One of the things that fascinates me about doll collecting is the interplay between doll-loving and doll-collecting. What I mean is that most people who collect dolls today first started out as doll lovers. On the other hand, we could say that those who are doll lovers today will probably be the doll collectors of tomorrow. A love of dolls will naturally encourage a love of collecting them, and those who collect dolls will deepen in their appreciation and love for them.
Nostalgia for the past seems to be a primary motivating factor for many doll collectors. For example porcelain collectible dolls are quite popular today. In these dolls we seem to recapture something of long-lost era -- one that reflects style and grace and a kind of sophistication that is rarely seen today. Porcelain doll kits are also collected, especially by ladies who are handy with a needle and thread, who enjoy making the outfits and accessories from these kits.
Did I mention doll accessories? Well here's another area for doll collectors-- collecting doll houses. Some folk go all out and make their own doll house, as doll house plans are widely available today. It is even possible to use the capabilities of a PC to draw up plans for a doll house -- and this will save you the time and expense involved in actually constructing them, until you find a design that you like.
Another interesting area of doll collecting is the collecting of Amish doll furniture. Amish doll furniture is highly collectible due to its high quality -- being manufactured by authentic Amish craftsmen. Amish doll furniture is renowned for its high quality and attention to detail. There is nothing about Amish doll furniture that looks mass-produced, that's for sure.
And when it comes to collectible dolls, who hasn't heard of Franklin mint dolls. Who hasn't seen an advertisement on TV or in a magazine for one of these dolls -- a TV personality like Lucille Ball or Princess Diana? And, just like their advertisements say, these dolls are almost certainly going to rise in value. If you have an opportunity to pick up a Franklin mint doll in good condition at a very good price, you should jump at the chance.
Another area of popular doll collecting is that of Betsy McCall dolls. These dolls and also doll accessories have been around for some time -- Betsy McCall was first featured on the cover of McCall's Magazine during the 1950s -- and today Betsy McCall dolls and accessories are becoming popular again.
The American Girl Company is making it easy for little girls to relate to their dolls. This innovative company manufactures a line of doll clothing and accessories that match an identical set of clothing for girls. This means that your granddaughter or niece could pretend they have a "little sister" -- or better yet, a twin sister -- which they can carry with them at all times.
Perhaps your tastes run in a different line -- for you there are primitive dolls. These are dolls that are constructed to resemble the kinds of simple playthings used by girls generations ago, especially during the early eras of our country's history. They make use of simple materials and plain fabrics, and have a homey, down-home appearance.
So regardless of your tastes and interests, the field of doll collecting and doll appreciation is a vast and growing one. Right this minute there is probably a doll collector collecting dolls in a style or type that will interest you. And at the end of the day, when you close out this earthly life, you will have the added blessing of being able to pass on your valued doll collection to the next generation -- so that they too might enhance their love and appreciation for these small companions.
This article provided courtesy of http://www.total-dolls.com/
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