| nation plays a big part of growing up. Children are | | | | adults as well as children. There are many categories |
| fascinated by “acting out” what it | | | | of collections. Some focus on the ubiquitous Barbie, |
| would be like to be grown up. Toys play a vital part | | | | especially early and now rare editions. Others choose |
| of this process. Almost anything can be a toy. From | | | | antique dolls, or dolls specific to a period of time. Still |
| sticks and rocks to old socks, if it can be imagined, it | | | | other collectors focus on a single manufacturer, |
| can become a toy. | | | | country or style of doll. If you do not desire to dig |
| I suppose dolls have been around since before | | | | and research, there are many special or |
| written history. Traditionally a toy that girls have used | | | | collector’s editions of dolls produced today. |
| for centuries, dolls have played a vital part in the | | | | No discussion of dolls would be complete without a |
| growing-up process. From learning how to care for a | | | | look at the growing hobby of dollhouses and |
| baby to becoming a jet-setting executive, dolls have | | | | miniatures. This has become a hobby unto itself. Once |
| helped young ladies dream about the future. | | | | more, materials and types are as varied as the dolls |
| Just like the children who play with them, dolls come | | | | they shelter. A dollhouse can be made by a child |
| in all shapes, colors, ages and sizes. There are Barbie, | | | | from a simple cardboard box. Dollhouses can also |
| Ken, Cabbage Patch, My Little Pony, American Girl | | | | range to exact scale replicas of homes with exact |
| and Bratz Dolls, just to name a few. They can be as | | | | scale furnishings, and even full lighting. Those with |
| simple as paper cut-out dolls and as complex, and | | | | limited space may chose to do a “shadow |
| expensive, as detailed porcelain dolls. For the boys | | | | box” that meticulously details one room of a |
| out there, let’s not forget GI Joe and all | | | | house. It would not surprise me if somewhere some |
| those “action figures” (come on guys, | | | | stickler for detail builds a dollhouse with full working |
| admit it, they really are dolls, too!). | | | | plumbing! |
| As varied as the types of dolls, so are the materials | | | | So, whether Barbie is jet setting all over the world, |
| that make them. Early dolls were made of wood and, | | | | or GI Joe is saving the world, if you just want to |
| later, paper-mache. The finest dolls had china heads | | | | “play” or construct an exact scale |
| and sometimes hands with wooden-jointed bodies. In | | | | model of the White House, dolls and their accessories |
| the early days of the United States many dolls were | | | | can take you wherever your imagination can go. |
| made at home. Sew a few old rags together, and | | | | They can make a rainy day go by faster, or allow an |
| you have a new playmate. | | | | over-stressed adult a creative outlet. Anyway you |
| Of course, nowadays dolls are not just for kids. Doll | | | | look at it, dolls are cool. |
| collecting has become a very popular hobby among | | | | |