How do you Collect? Part 1

As I continue to go through my doll collection and separate the keepers from the must-find-another-homers, I can't help but notice what makes keepers, keepers. They are all dolls that I love! Whether purchased 25 years ago, or just last week, whether the price was exorbitant, or found at a yard sale for a quarter - I love them. Conversely, the dolls looking for new homes, were either gifts, prizes, emotional purchases, or frenzied purchases. The "frenzied" purchases are of greatest concern. This is when a company creates a frenzy for their product. MGA did this with their Moxie Teenz dolls by delaying the release, and limiting the number of Bijou dolls. People were furiously hunting for her, and when some found her, they bought up as many as they could to sell on the secondary market. All this Bijou buying lasted until someone finally de-boxed one, discovered her poor articulation, and posted their findings on the internet.

By the time I actually de-boxed one, I had already purchased 2 Bijous, an Arizona, and a Tristen. All but one of them will be looking for a new home! Another frenzy that I fell for - and only beginning to recover from, is that of Monster High. Mattel started to cast their spell in 2009 with articles and blogs all over the internet about this new franchise of dolls, books, videos etc which were on the horizon for the coming year. I saw pictures of the dolls and fell in love almost immediately! I confess to being a bit on the odd side, and these dolls made being odd - cool! My first mistake was to pre-order 2 of the dolls from an online store whose name shall remain nameless but their initials are AD. I paid my money and waited. Soon, I start to see posts in online forums about people having found the dolls in their local stores - and the prices were much lower than I had paid at AD! My patience flew out of the window, I made a mad dash to my local Target, Walmart, and TRU stores. Found them at Target for $5 less than AD, and I did not have to pay shipping. Because I knew I could not get a full refund from AD if I cancelled my order, I just purchased one doll - Clawdeen Wolf at Target. A few days later, I found a Draculara at Walmart for a few dollars cheaper than the Target price. My AD dolls arrived several weeks later, but I still wasn't through! People kept posting pictures of new characters that I just had to have. Then there were new "waves"! These were just the same characters in new clothes! On and on it went until at last count, 19 Monster High dolls were living here! This does not include the 5 Create a Monster sets, a few clothing packs, Lagoona's Hydration Station, Clawdeen's bunk beds, or the Coffee Bean play sets. In my own defense, I was going through trying times with my family, and confess that these were stress induced purchases. About half of the Monster High madness is, or soon will be looking for new homes. I have now committed myself to no more frenzy buying. Methinks a bottle of wine shared with friends is a better way of combating stress, cheaper, and takes up less space than new dolls.

Sewing again - YEAH!

It has been too long since I did any serious sewing for my dolls. I tried, but the stress of caring for my mother, home renovations, and grieving my mother's passing made it all but impossible to do anything remotely creative. Well. it's been about 5 months, and the fog is finally starting to clear. Last weekend, I actually made a couple of outfits that I am proud of, and finished a few that had languished too long in the UFO (unfinished object) box.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tea-Party-Pretty-for-14-Betsy-McCall-and-Hearts-for-Hearts-dolls-/271057562406?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1c4a2b26 I made this one for Hearts for Hearts dolls, but it surprisingly fits 14" Betsy McCall and Dru perfectly! I have it listed on Ebay, but am having second thoughts about selling it.....

Time to Purge....

I saw a show on the Syfy channel today called Collection Intervention. They showcased a woman who was a "passionate" Barbie collector. The woman was not a hoarder, but she did have more dolls and accessories than she could enjoy. Much was stored in her sons' closets and her husband's workshop! Though my doll collection doesn't even come close to hers, there is a common factor: I have more than I can display and enjoy. As I am determined not to become like my late mother (who was a serious hoarder), and I do so want to enjoy my dolls, I have come to the realization that it is time to purge.

I am starting with Monster High dolls. I started collecting them after my father passed away, and while watching my mother's health steadily decline over the following 2 and a half years, I bought more! I have way too many duplicates - same character in different outfit, so these will be the first to go! If you collect Monster High dolls, or know someone who does, please direct them to my listings. http://www.ebay.com/sch/allthegoodgone/m.html?item=271057424228&_trksid=p2047675.l2562&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&rt=nc Thanks!