Essential Tips for Every Doll Collector | Beginner to Advanced!

Essential Tips for Every Doll Collector | Beginner to Advanced! Get ready for an insightful live session with Rachel at our doll shop! In this video, Rachel will share her 'Essential Tips for Every Doll Collector,' covering everything from starting and organizing your collection to preservation and restoration techniques. Perfect for both newbies and experienced collectors, this video is packed with practical advice, creative ideas, and insider knowledge to enhance your doll-collecting journey. Join us for a fun and educational experience that will enrich your love and understanding of doll collecting!

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We love to hear from you and can't wait to continue this incredible doll-collecting journey together! 💖🎁

1:11: 🎎 Valuable tips for doll collectors of all levels, shared by a doll shop owner with a rich family history in doll business.
4:55: ⚖️ Guidance for doll collectors to embrace decision-making, flexibility, and growth in their collecting journey.
10:15: 🎎 Valuable tips for doll collectors, including research, maintenance, and joining groups for fun and knowledge.
15:08: 🎎 Key doll care tips for collectors, from cleaning to restringing and more.
19:53: ⚖️ Key tips for doll collectors: consider condition, budget wisely, and don't be afraid to splurge.
24:39: 💡 Important tips for doll collectors to avoid damage and maximize enjoyment.
29:28: 🎎 Key tips for doll collectors to preserve and document their collection, join communities, and be aware of potential damage.
34:24: ⚖️ Key Tips for Doll Collectors
39:11: ⏳ Importance of patience and planning in doll collecting.
43:47: 🎭 Important advice for doll collectors, including making thoughtful decisions, setting boundaries, and enjoying the journey.
48:30: 🎉 Empowerment and joy in doll collecting, entertaining content, and gratitude for the audience.

[stacys]

I so needed to hear this today. I will soon turn 70, and my children and grandchildren are not interested in my dolls. I have packed them up with the intention of selling them. I am going to take my favorites back out and enjoy them now. Thank you for helping me feel excited about my dolls again!

[susanteel]

Thank you for a wonderful presentation. I have a dear friend who will be 85 years old in early March of this year. She has many beautiful dolls. She made porcelain dolls from molds, cloth dolls some of which she made from Elinor Peace Bailey patterns, some vintage dolls, and some dolls that are probably considered antiques now that belonged to her mother and her grandmother. She has been concerned about leaving all of her dolls to her children to deal with after she passes away. She has given away a few dolls, of which I have been blessed to receive some of them. I have been discussing her concern with her and asking her if she still enjoys her dolls. She has answered in the affirmative. She has had a discussion with her children, and they support her decision to keep her dolls and they will lovingly take care of them in some way after she passes away. She is beginning to feel more at ease now. It's wonderful to have doll friends.

[nevertoooldfordolls]

I'm only 22 but I already have a plan for my dolls. When I get older I plan on physically giving my dolls to people I believe will cherish them. I will definitely figure something else out for the rest as I get older. My sister's and family know that my dolls are valuable and that I care about them.

[MarlaJeanne]

This video is so wonderful. You are so insightful, knowledgeable and kind. Your deep passion for dolls is on display for everyone to see. You educate us and take us on journeys we may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience. You are truly a gift to the doll world and community. There is no doubt your mom is very proud of her beautiful daughter and what she’s created from her love of dolls.

[mishti]

Thank you...thank you, thank you Rachel ❤❤❤. This was the virtual hug I needed so much. I found my 50yr old raggedy Ann doll the other day, and I thought of you😊. Having absolutely no person in my world who is a doll person, I feel extremely isolated at times. Watching your channel gives me the feeling that I'm not so alone. I don't comment often but want you to know how much I appreciate you sharing your doll life🤗, it fills my heart with joy.

[cloudninetherapeutics]

This presentation resonated with me. Just loved it. Thanks so much, Rachel.❤

[familiedutoit]

Wow thank you Rachel this means a lot to me. I was in a low state after visiting someone and we talked about hobbies and you know stuff and dolls come up and I love my dolls and I talked about it and she said something that make me feel sad. " Why are people playing with dolls they must grow up". And now I don't feel sad anymore. Thank you. Have fun and keep the sparkles on. Lovies Yetta💕

[susangriner]

Rachel, you are so sweet; you warm my heart. I splurged and bought a Smart Doll last week; I've been cutting out pattern pieces for a top for her while I listened to you.

[marilynhalberg]

What an inspiring video, Rachel. Your generous heart and your deep warmth always shine through on every video that you create for us. I like to sit down and have a cup of tea when I am watching, and it always feels as though I have had a dear girlfriend come to visit!

You have created such a friendly and welcoming community, and I am so grateful to you.

[whowantswaffles]

Totally agree with the splurging!! I used to be really over cautious when I started out, to the point I'd have to justify it to myself and then miss out on sales, despite knowing I could've afforded it. One day I saw a doll for sale at a show that I just went for. I felt DREADFUL at first spending that money but she has since become my favorite, she now has more clothes than me and travels all over! I adore her. Treat yourself sometimes, you only live once!

[julz]

Love this Rachel 🤗... thanks for being my doll bestie 🤗🙏🏼❤🍄🥂

[MyStitchinDolliverse]

😂😂 you are an enabler 😂 but that’s why we love hanging out with you because you tell us it’s OK to buy the dolls to go for it!!

[CherishedDollFriends]

Hi Rachel, this video was packed full of wonderful tips! I love hearing you talk about dolls! You are so inspiring to doll collectors of all ages. I have sold some dolls that I regretted and have also splurged! I am loving my doll collection. You made a great point about changing directions. It is so true. If you love dolls it’s so easy to notice something new and shiny and want to experience it. I always come back to my favourites though. They give me so much comfort and joy. Thanks for enhancing our experience as doll collectors with your values and huge giving heart. ❤

[janiceschenck]

There is so much great information in this video. Thank you, Rachel, for sharing your vast knowledge of dolls with us.

[sandrakulikowski]

Thank you for sharing all your knowledge. Thank you for being so open and honest. I love my dolls. They mean the world to me and I’m so glad that I found the virtual doll convention. I’m so happy I found you. I love my dolls they mean the world to me. My children are more to me than anything I could buy or own. Sometimes they make me feel sad because they don’t understand. I lost my oldest son to Covid in 2020. He was my buddy. He would go to swap meets and flea markets, and bring me dolls he thought I would like. Now that he’s gone those dolls are so precious to me. He could bring me weird Barbie, and I was delighted. Thank you for helping me to understand this is OK. I will enjoy every moment of it from now on. I wish you all the best in the new year. 💝

[Naturalgirl]

You have been knocking these last few videos out of the park. I have learned so much thank you and your team.☺️ These have been fantastic!!! Happy New Year ❤

[Siansonea]

I've always been fortunate that I learned not to care about other people's snap judgements of me pretty early in life. I have always loved dolls, and long ago when my friends and I were getting into our teens, they all started feeling self-conscious about loving dolls, so they stopped playing with dolls and enjoying dolls. But I never did. I transitioned from a kid playing with dolls to an adult collector without missing a beat. I never got rid of my childhood dolls, but a lot of them didn't survive my early 'restoration' and 'customization' attempts. I did sell a lot of my dolls and donated a lot more in the late 90s, but I didn't part with the dolls that were truly special to me. I let go of some great dolls, but I have great dolls again, so it's fine.

I think it's terribly sad when someone puts aside something they really love because they're worried that other people will make fun of them. Those people are not worth caring about. Life is too short to waste a minute of it thinking you have to please other people by denying yourself something you love and enjoy. Especially something as harmless as dolls and toys. Take the joy you can from life, and leave the bitter people to stew in their own sour juice.

I really don't know what my holy grail doll would be at this point. I don't have a #1 Barbie, or a Hawaiian SuperStar Barbie, or a Free Moving Cara, or a Talking Busy Steffie, but that's fine. Something to look forward to. But I'm just as happy to find yet another Golden Dream Barbie with her original jewelry, even though I have more than ten of her. There's always something cool to collect, and sometimes it's good just to enjoy what we already have.

[lillychevalierfox]

Thank you so much. My dolls are indeed saving my sanity.

[lindaschreiner]

Another great video Rachel with lots of useful information on doll restoration if needed.

[luvpugs]

Thank you Rachel. This was a great video. Loved all the tips. I started collecting fashion dolls in 1995 with Gene Marshall because my husband spotted her in my Barbie Bazaar magazine and thought I might like her. I have never taken some of my dolls out of their mailers, even to look at them. I was waiting for my retirement. Now that I’m in retirement well, you know what I’ve been going through. The death of my mom in 2022 and my husband being diagnosed with cancer in early 2023. We have high hopes for 2024 to build my doll room and unpack hundreds of beautiful fashion dolls. I love you and the VDC so much. You got me back into dolls when my doll light was all but extinguished. Beautiful Grace Marie Fitzpatrick!! If you or anyone in the community is selling the first Grace I would love to own and cherish her. Thank you for being you!!❤️