Doll Thoughts

Looking Out From The Inside

2010-01-15T11:54:53-08:00

I've spent a lot of time talking about what makes a retailer good. Now it's time to turn the tables and talk about the qualities a good doll store customer has.First and foremost, a good customer has passion for dolls and their accoutrements. Half of the fun for me as a retailer was sharing the fun of learning about and seeing new dolls with my customers. Let's face it-many people who don't collect or like dolls, think "doll people" are more than a little crazy. Having other interested, passionate people to "play" with was part of what made Dolls and... Continue reading Looking Out From The Inside]]>

Elfdoll...the rest of my story.

2009-12-07T14:37:11-08:00

In her letter to Elfdoll customers, DK claimed that Elfdoll was "not about the money" and that dolls would continue to be made even if nobody bought them. As a former Elfdoll retailer, I have to say au contraire.That was nowhere near close to my experience. I was constantly pushed by Elfdoll to order more dolls, more fashions, more of everything they had to sell. And of course it all had to be paid for up front. I couldn't just order one of a particular outfit, I had to order at least 3. There were minimums for dolls too. Eventually, when DK kept...]]> Continue reading Elfdoll...the rest of my story.

Farewell to a Fashion Doll Icon

2009-11-09T15:38:35-08:00

Mel Odom recently announced the retirement of his doll creation Gene Marshall, and others in her universe, after 15 years of production. Her last hurrah will take place in a special event next year. Gene was primarily responsible for the resurgence of interest in fashion dolls in the mid-1990s. Barbie's ( in the shop we called her Barfie) popularity had taken a dive, and the fashion-doll market was ripe for the taking. In stepped Mel Odom and Gene. The fashion-doll world hasn't been the same since. Gene was unique in her storyline, the quality of the doll herself, and the quality and design of her fashions....]]> Continue reading Farewell to a Fashion Doll Icon

MDC part four

2009-11-01T13:00:00-08:00

Overall, I thought MDC was well-organized, well managed and well done. I already mentioned the cost as being one downside. Another downside?? The food. When you're paying $295 for a meal event (doll included) you at least want the food to be good. The doll, you can sell if you don't like. The food, not so much. And by the time you've put out that much money, you don't feel like putting out more for something to eat after the event. Nor should you have to. For example, I attended 3 different meal events in total. In each one, I... Continue reading MDC part four]]>

MDC part three: the salesroom

2009-10-25T23:00:00-08:00

This year's salesroom unfortunately had fewer vendors than previous years. Two retailers, Bearzabout and Denver Doll Emporium, were notable in their absence. Fortunately (or unfortunately for my pocketbook) I still managed to find lots of stuff to buy. Dale Rae's sales tables offered lots of shoes and stockings, for BJDs and many other dolls. Her website, for those not able to attend MDC, is www.dalerae.com. Summer and Nancy of Strawberry Circle had lots of adorable outfits and separates made primarily for the 14" Betsy McCall. I bought a couple for my 14" Kish girls and possibly some MSDs to wear. They will be offering...]]> Continue reading MDC part three: the salesroom