddities shop with a museum in the back. For food, I always recommend 2 places: Broken Compass, a pirate tiki bar and restaurant, and the Pinocchio Restaurant, an Italian restaurant with a market attached to it, as those are both my favorites since they not only have delicious food, but also a fun atmosphere.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The biggest shout-out I’d like to give is to my partner, Rey Sitawan, who’s followed me on my dollmaking journey since 2020 and now professionally photographs my work. I was initially worried he’d think the hobby was strange, but it was actually the opposite, admiring the way I turn a beat-up, old doll into something new all by hand. He always encourages me to keep pushing myself by trying new things, even if I’m hesitant to do so. I will always be grateful for his love and support, knowing I would not be where I am now without him.

Another shout out I would like to give is to my friend, Parker Allen Stanley (also known as drag queen, Mr. He), whom I gave a custom doll to in 2023, and has since provided so many opportunities to grow my brand and show off my work like getting me a sponsorship position at 2024’s Midsummer Scream Drag Show where I created dolls for all the queens/performers. Lastly, I want to shout out my friend Emma Reveles, with whom I’ve collaborated on several dream projects of mine and helped me get into the art shows at Knott’s Berry Farm.

Website: https://parrotfish-snail-77s5.squarespace.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rtwoarts/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JakohlProductions

Image Credits
@ravs_media on Instagram