I knew a gay man who was an avid Barbie doll dress creator and it gave me a respect for the craft I didn't obtain naturally as a young girl.
There's something to puppets and dolls we've dismissed as creepy or sinister. I think this is an over correction. Also it sounds like you met the irl Mr. Smithers
Forgive me my foreign sage. You don't like the Simpsons? I found it to be a fitting reference.
Is this 19th century Grödnertal doll more pleasing to you?