O’Toole the Simpich Leprechaun
A Little Luck, A Lot of Heart — Looking Back on St. Patrick's Day 2020
Six years ago, on St. Patrick's Day 2020, the world felt uncertain in a way none of us had quite experienced before. Lockdowns had just begun, store shelves were bare, and nobody knew quite what came next. In the middle of all of it, we turned to an unlikely little figure to remind us of something important — and we captured it on video.
The Simpich Leprechaun had been sitting in our collection for decades, full of mischief and charm, but that March he took on a new meaning. Because at their heart, every Simpich Character Doll was never just a decoration. They were created to tell human stories — moments of joy, humor, and connection that endure no matter what is happening in the world around us. In uncertain times, that felt more relevant than ever.
Take a look back at that video below, and let the little guy with the pot of gold remind you of something that has been true since Bob and Jan Simpich made their very first figures in 1952.
The Woman at the Well
Woman at the Well was the final design completed by Janice Simpich—a fitting culmination of 54 years of creating Simpich Character Dolls. That alone makes her a remarkable part of the Simpich story.
It’s very likely, Woman at the Well was the final design completed by Janice Simpich—a fitting culmination of 54 years of creating Simpich Character Dolls. That alone makes her a remarkable part of the Simpich story.
But this piece carries a second kind of significance. She was conceived as one of the final two additions to the Nativity, bringing a woman shepherd into the scene. At the same time, she quietly echoes a later moment in Christ’s life: the meeting between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well—a story of dignity, invitation, and grace.
“19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
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The story behind Woman at the Well likely began the same way many iconic Simpich designs did: in a department meeting, with ideas being shaped into something timeless. Janice and Robert felt the Nativity could use another woman in the scene, and Jan seized the opportunity to bring to life a figure from later in Jesus’s ministry—the Samaritan woman at the well.
Introduced in 2005, just before the Doll Shop’s eventual closure was announced, this piece had only a short window in production. So even though Woman at the Well was not a special edition, it has become one of the rarest Simpich Character Dolls ever released. No official production totals were recorded, but based on our best estimates, only 200–400were ever made. Since we reopened the Consignment Service we have been able to locate two examples which you can see below.
As a final tidbit of history about the Woman at the Well, enjoy this little feature David Simpich made about the Woman at the Well back in 2021, you can see her featured in this video about the piece created in the Simpich Heritage Center (2009-2022)
President Lincoln
Something that has always made me grateful to be an American—and proud of our nation—is the high standard we aspireto: the belief that America can be a place of opportunity, freedom, and peace.
Something that has always made me grateful to be an American—and proud of our nation—is the high standard we aspireto: the belief that America can be a place of opportunity, freedom, and peace.
Of course, our history also includes moments when that ideal felt distant, and our actions fell short of what we hoped to be. It’s in one of those difficult chapters that we find Abraham Lincoln—a leader whose steadiness, courage, and faith helped guide the nation through a time of deep division, and toward a more just future.
For the Simpich family, Lincoln has been an enduring source of inspiration. For Bob and Jan Simpich, and their son David, that inspiration found its way into their art—creating a meaningful way to remember and honor a man who helped shape the American story, and the ideals we continue to strive for.
Below is a video detailing the Simpich creations inspired by—and created to honor—one of America’s most iconic men.
The Thanksgiving Collection
This collection remains one of the most intricate and challenging designs ever undertaken by Bob and Jan Simpich.
Enjoy this 2019 video, where David Simpich shares the rich history and craftsmanship behind this unique Simpich Thanksgiving Collection.
This collection remains one of the most intricate and challenging designs ever undertaken by Bob and Jan Simpich.
Enjoy this 2019 video, where David Simpich shares the rich history and craftsmanship behind this unique Simpich Thanksgiving Collection.
❄ A Portrait of Elegance: The Story Behind Evalyn Jane
In the mid-1980s, Jan and Bob Simpich were invited to design a special doll to honor the winners of the 1988 U.S. Women’s Figure Skating Championship, held in Denver. Jan turned to a deeply personal inspiration: her sister, Evelyn Jane.
In every Simpich Doll, there’s a story — and few are as heartfelt or personal as the one behind Evalyn Jane – The Ice Skater.
In the mid-1980s, Jan and Bob Simpich were invited to design a special doll to honor the winners of the 1988 U.S. Women’s Figure Skating Championship, held in Denver. Jan turned to a deeply personal inspiration: her sister, Evalyn Jane Nickson.
Known to her family as “Pudge,” Evalyn was the youngest of a lively household in Independence, Missouri. She was the twin sister of Marsha (“Midge”), and one of five children raised by Dr. Charles and Brenda Nickson. Though lovingly nicknamed in childhood, Evalyn grew into a woman of great poise and grace — qualities that Jan captured so beautifully in her tribute.
In 1984, Evalyn passed away from an aggressive form of sinus cancer. The diagnosis and loss sent waves of grief through the family, but also stirred something in Jan as an artist. She began sculpting a portrait head of her sister, unsure at first whether it would become a doll — only that she needed to express her love and loss through creation.
When the skating championship invitation arrived, Jan knew exactly who the doll should be: Evalyn Jane. Working with her husband Bob and son Reg, the family brought to life a Victorian Skater, complete with a fur-lined coat, delicate bonnet, and pewter-cast skates. She glides over a sculpted block of “ice,” elegant and timeless — a tribute not only to winter’s charm, but to a life lived with grace and dignity.
Later, the portrait would be used again for another beloved Simpich piece: Victorian Summer, inspired once more by Evalyn’s memory.
In her final months, Evalyn spoke often of the Kingdom of God — a phrase that deeply moved her family. For those who knew her, Evalyn Jane is more than a collector’s item; it’s a quiet legacy of faith, beauty, and family love preserved in art.
Evalyn Jane over the years!
Above you can browse a number of appearences in the Doll Shops yearly catalogs.
The First Simpich Doll
Back in 2020, during lockdown, we made the decision to sit down and interview Robert Simpich about the entire story of the Simpich Character Dolls. I’m so excited to finally be able to share this interview with you all and give a firsthand perspective on the incredible story of Robert and Janice Simpich.
So, without further ado, please enjoy this firsthand account of the beginning of the Simpich Dolls.
Hello, my name is Toby Simpich. Back in 2020, during lockdown, we made the decision to sit down and interview Robert Simpich about the entire story of the Simpich Character Dolls. I’m so excited to finally be able to share this interview with you all and give a firsthand perspective on the incredible story of Robert and Janice Simpich.
So, without further ado, please enjoy this firsthand account of the beginning of the Simpich Dolls.
Why Moses Is the Perfect Place to Begin: A Journey Through the Simpich Character Doll Catalog
When you're looking back at the story of the Simpich Character Dolls, it might seem odd to start with one of the final pieces ever created. But Moses, released in 2002, isn't just a beautiful doll—he's a masterclass in everything that made Robert and Janice Simpich’s work so special.
When you're looking back at the story of the Simpich Character Dolls, it might seem odd to start with one of the final pieces ever created. But Moses, released in 2002, isn't just a beautiful doll—he's a masterclass in everything that made Robert and Janice Simpich’s work so special.
Even though Moses came near the end of the Simpich journey, I think he’s the perfect place to begin ours.
My name is Toby Simpich and I’m excited to share why I think so:
Every Detail Tells a Story
On a casual glance at this piece its easy to miss many of the special details and masterful craftsmanship engrained in this piece by its designer Robert Simpich. From the rock he stands on to the Hebrew script on the tablets in his hands, this doll invites a long, thoughtful look.
Even the resin used for his sculpted features was specially selected to catch light in a radiant, almost surreal way—personally I find that this choice both makes him look more realistic while also capturing the transcendant moment this piece captures on the slopes of Mount Sinai all through centuries ago.
A True One-of-a-kind
Every Simpich Character Doll was hand-painted, sewn, dressed, and assembled. That means no two were ever exactly alike—each one carried its own slight variation, its own personality. The artistry of the designers, along with the intense care, creativity, and craftsmanship of everyone who worked on the Simpich Dolls, made each figure truly special.
Moses was especially uncommon, being a limited edition of only 1,000. Compared to some other figures that were produced in slightly higher numbers, this was a rare piece—even by Simpich standards.
And yet, it’s not just the quantity that makes him special. The real rarity lies in the business that created him. For decades, Robert and Janice Simpich built a company capable of producing something so intricate, creative, and unique. It took the foundation of incredible artisan employees, extensive processes, and years of trial and error to make something like Moses possible.
A Work of Faith
This is an image of the original announcement of the Simpich rendition of Moses in 2002
“you shall have no other gods before me”. Exodus 20 : 3-5
Look a little closer at the base of Moses, and you’ll notice something easy to miss: scripture carved right into the rock he’s standing on.
This quiet detail says so much. Robert Simpich—and all the artists who helped bring these characters to life—infused their work with faith, beauty, and meaning. These weren’t just dolls. They were reflections of deeper beliefs, values, and a desire to create something enduring.
I doubt it needs to be said, but for Janice and Robert Simpich, the process of bringing the Simpich Character Dolls to life was long, patient, and deliberate. They faced many major blocks and challenges—everything from customers waiting years for their Pilgrim sets to declining sales and increasing costs in the early 2000s. It took deep dedication to each other, to their craft, to their business, and to their faith to build something truly unique—something that could produce a figure like this Moses.
As a grandson of Robert and Janice Simpich, I want to begin this journey through the story of the Simpich Character Dolls because the work they did stands as both a symbol and a statement: that art—when made with love, detail, passion, and faith—becomes something timeless.
Stay tuned—there’s so much more to explore.
Written and Photographed by Toby Simpich
