DOLLS Magazine Contributor, Author at DOLLS magazine | Collecting Dolls

Curious Collector: 2004 UFDC Ginny Twins

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

Q: My mother was an avid doll collector, and so am I. When I inherited her collection, among the mini dolls was this souvenir set of 8-inch hard-plastic Ginny twins. They are absolutely adorable, and each comes with its own wooden rocking horse and a flyer regarding their theme. They use the traditional Ginny molds — I have many of the 1950s Ginny dolls in my collection. Can you tell me more about this special set and perhaps a value? I plan to keep them, but I’m curious.

Rhonda Ingram Forgoes Factories, Creates Her Own BJDs

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Ball Jointed Dolls (BJD), Collectible Dolls, Fantasy & Popular Culture |

In the complex world of doll design, ball-jointed doll (BJD) artist Rhonda Ingram never faced a challenge she couldn’t conquer. Every potential obstacle is an opportunity for professional growth and creative freedom. She’s also not afraid to reinvent herself or pursue a fresh start by figuratively wiping the slate clean and starting over.

Antique Q&A: Antique German Baby Dolls

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

Q: I am just getting interested in collecting antique dolls. I like the smiling German bisque baby dolls, but I am hesitant about actually buying one. I don’t want to make any mistakes. Do you have any advice for me?
A: This is a fabulous time to purchase these types of antique dolls!

Runway Ready, Set, Glow! Former model Pasha Setrova Creates Bold, Beautiful BJDs

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Ball Jointed Dolls (BJD), Collectible Dolls, Fantasy & Popular Culture, Fashion Dolls |

Although she retired from a successful modeling career years ago, Pasha Setrova is still representing on the runway. These days, however, it’s in scaled-down proportions, via the popular PashaPasha line of fashion ball-jointed dolls (BJDs) that the Russian-born artist designs and delivers. With names such as Giddy Heights, Lollipop, Pink Panther, and Glam Rock, each of these highly articulated, fashion-forward catwalkers is imbued with the elusive “it” factor and represents an intriguing dichotomy between fantasy and reality.

Civil War-era doll inspires award-winning children’s book

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Antique Dolls, Collectible Dolls, Porcelain Dolls |

One of the projects that resulted from doll research that began over a decade ago came to fruition this year with the publication of my illustrated children’s book, “Sophia’s Gift.” Two months after the book was released, it won Gold in the 2021 Human Relations Indie Book Awards for cultural human relations in children’s books.

Meet Brielle: Judy Porter Exclusive Limited to 20 Pieces, Available Now

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Ball Jointed Dolls (BJD), Collectible Dolls, Judy Porter Dolls |

My inspiration for sculpting Brielle was to continue my series of little toddlers with this new African-American friend. Brielle is a 12-inch little resin kid who can share clothes with her BFFs Addy Joy, Maisie, and Maudie. Each can also wear clothes made for American Girl’s Wellie Wishers and Dianna Effner’s Little Darlings.

Curious Collector: Rare Mary Hartline Doll

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

Q: I received this stunning Mary Hartline doll for a holiday gift. While I have the hard-plastic Mary Hartline, I had never seen one with a vinyl head and rooted hair. Also, I never knew that Mary Hartline’s iconic dress came in white. I’m sure there is more to this story, so what can you tell me?

Antique Q&A: Simon & Halbig Bisque

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

Q: I bought this doll at an antique store. The bisque head is marked only “979.” The seller had no information about the doll, and no one in my doll club could help either. Could you tell me what company made it? Is it French or German? Also, the body looks different from those on my other bisque-head dolls. Can you comment on that as well?

Jazzy Puppets: MacPherson Launches a New Twist on Reborns

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Baby Dolls & Reborn Dolls, Collectible Dolls |

A couple of years ago, when my 2-year-old granddaughter Keira was visiting, my daughter said she was really intrigued by puppets and asked if I had any of the nylon puppets left that I sold many years ago. The puppets I made were popular in the 1980s, and I literally made and sold hundreds of them at that time. I knew I had one packed away but couldn’t remember where it was stored.

Curious Collector: FAO Schwarz 1990 Winter Fantasy Barbie

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

. I have a beautiful Barbie from FAO Schwarz still in the box in a blue dress that looks very familiar to me. I’m sure you know more to the story about this beautiful doll. Can you perhaps estimate a current value?

Antonia Jenkins finds inspiration in nature

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

I started making dolls professionally to combine several passions of mine: 3D graphics, sculpting, and fantasy. I studied computer graphics in college, specifically modeling. A few years ago, I got a 3D printer and was able to bring my digital art into the real world.

Dianna Effner: Prolific creator influenced a generation of doll artists

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Collectible Dolls, Dianna Effner, Doll Artists and Designers, Play Dolls |

The doll world lost one of its brightest lights Oct. 14, 2020. At age 75, Dianna Effner lost her battle against cancer and passed away at her daughter’s home in Rolla, Missouri. An undeniable force in the collectible-dolls arena, Effner was a talented artist, successful businesswoman, and valued mentor.

Antique Q&A: French papier-mâché doll

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

Q: My neighbor found this doll, which seems to be very old, wrapped in a blanket in a chest in her grandmother’s attic. Knowing that I collect dolls, she asked me about it, but it seems older than any dolls I usually see. Can you tell us about it? Does it have any value? She is downsizing and wants to know if she should sell it, donate it to the thrift shop, or throw it away.

Lovely Lilly: Pat Moulton creates a new BJD exclusively for DOLLS readers

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Ball Jointed Dolls (BJD), Black Dolls & Ethnic Dolls, Collectible Dolls, Doll Artists and Designers, Pat Moulton Originals |

By Pat Moulton Lifetime Achievement Award-winning doll artist Pat Moulton has designed a new resin...

Curious Collector: Ideal 1957 Shirley Temple doll

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

My mother, when downsizing, came across a doll she had bought years ago, a 17-inch Ideal Shirley Temple. She was still strapped in the original box, which I believe is the first box with the gold lid and white stars with Shirley Temple’s picture on the end. The doll is flawless — I am amazed at the condition of the vinyl, plus the hair has never been disturbed.

Virginia Comish adds BJDs to her dollmaking lineup

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Ball Jointed Dolls (BJD), Collectible Dolls, Doll Artists and Designers, Dolls by Virginia Comish |

Doll artist Virginia Comish has spent about a decade making baby dolls, first making vinyl reborn dolls, later switching to working on silicone baby dolls, including sculpting a doll for reproduction in silicone. Most recently, though, her enjoyment of collecting ball-jointed dolls (BJDs) has led her to make her own — not just the sculpts, but making the molds and casting the dolls herself.

Aquatalis tempts collectors with high-end fashions, repaints, doll line

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

Impeccable style, effortless sophistication, and flair to spare are hallmarks of the Aquatalis brand. Over the past seven years, Vietnamese creative duo Alex Nguyen and Quan Pham have amassed devoted followers and dedicated repeat customers by offering a breathtaking array of doll fashions, faces and, most recently, their very own magnificent miniature muse, the stunning Lam.

Moppet Dolls: Natasha Tereza’s miniature dolls bring smiles to collectors

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

For French dollmaker Natasha Tereza, what began as a creative way to relax in her free time has become a way to share her love of art with a larger audience. She started selling her miniature cloth dolls and dollhouse items under the name Moppet Dolls in 2017, but her creative roots run much deeper.

Antique Q&A: Composition Kewpie Doll

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

Q: This doll was part of my grandmother’s estate. We are planning to keep it as a memento but wondered if there is anything special about it that we should know.

A: You have found a Kewpie doll,

Artistic Expressions: Nefer Kane speaks through her doll sculpts

Posted by DOLLS Magazine Contributor | Ball Jointed Dolls (BJD), Collectible Dolls, Fantasy & Popular Culture |

Nefer Kane was born, raised, and still resides on the French Riviera, next to the village where Picasso lived and about a mile away from Renoir’s house. “I am not in the big city of Nice,” she explained. “My place is more countryside, which I prefer, because I need nature around me. I hope one day I can have a house with more land near a forest.”

Author: DOLLS Magazine Contributor

Curious Collector: 2004 UFDC Ginny Twins

Rhonda Ingram Forgoes Factories, Creates Her Own BJDs

Antique Q&A: Antique German Baby Dolls

Runway Ready, Set, Glow! Former model Pasha Setrova Creates Bold, Beautiful BJDs

Civil War-era doll inspires award-winning children’s book

Meet Brielle: Judy Porter Exclusive Limited to 20 Pieces, Available Now

Curious Collector: Rare Mary Hartline Doll

Antique Q&A: Simon & Halbig Bisque

Jazzy Puppets: MacPherson Launches a New Twist on Reborns

Curious Collector: FAO Schwarz 1990 Winter Fantasy Barbie

Antonia Jenkins finds inspiration in nature

Dianna Effner: Prolific creator influenced a generation of doll artists

Antique Q&A: French papier-mâché doll

Lovely Lilly: Pat Moulton creates a new BJD exclusively for DOLLS readers

Curious Collector: Ideal 1957 Shirley Temple doll

Virginia Comish adds BJDs to her dollmaking lineup

Aquatalis tempts collectors with high-end fashions, repaints, doll line

Moppet Dolls: Natasha Tereza’s miniature dolls bring smiles to collectors

Antique Q&A: Composition Kewpie Doll

Artistic Expressions: Nefer Kane speaks through her doll sculpts

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