I know what it’s like to want every single new doll that comes out, but it’s just not possible… WELL, it’s not possible for ME! I only have so much space on my dolly shelf and I HAVE REACHED MY LIMIT, I think! I have 27 dolls in all, which isn’t too terribly bad, considering I know some ladies who have over 100 Ellowyne dolls! I can’t imagine that. Anyway, I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed at them all laying and standing and sitting on my doll shelf, not being shown like they should be… even just standing in the nude is better than being laid on top of another doll. If I made 2 outfits a week, it would take me 13 weeks to get through all my dolls. That’s too long to make everyone wait for their doll to come up again.
Poor Nyssa and Hope have to lie in their box on the shelf underneath the other girls. They miss out on a lot being “down under.” (Sorry that’s a pun about the artist of Nyssa and Hope…who is Kaye Wiggs, from Australia.) :o)
So I pulled them all off my shelf and took inventory of what and who I had…This is everybody…
Now, some of these girls are a no brainer … I’m definitely keeping my Effner girls…
And I just bought Willa, so I think I’d like to keep her…
I don’t sew for her very often, but I don’t think I could sell Nyssa…she came from Kaye Wigg’s personal doll collection…
These 6 American Girl dolls get the most attention from me… so I think they are keepers…
Okay, that puts me at 11 dolls for sure that I want to keep… now I have 16 others that I’m questioning… Let me tell you my thoughts on them…
I’m pretty sure I’d like to keep Ten Ping…although she’s not a big money maker for me… I do enjoy dressing her up, and everyone needs at least one tiny doll…
Joy just sent me Betsy McCall and lots of ladies have Betsy so it’s nice to be able to show what I make fits the Little Darlings and Betsy…so I think she’s a keeper.
I had a regular Patsy and thought I just HAD to have a bendable arms and legs doll and when Trixie came up at a good price I snagged her, but do I really need 2?
The new Hearts for Hearts Dolls are available right now and are very popular and are a very good price at $39.99. I know lots of ladies who collect them and who are buying them for their daughters. They are almost the identical size of the Wellie Wishers…so it’s nice to show both dolls can wear the same size clothes. I bought Nahji on Ebay for the low price of just $24.95 and think she’s very pretty, but she’s a little harder to photograph with her darker skin tone. Would I be better watching for a lighter skinned doll or do I need her at all. I’m not certain she’s going to be a big money maker for me…
Then there’s 10″ Elin, by Iplehouse. I painted her and thought I’d never sell her, but she’s not very popular and I always forget to show the outfit of her when I make something for Patsy Tonner.
Next I have my 3 Ellowyne dolls. I have a brown eyed Ellowyne, that I’ve never used as a model before, a green eyed doll that I’ve used once, and the one I always pick is my Ellowyne, Wigged Out, Too! Maybe I should sell the 2 and keep the one, or even sell all of them, as I have a harder time coming up with “19 year old Fashionista” clothes.
I do love how she can be posed though…
Now, for some of my American Girl dolls… I have Saige, Lily and Eden… all whom have been used as my modern girls and Eden, sometimes as my 50’s girl. I’m not sure I need all 3 of them and wonder which one is the most versatile. I love Saige’s auburn hair…it’s beautiful, I love Lily’s dark blue eyes and her layered blonde hair, but it’s not very easy to fix in any kind of style, and then Eden is pretty, but her dark green eyes sometimes get lost in my photographs. Her hair is sort of in big curls and is sometimes hard to style. It can seem a bit fluffy or like she took hot rollers out and then it’s some big Betty Bouffant style. I have been debating about selling all 3 of these girls and possibly going with Ruthie, whose gray eyes show up better…but I’m wondering if her hair is the same as Eden’s…just a thought…She could be my 30’s and my 50’s girl and also my modern girl.
Then I have Josefina, Julie, and Kit. While I love them all, they aren’t big money makers… I love making peasant tops and fun colorful skirts for Josefina, but she’s not super popular and her things don’t sell at very high prices. I was in high school in the 70’s so coming up with ideas for Julie is pretty easy, but she doesn’t have a very big following either, so her dresses don’t sell that well. And then there’s Kit. I have to admit I never was a big fan of the Kit doll. My first Kit was kind of drab and didn’t have much color in her face… that made her kind of homely to me. So I sold her and then I bought this one that had the gaudy painted pink lips that I redid, and while she had more color in her face, she still doesn’t rock my boat. I think maybe her eyebrows are too light, or maybe I’m just not crazy about her freckles. I’m not sure. It’s funny, because of all the AG books I read, I LOVED Kit’s the most… figure that one out!
So that leaves one last doll, Hope…my resin BJD from Kaye Wiggs. She was a limited edition and all the proceeds from her went to help human trafficking (somewhere I forgot). I’m not crazy about her Aboriginal look, but always wanted to repaint her face. I have the pastels and have seen some beautiful dolls with a faceup that makes them gorgeous, but I’m not sure I ever will…
I realize my pictures are just quickie shots of the dolls and on some there are just wigs helter skelter and some without wigs… but I just wanted to put a face out there so you would know who I was talking about. This is a big decision and I could really use some help. I realize someone who collects Ellowyne dolls and buys things from me, isn’t going to want me to sell them, but there are just as many people who only buy AG things from me who could care less about Patsy Tonner or Willa. I just would like to consolidate my dolls so I get the maximum use out of each doll and have some that do double duty if possible. You know me and what I do best, so what is it I need to focus on or let go of? You won’t hurt my feelings… so go ahead and say what you think…
I’ll be interested to see what any of you think about my post today…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
How many beautiful dolls! I saw in my phone message on this publication, and got out of bed most of all to consider the computer. Nice to see such a collection. Jeanne, you are all so beautifully dressed doll. I wish to sell, but there are some thoughts.
Patsy and Trixie different. I would leave both.
Hearts for Hearts Dolls can even buy with fair skin to have different characters, but you can make do with what there is a doll WW.
Elin, by Iplehouse – I would not sell.
Ellowyne – one better to leave.
AG – my favorite. It is difficult to say about their resettlement in another house.
I hope Google is not bad translated my words from Russian to English. 🙂
HI Oksana,
Nice to hear from you and your translation came through Google just fine! I’m glad you looked at the dolls on your computer after seeing them on your phone. It’s much better to look at them in a larger size on your computer than on your tiny phone.
I appreciate your kind thoughts and maybe everyone’s opinions will make this easier.
Thanks so much, and please comment ANY time you like… Your English was perfect!
Blessings, Jeanne
Jenny, thanks for the warm welcome!
I looked at your doll and thought how nice to have different dolls. That’s right – you can sew for different clients. But maybe I’m wrong?
I’m learning a lot in your blog. Thank you for it – it is like a good book.
I understand how hard it is to part with dolls. I really want to did not have to sell any of my own.
I wish you make a good decision. Do not rush into it. Maybe God will give another way to make money. There are difficult times, when we are willing to part with precious things, but God does not always want this decision for us.
Jenny, I have long wanted to write to you personally by e-mail. I hope to fulfill it. I am also with you in prayer about your husband.
I’m glad to see you’ve decided to keep your Betsy McCall doll, as well as Ten Ping. I have both–sewed a lot for Betsy when I first got her, haven’t sewn anything for Ten Ping yet, poor dear!! Good thing she came in clothes, or she’d be freezing in the rain right now! LOL
You’ve made some good points about why you should or should not sell certain dolls. Since you are making money by sewing for them, the ones that seem to do best earning-wise are good ones to keep.
Try this: of those you are thinking about selling, choose a couple of them and put them in a box in another room, and see if you miss them. If, after a couple of weeks or so, you find you’re doing just fine without them, then I think you could sell them without too much “guilt”! LOL If, on the other hand, you suddenly decide you Have to have one of them to model for you, you’re not ready to sell her yet.
That’s how I would do it, I think, anyway. Good luck deciding!!
HI Charlotte,
I appreciate your thoughts and think putting the questionable dolls in a box or in another room might work… I was laying in bed last night trying to think if I started at my least favorite, or should I say, my lowest money maker, and working backwards, who would it be? That was just as hard. I bought each doll with a specific purpose in mind… I really did have good intentions… it’s just that time has gotten in my way. I can’t sew fast enough to get to everybody on my shelf in a timely manner.
Thanks so much Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
I have 23 18″ AG dolls, all 5 Wellie Wishers, and 5 Bitty Babies I got for a song and intended to re-sell until my granddaughters started playing with them, as well as a few childhood dolls. I feel your pain in trying to downsize!. While some of the dolls you have I will never own, I enjoy seeing what you make for them. Your work inspires me, as I am sure it does others! Good luck with making a decision!
Oh, and I was only going to have 1 doll to use as a model to sew for my oldest granddaughter!
HI Vicki,
I was like you… in the beginning, I was only going to have Felicity… and then along came Molly, then Samantha, then Kirsten…etc… it happened gradually and I didn’t notice the shelf being too crowded, but it is now!
If I could sew faster or the ONLY thing I spent my time on was sewing I could probably make it work, but my life is too varied and my sewing time doesn’t come first… my family does, and helping others does too… so sometimes I never even make it to my sewing room. Sometimes it makes me question “Why do you have a sewing business when you can’t spend time as much time as you want on it?” Oh well… such are the questions of life I guess.
Maybe by the end of the day, I’ll have enough comments to make a decision. I almost feel like I just want someone to tell me WHICH dolls to keep and which dolls to cull… that would be the easiest. But my heart is attached so it’s a little more difficult than that…
Thanks Vicki, Nice to hear from you…
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh gosh, Jeanne, I know how hard this is! What Charlotte says is a good idea, about putting away some of the dolls you feel you might want to give away. See if you don’t miss them. only you can know what a certain doll means to you.
I do think you sew such gorgeous clothes that have a lot of embellishments to look at. Kit, Julie and Josefina don’t wear things like that as much. I would think about putting them away. I would also think about putting Lily away, since you already have 2 other AG blonde dolls. The Ellowyne dolls, well, you don’t sew for them much, so I would keep just one and put away the other two.
You have Heart to Heart doll Nahji, Willa and Betsy, plus your Little Darlings, which are all about the same size. Do you really need an Indian doll for sewing? I would put Nahji away, but keep the others. I would also put away one of the Tonner dolls, you pick which!
I hope you don’t get all mixed up with what we are telling you! For sure, we are just suggesting, you are the one to decide. Perhaps your church gives out Christmas gifts to families that don’t otherwise get much, and some lucky little girl would be gifted one of your dolls? I guess they couldn’t be nude, though! More to do, oh dear!
So sorry to hear abut your momma, we all have gone through those things, but that doesn’t make it any easier. Blessings to you, dear Jeanne Marie! By the way, is that you asleep in the stroller that you use on your website?? Such a cute picture!
Also
Hi Linda,
Thanks for all your thoughts on this dolly situation. I have lots to think about and have been writing down what everyone thinks… circling the dolls on a list I made when someone thinks that doll might be one to cull. Each time someone suggests that doll, I circle it.. by the end of the day, maybe it will be clear which ones might need a new home.
There is a story about why I bought each doll… I guess I need to re-visit those stories and see which ones mean the most to me, because clearly some dolls can do double duty and I don’t need them all. I guess it comes down to “which dolls do I love to sew for the most?” Guess we’ll see…
I appreciate you and everyone else taking time to give me suggestions about the dolls. Sometimes it helps to have another person give their thoughts on the matter.
No, that’s not me in the stroller… back when I was just starting out in my doll business, I was trying to figure out what “I Dream of Jeanne Marie” conjured up in people’s minds. I was in Hobby Lobby one day and was looking at cards and saw that card, so I thought to myself… that’s it! Someone dreaming of Jeanne Marie’s things…and so I used it for that reason. Lots of people think that’s me… but it’s just a card…of a sweet little girl… “dreaming of Jeanne Marie’s” clothing! :o)
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Whoa, what a decision. I just took a quick look at my dolls and decided that I just couldn’t make the cull.
You however, can do this. I agree with all of your choices. You must keep Ten Ping. I was just looking at mine along with Jar Lu and little sis Yu Ping all sitting at the tea table. They don’t take up much room and bring me smiles.
This might be a good time to do sales too. Most of the dolls seem to do very well resale.
Good luck with your decisions, which will be right for you.
HI Joy,
Maybe if I was a “Collector” I would just keep them all, but since I sew for them, I seriously don’t need “everyone” do I? I need to figure out which dolls I can get by with and let a few go.
If I decided to make something for Josefina, and she wasn’t in my collection any more, who would fill her spot… or if I made something for the 70’s, would Josefina work for that instead of Julie. I’m trying to figure out the most unique and versatile dolls to keep, I guess.
Thanks for your thoughts, Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
Wow you do have quite a few dolls don’t you! I like the suggestion of putting the questionable keepers away for a while. I also do that, works great with clothes and house hold things. Sometimes I just don’t know whether I really need it or not. If after a few months I haven’t missed it, it’s time to take it to the goodwill. If there are dolls you already know you want to part with now would be a really good time to sell them on Ebay. I’m sure there are people looking for reasonable Christmas gifts.
Good luck with the “Culling”
Hugs
Ingrid
ps
Prayers for George’s procedure. I’m positive things will go as planned. I am so sorry to hear about mom. I will be lifting her up in prayer. It’s very hard to see our parents become forgetful and frail.
Hugs again sweet Jeanne
HI Ingirid,
I like that idea of Charlotte’s too, and think I have a few that I can pull out without questioning it too much… like my Ellowyne brown eyed and green eyed dolls… maybe I’ll start with them.
I used to do the same thing with my kids toys… put some away for awhile and when I brought them back out, it was like they were all new to the kids again…
Yes, it is the perfect time to be selling off dolls, right here at Christmas time… make back some of my money for my business taxes in February… :o)
Thanks so much for your prayers Ingrid…as the day for his port to be put in, I am getting a little weepy… I just know that’s the beginning of it all starting…
So thank you very much,
Blessings, Jeanne
I think I sent an email a while ago, pointing out that first and foremost you have a business to run and are not a collector. You asked us which dolls we had and how many. I would use that as a guide to which dolls to keep and check your very detailed records to see which dresses and styles sold for the best prices.
One of your readers who sells doll clothes uses a very basic pattern and adds sweaters and details that make them special. It’s fun to create many different looks from a fairly basic and easy-to-sew pattern and add your trademark embellishments, embroidered felt jackets and stuffed animal accessories. I especially remember one of your dresses that sold for the most which was really very basic from a sewing standpoint but looked fabulous due to the selection of fabrics.
I think you’ve made excellent decisions so far as to what to keep. I would sell them on eBay. A write-off is not as good as hard cash. Goodwill Industries, as I’ve mentioned in the past, is not a charity. They do hire workers but at minimum wage, and the profits go solely to the owners of the franchises. Salvation Army or a charity giving clothing to working people might be a better choice for donations of any kind.
Good luck with your decision. I’m sure it is the right one from a business standpoint and will give your business focus for the future.
HI Susette,
I even got on Ebay to see which dolls I have on the “chopping block” so to speak, brought the highest prices in the “completed” sales. Not so good for Julie or Josefina. I’ll have to check my records and see which dolls brought in the most money for doll clothes. Maybe I should just go by my books and not something else.
I know someone who sold all her American Girl dolls so she could concentrate on just making Little Darlings clothing. On some days that sounds wonderful to me…and seems like you could tailor everything to that one size doll, but I don’t think I’m quite there yet. I like a variety of doll sizes and think I would miss sewing for them.
I will most likely sell any dolls on Ebay to get the biggest audience for them… I need the money for my business taxes in February…
I think I’ll go in my room and just do a hard pick from the least money maker…and see how I feel…
Blessings to you, Susette,
~ Jeanne
I completely lost my letter to you…I hope I can remember what I was writing.
I so get the need to cull some dolls out. I have done that so many times over the years, it isn’t funny and that was done so I could make room for new dolls I wanted. I simply had to get rid of ones I felt I could part with.
That’s when my niece and I made up the “Survivor” doll game. I had 80 Barbies and decided to keep 20 or so. It helped to evaluate each doll while considering hair color and uniqueness. It really became easy. I think you have evaluated exactly that in your post. You know what doll sells the best and various other reasons for considering which dolls make sense. You’re doing pretty good so far.
Of the six American Girls, Eden, Saige, Lilly, Kit, Josefina and Julie…Saige is the cutest but does that solve the doll needed for the 50’s? I think the AMG’s you choose to keep for sure is good. Rebecca could be the 50’s girl and her coloring is pretty. By the way, Ruthie’s hair is just as Eden’s is…hard to style, but Ruthie’s eyes are pretty.
I actually agree with your other assessments on the dolls you’re not so sure are as popular. I agree that little Ten Ping is too special and the wigged Ellowyne is really pretty.
I hope you can decide. I think you’re on your way to really making the right decisions.
HI Paula,
Sorry you lost your first email to me…
I DO remember you telling me about you played Survivor with your 80 Barbies… how you’d pick up 2 and had to let one go…You did that with all your dolls until you were down to 20. Maybe I’ll line my dolls all up in a row and do the same thing… put them in order of who is my favorite of my least favorites… something like that. It just might work…
Thanks for the heads up on Ruthie’s hair… as I looked at the many pictures of Ruthie on Ebay, I kind of had a feeling her hair was like Eden’s….kind of having a mind of it’s own, with a bunch of big curls that were hard to tame.
I think I’ll go see who grabs me most of the ones left standing on the table…
Thanks Paula,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne. I sent an email to your gmail address a couple of hours ago. Please let me know if you didn’t receive it or it there’s a different email address I should use. Thanks so much. Cheryl M.
Hi Cheryl,
Yes, I did receive it…but hadn’t answered my mail yet. I’m still trying to decide….it’s a hard decision and I’ll never be able to get her again…
Blessings, Jeanne
Thanks so much for the reply, Jeanne. Sure understand that dolly re-homing decisions are hard. My interest isn’t going away and I’d love to hear from you when you decide. Blessings to you and your family, Jeanne. Cheryl M.
Hi Jeanne,
Well I only had one doll before I ran into you ( not that long ago, ha)!!! Now I have 6 AG, Tin Ping, Patsyette, Patsy. I have an Effner on order. I love all the clothes I bought from you especially for my dolls. I do adore the smaller dolls and Tin Ping is wearing the outfit from you. I am not really a doll collector but only enjoying the dolls and clothes. Now I have got two of the Heart to Hearts too… I would love for you to sew for each and every one of them, but I understand we need to clear out from time to time..
Take care!!!
Robin
Thanks Robin,
I don’t know if I should be sorry I enabled you on purchasing all those dolls or happy that you found a new love for dolls. I hope it’s the latter.
It’s harder than I thought to let some of them go but maybe if I think of how many I will be able to sew for when some of them are gone.
And then there’s always the possibility of new ones stealing my heart… :o)
Thanks Robin,
Blessings, Jeanne
Do you have space for a larger doll cabinet? OK. Other people are giving you worthwhile advice. I might at least try.
One thing about your work is your inclusiveness. Some of us would be quite happy if you designed only for Felicity, Caroline, and Addy of the AGs. As Linda said, those are the outfits with the most embellishments, and I think that of the AG outfits, they bring in the most money. But some of us prefer styles suited to Kit and Molly, and you don’t leave them out. Some of us prefer the ethnic dolls, and, of course, some of us look like the ethnic dolls, and we like that they aren’t left out.
You can re-think how you see a doll. I just bought a Josefina. Of course she looks good in Josefina clothes, but sometimes I want her to be modern. It turns out that she looks great in jeans, moccasins, and an oversized tee shirt or nearly any sweater I have. Nikki says she looks especially good in plaids and checks. So, ok, I thought, rustic or casual are her styles. For Halloween, my AGs wear period clothes. I bought her an inexpensive white satin and lace 1830’s dress on Ebay. Suddenly she was a well-bred young Creole from New Orleans. In a Regency dress, she was a Transcendentalist from Boston. In her Sarah Hale dress, she’s a Spanish settler in Texas. She actually has a huge range, if I want her to. Nikki’s Josefina is currently a young Hawaiian noblewoman attending boarding school near London in 1850. Saige could easily be Kirsten’s friend on the frontier. Felicity is a wonderful Victorian.
Kit is sort of a problem. Her hair marks her as modern, and your interests tend to be historical — but a lot of your new patterns will work very well for Kit. Molly is still more modern, and you seem to like making clothes for her. Of course, she can be frontier with Kirsten or frontier with Laura Ingalls Wilder or substitute for Samantha, so she has a nice range. She looks quite a bit like the doll from the new paper doll set, which gives her still more to do. Julie is a distinctly modern girl too. You don’t seem to like short skirts especially well (though one of my all time favorite outfits is the black velvet shift with white sleeves) so you might try some maxi skirts for her before you make up your mind.
In the current set of social circumstances, I’d definitely keep Nahji and treat her like any other American, especially since she and Willa can wear the same clothes. Willa and the other Wellie Wishers use a garden theme, and your little girl dresses usually feature leaves or flowers. Willa/Nahji are perfect fits for one of your major styles. I think you need both.
Ellowyn is a beauty but not just in your style — I’d keep her but consider the other two carefully. The Kaye Wiggs dolls don’t really lend themselves to your style range, but Nyssa in that red wig shown above is so beautiful that I’d hate to give her up.
My basic rule is not to give something away until I’m completely sure that’s what I want to do. You might photograph a doll you are thinking of discarding and then pack it — if you feel regret, put her back on the shelf.
Something else you might do — make a couple of pretty dresses during the next slow time, put them on dolls you are not sure about, and let them decorate the sewing room for a while. It would be nice if people who came to your house could see what you really do. Also, you might get offers from people who see them or who see their pictures.
This is more like a thesis than a comment. Sorry about that.
LOL. I did the same thing,Marilyn, but I didn’t read any comments before mine. just started. Hmmm Felicity as a Victorian, that I would have to see. My Felicity is never anything but Colonial just as my Samantha is only Victorian/Edwardian. I guess because I collected PC for those two while my other three I created a backstory for and even though they are AG assigned historicals I separated them from their collection and moved them to another era.
If yours is a thesis, mine is a dissertation.
HI Laura,
I can’t wait to read your comments… this is helpful… somehow I’m sure!
On to your dissertation! :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Leave Felicity’s hair down, add a ribbon headband, and put her in a Victorian dress, like Addy’s original school dress, and see what you think. Add high button shoes to that, and she could pass for Gigi. Currently my Felicity is wearing a silk Civil War era dress from Etsy and looks like Meg March.
HI Marilyn,
I *suppose* I could take a few dolls and move them to the fabric cabinet, but I really don’t think I want to do that. Surely there are a few dolls who could find new homes and open up some space on the dolly shelf.
OH my goodness, Marilyn, you see the girls in ALL different ways I never even thought of before. I LOVE your imagination…Nikki’s too!
You have certainly given me and everyone else lots to ponder… and I will! Now when I got back into my sewing room I’m going to want to keep them ALL! Oh dear me!
I have read your comments twice and will probably read them again… thanks for all your information and the time it took you to compose it. I do appreciate it and think it will help…
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m pretty late to comment today because it was a high of 63 degrees and I had to be outside!! Going to comment without reading others comments first.
It’s funny you should mention Ruthie, because I am looking at Ruthie as a sixth doll right now. I haven’t given up on Addy, just maybe delaying her for a bit. I prefer the decal eyes, but AG doesn’t have decal gray. Ruthie has hair identical to Jess. It apparently a dark, dark brown with all over red highlights. Type in AGPT Ruthie into Google and select Ruthie doll under her playthings and you can see her hair up close. A kind board member posted Ruthie in clothing other than her own and I am enamored with her. She was the same who made me fall in love with Caroline and MG by putting them in other PC/AG clothes or homemade creations. . Seeing Caroline in Kirsten’s work dress, which I have, made her absolutely stunning, which she is.
Of my lot, Samantha has the decal brown which only she and Ivy share, Felicity’s eyes are pretty unique in that the first release 1991 ones have the muted peridot green instead of the laser. I think a retired AGOT had her eyes, but is retired now also. Marie-Grace and Caroline have aquamarine and seafoam green eyes respectively and those have never been used for another doll. And Nellie has the dark blue that only she, Kit and your Lily had.
In my case Samantha is special because with my daughter’s downsizing and she and various pieces of doll collections coming to me I would never have felt I could have the others and all the fun additional pieces. Except for Sam all my others are bang-less as it makes them more versatile.
Okay, as to what to keep or sell. As a seamstress, you want dolls that return a good profit. I know that from watching your auctions, your LD’s Kirsten, Felicity, Elizabeth, Rebecca and Addy yield you a great return for your efforts. Molly maybe less, but she is a classic 1940’s doll. Willa is new and since the WW don’t have an extensive wardrobe, might be a good choice as well. No, Ten Ping usually only gets your starting bid, but if you like her, keep her. Betsy is cute and a gift, so I would keep her. I like Patsy better than Trixie, but do either make a lot for you?. I think you could just say WW and Hearts for Hearts dolls can share clothes. Elin always strikes me a sad in pictures. Ellowyne seems difficult to sew for if she is a fashionista as you say. Saige, Lily and Eden- I’ve only seen you use Lily once in the 4Th of July set with Eden. I’ve seen Saige and Eden model Civil War, although I prefer it on Addy obviously and Rebecca pulls it off very well. Josefina does the peasant wear, but could Rebecca pull that off as well? My daughter loves Julie, but I’m not a fan of her stick straight hair. It’s funny because I was a child in the 1970’s, albeit younger than Julie. I was 6 in 1974. When I was ten the layered feathered look was in and that’s what I consider ’70’s. My daughter has Kit and she’s cute, but I like the Josefina mold on Nellie with freckles better. Eden is pretty, but doesn’t have a great contrast, maybe that’s what I look for in my dolls with the exception of Samantha, although the early German ones like mine have stunningly long eyelashes. Mine doesn’t have the feathered of the WB because she is a first tan body one. I actually would have chosen this PC model over the WB if given the choice. Hope doesn’t do anything for me, sorry.
So, to reiterate, I would like to see you sew LD clothes because they are a good return for you, Colonial ( Felicity) and Civil War ( Addy and Rebecca) for obvious love of the eras on my part, Pioneer ( Kirsten) and Regency ( Elizabeth and Rebecca) because I like those very much as well. Molly is great as 1940’s girl and Ruthie could indeed cover ’30’s and ’50’s. I’ve seen her in Civil War and Regency as well. As far as the others I’ve commented on it’s your call. There was a thread the other day on PT about how many dolls are too many? I’m not sure if six will feel like too many to me because when I started I had planned to has Samantha and buy Felicity and now I have five I am thinking if Ruthie doesn’t wow me in person I think I am going to have someone put her gray eyes in my Nellie that has #33’s wig. My daughter was a strawberry blond with gray eyes as a 2 year old and I think that would be pretty on a doll . You said once about sharing a picture of her.I don’t have a Iphone, just an old flip phone that I don’t pay for the app to send pictures. I think I could send a picture to your cell phone, maybe after Christmas if you want to see her. We’re probably both too busy right now.
Wow, what a long ramble and I did insert things about my own collection that probably weren’t necessary, but you did ask about dolls after all. 🙂
HI Laura,
Well, you and Marilyn get a gold star today for the comments you made today. I’m hoping this makes things clear to me about my dolls… it might just muddy the waters.
I did look up Ruthie and I have to admit I do like her eyes better than my #41’s. The dark green just gets lost to me on Eden.
You bring up lots of good points and I’m going to have to study all these comments and see if I can come up with a plan. I think a few can go, but maybe keep some I was thinking of letting go but just put them in another era.
Just letting a few go should make a big difference…AND if for some reason I feel I made a mistake, on some dolls it’s just a matter of waiting for another one to come along… although some will never come along at the price I got them at….so I’ll have to decide if I want to risk it.
Thanks so much for your thoughts Laura,
I really really appreciate it… and will have to look at some more pics of Ruthie. I know I’d essentially be trading one doll for another one if I got her to replace Eden, but I might like the look better. I could find a Ruthie and then compare her with Eden in person… hmmm…
Thanks again,
blessings, Jeanne
Just realized I didn’t comment on Saige. She’s unique in that her eyes are one of a kind. She looked beautiful in that one lime green and turquoise Civil War set. Addy and Rebecca wouldn’t pull it off as well. I think I’d keep her also. great incentive to sew even more Civil war dresses. * wink Hint hint*
HI Laura,
I wasn’t crazy about Saige when I got her, but loved her hair. Her eyes can sometimes be a problem because they clash with some fabrics and just don’t look that natural. Again…another dilemma…
Blessings, Jeanne
I loved the last post from Marilyn and her vision on some of the AMG dolls. That’s what I find so much fun, creating a story and using clothes to enhance the story. And Laura, your dolls sound so interesting too.
I probably should have saved this for tomorrow morning as Marilyn and Laura won’t know I applaud their doll ideas and doll advice to you, Jeanne. I think you “got this” though.
HI Paula,
Oh, I totally get it and love it when you all talk about who your dolls are and what they are up to. I love the names you give your dolls and the story lines are always so much fun to read. I think you were the first one who ever shared your stories with me… I loved them and still do!
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
This is certainly a difficult process, Jeanne, and you will undoubtedly have to make some tough decisions, but I think you are well on your way to winning the winnowing game by keeping your original thoughts in mind, as well as considering the many good ideas you have received here. I like Linda’s idea of putting some dolls away for awhile, but with the Christmas season upon us, it is an opportune time for selling right now. Suzette’s idea to check your records for high sales is also helpful. Perhaps you could line the dolls up in order from high to low earnings and take a picture. Then you could line the dolls up again in order of “lovability” and see where the two groups overlap. There may be some clear winners that way.
Because you sew for a living, earnings must be your number one concern. However, because you must continue to ENJOY doing what you do, it is impossible not to consider your feelings, too. I’m sure it is hard not to have favorites, and there will always be new dolls that arrive on the scene that seem to steal your heart and the hearts of doll collectors everywhere. Dolls will therefore rise or fall in popularity over time, and culling will continue to be a necessary process. After all things are considered, pray about it, then sleep on it! You will know what is best for you!
As the day approaches for George to receive his port, it is only human that you would be apprehensive, Jeanne. Yes, it is “the beginning of it all starting,” but beginnings have endings, and the sooner it starts, the sooner it will be over. God will see to the timing everything, and though it may be difficult to imagine now, one day this will all be a distant memory. Might I suggest you keep a written or digital prayer journal to document the process? You could not only record the treatment process, including questions you have and the answers you have received from the medical team, but also the countless prayers that will be offered and God’s answers to those prayers. Include your feelings, prayers, scripture, uplifting words, calls and visits, little comforts of each day, etc. Reading back through this from time to time may help provide your and George with some much needed encouragement.
Remember too, Jeanne, that you and George have a deep and wide support base! From your immediate family, to your church family, to friends, neighbors, and readers, please do not hesitate to avail yourself of that support. I know that you know first-hand that helping others blesses the giver, too. Let those who would offer help do so, both receiving and offering it up as a blessing with a grateful heart. So many others will be with you and George in spirit on this journey, Jeanne. We ALL send love and hugs. And may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, sustain you both from beginning to end.
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)
HI Anne,
I tried doing part of what you said today. I took the dolls that I was in question over and lined them up from least favorite to maybe favorite…I think I could eliminate a few this way, but I did only end up with 4 or 5 on that short list. I put a few back on the shelf that I thought I would be letting go… it’s really hard… but I’ll get it figured out, I’m sure.
I tried to sleep on it last night, but I kept seeing the ones at the bottom of the list in my mind…saying, “pick me!” Oh dear..what to do…
I have begun to write down things in a little pink notebook that I bought. Something just to keep in my purse and pull out for when I feel scared or can’t think of what to pray. I think it will help… Thank you for your kind concerns… I can’t believe all you ladies who are praying for us. We don’t take that lightly and are SO grateful for your prayers. This is brand new territory for us and we could definitely use some backup! :o)
Thank you Anne,
Blessings, Jeanne
Well, I don’t want to downsize, so I haven’t really thought about it from your point of view. I am thinking you wouldn’t have to decide all at once. The ones you have duplicates of, like Patsy or Ellowynne, are an easy choice. You could keep your favorite for now and sell the “extras”. The non-historical AG’s may also be candidates. I think your period AG outfits sell well, and probably are best modeled from the doll from that period. Those are just my thoughts–I know you will come to the right conclusion!
Thanks Carolyn,
I appreciate your thoughts and I’m sure I’ll get this figured out in time. I thought I could say, “keep, sell, sell, keep, keep, etc.” but it turned out to be harder than I anticipated.
Thanks so much for taking time to write and tell me what you thought… I do think the duplicates thing might be a good place to start…
Thanks again,
Blessings, Jeanne
I’ll dive in here, even though it’s late… First, (don’t hate me for this, people :)) I’m not a fan of AG dolls, so I can easily tell you to keep your six favorite, and sell the rest.
I have one Ellowyne, but I never change her clothes. I would tell you to keep one and sell the other two. I could even say sell all three if they aren’t good money makers.
I have a blonde Patsy and a brunette Patsy, but I wouldn’t miss either one of them. I think your Trixie is cuter, so I’d keep her and sell Patsy.
Keep Nissa, sell Hope – I think you should be able to get a good price for her.
Keep Ten Ping, she’s just so tiny and cute.
Keep Elin – I’d like to see you make more clothes for the 10″ Iplehouse dolls, since I now have two 🙂
Willa, Nahji, and Betsy are pretty new to your group, so I’d keep them for now, then see how you feel about them in a year.
And finally, like you said, keeping the three Little Darlings is a no brainer! Don’t you have another one on order from one of the artists? I’ve got two coming from Diana and one from Magali… then I’m done. Really, I am. Really.
HI Theresa,
Thanks for our ideas about who to sell and who to keep… I’ll have to read these comments again and again to let it all sink in I think… I appreciate the time you took to let me know your reasoning… you are direct and to the point.. that’s the way I need to approach this…
I do have another Little Darling on the way… in fact, I thought I should have heard something by now… but she’ll be a keeper… I had no idea it would be 32 months before she arrived…
I’d like to say, I’m done, really I am… but I better not… :o/
Thanks so much Theresa,
Blessings, Jeanne
P.S. Wondered if anyone saw that today is Louisa May Alcott’s 184th birthday? Once upon a time, before a certain flood, I owned a collection of Madame Alexander Little Women dolls. I miss them still. Wondered if there are any others who adored the book and movies of Little Women like I did?
HI Anne,
I did see that it was Louisa’s birthday today. I’m so sorry you lost your Madame Alexander dolls in a flood… How awful that must have been to have found them drowning in water.
~ Jeanne