Millie's DollCloset.com Doll Blog

Millie's Doll Treasures !

Tue, 08 May 2012 15:14:08 -0800

There comes a time in every doll lover's life when the dolls outgrow our space for them!

That has happened to Millie . . . what to do, what to do?

First, we tried doll donations and we've been named Guardian Angel by Kids Wish Network in 2011 and 2012 . . . but more dolls remain.
So Millie decided to share them with YOU at very reasonable prices!

Initially the dolls are from Millie's collection and also ones bought for her own daughter when she was a child.

The Sound of Music, Maria, doll shown above is one of those - and could be part of a set including daughters Liesl and Louisa.

It's intersting that Maria is a 14" girl doll, while the two daughters were fashioned from the Cissette model ie they have jointed knees and wear high heels! They are 10.5 inches tall.

NOTE: All three of the Sound of Music dolls were Made in the USA at the Madame Alexander Doll headquarters in New York City - another coup!

We also have several Mint, Never Removed from Box (NRFB) such as the Cabbage Patch Olympikid Doll shown above.
These Special Edition Dolls were Official Team Mascots for the 1996 Olympics - ours is dressed as a cute Tennis Player.

Another NRFB doll is a Ginny doll produced during her spell with Dakin (yes, the Garfield Toy Company!) called Ginny's Claim.
She was the souvenir doll given to attendees at the Modern Doll Convention held in 1988 in California. Because the event was held in Northern California, Dakin decided that the theme would be the Gold Rush - thus Ginny's outfit complete with patched denim pants and a mining pan! Check out the picture of her sweet face below:

You really need to check out the page at Millie's Doll Treasures in order to see the other unique dolls available. There are three retired fashion doll depicting actual models such as Christie Brinkley and Betsy Johnson - all NRFB.

And, for a bit of REAL San Francisco, check out the two dolls hand dressed by Nicole, a woman in her downtown shop. Her tiny store was amazing to anyone who appreciated lovely dolls! It was located on a busy street with windows on the sidewalk so passers could watch her create - and stop in to buy her dolls! We have two - one we named "Elegant in Black" is shown below:

American Girl Doll - Owner Personalities!

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 22:25:55 -0800

The following article was taken from "DOLL NEWS" issue 318.
It was written by Chiara Atik and has some great insights - see what you think!

WHAT YOUR AMERICAN GIRL DOLL SAYS ABOUT THE REST OF YOUR LIFE

Samantha Parkington:

Did you know, when you picked her out, that Samantha was the cool one? Or were you simply drawn to her glossy brown hair, sophisticated accessories (she had a fur muff!) and rich demographic. Either way, every girl wanted a Samantha. If you owned her, you quickly learned the value of cachet.

By virtue of aquiring a status symbol early on (a Samantha doll was the designer jeans of third grade), you never quite had to worry about things the way other girls did. You therefore grew up to be confident, capable and nonplussed. You've always been well liked. You aren't the funniest in your group, but you've never really noticed or cared. If you thought about it, you could probably recognize other women who had Samanthas. But that's not impressive: everybody can.

Molly McIntire:

If you had Molly, you probably wanted Samantha instead, but contented yourself with Molly because you too wore glasses, liked books, were bad at math, and would concoct various schemes to get attention. (Oh, Molly.) If you were a Molly, and had a Molly (as oposed to being a Molly and aspirationally owning a Felicity), you were imbued, then and now, with a immutable sense of self. At least Molly could tap dance, which is frankly more talent than any of the other girls exhibited.

As an adult, you've developed a carefully honed aptitude for sarcasm. You've gotten contacts, and a slightly edgy haircut. You still sort of want attention, but you deny it. You've thought back on your American Girl Doll, and tried not to be too resentful towards the person who gave her to you, who so obviously associated you with the descriptor "mousy".

Kirsten Larson:

You probably got Kirsten because she was blond, or because you read a lot of "Little House on the Prairie" books. (It definitely wasn't because of her "St. Lucia Christmas Outfit" . . . yikes!)

Whatever superficial motivation led you to choose Kirsten, you quickly learned that life as a Swedish immigrant in Minnesota is not all lingonberry pie and ice fishing. Not halfway through the first book does Kirsten's best friend Marta die suddenly and tragically of cholera. This was shocking and horrifying. Obviously, you were used to cholera deaths (this being the age of Oregon Trail), but this time it was different.

You therefore grew up to be a bit more thoughtful, a bit more reserved than your peers. You also find yourseelf inexplicably drawn towards crafts like knitting, jam-making and quilting. You secretly suspect that you'd manage just fine in a post-Apocalyptic setting should things come to that. You were surprised and delighted to see some of Kirsten's outfits come back into style in certain enclaves of Brooklyn.

Felicity Merriman:

You had Felicity because of one or more of the following reasons:
A) you had red hair
B) You thought she had the prettiest clothes and accessories.
C) Fewer people had Felicity, and you wanted to be unique.
D) You actually wanted Samantha but your mom thought Samantha's dress looked like the top of a peanut butter jar so you got Felicity instead. (Just me? OK.)

You grew up to have an affinity for lovely things, a possible inflated sense of your own uniqueness, a teensy hint of self-righteousness (remember how she refused tea when they raised the tea tax? "Thank you, I shall take no tea!"), and latent familiarity with Colonial Wiliamsburg.

Addy Walker:

If you were black, you had Addy because your parents were trying to encourage positive self-esteem in a market saturated with white dolls. If you were any other minority, you had Addy because your parents were trying to encourage positive self-esteem in a market saturated with white dolls. If you were white, and had Addy, it was becaause your progressive parents were trying to encourage broad world-views in a market saturated with white dolls.

Though arguably the most likeable of all the characters, Addy is more of a racial totem than personality - or era-driven doll. Her story doesn't exactly provoke a nostalgia for slavery, and her accessory was, no kidding, a gourd. (The significance is obvious - how little girls would make their dolls play with the gourd is not.)

Girls who had Addy grew up with an acute sense of the lack of diversity in early-'90s consumer culture.

No American Girl Doll:
Your parents wouldn't buy you an American Girl doll because $80 is a ridiculous price to pay for a toy, which would then inevitably lead to the purchase of multiple accessories ranging from the overpriced ($18 for "Winter Accessories," consisting of doll mittens and a hat), to the exorbitant ($56 for an "Ice Cream Set," consisting of tiny plastic scoops of ice cream), to the highway robbery ($349 for a doll's chest," a.k.a. a tiny wooden box.).

You grew up to be financially independent, level-headed, unspoiled, and still just a little bit resentful whenever you walk by American Girl Place.

Product Image Links:
American Girl Doll Pins
Plaid Victorian Dress for Girls and Dolls
Molly's Summer Print Dress
Pioneer Calico Dress for Girls and Dolls
Print Colonial Dress for Girls and Dolls
Spring 1800's Dress

Pets for Dolls!

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 17:17:49 -0800

Dolls want pets - just like their owners! DollCloset.com started showing our dolls with dogs and other animals years ago . . . and now we're very happy to add the pretty puppy above called Petite Puppy - isn't she adorable?

We have other very popular dogs such as Doxie, a very wise and thoughtful dog, shown with one of our doll models in her Red Plaid Shirt Set below:

Our most popular dog to date is our adorable Yorkie, Yippy. She is 7 inches, wears a bow in her hair and is found with many of our doll models such as the new Pink in the Spring Outfit.

Baby Dolls like dogs too as can be seen in the picture below of our Bitty Twin model in his Blue Sweater and Pant Set!

Not all dolls want a dog - so we have a new selection of kittens coming - you should be able to see them on this Teddy Bear and Other Plush Toys page after St. Patrick's Day. In the meantime, here's our Kirsten doll wearing her pink checked party dress AND showing off her bunny and duck!

Inventory Sale !

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:55:48 -0800

When it's Inventory time for DollCloset.com, that means the Perfect Shopping Time for YOU!

While we're busy counting and re-arranging, you will get an automatic 15% discount on ALL orders over $25.00 (in-stock items only) including pretty dresses like the one Kirsten is modeling above - her Pink Checked Party Dress!

Sale started at noon February 21, 2012 and will continue through February 29, 2012.

The only catch is that we cannot start shipping orders until March 1 . . . once our inventory is completed.

However, it's the perfect time to save on dolls (several Madame Alexander Favorite Friends have just arrived including Fashionista shown above), items in the Customer Rewards section (did you see the Pleasant Company Molly doll? adorable!) and of course clothes for her favorite doll . . . including your choice of three different First Communion Outfits including the Organza Outfit shown below that is made in the USA.

And, as you may know, the 15% discount applies to Weekly Special Sale items too!

Dolls Celebrate the Year of the Dragon Too!

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:20:58 -0800

The Lunar New Year has begun and the festivities will continue for 15 days - in 2012 it is the Year of the Dragon which is a symbol of good fortune and intense power. This is a very important holiday in Asian cultures and DollCloset.com has selected a variety of dolls and doll outfits for this special sale! Pictured above are two 18 inch American Girl Dolls wearing a Vietnamese AoDai and a Korean Hanbok. Very traditional and perfect for the holiday.

Many doll companies offer Asian dolls so that girls can identify with a doll that looks like them. Above is Lou by Corolle - she is a 14 inch Toddler doll and perfect for hugs! Corolle also has a 12 inch Asian baby doll, Calin Yang. Very sweet and on sale.

When it comes to Asian dolls it's important to remember that American Girl has several . . . and we have outfits for them to honor their heritage such as the ones shown here - a kimono and a lovely pink Cheongsam. Both have very authentic details down to the shoes! See our dolls modeling below:

Karito Kids has also included an Asian doll in their catalog ie Ling from China. Unfortunately she and others have been so popular that she is Sold Out until mid 2012!

Madame Alexander always includes a lovely 14 inch baby doll in their line - DollCloset is proud to feature Cozy Kittens for you - adorable!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Dr. Toy and Dolls!

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 17:50:22 -0800

Recently the GIFTS publication featured an article about dolls called "Dolls for a Better Tomorrrow" by Stevanne Auerbach PhD AKA Dr. Toy - we thought it was excellent so here's some parts for you to ponder and enjoy:

"Dolls are one of the most phenomenal sectors of the toy industry. It is a toy category that is enormous for its breadth of choices - from robust baby dolls to shapely designer models and from soft fabric creations to hard action figures. It is also a category that has more influence on society than people imagine. For today's children, especially girls between the ages of 5 and 10, dolls play a key role in their growth and social development. Their play value is endless, providing an experience that includes fantasy play which stimulates the imagination, and role play that builds nuturing, socialization and communication skills.

The role that a doll plays in the personal growth and development of a child used to be much simpler - it was like a best friend who heard their secrets, felt their pain or fear and shared their imaginary adventures. As society has become more complex, the role of dolls and doll play has expanded, incorporating role models, cultural diversity and exposure to environmental social issues. Thus, having the right doll for the right reasons can make all the difference to the chid's ability to learn, adjust, cope and find an ideal occupation.

For their part, doll makers are rising to the challenge of providing dolls for the new generation of child whose doll is more than just an imaginary friend.

Like no other doll, Barbie is an icon recognized around the world. Not only was Barbie ground breaking in the doll world for her idealized, mature figure, she also was one of the first dolls to become a role model and set an example as a career woman, allowing them through play to try on different roles and learn about the possibilities open to them. Over the years, Barbie has had more careers, a larger wardrobe and more pets than any female, real or imaginary. More than a fasionista, she also has taken on the characteristics of other races and cultures. She has remained a major influence for 50 years, even though, with her blond hair and blue eyes, she is not everyone's ideal of beauty.

While Barbie has garnered a lot of attention in the world of dolls, she has come to share the stage with others offering a host of other play values, among them, Cabbage Patch Kids. Though they may not seem pretty, Cabbage Patch Kids are much loved, offer awareness and acceptance of adoption, and because of their hand-finished detail are each uniquely individual, just like every child.

Other dolls joining Barbie and Cabbage Patch to reflect the past and future of society include American Girl, Bratz, Dora the Explorer, Forever Friends, Groovey Girls, Karito Kids, Only Hearts Club and many others. They all provide unique experiences and extended play opportunities for today's kids.

When it comes to choosing a doll, especially for their primary doll, little girls want a doll they can identify with, they want her to look like them, dress like them, and, with today's growing cultural diversity in the US, be their race". . . .

"Many couples who adopt children from other countries help keep the children's culture alive by providing them with dolls that look like them and that also may teach them about their ancestors through books and other products. Kids can also learn about and identify with children from other cultures through the world of dolls. Dolls that reflect society's ethnic diversity help create an environment of culturally diverse play while encouraging identification and positive self-awareness." . . .

"Recognizing the importance of showing ethnic diversity, other companies have followed the lead, among them Corolle, which has expanded its collection to include more represeentations of color and race. Among the newer entries to the marketplace is the Karito Kids line, a collection of dolls representing different countries and ethnicities, which is one of the best lines at capturing the real personalities of children from different countries. Each doll alos comes with a book about its country and culture so that children learn more through reading."

"Laura Rangel, co-creator of Karito Kids, took her line a step beyond cultural diversity; she is using Karito Kids to also teach about giving. Not only does a percentage of the sale of each doll go to help kids in the country represented by the doll, kids can also get more involved through activities on the Karito Kids website."

Even though the doll world operates on fads and cycles, the trend toward creating dolls with socially responsible messages will continue to grow and evolve. Some of the messages may change, and currently popular dolls may change, but diversity is here to stay and our responsibilities to the planet, wildlife and setting examples for children to aspire to will always remain."

End of Article by Stevanne Auerbach Ph.D., author of Smart Play/Smart Toys and Dr. Toy's Guide.

Links to Dolls Shown:

Cloth Raggedy Ann . . . New Pioneer Calico Matching Outfits . . . Corolle Calin Yang for 2011 . . . Lulu from Kenya by Karito Kids . . . Priscilla and John Alden by Ginny Dolls

Holiday Shipping!

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 17:52:14 -0800

Everyone wonders "Will I get my order in time?"

The answer from DollCloset.com is YES . . . if:

** You shop early enough so that your order can be prepared
(unlike many companies, are outfits are placed on hangers and many of our items are pressed before they leave us),

** Then packed carefully (as repeat customers can tell you - we do a super careful job),

** Mailed Priority or shipped FedEx Ground.

We try to use Priority Mail as much as possible as we have found them to be very dependable and reasonable in cost . . . However they DO have size restrictions of one cubic foot. Thus larger items, such as many Dolls, must go FedEx Ground (but ONLY until December 14, 2011).

During our past years of serving you at Christmas time, we have learned that the Post Office and FedEx DO have capacity limits!

Your standard delivery packages MUST be in transit by December 17th which means we need the order by midnight, PST, December 12th.
You don't need more stress wondering if your gifts will arrive in time!

The Post Office can get so bogged down due to volume and weather that many times containers and containers of Priority Mail packages are stored at an airport and don't even begin on the journey until after Christmas!

After a certain point, all the Post Office can work on is the Express Mail . . . and the same applies to us at DollCloset.com

That is why we urge you to use Express Mail if you order after December 12th and NEED delivery by Christmas.

NOTE: Final Date for Christmas Delivery Orders by Express Mail is Midnight PST December 20, 2011

Best wishes for a delightful Holiday Season!

Madame Alexander doll set: Steadfast Tin Soldier and Ballerina

Velvet and Plaid Party Dress

Holiday Shipping!

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:56:33 -0800

Everyone wonders "Will I get my order in time?"

The answer from DollCloset.com is YES . . . if:

** You shop early enough so that your order can be prepared
(unlike many companies, are outfits are placed on hangers and many of our items are pressed before they leave us),

** Then packed carefully (as repeat customers can tell you - we do a super careful job),

** Mailed Priority or shipped FedEx Ground.

We try to use Priority Mail as much as possible as we have found them to be very dependable and reasonable in cost . . . However they DO have size restrictions of one cubic foot. Thus larger items, such as many Dolls, must go FedEx Ground (but ONLY until December 14, 2011).

During our past years of serving you at Christmas time, we have learned that the Post Office and FedEx DO have capacity limits!

Your standard delivery packages MUST be in transit by December 17th which means we need the order by midnight, PST, December 12th.
You don't need more stress wondering if your gifts will arrive in time!

The Post Office can get so bogged down due to volume and weather that many times containers and containers of Priority Mail packages are stored at an airport and don't even begin on the journey until after Christmas!

After a certain point, all the Post Office can work on is the Express Mail . . . and the same applies to us at DollCloset.com

That is why we urge you to use Express Mail if you order after December 12th and NEED delivery by Christmas.

NOTE: Final Date for Christmas Delivery Orders by Express Mail is Midnight PST December 20, 2011

Best wishes for a delightful Holiday Season!

Madame Alexander doll set: Steadfast Tin Soldier and Ballerina

Velvet and Plaid Party Dress

Annual Early Bird Holiday Doll Sale in Progress!

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 22:46:32 -0800

Our Annual Doll Sale has begun . . . right now it features Ginny Dolls such as Priscilla and John Alden shown above!

Each week (from Wednesday through Tuesday) highlights a different doll brand. The first week the emphasis was on Corolle dolls - Baby Dolls, 14" Toddler Dolls and Les Cheries dolls like Camille in the Snow shown below.
Unfortunately, that sale is over . . . but you can still get the Corolle Dolls with an automatic 15% Discount on our Customer Appreciation Thursdays!

Here's the list of our Early Bird Doll Sales coming - so you can plan!

October 19 thr. 25 = Ginny StoryBook Dolls, Ginny Vintage Dolls, Ginny Dress Me Dolls AND Gotz Baby Dolls

October 26 thr. November 2 = Karito Kids Dolls and Cloth Dolls

November 3 thr. 9 = Madame Alexander Baby Dolls (the new Cupcake Cutie Huggums shown above) AND Madame Alexander 8 inch Dolls

November 10 thr 16 = Madame Alexander Favorite Friends 18 inch Dolls

A wonderful line-up . . . there's sure to be one on sale that is just right for that special someone on your list!

Gotz and Ginny Dolls Back in Stock!

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 07:31:58 -0800

We are delighted that the Gotz Precious Day Girl dolls are available again - Elisabeth, the brunette with brown eyes is shown here. Notice her cute pink and white outfit!

Also available now (and shown above) is Jessica, the blonde cutie with blue eyes - and wearing a stylish trench coat and hat.
Both of these dolls are 18 inches tall just like the popular American Girl Dolls and wear the same size clothes and shoes . . . hooray! The primary difference is that these dolls have rooted hair and a closed mouth design. Very pretty dolls and at a lower cost.

Ushering in the Halloween season is a very special Bewitched Ginny doll shown above - love her hat and the flying witches on her gold skirt!

Other dolls we're happy to have back are some special Ginny Dolls such as If You Love Me shown below - she comes with her doggie too!

She is one of the dolls inspired by the illustrations of Margaret Evans Price and makes a sweet gift. Another wonderful gift is Ginny with her Get Well Hugs - she looks ready for bed while she recovers from her illness! A really fun addition is an actual Get Well card that is included in the doll box - she's shown below. This is one of the Diana Vining illustrated cards - others include the Birthday Celebration Doll and the Dolly Jolly Christmas Doll. Just delightful!

Buying a New Doll Guidelines

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:29:05 -0800

It's not easy selecting a doll for a child on your gift list . . . but here are a few tips for you to make it easier!

First, consider the age ie for children younger than 8 years

* Make Safety the first priority - avoid dolls with small parts or accessories that could be a choking danger.
The dolls under our Cloth Doll category are intended for the young, some even for the Newborns such as the Babipouce Candy Pink Doll by Corolle shown below:

* Keep it simple. You want to encourage imagination - NOT tell the child how the doll is to be used.

* Look for smaller, soft-bodied dolls that are well suited for younger children to cuddle and hold. Corolle recommends that the doll fit comfortably in their arms - thus we recommend a 12 inch baby doll for a child 12 months up. Both Corolle Calin and Tidoo baby dolls fit in that category in addition to Madame Alexander Huggums baby dolls such as the cutie, Sweet Baby Girl, pictured below:

* Smaller, vinyl dolls can be good for teaching nurturing. Boys and girls can learn how to be gentle by holding and cleaning a doll with a washcloth. Somme of the dolls are even helpful with Potty training such as the the Corolle Emma and Paul vinyl baby dolls and the smaller Gotz Aquini Baby Dolls. The Aquini Boy version is shown below:

* For children 8 years and up (maybe even 7 years depending on the child) larger dolls are acceptable as the child can hold it without feeling awkward or clumsy. This is the recommended age for 18 inch dolls from Gotz and Madame Alexander. The newest Favorite Friend Doll, Buzzin About, is shown below:

* Then there are dolls that come with stories about their lives - these can be very educational for school aged children and can encourage other play behaviors such as teaching your doll. American Girl dolls are based on this premise and can be the right choice for some girls but not all. Here's an article from us to help determine if you should purchase an American Girl doll

Hope this helps to make buying dolls fun - and appropriate for the child !

Baby doll at beginning is Corolle's Bebe Charmeur!

Corolle Dolls and Clothes Back in Stock!

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 21:02:21 -0800
We just received many boxes from Corolle - all re-orders because they were Sold Out! For example, the 2011 Cheri baby doll in the new print romper is back - and pictured above. A real cutie, Made in Spain - and actual 3 month baby size!

We were delighted to welcome back Vanilla Blonde, the 14 inch toddler doll that's been very popular with little girls everywhere. We think she's a wonderful option for little girls too young for American Girl . . . but wanting a doll with clothes and hair to style. She's pictured above.

Another item Back in Stock is the Equestrianne Set for Les Cheries dolls - it comes complete with riding boots and hat.

Several Corolle Baby Doll outfits are back also - such as the Pink Layette Set for 14 inch Baby Dolls.

Don't miss the Red Dress Set that's back too - it's for Small Baby Dolls and perfect for summer picnics OR Christmas festivities! See it pictured below (there's one just like it for 14 inch Baby Dolls too)

American Girl Film Stars . . . Today!

Sun, 05 Jun 2011 22:42:26 -0800

Ever wonder what the Stars of our favorite American Girl movies are up to? We did and here's a report for you!

The very first film was Samantha: An American Girl Holiday - it introduced Nellie, the very first Friend doll, and seen at the top with our Samanths model in their Vicorian Spring Dresses.

Samantha was played by AnneSophia Robb who has been very active in the film world! Her most receent film out is Soul Surfer but you might have seen her in The Race to Witch Mountain, The Bridge to Terabitha or her first one, Because of Winn-Dixie.

Felicity was the next American Girl Doll to be featured in a film - she had been semi-retired but was brought back along with her new doll friend, Elizabeth. We show our Felicity model above in her replica Birthday Party Dress

Felicity was played by Shailene Woodley who has most recently been seen (and earned the Gracie Award) in The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Shailene had to put acting on hold for a while due to a scoliosis diagnosis at 15 which resulted in treatment with a brace.

You may remember that Marcia Gay Harden was Felicity's mother - along with Marcia's daughter playing Felicity's young sister . . . both of them were recently featured in Whip It (as mother and daughter again) along with Ellen Page and Drew Barrymore!

The third American Girl doll to have her own film was Molly in Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front. The picture above 1940's Print Dresses shows both Molly and her new friend Emily. Molly was played by Maya Ritter, a Canadian actress. Maya can be seen primarily in the television series The Capture of the Green River Killer but also in the film Finn's Girl.

Kit Kittredge was the next American Girl to inspire a film. She's seen above in her replica Birthday Green Print Summer Dress. Popular Abigail Breslin was in the starring role. Abigail had earned an Academy Award nomination before this in the film Little Miss Sunshine Most recently she has been in My Sister's Keeper and as a character in Rango (with Johnny Dep . . .) Abigail was also on Broadway as Helen Keller in the play The Miracle Worker - she received excellent reviews there too!

The last American Girl Doll film (to date) was Chrissa Stands Stong - the first film about the Doll of the Year, Chrissa. She was played by Sammi Hanratty who has been seen on a number of television series such as The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and Pushing Daisies. She was also in The Pirates of the Carribbean: Dead Man's Chest. Shown belong is Chrissa with her friend Sonali outfitted to Join the Swim Team

American Girl - The Past and Future !

Mon, 09 May 2011 00:29:44 -0800

American Girl is 25 years old! Hard to believe - in 1986 Pleasant Company certainly changed the doll world when they entered it with Kirsten, Samantha and Molly - the first three dolls. And now only Molly is still active (as in not Archived).
Here are some cool statistics about American Girl:

** Nearly 20 million American Girl dolls have been sold through the company's catalog, retail stores and website. Of course, in the beginning there was only the beautiful catalog and today the American Girl Catalogue ranks as one of the top 25 consumer catalogues in the USA ! Shown below are replicas of the original Samantha Classic outfits . . . and Nellie, the very first "Friend Doll"

** More than 135 million American Girl books have been sold since 1986 such as the Felicity Mystery, Peril at King's Creek shown below

Now we come to the exciting future . . .

First a new American Girl store, in Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood, Washington, near Seattle. The store will be 12,500 square feet and include a restaurant

Second: TWO NEW Historical Dolls are coming! The early hints tell us they are fom New Orleans in 1853 during a Yellow Fever outbreak. In a departure on the books, there will be three books about each girl ie Cecile and Marie-Grace. Both appear to be from well to-do families and have lovely outfits. Let us know if you learn more . . .

Sasha Play Dolls from Switzerland

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 22:47:24 -0800

Sasha Dolls, such as the one shown above, were created by the Swiss sculptor, Sasha Mogenthaler beginning in the late 1960's. Previously she originally made the dolls for herself and private individuals. They were produced in Germany and in Great Britain. The girl dolls were often called Sasha; the boys were called Gregor usually. They are about 16" high. In addition there were small baby dolls and a few toddler dolls.

The Sasha dolls were to represent a universal child and were produced in a coffee colored vinyl so that they did not belong to one ethnic group. Later, she did introduce black dolls and then in the 1980's the skin tone was lightened.

Today Sasha dolls are popular with collectors - in fact the Sasha pictured above is the first collector doll bought by Robert Tonner - a Sasha! There are groups of Sasha collectors who gather at least yearly for a "Sasha Festival". In 2010 the Festival was held near San Francisco - Millie was pleased to attend. This year, 2011, the Sasha Festival will be in Springfield, Illinois in July. The Festival for 2012 will be at Stratford on the Avon . . . these doll people get around!

One of the events at each Festival is an Auction of donated items to raise money for a Children's Charity. Above is a picture of an outfit (with Ginny Dolls!) that was auctioned in 2010. Below is an outfit for a baby Sasha doll auctioned several years ago.

The groups hosting the Festival spend over a year with the hotel etc. arrangements, setting a Theme and planning the activities and gifts. Each Festival provides a wonderful outfit for a Sasha doll of the attendees.

For further information on this year's Festival, visit the website at:

www.sashafestival.com

For further information on Sasha dolls, check out your library or look on-line. There have been some wonderful books on these precious dolls!