I must have been sleeping under a rock not to have noticed these pretty little dolls called Hearts for Hearts by Playmates. Since I’m new to them, I had to read up a little bit before I could tell you anything about them…other than the fact that they are beautiful. Their website is down right now, but the best I can tell, they were first produced in 2010. There were 6 dolls and each doll represented a different country or area of the world… Dell was from Kentucky, Nahji was from India, Mosi is an American Indian, Zelia is from Brazil, Consuelo is from Mexico, etc. The dolls each told a story of a young girl solving a problem in her area of the world. It was supposed to empower young girls to think and 6.5% from each doll sold was given to World Vision. As popular as they were, for some reason they were discontinued in 2014. Lots of people were upset.
I’m sure I’m telling you something you all must know… everyone but me! Like I said, where have I been? Probably behind the sewing machine! :o)
Anyway, I just found out recently, the company has been started up again and the dolls are going to be produced beginning this November. Well, four of them will be for sale. Maybe more later. They are supposed to be on Amazon and at Pixie Faire for pre-orders right now. They’ll run $39.99 at Pixie Faire plus $15.50 shipping. Amazon is $89.99.
Well, I’m sort of a “bargain hunter” so I turned to Ebay… and stalked it until I saw a doll I thought might work. She was nude and $24.95, with free shipping! The thing is, I think it was Joy who asked me if the Wellie Wishers and the Hearts for Hearts dolls could share the same clothes. Since I hadn’t ever seen the Hearts for Hearts dolls before, I thought maybe I should buy one to make sure if I sold something I could say for certain that it fit both dolls. That only makes sense, doesn’t it? It’s my JOB to seek out the dolls that are popular! :o)
Well, not to be disappointed, my new (used) Nahji doll arrived today. She’s from India and she is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L! Her hair is silky and wavy and she has the prettiest skin. Her brown eyes are so expressive and she has a bit of henna paint on her right hand. There is a tiny rhinestone set in her nose. It looks kind of big in my pictures, but in reality, it’s very small and quite sweet looking!
AND THE BEST PART OF ALL….YES!!! Willa and all the Wellie Wishers and the Hearts for Hearts dolls can wear the same size clothes AND shoes! The Hearts for Hearts dolls are just 1/2″ shorter than the 14.5″ Wellie’s.
Here are just a few quick measurements…
Hearts for Hearts —————–Wellie Wishers
Chest – 6.5″ ————————— 7″
Waist – 5.25″ ————————– 6″
Arms – 4.25″—————————- 4.5″
Head – 10″ —————————- 10″
I was thrilled when I tried Willa’s green and red Christmas dress on Nahji and it looked like this…
So let’s get started with some pictures of the two girls together and then Nahji by herself…
(You’ll have to excuse my pictures…I was experimenting with lighting in my sewing studio, trying to see what would work best with Nahji’s darker skin. I didn’t want shiny lights making those white spots on her…)
Well, what do you think? If you don’t like her, maybe don’t tell me… because I love her! :o) Okay, who needs one?
Have a wonderful weekend!
See you on Monday,
Blessings, Jeanne
That’s exactly the doll I bought from Target some time ago. I thought she was the cutest one that was available at the time. She wasn’t cheap, but not as much as the new ones are either. I think they are very pretty dolls. Nice to find out the Wellie Wishers are about the same size. Sharing clothes is always a good thing. I’ll look forward to seeing which dolls come out but I am perfectly happy with the one I have.
HI Joy,
I think she is the prettiest little doll and I’m glad bought her. I bet you are too. I think I can tweak my pattern just a little bit and make the fit even better still! Yes, sharing clothes is a good thing.
I wanted to get another Wellie Wishers doll, maybe Kendall, but now that I have Nahji, I think I’m fine…one from each company…
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
She is VERY pretty, Jeanne! It’s a happy coincidence that she can wear the same size clothes as the Wellies. It looks like her torso is the difference in the two dolls, with the HforH dolls having shorter ones. I think the rhinestone on her nose makes her look unique, and is her hand supposed to have the markings? I’m not all that familiar with them, but I do remember seeing them years ago at Target, unless I’m mistaken.
Well, I’m perfectly satisfied with my new Betsy McCall, but isn’t it fun to get a new doll? It looks like Willa, Nahji and Betsy can be besties! And, I think the same clothes can fit all three!
HI Linda,
Yes, from what I’ve learned, Target was the store that carried her the first time… and they may do it again, not sure…
I think Nahji is VERY pretty to and she was actually the one I had narrowed down my search to…so imagine my surprise when I pulled up Ebay a few days ago, and there she was, the newest listing for the H4H dolls. I scarfed her up so quickly, I didn’t even think about it.
I’m not sure what the henna markings on her hand represent…I’ll have to ask some of my friends from India at church tomorrow… maybe it means something or maybe it’s just a beauty thing… :o)
It is fun to get a new doll…(2 new dolls in my case… eep!) I better quit! I’m glad you are enjoying your new Betsy McCall doll… I’ll have to check out Betsy’s measurements…
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
I have the Robert Tonner 14″ Betsy McCall, and I love her, Jeanne. Let me know if you need me to measure her body, for comparison, although that info may well be online somewhere. (I have a couple of his 8″ Betsys, too, and those were the ones I had been really looking forward to, when they were first coming out, but it was the 14″ to which I bonded. She’s even gone on some trips with me!
Now, it seems, I’m going to have to start looking for a Heart for Heart doll! Yours is beautiful!
HI Charlotte,
I found a chart online that had about 8 different sized dolls of similar size and their measurements… thanks though…
This is fun, seeing everyone with their different dolls and looking for new ones…
I’m done for a while I think… (until my Little Darling gets here…which should be any day now… ) :o)
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Ooooh!! We expcet to see pictures!!
Nahji is a very pretty doll. Like you, Jeanne, I had never heard of them. I am so into the AG dolls, I probably wasn’t looking at the doll market back when they came out. One thing about the doll that I think is wonderful is the ROOTED hair. I collected 19″ Gotz dolls before I collected AG’s because they had rooted hair- I refused to buy dolls with wigs. That is until I saw Kit and a few of the other AG dolls. I even bought some of AG’s accessories for the Gotz dolls. Once I was smitten with AG dolls, I got rid of my Gotz dolls in order to make room for the AG’s.
So it’s nice that this doll has rooted hair in my opinion.
It’s neat that Nahji can wear the Wellie Wisher clothes too. Good purchase!
Thanks Paula,
I’m very smitten with Nahji and she seems to like Willa, so they’ll be good friends. It’s a real plus that they can wear the same size clothes and shoes. I’m going to tweak my shoe pattern just a tiny bit to make a better fit for both dolls. I don’t think Nahji could wear socks with the shoes, but Willa could…so I’ll fix that.
I do love her hair…it’s nice and soft and wavy, but the wefts are sewn about every 1/4″ so there are some spaces if you separate her hair. It’s pretty thick, so it doesn’t bother me. I love the feel of it. It’s almost like human hair… it’s that soft.
Thanks Paula,
Blessings, Jeanne
They are both darling dolls. I too was disappointed when H for H’s were discontinued. However I think of them as “play dolls” rather than for collectors so that means adjusting the cost of their clothing and the quality of some of the details. Littlest girls do best with velcro and large snaps…have trouble tying bows, etc. I sew for dolls also and just can’t get “into” this sweet little dolls for investment, high quality outfits. But would certainly buy a high quality dress as a special birthday or Christmas gift for a granddaughter or other special child. All that being said – your super Ebay find looks awesome in the green dress – it is beautiful.
HI Linda,
They are BOTH wonderfully sweet dolls and I’m thrilled to have gotten 2 in the same week. Yikes… what have I done?
I think of them as play dolls too and while they might not appeal to some collectors, they might to others. I don’t know if the person bidding on Willa’s dress is buying it for herself or for a daughter or granddaughter. I’ll have to ask at the end of the auction. I was just thrilled to have gotten a bid early on… that was encouraging.
My sewing is the same, whether it’s for a high end dress or a play dress, so whoever gets whatever from me, gets the same quality.
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Maybe someone will see this doll and contact someone interested in dolls and buy the rights and they’ll come back, especially if they can wear WW clothes. I’ll bet Susette can tell us about the henna art on her hand. Also, go to Wikipedia and look up “henna” for examples of henna art on hands and feet. It’s temporary and tends to be, in my mind, much prettier than most tattoos. I do think you are lucky to find her, Jeanne, and I think she’ll be lovely to sew for and make shoes for. The lace on the green shoes suits her.
Have you decided to make the brown dress for Willa and Nahji next?
Hi Marilyn,
It’s actually the same company, The Playmates Company, that is bringing the Hearts for Hearts dolls back. They are supposed to be introduced again in November, but like I said, there are pre-orders on Amazon and on Pixie Faire.
I should have looked up the henna thing, but just thought I’d ask someone at church tomorrow.
She is a very pretty doll and I feel so blessed to have gotten such a nice one the first time around. I think I better quit buying dolls… 2 in one week isn’t a good thing for my budget!
Yes, the brown dress is being worked on for both dolls. I wanted to work on their dress today, but we are cleaning the icky green mold off the siding on our house. Sounds like fun, huh? :o/
Gotta run,
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
Ok, now I’ve got 2 more dolls on my list! I’ve got to quit reading you blog, Jeanne . . . . .
Both are beautiful. I bought my granddaughter the WW from India, but the HH doll is the prettiest between the 2 dolls from India.
Anna
Hi Ann,
I’m sorry, but your comments made me laugh. I’ve been right there with you… almost going crazy because I saw something someone else was blogging about. If you watch Ebay, you might find a great deal on a doll…
Did you get your granddaughter Kendall? I don’t know which Wellie Wishers doll was from India…
I think my dolly buying days are over (for now…) so you’re safe to keep on reading! :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh, so glad you now have a Hearts for Hearts Dolly. I have Shola from Afghanistan. She too has lovely hair. Only problem that I have seen is eye fading. If you are looking on the Bay and the eyes, some have a purple or a bright blue cast. Hoping the new ones will not have the problem. I’ve heard that it is from exposure to sunlight. Also, if you get tired of making shoes, Debs Adorables has shoes for 14″ Kish/Wren that fit perfectly. 🙂 I’ve been trying to decide if I want to buy another. You know a companion, hee hee. Hearts for Hearts is also on Facebook with up to date information.
HI Joy,
I was wondering if possibly the sun had anything to do with the different eye colors. Yes, I’ve see those purple-ish ones on quite a few of the dolls. I think I’ll keep a bag over Nahji’s head just to be safe. I love her pretty brown eyes and don’t want them to change.
I just realized this morning that I sold all my shoes for Wren when I got rid of her. I wish I had them back now… I had some cute ones.
I need to stay away from the computer for awhile now… I’ve been really bad lately! but it’s been so much fun! :o)
Thanks for starting it all, Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
I worked in a doll shop back in the late 90s/early 2000s, and I can tell you that even some of the better doll companies had trouble with brown eyes turning purple. It had mostly to do with the type of pigment or color that the company making the eyes had used. I had a Lloyd Middleton (Royal Vienna) doll do that, and I saw other, equally expensive dolls that that happened to. Only with the brown eyes, though, for some reason.
Hope that helps!
HI Charlotte,
I’m hoping the “purple” eye thing doesn’t happen to my sweet Nahji… I love her eyes just the way they are. Someone mentioned maybe it was from the sunlight. I think I’ll keep her out of direct sun… maybe even keep a bag over her head on the dolly shelf…
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
THIS POST IS FROM SUSETTE, but she couldn’t get it to post, so I posted it for her. (Jeanne)
I’ve wanted an Indian doll for a long time. I stopped reading at the second paragraph and found one on eBay for $30 including shipping. She looks to be in great condition. Thanks so much for posting about the dolls and congrats on finding yours.
My daughter-in-law is Indian, born in Kenya. The marks on the doll’s hand are Mehndi, temporary tattoo-like designs applied with a pen-like instrument for special occasions like weddings and festivals. It wears off in about three weeks; the longer it takes to wear off, the happier the marriage. My granddaughter’s skin is as pale as her father’s, but in summer she tans and looks just like her mother whose skin is somewhat lighter in color than the doll’s skin.
I can’t thank you enough for the latest post and contributing to the delinquency of an adult who apparently can’t resist buying another doll.
Oh Susette,
I’m not sure if I should be happy or worried about my “contribution” to your latest dolly purchase… I think I’ll be happy and when you get your new girl, you will be TOO! You’re going to love this doll. I don’t need, I mean I CAN’T buy any more, but I sure can look and that’s almost as much fun! :o)
My sister sent me some information on the henna marks and it was pretty interesting to read about.
I LOVE your last sentence! I’m right there with ya!
Blessings, Jeanne
Well, Jeanne, your dolly shelf seems to be growing daily. It is nice that Willa has a friend her own size. I’ve never heard of these dolls, but in 2010 my daughter was taking her four year hiatus from her dolls and I wasn’t buying my own yet. The one doll line I miss not having had an opportunity to buy one was A LIfe of Faith. We used to get the catalogs, but the dolls, clothing and accessories were way more expensive than PC.
I have a friend whose daughters got them from grandparents. Well, they went on sale when they went out of business and everything was dirt cheap. I really liked Violet and the clothing was lovely. Now they are quite expensive on ebay.
Nahji is lovely. My roommate freshman year of college was half Indian ( her father was full Indian and her mother Norwegian. She had skin slightly lighter than your doll and the thickest dark hair. The funniest thing of all is that she grew up and still lived within walking distance from the my grandparents house and less than three miles from the house where I lived for my first seven years.
That is wonderful that clothing can be made to fit both dolls. The green looks beautiful on her as well. The remind me a little of the Girls from Many Lands that PC had, just in a playable version.
The only thing I’m wondering now is how you will ever keep up sewing for all the various dolls you own. LOL
HI Laura,
I know my dolly shelf has exploded lately… I’m seriously thinking of thinning out some dolls… but that’s so hard…
I remember the Life of Faith dolls too…and they were carried in a Christian bookstore here in town. I do remember seeing them in the store and thinking about making clothes for them, but I don’t guess I ever pursued it. I just looked them up again to refresh my memory of them and they are very expensive now.. I saw Violet, the one you liked.
I want to take Nahji to church tomorrow and show her off to the girls from India, but I’ll probably pass.. maybe someday when it’s a picnic or something more “social” I’ll do it.
You hit the nail on the head… how to schedule more sewing time … I’ve got to work on that still… :o)
Thanks Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
Have fun with your new dolls, Jeanne! I too think Nahji is a really beautiful doll. You’ll do her justice I’m sure with upcoming outfits. Your lovely work will reflect the beauty of whatever doll you sew for.
Have a lovely weekend! Blessings.
HI Becky,
Aww….what awfully sweet things you have said about my sewing! I do appreciate that and glad you enjoy whatever it is I’m doing with or without dolls!
I hope your weekend is just as lovely… We scrubbed all the green mold off the siding on our house and garage today. It took us over 4 hours… what a job…but it’s done!
Thanks Becky,
Blessings, Jeanne
You’re inspiring…4 hours with the green mold…we still have some left-next year…what a year of rain we’ve had!
Some dolly friends of mine have Heart 4 Heart dolls – and have been anxiously watching the ‘come back’… https://www.facebook.com/HeartsForHeartsGirls/?fref=nf
I don’t have one, but, know several who do….
HI Mary,
It’s funny how many people have the Hearts for Hearts dolls and I’m just now discovering them. Oh well, I’m sure I’ve missed lots of other dolls too…and that’s probably a good thing. For me, it’s good that they are almost the same size as the Wellie Wishers. I can adapt my patterns to fit both and it’s a win win for me! Double the Dolly’s!
You might need to get one, so you’ll have one like your friends… :o)
Blessings, Jeanne