Christmas Toys

Two P91 Ideal Toni's in their Christmas dresses with their toys from Santa.  The Toni dressed in green is a Pre-Toni and has an original mohair wig.  Santa has been for a visit.

Merry Christmas!

I want to wish everyone a very Merry and Blessed Christmas.

Two of my Bleuettes in their Christmas dresses with their dolls and Santa Claus.

A Tree To Decorate

This is a simple Christmas display that was put together using one of my P90 Ideal Toni's with her tree she is decorating.  Her dress was crocheted by me using some scrap yarn and a scrap of green ribbon that was just long enough to tie a bow.  The crochet pattern was one I found on line at one of the free pattern sites.  Toni is wearing a pair of shiney gold boots that I got from a doll I purchased some time ago.  The 12'' Christmas tree was purchased from Dollar tree.  The rest of the items were little odds and ends I already owned. 





Another P90 and P91 Toni in their Christmas dresses with their tree.

Restoring Doll Clothing

Restoring Doll Clothing.
 As all of you know that have read this
blog for any length of time I love to restore dolls. Restoring
the doll is important to do right, and just as important is restoring
the clothing. Always remember that trying to restore the clothing
can completely ruin it, if you choose the wrong method. If you
choose to try only do clothing that is ruined without restoration.
Restoration of clothing sometimes can be as simple as washing them or
soaking them for a while in a mild detergent. You can also place the
dry clothes in mesh bag or pillowcase and place in your dryer on a
cool setting and let the dryer remove the dust. But if the clothing
is very old and has been improperly displayed, it can be a challenge.
First, test the strength of the fabric to see if it is dry rotted.
Next, you must identify what the fabric and trims are made of. If
the trim is a different fiber, you may want to remove it and clean it
differently and reattach later. You would not want to wash most old
woolens. If you are not sure what the clothes are made of, try a
simple test on an obscure place and place a drop of water with a mild
detergent (Woolite, Perk or Dawn) on it. If it passes that test
carefully wash. If a garment is white or a light pastel color
chances are it is very dingy due to household air or smoke. Try a
light soak of Clorox made for gentle bleaching again in an obscure
place. If the garments pass that test, then proceed to soak them in
a very light solution of bleach and water. Only use this method on
white or light colored clothing and as a last resort and only for a
short period. Remember most of the time the doll is never going to
look completely new. To remove spots and rust stains there is a
product called whink. You can find it with the detergents in most
stores. It comes in powder and liquid form. I prefer the liquid.
Again test in an obscure place. I have never had this product bleach
the color, but there is always a first.
Another important thing to remember is that prior to the 1960's a lot
of colored fabrics were not colorfast. Prior to washing a garment
soak in a cold solution of white vinegar and water. This is often
enough to set the colors and they will not bleed together. Also any
metal fastener should be removed on old garments, as they were not
rustproof. If there are any studs or any other permanently
attached metal should be watched very closely to reduce the risk of
rust. If rust should appear, Whink will remove it. Also prior to
washing or soaking check carefully for small holes in the fiber as
they need to be watched to be sure they do not enlarge. Be very
cautious at each step as once fading or disintegration of fabric
occurs it is irreversible. The rule to follow is caution and less is
the best. If in doubt, do not proceed with any step and take the
clothing to a professional.
The fancier the dress, the more you need a professional to clean it.
I usually only clean cottons and cotton blends myself. I have
successfully cleaned some silky type gowns in perk.
After cleaning, you will usually need to press the garment as the
older fabrics had to be ironed. They were made before permanent
press came into being. Be sure the iron is on a cool setting and
take your time as the garments are tiny and require patience. Do not
start restoring doll clothing on your expensive dolls, but start on
less expensive dolls, so if you should have a disaster, not much is
lost. Just be cautious and test each step. The results can be very
rewarding.

Bonnet Dolls

BONNET DOLLS
Bonnet Dolls are somewhat older than most dolls we study, but are a 
very interesting category. They are a class of dolls that were made 
with the hat molded on the doll head. There were made of china, wax, 
parian, celluloid, wood, composition, paper mache and straw. They 
usually have painted eyes. 
Many years ago no lady would appear outside her home without a scarf 
or a bonnet covering her head. And these dolls depict that bygone 
era. Dolls have always represented the fashions of the era they were 
made. Many half or pincushion dolls also fit in this category of 
dolls as they often have a head covering. The bonnet styles can be 
very stylishly beautiful or very whimsical. There is one that I 
love. The doll has a butterfly for her hat. 




The  hats can be a very large style to a small hat or scarf. 
The dolls and half dolls were made in a variety of sizes usually 
sixteen inches tall or less. The half dolls were usually used on 
pincushions or as handles for mirrors and dresser sets. The larger 
heads and arms were 
sometimes sold without a body and were to be placed on a cloth body 
and dressed by the owner's Mother. Therefore the clothing styles are 
as varied as the many people that dressed them are. Many examples of 
these dolls can still be found in original clothing at reasonable 
prices, although prices vary by area.




These dolls when new were inexpensive compared to the tinted bisque dolls.
Note the white skin color of these dolls.  These dolls today are sought after
by collectors and some are reasonably priced.

I have in my doll eollection some bonnet dolls.  Here is a picture of my 
largest doll and a favorite.  She is dressed in a dress that was made from a
ladies hankerchief. 

China Dolls With Molded Hair

China (glazed)head dolls of the mid 1800's.

Porcelain became popular at the beginning of the 19th century. Its a name used generically to refer to both china and bisque dolls. China is glazed, whereas bisque is unglazed. Dolls are named after the variety of hairstyles they wore--be it a "Covered Wagon" style (hair flat on top with sausage curls around the head, 1840s).



"Alice in Wonderland" (molded head band, 1850s)







or the "Dolly Madison" (curls all over)

--whatever was fashionable at a certain time.China heads were replaced by heads made of bisque in the 1860s.

Germany, France and Denmark started creating china heads dolls in the 1840's they are often identified by their hairstyles.

The most beautiful china head dolls unquestionable belong to those with molded hair,
historically produced during the late period of 1830’s until the early part of the 20th century. Among these, the lady- like china stand out as art objects rather than toy dolls.
The highest number of production made in Germany from 1850’s through 1890’s, centered around the cities of Sonnenberg and Nuremberg.

The Hair Dress is a good indication of the period the dolls were manufactured, as they imitated the styles that were fashionable at the time they were made…For example a doll with a chignon, or waterfall hair dress, could be dated as 1860-1870. Bangs would indicate a much later period, early 1890, when this style was worn.

Many china heads, especially those with unusual hair styles, are called "portrait dolls" and are named for those they are supposed to resemble-Queen Victoria, Mary Todd Lincoln, Dolly Madison, Countess Dagmar, Jenny Lind, Adelina Patti, and Alice in Wonderland. It is unlikely that these ever were actual portraits. Doubtless some fancied resemblance has caused collectors to so name them….Unfortunately, most china dolls are unmarked that makes it difficult to distinguish which company designed which doll. Sporadically, dolls are marked within its shoulder plates, putting the company name that manufactured the item. Some companies also put a number on the reverse part of the shoulder plate of the china doll.China heads made after 1898, will of, course be marked GERMANY, Occasionally they will be marked with letters or numbers, but there seems to be no way of finding out what these markings mean.Harper's Bazaar referred to china dolls as "old fashioned" in 1873, though they continued being made well into the early 20th century. China doll heads were produced in large quantities, in different parts of Europe, counting in the millions.sitting or standing alone in antique shops and even in flea markets, waiting to be loved and valued again. We need to appreciate these old dolls with particular affection, even if for the thought alone that they have survived well over a hundred years.

Parian Dolls

My collection of parian dolls.

I love parian dolls.  This is a picture of my parian doll collection.  While none of mine are antique, they are commercial reproductions from the 1940's and 1950's.  They were imported as a head, hands and feet with a pattern for the bodies.  I bought most of them already put together with no clothes.  They were bought one at a time as I found them. Over time I have dressed them.  I love them and wish I had more of them.  Does a doll lover and collector ever have enough dolls.  There are two or three more I have that are not dressed yet.  Maybe I will get them finished in the future.

More pictures of my collection of parian dolls.

As the price of antique dolls continue to rise I am happy to have my reproductions.
I am seeing collectors buy reproductions.  A few years a reproduction was
frowned on, but most collectors can't spend thousands on a real antique.



This is an antique parian and worth thousands of dollars.  They are  unique beautiful dolls.

 Meissen parian doll

Some History of Parian Dolls

it was not definite who in Europe the first to manufacture porcelain doll heads was. The Royal Porcelain Manufacture (KPM) Meissen was one of the earliest producers. Initially the first dolls were produced as byproducts and only test models. At that time, Meissen made porcelain dishware and extravagant artistic porcelain. 
In eighteen forty, the first porcelain doll heads were produced commercially. Meissen produced head with elegant lady faces which differed from the later little girl doll faces. 


Often frills and flowers were added to the dolls. Yet they weren’t called proper toy dolls and not suitable for children. They were still ornamental porcelain that pleased the eye. Some small children were given these dolls as presents. The precious doll was kept safe until the child had attained the right age and necessary maturity to appreciate the doll. As a result, many of these dolls remain today. 


By 1850 manufactures began to realize that porcelain heads with all of their beauty and strong glossiness seemed unnatural and were thus not perfect. They directed their attention towards an especially fine, white, dull, and transparent type of porcelain: which was called Parian.


The English developed the first parian-ware in the 1840s, and exhibited parian-ware figures at the London International Exhibition in 1851. These figures proved to be very popular, inspiring the Germans to develop their own version of parian porcelain. Soon the many competing German Thuringian companies began making doll heads and limbs in the unglazed white porcelain bisque. They found that they could achieve a higher degree of detail in the modeling than had been possible with the glazed china pieces. Therefore parian dolls can be found with more elaborate hairstyles and in greater variety than the glazed china dolls. There were so many porcelain factories in Thuringia, that it is often very difficult to tell which company made a specific doll. They copied each other's popular models, and employees drifted back and forth between factories. 


The period of the exquisite Parian dolls was quite short because they were still not suitable for child’s play. In addition, their white marble skin color was unnatural so the porcelain was painted flesh-like tone and then was not called Parian but bisque. 
Many Parian dolls are around today because owners knew of their fragility and kept them safe. Children could only play with them as they matured. That is a good thing. I believe these dolls were some of the most beautiful dolls produced.

Another antique Meissen parian doll.

DOLL DAY LOGO

World Doll Day Logo

WORLD DOLL DAY 2018

WORLD DOLL DAY.  CELEBRATE

 World Doll Day is today.  It is always the second Saturday in June.  I am posting Mildred Seeley's proclamation announcing World Doll Day.  So what are you going to do to celebrate the day.

Below is a copy as written by Mildred Seeley.  Please tell all your doll friends.

So, you haven't heard of World Doll Day? This is not surprising. As of an hour ago, I hadn't conceived the idea. Bob Isbell, who does my printing, says when I ask for something to be done by tomorrow, "I'll make it hap­pen," This is what l would like to do with World Doll Day - make it hap­pen. I need only one thing - COOPERATION! I need cooperation of every doll collector, every magazine editor, doll newsletter, doll shop, library, dollmaker, mother, grand­mother, father, grandfather, and all the stray aunts and uncles. The first World Doll Day is the Second Saturday of June 1986. I am getting a doll ready to give. If you don't have a child to give a doll to - find one. There are many children with no dolls. Give a doll to a grownup child in the family or just a friend. 

Think of it this way, and ship a doll to another country. I have always felt that the common doll could be an instrument of world understanding. From the time I first started writing books on dollmaking, I had the hope that dolls would help make friends all over the world and develop a little love among all.
World Doll Day will also be a day for doll exhibits. It is my hope that all libraries will have a special doll exhibit; museums will publicize their doll exhibits and have special exhibits at this time. Magazines will put out special editions. Doll stores will put on selling campaigns weeks ahead. Dollmakers will make special dolls for World Doll Day. There will be doll competitions with World Doll Day awards, plaques and trophies.
The logo is made from artist Boots Tyner's doll representing a child. The child carries a German bisque doll to represent this doll col­lector's gift. Feel free to copy the logo or have more made.
Everyone can join the fun, as there are no fees, no permission needed, no obligations, nobody owns the day, no club, no company. It's a free-for-all. Take up the day, its ideas and fly with it. Let's do it now - World Doll Day.
If you think World Doll Day is a good idea, then appoint yourself a committee of one to do something about it - only then can it become a reality. Would you tell five people, ask them to tell five people and each of them tell five more and so on. World Doll Day's birthday is June 14, 1986.
Sincerely, Mil and Vernon Seeley

P.S. This letter may be copied, and copied, again and again, until the world knows about World Doll Day.

Rainbow Brite

I have always loved the Rainbow Brite dolls.  They are so happy, colorful and cheerful.  I had a beautiful collection of them several years ago, but in having to downsize my doll collection, I sold them.  Am I the only one that misses the dolls from my collection that have been sold.

Original 1980's Story: In a faraway place, right at the end of the rainbow, there is a magical kingdom where all the colors of the earth are created. The kingdom is called Rainbow Land, and living in this wonderful place is a lovable, creative little girl named Rainbow Brite. She uses the colors of the rainbow to make our world brighter and our hearts lighter. Rainbow Brite's best friend is a magical flying horse named Starlite. He serves as Rainbow's protector and guardian, and as her swiftest means of transportation. Rainbow's partners are the Color Kids - seven little people with personalities as varied as the colors of the rainbow. They are responsible for their assigned colors, and for organizing and leading the groups of sprites that match their hues. The sprites are colorful, happy little workers who mine and manufacture "star sprinkles", the magic crystals which form the colors. The favorite sprite of Rainbow Brite is Twink, a white and furry little bundle of energy who was once a sprite of a different color! The villians' of Rainbow Land are Murky Dismal and Lurky - two nasty creatures who live in a place called The Pits. They hate everything colorful and are always plotting ways to capture Rainbow Brite. They want to use color for trickery and evil doings so that the world will be just as murky and dismal as they are. Join Rainbow Brite and her forces of color as they challenge the forces of gloom, in a struggle to keep the world bright and colorful, and to keep our hearts hopeful and happy. From "The Rainbow Brite Story" Pamphlet I think the Sprites were my favorites

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

I found the following article on the origins of the holiday.  Not romantic at all.

Any way

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate romance and love and kissy-face fealty. But the origins of this festival of candy and cupids are actually dark, bloody — and a bit muddled.

A drawing depicts the death of St. Valentine — one of them, anyway. The Romans executed two men by that name on Feb. 14 of different years in the 3rd century A.D.

Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Though no one has pinpointed the exact origin of the holiday, one good place to start is ancient Rome, where men hit on women by, well, hitting them.

Those Wild And Crazy Romans

From Feb. 13 to 15, the Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia. The men sacrificed a goat and a dog, then whipped women with the hides of the animals they had just slain.

The Roman romantics "were drunk. They were naked," says Noel Lenski, a historian at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Young women would actually line up for the men to hit them, Lenski says. They believed this would make them fertile.

The brutal fete included a matchmaking lottery, in which young men drew the names of women from a jar. The couple would then be, um, coupled up for the duration of the festival — or longer, if the match was right.

The ancient Romans may also be responsible for the name of our modern day of love. Emperor Claudius II executed two men — both named Valentine — on Feb. 14 of different years in the 3rd century A.D. Their martyrdom was honored by the Catholic Church with the celebration of St. Valentine's Day.

Later, Pope Gelasius I muddled things in the 5th century by combining St. Valentine's Day with Lupercalia to expel the pagan rituals. But the festival was more of a theatrical interpretation of what it had once been. Lenski adds, "It was a little more of a drunken revel, but the Christians put clothes back on it. That didn't stop it from being a day of fertility and love."

Around the same time, the Normans celebrated Galatin's Day. Galatin meant "lover of women." That was likely confused with St. Valentine's Day at some point, in part because they sound alike.

William Shakespeare helped romanticize Valentine's Day in his work, and it gained popularity throughout Britain and the rest of Europe.

Perry-Castañeda Library, University of Texas

Shakespeare In Love

As the years went on, the holiday grew sweeter. Chaucer and Shakespeare romanticized it in their work, and it gained popularity throughout Britain and the rest of Europe. Handmade paper cards became the tokens-du-jour in the Middle Ages.

Eventually, the tradition made its way to the New World. The industrial revolution ushered in factory-made cards in the 19th century. And in 1913, Hallmark Cards of Kansas City, Mo., began mass producing valentines. February has not been the same since.

Today, the holiday is big business: According to market research firm IBIS World, Valentine's Day sales reached $17.6 billion last year; this year's sales are expected to total $18.6 billion.

But that commercialization has spoiled the day for many. Helen Fisher, a sociologist at Rutgers University, says we have only ourselves to blame.

"This isn't a command performance," she says. "If people didn't want to buy Hallmark cards, they would not be bought, and Hallmark would go out of business."

And so the celebration of Valentine's Day goes on, in varied ways. Many will break the bank buying jewelry and flowers for their beloveds. Others will celebrate in a SAD (that's Single Awareness Day) way, dining alone and binging on self-gifted chocolates. A few may even be spending this day the same way the early Romans did. 

Clothespin Dolls

One day recently I read in a newspaper about a lady that made clothespin dolls.  She made storybook, holiday, and all kinds of  scenes using clothespin dolls she custom made for the scenes she was creating.  I was unable to go see her exhibit, but being a doll maker I was curious.  Soooo...... I went to the idea spot:  Pinterest.  I put clothespin dolls in the search window and WOW was I ever surprised at the talent and sophistication of these dolls.  Now I will probably never make one, but I am fascinated and I think you will be also.  I found instructions to make a simple clothes pin doll and I am pining it so you can see how its done.