| Dolls can be babies or high fashion models, sweet | | | | in person -- seeing dolls "in the flesh" is very different |
| little girls or vampish sirens. There are almost as | | | | from seeing them in photos, and you may find |
| many kind of dolls as there are collectors, so | | | | yourself surprised to be pulled toward a doll at a |
| whether you find yourself lingering amongst the pink | | | | show that you hadn't looked at twice online. |
| boxes of the Toys 'R' Us doll department or gazing | | | | A doll show will expose you to a wide variety of |
| at the magazine photos of lifelike Ashton-Drake baby | | | | dolls. You'll see, of course, the popular vinyl fashion |
| dolls, if you're reading this article you're probably | | | | dolls like Robert Tonner's Kitty Collier, Tyler |
| thinking you'd like to start a doll collection. | | | | Wentworth, and Betsy McCall, but you'll also see |
| Where to start? | | | | vintage Barbie and Ken dolls, as well as dolls by the |
| First of all, collecting dolls can be an expensive hobby, | | | | venerable older companies like Effanbee and Madame |
| so be sure you know where your "dolly dollars" are | | | | Alexander. You'll see antique French and German dolls, |
| going to come from. Many doll collectors support their | | | | play dolls, American Girl dolls, Bleuette, and even |
| hobby by sewing, knitting, or crocheting doll clothes | | | | paper dolls. Take it all in -- this is your education. |
| to sell, either on ebay, a Website, or at craft fairs. | | | | Once you're ready to start purchasing dolls, the doll |
| Dolls can be like potato chips -- it's impossible to just | | | | show and the brick-and-mortar doll shop are great |
| have one -- so be aware of your budget and space | | | | places to begin, but the Internet has taken hold as a |
| restrictions. You might not want dolls taking over | | | | wonderful resource for doll collectors. Browse ebay |
| your home! | | | | for deals, but depending upon the dolls you want to |
| Second, think about what kind of dolls you're | | | | own, you may want to gravitate toward online |
| attracted to. Some collectors are eclectic and like to | | | | shops. Building a relationship with a doll dealer can |
| own many different types of dolls. Others prefer to | | | | work well for a collector, as once the dealer gets to |
| specialize in one main type, such as baby dolls or | | | | know you and your collecting interests, she can let |
| fashion dolls, while still other choose to concentrate | | | | you know when something comes in that she knows |
| on one brand or line. So while one collector may own | | | | you want. |
| several Barbies, a Ginny, a Madame Alexander doll, a | | | | If you've done your homework, you'll have a sense |
| few antique porcelain dolls, and a reborn baby doll, | | | | of what to pay for your dolls. New dolls' prices are |
| another may own Barbies, Genes, Kitty Colliers, and | | | | often fixed, and it can be hard to get a bargain, but |
| even a few Bratz, and yet another collector may | | | | if you're buying dolls on ebay or elsewhere on the |
| choose to own only Sasha dolls. In short, no two doll | | | | secondary market, you may be able to get some |
| collectors -- or collections -- are alike, and each doll | | | | good deals. |
| collection is a unique expression of its owner's tastes. | | | | It's exciting to bring your first doll home, and you |
| If you're not familiar with all the different types and | | | | may find that you want to share the fun with other |
| lines of dolls out there, the best thing to do is a lot | | | | collectors. Look for doll clubs in your area -- the |
| of research. The Internet has really revolutionized doll | | | | United Federation of Doll Clubs can help steer you |
| collecting and is a seemingly endless source of | | | | toward a local club. Also check Yahoo Groups to see |
| information on the hobby. Many brick-and-mortar doll | | | | if there is a doll collecting group that appeals to you. |
| shops are also online, but many shops are | | | | These online discussion groups can be excellent |
| Internet-only. Read, read, read -- pore over the doll | | | | sources of information and friendship. |
| magazines and thumb through collectors guidebooks. | | | | As a doll collector, you can learn about fashion, |
| Look at lots of photos and read lots of descriptions | | | | history, and culture, but above all, you should just |
| to see what interests you. It's important, if you can, | | | | have fun! |
| to attend a doll show or visit a doll shop to see dolls | | | | |