Retail Therapy – A New Mignonette

I don’t get philosophical about the concept of retail therapy. I just know it works! So, here’s my latest doll fix: Her face is sweet and her blue eyes are captivating. The color on her nose is rubbed off giving her a bit of a pug-nose look. Since I live with the exquisite Lily the pug, I am charmed. I bought her on eBay from a French dealer from whom I have … Continue reading

Happy Spring

I’ve got a very busy week this week and next week is Super Girl’s spring break, so I don’t have much time to write. But I wanted to wish you a HAPPY SPRING! And take a few minutes to share with you some of the bunnies who live with me and remind me of spring all year long. So, have a lovely early Spring and I’ll get back to posting … Continue reading

First World Problems, Episode 2

Don’t you just hate it when two of your leisure-time hobbies conflict? Me too. Here’s the deal. In October, in conjunction with my Cabinet of Curiosities classes, I have the once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to Scotland and England to get a behind-the-scenes look at 17th Century embroideries. And to go to Scotland and England for the first time! But it’s terribly pricy. And, of course, DH would … Continue reading

Simon & Halbig 1159

Episode 1 of Downton Abbey, Season 5 just premiered in the US last night. Set in 1924, it got me thinking about all things flapper. I just loved Lady Mary’s black, above the elbow gloves. Back in May of last year, in Shoes, Socks, and a Pair of Stockings, I gave you a peak at my Simon & Halbig 1159 flapper doll. In honor of Downton, today she’ll be the star. … Continue reading

1 Dress, 3 Centuries

Last January, when I started on my journey into 17th century embroidery, a dear friend asked me what it had to do with my other passion, doll collecting and costuming. It was a good question because she challenged me to find a connection. This A. Marque doll in Theriault’s January, 2015 “Cotillion” auction pretty much sums it up. Up until recently, the A. Marque dolls held the record as the most expensive dolls … Continue reading

BLUE Beads

I think I’ve made it obvious that I am obsessed with the color BLUE. I love all its shades (except some shades of teal). So, I am also intrigued by turquoise beads. But this has been a problem. Any collector of antique dolls has seen numerous examples of antique dolls wearing turquoise jewelry or having it in their trousseaux. It is iconic. From the earliest French fashions to bebe’s to … Continue reading

Collecting vs. Hoarding

Yesterday, I avidly followed an animated discussion on Facebook in response to someone’s question about how to start collecting dolls. It morphed quickly into the question of collecting vs. hoarding. I don’t think there is a one of us who can read a list of medical symptoms without mentally checking ourselves. And since hoarding has become such a hot topic in the media, I don’t believe that any collector has … Continue reading

200 Years Old

Last Saturday, after attending SG’s Tae Kwan Do tournament, I went to the Gaithersburg, Eastern National Doll Show. Since it only occurs twice a year now, I couldn’t miss it. I needed a doll shopping fix. Accepting that my fabric and trim stash is overflowing, I passed by all the beautiful antique fabrics with a mere glance. I was there to see dolls and my doll friends, and I did. I … Continue reading

Are All Happy Dolls Creepy??

When my son was in high school, one of his friends was disturbed by my dolls. He thought they were staring at him. Even the most dedicated doll collector can probably understand how some people find dolls creepy. Especially dolls that smile… This rare French Jumeau, in perfect condition, was sold by Theriault’s last Saturday for $250,000.00. Does anyone think she’s not creepy? She’s certainly not cute or pretty. I … Continue reading

Dolls on the Web

The antique doll collecting community seems to be reacting to the lack of doll shows with a larger presence on the internet. YEAH! Here are a few places I’ve discovered: Antique Doll Collector Magazine has a new blog. On Facebook, I’ve joined three antique doll groups and have been only kicked out of one of them. I think I was kicked off because I shared a non-doll-related post, but there was … Continue reading