New Member Introduction

Hello, Everyone!

My name is Debbie and I am a fashion doll collector from Philadelphia, and I am most interested in Fashion Royalty and Barbie. I started officially collecting dolls back in the 1990's when my daughter bought me a holiday Barbie for Christmas. My daughter worked at Toys R Us then, and that was when they sold a lot of the collector Barbies and had a huge display case filled with them. The non-collector Barbie dolls then were so cute, too, so I was quickly hooked. I had always loved Barbie as a girl, but never realized adult collectors even existed. My doll collecting hobby expanded when I discovered Ebay, and went beyond Barbie a few years ago when I learned about the Integrity line of dolls.

I took a year off from doll collecting and am excited to get back into it now. My dolls are all packed away, as I am in the process of selling my house so I no longer have any dolly inspiration. I happened to check into the Doll Divas board the other day for a quick look at the new dolls, and now I am hooked again!

I might have to unpack a box of my favorite dolls, as I really miss looking at them. I'm kind of afraid I won't be able to stop at unpacking just one, though. I will try to control myself when I look at everyone's beautiful doll photos, but it will be tough.

I look forward to sharing my passion for doll collecting with all of you!

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Community ManagerPermalink Reply by Simon Farnworth on October 23, 2012 at 22:16

Hi Deborah,

So nice that you have discovered us and thanks for sharing your story! I can imagine that it may be tricky to stop at the one box once you see all those gorgeous gals again LOL! 

Nice to mee you 


Groups AdminPermalink Reply by Deb on October 23, 2012 at 22:59

I did the same thing, Debbie.  I changed my collecting focus from dolls to vintage Japanese kimono, and back in April I happened to stumble upon Fashion Royalty while on Evil Bay.  Just like that I was hooked again, and selling off my kimono and obi to buy dolls!  

Quitting dolls is harder than quitting smoking.  

Permalink Reply by Deborah Hunter on October 24, 2012 at 0:49

Hey, Simon!

I know I am going to be opening more than one box, as I wasn't my usual highly organized self when I packed them. I started packing as soon as I put my house up for sale, as I thought it would sell much quicker. Several months later and I'm still here, kicking myself every time I look for something and realize I can't find it because its in one of those boxes stacked to my basement ceiling.

I will have an opportunity to crack some of those boxes open over the next few weeks, though. My daughter is moving into an apartment on November 1, and I plan on hauling some of my doll boxes up to store in her room. I told my son my reason for moving my dolls out of the basement is because "there's spiders down there!", but he thinks its just an excuse to play. Not true!

I can't have spiders crawling on my girls, right?

Simon Farnworth said:

Hi Deborah,

So nice that you have discovered us and thanks for sharing your story! I can imagine that it may be tricky to stop at the one box once you see all those gorgeous gals again LOL! 

Nice to mee you 

Permalink Reply by Deborah Hunter on October 24, 2012 at 1:06

Hi, Deb!

This is the longest I have gone without collecting since I began. I went on my Ebay account the other day and saw my last doll purchase was in 2011!

I already have a list made of dolls I want to buy, and have to calm myself down or I'll be broke. Just when I narrow my list by removing a few dolls, someone will post a gorgeous picture of that doll I thought I could live without and then she's back on the list.


Deb said:

I did the same thing, Debbie.  I changed my collecting focus from dolls to vintage Japanese kimono, and back in April I happened to stumble upon Fashion Royalty while on Evil Bay.  Just like that I was hooked again, and selling off my kimono and obi to buy dolls!  

Quitting dolls is harder than quitting smoking.  


Groups AdminPermalink Reply by Deb on October 24, 2012 at 12:10

have to calm myself down or I'll be broke

Oh, like me?  

I owe somewhere in the neighborhood of $580 already, because I thought I wasn't "into" OOAKs.  That was Mistake #1.  Mistake #2 was falling for 1:4 scale girls.  I had a brief love affair with Gene when she was first released ('97?), and after about 20 or so, went back to my first love, 1:6.  After I came back to 'the fold', I was all about Fashion Royalty, until I discovered the Avantguards.  Hook, line AND sinker, baby! 

Permalink Reply by Deborah Hunter on October 24, 2012 at 20:02

I have yet to get into OOAK;s, as I can't bring myself to pay the high price for them. It kills me paying over a hundred dollars or more for a regular FR doll. I have also avoided the Avantguards so far as I like my 1:6 dolls, but would like to see one in person. I'm trying to keep my collection under control, along with my spending! However, I am tempted by the Victoire dolls as they are so beautiful, what size are they?

I have been to a bunch of Barbie conventions, but have yet to get to a Fashion Royalty one. I will try to get to the next one, and to the next Barbie convention, and I'd also like to go to an IFDC (I just had two of my kids move out, so I have more disposable income, and my youngest just turned 18). I'm afraid I'll be making way more mistakes than you if I see all of these dolls up close. Have you been to any of the conventions?


Deb said:

have to calm myself down or I'll be broke

Oh, like me?  

I owe somewhere in the neighborhood of $580 already, because I thought I wasn't "into" OOAKs.  That was Mistake #1.  Mistake #2 was falling for 1:4 scale girls.  I had a brief love affair with Gene when she was first released ('97?), and after about 20 or so, went back to my first love, 1:6.  After I came back to 'the fold', I was all about Fashion Royalty, until I discovered the Avantguards.  Hook, line AND sinker, baby! 


Groups AdminPermalink Reply by Deb on October 24, 2012 at 21:55

I'm giggling to myself reading about the limits you've placed on yourself, Debbie, because I did the exact same thing.  Initially. I was looking at FR dolls selling for over $200, and thinking "These people are NUTS".  I made a solemn vow to never spend over $100 on a single doll, cuz that's just crazy.

Then I saw my first Aphrodisiac Mini Clone.  That's the one that did it for me.  I can see why you're so taken with the Victoire girls.  And you're in luck!  They're 12" girls.  I still love the 1:6 ladies as well...my Holy Grails are Agnes, Valia and most all of the Monograms.  I recently got a Blue Chip that was one of my Grails!!    SCOREBOARD ME! 

My youngest is still at home (he's 16), so I don't have as much disposable income as I'd like...

Do you know Maryann Roy?  http://maryannroy.wordpress.com/  Check out her latest on a show she just got back from.  No, I have never been to a show or convention, but it's most definitely on my bucket list!  Have you ever been to one?  I love to live vicariously through our DO Members that were able to attend the latest Integrity get together.  One of these days...

Permalink Reply by FourthGen on February 17, 2013 at 21:35

Hi Debbie (and everyone)

I'm a Debbie and new to this group too.  My dolls are also mostly boxed at the moment as I sold my house, moved to a small apartment and am hoping to buy another house soon.I mostly have 16" fashion dolls now. My girls want out and to play with their shoe collection.  They are also demanding new clothes.  I packed up all of my childhood dolls Barbie, Ken, Skipper, Little Kiddles, and Chatty Cathy when I was 13 and when I retrieved them after college I started to add to the collection.  I down sided a bit only to make room for BJD's, my 16" models and a J-Doll. I recently added a Tonner Antoinette scored at the Tonner yearly factory sale. Missed out on several others. I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing about all of your lovely dolls. I'm trying to get better at costuming, wigging and clothing mine.

Permalink Reply by Deborah Hunter on March 12, 2013 at 11:47

Hey, Guys!

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I'm finally moving at the end of this month, and the thought of unpacking my girls soon has me trolling the doll boards and Ebay in anticipation of adding to my collection. I really have missed my hobby, but I forced myself not to buy anything until after I was settled. My sons will appreciate my restraint as they haul the tons of dolls I already own out to the moving truck in a few weeks.

I just received a Barbie Collector catalog in the mail after not receiving one in over a year (Mattel sensed I was ready to crack), but avoided the temptation of ordering even after this weekend's 25% off sale. I'm concerned about ordering right now, as I don't want any shipping mishaps. I don't want packages coming to my current address as I might miss them, but I also don't want packages going to my new and empty house. I've also fallen in love with quite a few Integrity dolls that I know won't be easy or cheap to find (hello, Ebay, be back soon).

Sigh. I'm just going to settle myself down here and put together a reasonable wish list until I can safely shop.

How is everyone here doing, any doll news I've missed? Your pictures are amazing! I'll go jealously drool over them now.

Permalink Reply by divafan on March 12, 2013 at 20:58
Hi Deborah! Apparently I missed your introduction the first time around, so welcome! But also, I guess congratulations are in order for selling your house! I know your girls will be glad when they can get some fresh air and stretch their legs! I'll look forward to pics of them, and hearing who joins the fold!
Permalink Reply by Nilsa M. Donelan on March 13, 2013 at 14:03
Hello Debbie!

I also missed your introduction.

Good to know you are moving soon and will be able of enjoying your hobby!

Groups AdminPermalink Reply by Deb on March 13, 2013 at 16:56

Welcome back to the dolly world, Deborah.   So do your interests lie strictly in 1:6 scale, or do you occasionally fall into the 1:4 scale trap?  

We're all looking forward to seeing pix of your collection as they begin to occupy your new digs.  Are they going to have their own room?  This topic is especially near and dear to my heart right now because I'm considering doing the same with the room my Daughter vacated about 4 years ago.  Up till now it's been used for storage (read: 'dumping ground' ), but as my doll collection continues to grow, and shows no signs of stopping, I think the room is slated to be a combination doll/kimono/exercise room.   

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