Doll Thoughts

The Most Important Thing

2010-06-07T15:11:25-08:00

Let's say you've decided it's time to open your own doll-related business, whether it be web-based or brick and mortar, or both.The most important thing to do first is research, research, research.I would argue that the most important research to do first is this: if you haven't recently held a job which required you to deal with customers and hopefully suppliers on a regular basis, then get thee to a retail store of some sort and get to work.Why? Because if you can't stand the thought of dealing with the problems that your customers and suppliers will inevitably have, then...]]> Continue reading The Most Important Thing

The Not-So-Accidental Tourist

2010-03-10T19:34:06-08:00

In case you've been wondering what I've been up to the past couple of months, take a look here: TravelsWithLeo.com. Leo and I took a 3 week trip to Australia and New Zealand. I wrote up a travelogue to help us both remember the trip, and of course Leo took lots of photos. We hope you enjoy.... Continue reading The Not-So-Accidental Tourist]]>

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