DOLLS Magazine Contributor, Author at DOLLS magazine | Collecting Dolls

Pumpkins on Parade: Jennie Hepler Takens Carves Out a Career in Halloween Art

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Art Dolls, Collectible Dolls, Fantasy & Popular Culture |

Years ago, a group of friends and I had to go to one of the friends’ houses for something. When we entered his parents’ home, I was immediately enchanted. His mother, Sue Shroyer, had the most delicious collection of antique German Halloween pieces I’d ever seen. She had artisan-made pieces, antiquities, and work by famed artists the world over. I just couldn’t believe my eyes! At that moment, I began my home-grown education into dollmaking and Halloween art.

Curious Collector: 1934 Ideal Shirley Temple

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Antique Dolls, Collectible Dolls, Curious Collector, Doll Collecting, Doll Identification & Values, Fantasy & Popular Culture, Play Dolls |

Q: I am an avid Shirley Temple collector, and when I had the chance to buy this mint 22-inch composition Shirley Temple doll in the original box, I was just thrilled. I got her for a very good price because she needed to be restrung, which was easy. Any more information would be greatly appreciated.

Ghoulies & Ghosties: Linda Lyons Specializes in Haunting OOAK Creations

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Art Dolls, Collectible Dolls, Fantasy & Popular Culture |

My inspiration for most of my dolls come from ghosts and animals. When I was young, I always loved the old black-and-white horror movies like “The Mummy,” “House on Haunted Hill,” “Frankenstein,” “Wolfman,” etc. I’m also a big animal lover, so many times I will create anthropomorphic dolls.

For the Love of Pullips: The People of PUDDLE

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Collectible Dolls, Custom Dolls & Repaints, Doll Collecting, Doll Collectors, Doll Shows & Events |

Jane Easterly is a doll collector. Collecting Barbie and friends from an early age, she never lost her appreciation for dolls. It wasn’t until years later, however, that she would leave her mark in a small but impactful way on the hobby. What led her to that? The precocious pouty-faced Hina Ichigo Dal doll from Jun Planning (now Groove).

Antique Q&A: Original Raggedy Ann Doll

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Antique Dolls, Collectible Dolls, Doll Collecting, Doll Identification & Values |

I am settling an estate, and I found this old rag doll in a box with some other dolls which I was able to identify. I am wondering whether this rag doll would be of interest to a doll collector or if I should just put it in the scrap heap?

Vanessa ‘Vee’ Lee: Huggable Angel Dolls Provide COVID Comfort

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Black Dolls & Ethnic Dolls, Collectible Dolls |

As human beings, it’s important that we all feel connected and loved on some level. However, COVID has challenged how we go about obtaining this basic human need. How does an individual feel loved today when their “love language” is physical touch, and they can no longer embrace another person?

New Sculpts, Spectacular Adventures Propel JHD Fashion Doll

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Collectible Dolls, Fashion Dolls |

Expect the JHD Fashion Doll universe to brim with cover girls, globetrotters, new face sculpts, and fantasy figures this year. Other temptations also are likely to follow, if Jiao Huadong has his way.

Shai Hoffer: Dolls are like a long-distance hug

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Collectible Dolls, Custom Dolls & Repaints |

I used to own a little sewing and embroidery shop in my little town. As a mom of four boys, there weren’t many dolls in my home. I would often receive requests to make doll clothing, so I started hosting sewing classes for children to sew items for American Girl dolls.

Madame Alexander Prepares for Centennial Celebration

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Collectible Dolls, Dollmakers, Madame Alexander Dolls, Play Dolls |

For 99 years, Madame Alexander Doll Company has made beautiful dolls for children, families, and collectors. Madame always said, “Love is in the details,” and we could not agree more. Every doll we make is crafted for generations of play.

Curious Collector: 1997 USPS Stamp Doll

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Antique Dolls, Collectible Dolls, Curious Collector, Doll Collecting, Doll Identification & Values |

Q: I was excited when the United States Postal Service issued a series of commemorative stamps in 1997 featuring popular dolls over the decades. I was able to collect the stamps as well as several of the dolls. When reviewing the stamps, I noticed that one doll in the collection did not match the stamp. What can you tell me about this?

How Vogue’s Ginny Got Her Big Sister Jill

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Antique Dolls, Collectible Dolls, Doll Accessories, Doll Furniture |

Jenny Graves embarked on a life-changing journey in 1922 when she joined a small number of other creative women in opening the Vogue Doll Shoppe. Born Jenny Adler in 1890, she was accustomed to designing outfits both for family members and their dolls. She’d already faced more than one challenge in her life — her father died when she was 15, and she put her dreams on hold to help support her family. She married William H. Graves in 1913 and gave birth to three children.

Antique Q&A: Hertwig & Co. Playset

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Antique Dolls, Collectible Dolls, Doll Collecting, Doll Identification & Values |

My great-grandmother left me this set of dolls. My mother remembers that she kept it in a special drawer and took it out from time to time to show the children one of her playthings. Can you tell me anything about this?

DOLLS Reader Creates Cloth Characters, Poems

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Cloth Dolls, Doll Collecting, Doll Collectors |

DOLLS reader Joan Elizabeth Paul recently sent us the following examples of her creativity. “I have been making fabric dolls for several years,” she said. “Sometimes I like to write a poem to go with each doll.”

Curious Collector: Mattel Barbie RN Repro

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Antique Dolls, Barbie Dolls & Mattel, Collectible Dolls, Curious Collector, Doll Collecting, Doll Identification & Values, Dollmakers, Fashion Dolls, Play Dolls |

Q: I am a retired nurse and I remember the original Barbie registered nurse outfit. I learned that a Barbie doll and the outfit had been reissued, but I didn’t know it at the time. Fortunately I found one on eBay. I was very pleased with it. There were a few listed, and prices varied considerably. I was wondering if you could comment on this?

Shows of Note: Modern Doll Collectors Convention (MDCC) Preview

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Collectible Dolls, Doll Collecting, Doll Shows & Events |

The Modern Doll Collectors Convention (MDCC) began as a Vogue Ginny convention in Lakeland, Florida, in 1979. Now in its 44th year, MDCC has expanded to include a fantastic array of contemporary doll artists and manufacturers in an annual convention that’s held in various parts of the continental USA.

All Dressed Up: Barbie Dressed Box Dolls Are Rare Finds Today

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Antique Dolls, Barbie Dolls & Mattel, Collectible Dolls, Doll Collecting, Fashion Dolls |

Over a million Barbie dolls had been sold by 1962, according to a Mattel press release. This is just three years after Barbie was introduced at the 1959 Toy Fair. In an interview with Elliot Handler, one of the founders of Mattel, in 1986, he told me even he was unconvinced that Barbie would be a success.

Shows of Note: Austin BJDC Preview

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Doll Collecting, Doll Shows & Events |

Since 2004, BJDC has been a long-standing tradition for the ball-jointed doll (BJD) community of artists, vendors, and collectors as the largest BJD-focused event in North America. Over the years, the convention has grown and evolved, and the theme changes for each event, but one thing remains the same — our passion for BJDs brings us together year after year!

Jozef Szekeres Takes GlamourOZ Fashion-Doll Designs to New Heights

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Collectible Dolls, Fashion Dolls |

Jozef Szekeres is an artistic triple threat: comic-book illustrator, Disney animator, and high-fashion doll designer. It’s the latter, however, that’s his passion and primary focus. The Sydney, Australia, resident introduced his first dolls, the stunning Elizabet and Kolatin Bizelle sisters, in 2003. On the heels of an unplanned hiatus, he revisited his original concept and released the GlamourOZ Doll line in 2020.

Antique Q&A: ABG Character Dolls

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Antique Dolls, Collectible Dolls, Doll Collecting, Doll Identification & Values, Porcelain Dolls |

I have quite a few antique dolls from the ABG factory. They are china and bisque shoulder heads, many with molded hair, all beautifully made, probably all made before 1900. You say in your books that ABG produced character heads in the 1920s. Could you be more specific about these later dolls?

Elizabeth Cooper Carves Creative Niche With Clay Characters

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Art Dolls, Collectible Dolls, Dollmakers, Elizabeth Cooper Studio, Fantasy & Popular Culture |

During a nearly 30-year doll-design career, Elizabeth Cooper has unfailingly relied on the same successful formula. First comes inspiration, followed by motivation, perspiration, and when necessary, innovation.

Author: DOLLS Magazine Contributor

Pumpkins on Parade: Jennie Hepler Takens Carves Out a Career in Halloween Art

Curious Collector: 1934 Ideal Shirley Temple

Ghoulies & Ghosties: Linda Lyons Specializes in Haunting OOAK Creations

For the Love of Pullips: The People of PUDDLE

Antique Q&A: Original Raggedy Ann Doll

Vanessa ‘Vee’ Lee: Huggable Angel Dolls Provide COVID Comfort

New Sculpts, Spectacular Adventures Propel JHD Fashion Doll

Shai Hoffer: Dolls are like a long-distance hug

Madame Alexander Prepares for Centennial Celebration

Curious Collector: 1997 USPS Stamp Doll

How Vogue’s Ginny Got Her Big Sister Jill

Antique Q&A: Hertwig & Co. Playset

DOLLS Reader Creates Cloth Characters, Poems

Curious Collector: Mattel Barbie RN Repro

Shows of Note: Modern Doll Collectors Convention (MDCC) Preview

All Dressed Up: Barbie Dressed Box Dolls Are Rare Finds Today

Shows of Note: Austin BJDC Preview

Jozef Szekeres Takes GlamourOZ Fashion-Doll Designs to New Heights

Antique Q&A: ABG Character Dolls

Elizabeth Cooper Carves Creative Niche With Clay Characters

Subscribe Today

Free Newsletter + Digital Issue

Free Digital Issue + eNewsletter

CLICK HERE NOW

You have successfully joined our E-mail List!