Every year, the Capital doll club of Richmond, Va. has a show and sale in February at the Richmond Raceway complex. It used to be at the old Showplace but that got sold and turned into a Roses shopping center over on route 360. So the promoters moved the show over to the Richmond Raceway complex, which is good, because the venue is a cleaner building and a safer one with more parking too.
I know a lot of people in the club too. Always wanted to join as they are a United Federation of Doll Clubs (club).
My Virginia fashion doll club members usually get a table and sell their little hearts out, and they do quite well.
This show surprised me- doll shows have been going down lately. But this one had LOADS of deals and dealers. It was the first really great doll show that had tons of great stuff, in years.
So....I did buy a doll, from Sheri's Dolls She specializes in historical dolls with one of kind crocheted costumes on them. She uses alot of different Barbies and even does child dolls. Well, today I gave in and purchased one at a deal I could not pass on. I will not post it in here in this post, but save that for one post by herself. I will post pics of the other beauties though....
My friend Marina purchased the mother and daughter above in lavender, or rather, put them on layaway. Cheryl has layaway plans as well. I will be posting pictures of my doll I purchased today at a later time when I set up pics.
Another friend of mine I saw was Sylvia Butler of Tar Hill Creations. She creates reproduction costumes and reproductions of antique french fashion dolls- and who I got Annabelle from at the Capital doll show about four or five years ago. Maybe even six or seven years ago. Recently after closing down the website and eBay store I had sent her some boxes of silk trim and bunka threads, rolls of lace that I had and was not going to use and I knew she could. She and I talked and I took some photos of her beautiful dolls. I love Sylvia's beautiful clothes, and hats. If you collect she also makes and sells shoes for the dolls too- she was selling wonderful ice skates and I picked up a pair as well as a bodice and a pair of stockings for Annabelle.
Here are some of her beauties...
Sigh....they are just splendid. It's like a walk into yesteryear...of 1890...
Lots more at this show to see, than I took pictures of, there was a TON OF BARBIE!!! As well as Madame Alexander, Dawn, Ginny , GI Joe, and antique dolls as well. This last pic above is the dealer who sells nothing but reference books on collectible dolls, and other collectible items too. Hard to find reference books.
I had a ball. After I was through, went with my buddy Karon and we went to lunch at a nearby local Italian restuarant called Arianna's and finally got some time to ourselves. I needed, needed some down time after this week...which has been really , really stressful. This was so much fun to look at all of these beautiful dolls...especially the antique ones. And the teddy bears could reel me in to a new hobby as well!
More later! Enjoy the pictures!~Lisa
I know a lot of people in the club too. Always wanted to join as they are a United Federation of Doll Clubs (club).
My Virginia fashion doll club members usually get a table and sell their little hearts out, and they do quite well.
This show surprised me- doll shows have been going down lately. But this one had LOADS of deals and dealers. It was the first really great doll show that had tons of great stuff, in years.
So....I did buy a doll, from Sheri's Dolls She specializes in historical dolls with one of kind crocheted costumes on them. She uses alot of different Barbies and even does child dolls. Well, today I gave in and purchased one at a deal I could not pass on. I will not post it in here in this post, but save that for one post by herself. I will post pics of the other beauties though....
Another friend of mine I saw was Sylvia Butler of Tar Hill Creations. She creates reproduction costumes and reproductions of antique french fashion dolls- and who I got Annabelle from at the Capital doll show about four or five years ago. Maybe even six or seven years ago. Recently after closing down the website and eBay store I had sent her some boxes of silk trim and bunka threads, rolls of lace that I had and was not going to use and I knew she could. She and I talked and I took some photos of her beautiful dolls. I love Sylvia's beautiful clothes, and hats. If you collect she also makes and sells shoes for the dolls too- she was selling wonderful ice skates and I picked up a pair as well as a bodice and a pair of stockings for Annabelle.
Here are some of her beauties...
This dress here has some of the ribbon I sent her...Isn't it lovely?It's made for a 16 inch French fashion doll..
This Huret right here is a limited resin body reproduction by Louise Hendrick who loaned her antique Huret and worked with someone else to have the bodies reproduced in resin with ball jointed doll technology, Sylvia related to me. The bodies are 'high' at $200+ but that's reasonable for a bjd/ reproduction french fashion doll! I SO WANT HER! hoping I can find out more about this beauty later on....found a new holy grail. Always wanted a Huret.
I had a ball. After I was through, went with my buddy Karon and we went to lunch at a nearby local Italian restuarant called Arianna's and finally got some time to ourselves. I needed, needed some down time after this week...which has been really , really stressful. This was so much fun to look at all of these beautiful dolls...especially the antique ones. And the teddy bears could reel me in to a new hobby as well!
More later! Enjoy the pictures!~Lisa
9 comments:
I enjoyed seeing all of these photos, Lisa. I would LOVE to go to a doll show someday...I'll have to google if there are any near me. It must be so fun seeing all the different dolls everywhere. I love the Barbies in the above photos with the crocheted gowns. As a crocheter, I am amazed by the detail and craftsmanship that must've gone into making these. I can't wait to see which one you bought!
I spotted the Mattel Live Action Cinderella doll in there and now I am really tempted to get her now that I see her in a different context. It's great to see how diverse Barbie can be in terms of styling. Great post!
I was glad to hear that there's a doll show that seems to be growing. I don't know what's happening, but I don't think doll collecting is as popular as it used to be. I used to go to NJ when my parents were alive and there was a great doll show there in November. So much bigger than what we have in Houston...even back then. The Houston shows are run by doll clubs. The NJ show was run by a company. I wonder if that makes a difference? Were there many Ginnys? I saw a Jill in one of your pictures. I collect the Vogue dolls.
Farrah, was the Cinderalla the one in the lavender? I think Cheryl said they had purchased alot of the Disney Mattel Cinderalla dolls because she is now doing an Elizabeth using the Cate Blanchette doll. (I am going to do one myself but I won't be crocheting her costume!!LOL) hER work is simply incredible, isn't it? I would never have the patience to do that. You might try googling the shows near you, you'd be surprised.
Betty, the Capital doll show does this show ever year in February, and then there are a couple of promoters who doa show in November called the Christmas doll and Bear sale which is everything from Barbie, Dawn, Ginny, Betsy, Madame Alexander, bears, and antique dolls and reproduction dolls to furniture, and accessories and American girl dolls too. There was alot of Ginny there, I was surprised, and a dealer selling nude vintage Ginny, Madame Alexander Wendykins, Ginnys, Betsy McCalls, their stands, shoes, furniture too.
I don't know if it makes a difference, or if there were more people trying to downsize or clear out stock, or what. But there were alot of deals at this show. Alotof people selling great great stuff that you don't normally see unless it is at a high price. The only thing I can figure is people are needing to clear out hard to find items because they need ready cash or dealers are letting go of items they had priced too high at a reasonable price.
I think the problem is the new up and coming generation of millenials. They are typically in their early 20's to thirtys and don't like clutter, or anything 'old' or antique- I know my stepdaughter doesn't. They have no sentimentality for antique photos, furniture, etc. or anything of that sort, tradition, etc. least of all doll collecting. I would say doll collecting is something that would have to be shared with a daughter from the time she is young and would have to be instilled in them young to appreciate it- I could never get my stepdaughter to appreciate doll collecting like I did. I also think a great part of it is the limited lack of funds for most people too.
These items are so beautiful. :). You both made interesting points about doll collecting.
Nothing better than a nice doll show to life your spirits. Just seeing pictures from a doll show can even life spirits. Thanks for sharing. I, too, love seeing the antique fashions. The fabrics and the details just draw you in.
All those Stacies are so cute. Makes me want to make new clothes for mine.
I know I was severely depressed and going to this show just lifted me up, up and away, SO Vanessa you're right. I adore looking at antique dolls but would never be able to afford them nor have the space to collect them. The next best thing is taking pics...
Those dolls are cute aren't they Barb?? Makes you want to go home and sew, crochet, etc.
Romona, I've studied this question for a while now as well as the new 'minimalist' lifestyle of so many people. I am partially minimalist on clothing and other things like furniture but whenit comes to my dolls, photos, and antique /sentimental items, it is very hard to embrace that cheerless cold existence.
I primary collect Barbie and other fashion dolls. In the past, I have donated dolls and clothes to family shelters, as well as sent "Dear Santa" packages to children during the holiday season. I've downsized some of my dolls and many of the clothes, but do not want to get rid of some things as they remind me of my childhood - such as outfits I've made, furniture I bought.
Lisa, you are right: This passion and art most certainly must be instilled and appreciated. Only those of us that are passionate about dolls, houses, etc, can truly understand. Your blog keeps the passion alive.
Nothing like a well attended doll show!
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