When building a period doll house you can choose to have a doll house from a particular period in time. You could theme your doll house around a particular era like the Victorian of Georgian era.

Doll houses themed on the Tudor period have become very popular recently because of their unique ornate ness and quirky charm. These houses with their wooden beams and leaded windows are a pleasure to make and display and are a really wonderful example of the period doll house.

Victorian Doll Houses

The Victorian period is one of the most popular. Victorian wooden doll houses offer large rooms, character and their furniture is decorative, the Victorians showed their wealth by their possession’s cramming as much into a room as possible. This is great for miniature collectors, you can have as much furniture and ornaments in a Victorian dolls house as you like and it will not look out of place.

Georgian Doll Houses

Georgian doll houses are the most common form of wooden doll houses and the one you will come across most. They are popular because they are large and attractive. The Georgian period was very much influenced by classical architecture and is often called neoclassical style. There were three main themes: Greece and Rome, Terraces and Town Houses, Palladianism and Country Houses.

Tudor Doll Houses

Tudor wooden doll houses are absolutely wonderful display pieces. They are very attractive from the outside and replicate real Tudor houses very well. Tudor dolls houses are definitely for collectors.

The image of a Tudor house is one of a white building encased in black timbers. The roof would be covered with thatch, tiles or slate. Inside the homes would have wood paneled walls which were sometimes arranged into decorative patterns. The ceilings would be bare timber or sometimes the rafters would be concealed with plaster.

Ever since their introduction in the early 1990’s the high quality, super life-like dolls known as reborns have become popular all around the world. These dolls get their names because they are regular dolls completely redone to create a totally new doll that resembles a real baby. Thus, the original doll is reborn as this new creation.

The most popular beginning dolls for these unique creations are the world famous Berenguer dolls. Reborn Berenguer dolls dominate the market and represent some of the most high quality examples in the industry. Berenguer dolls have long been a name of quality in the doll business so it’s no doubt why reborn artists choose to begin their work on these canvases.

For decades the Berenguer family of Spain has been making high quality dolls known throughout the world. The family’s patriarch and master doll designer, Salvador Berenguer, based the detailed expressions of the doll’s faces on the faces of his own children and then grandchildren. While Berenguer doll production has been moved to China, they still offer high quality dolls for both collecting and children’s daily play needs.

The high quality offerings from the company are the most popular beginning canvas in the reborn world. Reborn Berenguer dolls dominate the market, as a quick search of eBay clearly shows. The auction site has become the biggest market place for these dolls, eclipsing even doll shows. Amongst the thousands of auctions on the site reborn Berenguer dolls, kits or plain dolls can all be found.

In order to create a proper reborn doll, the artist must first strip the plaything of it’s factory coloring. Most dolls, even Berenguers, come with a waxy orange colored vinyl coating. Using acetone or other harsh chemicals the factory coating is stripped away. The artist then begins to apply their own paint, layer by layer, to give the reborn a more life like appearance. While doing so they can add realistic details like veins to the doll.

After baking in the new paint skin on the doll, the reborn artists add hand blown glass eyes, individually rooted hairs and many other elements which make the dolls insanely life like. Some of these dolls look so much like the real thing that you can’t tell the difference between the doll or a real baby until you are right up close.

Reborn Berenguer dolls are pampered and treated like members of the family by many owners. This can cause issues as people have called the police because of “babies” being left in cars. Police have broken windows to rescue these children or pulled drivers over for not having the proper safety seating for their child.

It seems most everyone is collecting something these days from antique cars to salt and pepper shakers, and doll collecting is one of the most popular. In fact, doll collecting is the second largest collectible category – stamp collecting is #1. Does that mean it’s too late for you to get started with your collection? Of course not, but you do have to do a little more work to find vintage collectible dolls at bargain prices. There are 4 important steps you need to take to get your doll collecting off on the right foot.

1. What Kind of vintage collectible dolls are you going to collect?

Once you start looking, you are going to find there are hundreds of choices and you might want to narrow it down to few particular dolls. For instance, dolls made by a particular manufacturer such as Mattel, or cloth, wood, composition, plastic, or porcelain dolls are some of the possibilities. Another choice is to collect dolls by name like Barbie, Madame Alexander, Ginny, Crissy… Even then, some of these dolls can be narrowed down to a particular era, style, or character. Your decision may depend on how easy it is to find the particular dolls you want to collect.

2. Where do you find the vintage collectible dolls you want to collect?

During the 1970’s and 1980’s, it was pretty easy to find doll treasures at garage sales. And, because the sellers did not know they had a valuable collectible doll, you could get them for just a few dollars or even pennies. You may still find a special doll you are looking for at a garage sale, but with more people aware of their value, you are more likely to find them in vintage specialty shops and on the internet. Other good places to look are estate sales, flea markets, and auctions like eBay. Whether you are buying a doll you can see and touch or from a picture and description, always try to make sure the doll you are getting is authentic.

3. How do you know the vintage collectible dolls you are buying is original?

Sometimes it may be difficult to determine whether a doll is an original. You have to know what to look for, and there are books available with this information. Dolls will often have markings, on their back or neck, and may include the manufacturer and the year and country where it was manufactured. Another way to identify the dolls authenticity is to know the characteristics and original clothing of the particular doll. You also want a doll that has been taken care of and is in good condition.

4. How do you take care of your vintage collectible dolls?

Once you have your dolls, you will want to enjoy them and to continue to take very good care of them. If you are lucky enough to find a vintage doll in it’s original clothing – keep it! Vintage dolls dressed in modern clothing are not as valuable as dolls that are all original. It is very important that you always keep your dolls away from sunlight or bright light of any kind for that matter. Not only does the light cause fading, it can also cause deterioration. A climate controlled room provides the best environment. Rooms that are too hot or too cold and rooms that are damp can cause dolls to mold, mildew, warp or crack. Storing dolls in plastic containers can also cause them to mold and mildew. The best way to store your dolls is usually inside a closed cabinet to prevent dust from collecting on them, possibly ruining their hair and clothes.

Above all, your doll collecting adventure should be fun. If you do your homework you will feel more confident with each doll you add to your collection. Take proper care of your vintage collectible dolls, and they should bring you as much joy as the little girls who loved them in the past.

Making your own doll house is a great way to spend some quality time with your children and to encourage their own creativity. It’s also a great way to teach them the value of reuse. Actually making the doll house, though, can be frustrating when you’re not sure how to go about it.

Here are 5 helpful tips for making your own doll house without the frustration.

1. Plan Your Doll House

Most of us aren’t blessed with the ability to play it by ear on a large project and have everything turn out. You should have a good idea what you want the finished product to be, and how everything will fit together. Know where you need to cut, why, and clearly mark “this side up” where needed to keep yourself oriented. There’s nothing worse that getting most of the way done, only to realize that one of the pieces won’t fit because it was upside down!

If you do wing it, keep detailed notes about what you did so that you can repeat the process when your neighbor wants one for their kids.

2. Involve Your Children

Unless the doll house is being made as a gift for one of the children, it’s best to involve them in the entire process. The act of making something from scratch, of constructing it and seeing it take form is very healthy for a child and encourages their own creativity and confidence. While it’s tempting to think that it would be faster to just do it yourself, involve your kids and enjoy the experience, no matter how long it takes.

Do be safe, and keep track of the scissors and exacto knife at all times!

3. Make It Durable

Doll houses are made for playing, so focus on making it durable. You can also make it fancy if you and your kids want, but durable should come first. They’ll have much more fun with a doll house that lasts years, rather than one that falls apart after a couple of play sessions.

Cardboard is a convenient and inexpensive building material, but isn’t known for being durable. The edges of cardboard are danger spots, as young arms might reach over a wall into a doll house. You can reinforce the edges with wood scraps from any other projects you might have going on to create an edge that will hold up to abuse.

4. Use What You Have

It’s tempting to go to the craft store and buy everything you need for a doll house new. But it sends a better message to your children, and is cheaper, to use materials you already have around the house.

An empty paper towel tube, for example, can become a dining room chair or a painted column. Be prepared to learn from experience what works and what doesn’t. For example, old popsicle sticks might work as the surface and legs of a dining room table, or the sides of a stroller. But craft sticks are cheap enough and far more durable.

5. Accept What Comes

The chances are good that something won’t go according to plan. Rather than fume about it, just accept it as something new in the plan and continue on as best as you can. If the window isn’t exactly where you wanted it, well the view’s probably better from the new location anyway.

I was recently asked how you go about cleaning a porcelain doll’s hair. A porcelain doll does require special care. Porcelain is a ceramic which is made by heating raw material (clay) to an extremely high temperature in a kiln and are generally a collector item. A porcelain doll’s hair is a wig that is glued on and is made from either a synthetic material or from real human hair. Cleaning the hair is not complicated but it is a process that will require patience and gentle handling.

Here is what you will need to do:

For dolls with synthetic hair:

Using only your fingers remove the wig base from the doll. Using a tool will scratch the porcelain. Slowly pull the wig free from the head. Take it slow and careful, spraying on a bit of water if you need. Once you have the wig removed, wet with cool water.

Once you have the hair completely wet, use a “window cleaner” which will remove the dirt. Work it gently through the hair and rinse thoroughly.

Next, use a hair conditioner and work it gently through the hair. Rinse thoroughly.

A pet brush is a good choice as the metal tines are less likely to damage the base. A wide tooth comb will work as well.

Allow the hair to dry thoroughly.

You will need to paint on a thin coat of white glue and gently put the wig on the doll. Make sure it is in place and hold down until you feel the glue become tacky. Wipe off any glue that you can see. Set aside and let the glue set.

For wigs made from human hair:

Remove the wig in the same manner; using your fingers and gently remove the wig. If you get to a stubborn spot, spray with water and continue pulling away from the head. Be patient and work slowly.

Once removed, use a hair pick or wide tooth comb to work through the hair. If you are having trouble combing through the hair, you can use a spray on detangler. Again, be gentle.

Let the wig soak in a detergent for approximately 10 minutes (one designed for delicates is best).

Remove the wig and set it aside on a towel.

With fresh cold water in your sink, add cap full of white vinegar and gently rinse the wig. The vinegar will help remove all of the detergent.

Move the wig to a towel for drying. Use a towel large enough so that you can fold the sides/ends up and blot out as much water as you can. Transfer the wig to a dry towel. I like to run a wide tooth comb gently through the wig before I lay it out to dry completely.

Once the wig is completely dry, you will need to re-glue it to the doll. Using white glue, paint a bit on the dolls head careful to only put the glue when the hair will cover it. Slip the wig onto the head and hold it in place until you feel the glue become tacky. Wipe off any excess glue that may be visible. Set aside and let the glue dry thoroughly.

You will not need to do this often but good maintenance will ensure the longevity of your precious porcelain doll.

Since the early 1990’s doll enthusiasts have expressed a desire for baby dolls that look real. At that time the art of reborning emerged. Reborning is basically taking a high quality vinyl doll and adding extra enhancements. The doll artist often adds veining and multiple layers of flesh-colored paint to give a mottled appearance to the skin of the doll. Blushing is added not only to the face but the hands and feet to give the doll a healthy glow. Paint is applied to finger and toe nails to differentiate between the nail bed and the whiter tip. The hair will be hand rooted enabling the doll collector to choose how full or how thin the hair should be. There is no question, these dolls are gorgeous. But, all of these enhancements come at a dear price.

I have been a doll collector for years and have seen these dolls first hand at doll shows. While breathtakingly realistic, I personally have never been able to justify the cost of these one-of-a-kind dolls. That is why I am so excited about a new technique that was introduced by Apple Valley Doll Works, a division of Secrist Doll Company, that brings a new level of realism to dolls without the hours of hand painting required of a doll artist. This technique is called Inner Glow. Inner Glow uses a specially formulated blue dye that is applied on the inside of extra-light, semi-transparent vinyl to mimic the undertones of a baby’s skin, thereby adding depth and richness resulting in baby dolls that look real. A light layer of blushing is applied to face, arms and legs. Inner Glow is available on newly released 17-inch and 19-inch facial expressions from Apple Valley Doll Works and the manufacturer has plans to expand the offering to additional expressions at a later date.

A few words are warranted to describe the vinyl itself. The extra light, semi-transparent vinyl has a soft touch. If you squeeze the vinyl, there is a slight give to that body part. This more natural feel to the vinyl again replicates the softness you experience from a touch to human skin.

The lifelike dolls created with the Inner Glow extra-light, semi-transparent vinyl are collectible dolls for adults or older children. Due to the more fragile nature of this vinyl, they should not be considered as a play doll for a young child.

Although there is an upcharge for the application of Inner Glow to the extra-light vinyl, doll collectors no longer have to pay a premium price for baby dolls that look real. The price point for an Inner Glow doll is within reach of a broader base of doll collectors.

Are you ready for your own baby dolls that look real created with Inner Glow?

The 1950s have often been called the golden age of American dolls, and Madame Alexander was certainly at the forefront in the production of beautiful dolls. Madame Alexander, or Beatrice Alexander Behrman, founded her company in 1923. Made exquisitely in cloth during the early days, it was a hit with dolls collectors. Most of them represent fictional characters such as Alice in Wonderland, the Little Women and characters from the novels of Charles Dickens.

After reading “Gone With The Wind”, a fantastic book from Margaret Mitchell, she requested and received permission from MGM to make a Scarlett O’Hara doll. This is done before the book is brought to the screen and it is unbelievable how closely Madame Alexander’s Scarlett O’Hara doll matched the actress, Vivien Leigh, who would eventually play as her. With around 80 years of history, Madame Alexander’s dolls have progressed from made from cloth to a vibrant mix of colors and fabrics reminiscent of the ante-bellum era to plastic.

Awarded the prestigious Fashion Academy Gold Medal for excellence in costuming in 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1954, Madame Alexander’s dolls are synonyms of quality, beauty and class. The wide success of Scarlett O’Hara dolls, drove Madame Alexander to produce even more beautiful dolls based on the movie. Made to last and with hundreds of coats and dresses of various prints and trim detailing (most Scarlett dolls wore either a straw hat or a fabric bonnet), Scarlett O’Hara dolls have definitely evolved from an adaptation of the book to a product line that can stand by itself.

The “Gone With The Wind” Collection dates from the early days, when the movie was released, right up to the present day. You can now find a doll for nearly every character in the movie! Intricately made with great attention to details and creativity, these dolls are definitely great collectibles and a must-have for all “Gone With The Wind” collectors.

There seem to be a lot of people out there who simply think that kids doll houses are nothing more than silly toys that kids play with. The thing is though, while they might be toys, they are toys that come with a lot of different benefits.

One thing that the kids doll houses will do is to make sure that the children are really starting to put their imagination to use. You might think that any old toy could do that, but they are something special. They allow kids to re-enact things that they have seen and heard at home. You might hear one doll scold a child for not putting his toys away. If you start to listen to the play that is taking place with the dollhouse, you might be surprised to recognize a lot of what is being said. Oh course, there is then going to be the child’s chance to take matters into their own hands and play house the way they imagine they would handle their own adult life.

Believe it or not, kids doll houses also give children the chance to learn some socialization skills, both when they are playing with other children and when they are playing by themselves. Even when they are playing with their dollhouses on their own, they learn to express themselves and interact with others by playing out certain social instances in their doll house.

Also, the playing in the doll house will help a lot of children express their thoughts, feelings, worries and happiness. This is easily done because it is not the child’s feelings that are coming out, at least in the eyes of the child, but it is the dolls talking. As you can see, there are a lot of great uses for the doll houses. You simply have to allow your child to play with it and use it to the best of their ability.

Even if you think that your child does not have the best imagination in the world, allowing him or her to make use of kids doll houses is a great idea. And yes, boys can play with them too. Maybe your boy will want to play with his sister and he could pretend to be the dad or the son in the house. Also, there are now starting to be a lot more doll houses that are a little more gender neutral than they were in the past.

Now that you have a little better of an ideas as to just how great having them for your kids can be, you are going to want to buy one or two. Make sure that you are taking your time and that you are purchasing the best one for your money. Get a quality doll house made of sturdy materials so that your child can play with it for many years to come.

Baby doll lingerie is one type of sexy lingerie that flatters almost every figure, from the full-bodied woman to the petite. Baby doll lingerie is also a classic style, dating back to the fifties. Baby doll lingerie has been in fashion for over 50 years, and that says a lot about its appeal to women of all ages, shapes and sizes. The popularity is due, in part, to the fact that baby doll screams young, innocent, and cute. What woman can argue with that?

Baby dolls are basically short, sleeveless negligees with shaped cups and loose fitting skirts (usually hitting mid-thigh or a little higher), but there are many types and styles available. The options include sheer baby doll lingerie, exotic print babydolls, and lace babydoll lingerie. Some favorite fabrics for baby doll lingerie are silk, nylon and chiffon. These are often trimmed with ruffles, lace, fur, bows or ribbons–and sometimes even several of these at once for an extremely sexy or risqué babydoll twist.

And sexy is what babydolls are all about, especially ones that come with matching panties, often thongs or g-strings. A sweet, sexy style like that is sure to make babydolls a big hit with the man in your life.

Lingerie Online

When shopping for baby doll lingerie, browse online from the privacy of your home. This is far different from when women of the 50s had to go into department stores to purchase risqué lingerie and felt as if the sales clerk was looking on with distaste. There is no more embarrassment, and online shopping has made it easier than ever to buy any type of sexy lingerie without a woman feeling she has a scarlet letter attached to her blouse!

Shopping Tips for Necklines

Some tips for purchasing baby doll lingerie include looking for a neckline complimentary to your bust line. Many babydoll lingerie pieces have V-necklines with built-in push-up cups. This type of neckline is great for anyone with a small bust or one that needs some lift to look its best. Scoop neck lines that are curved are good for full-busted women. If you’re petite, stay away from too many ruffles around the neckline of your baby doll lingerie because ruffles tend to overpower your face–and bust.

Color My World

Consider the color and pattern when shopping for baby doll lingerie. Red may scream sexy, but not if it’s the one color that makes you look as if you’ve had the flu or your skin already has pinkish tones. Choose colors that are flattering to your skin tone and hair color, just as you would for any type of clothing. Be wary of exotic patterns that can overpower and put too much tart into the innocent but sexy look you’re aiming for.

Soft and Soothing

Finally, think about the fabrics. This may sound negligible, but soft and comfortable fabric is important if you’re planning to wear your baby doll lingerie often, and easy care is important too. Fabrics like silk may not be your best choice. That’s okay, because nylon makes a great substitute and is much more washer-friendly. After all, baby doll lingerie should bring extra fun into your life, not extra work!

Founded in 1922, Cameo Doll Company primarily produced wooden dolls but they also created dolls made of bisque, vinyl, hard plastic, and celluloid. Most of the designs were made by Joseph Kallus who also designed for other doll manufacturers such as Effanbee Corporation and Ideal Novelty and Toy Company. Cameo was also the manufacturer of Kewpie dolls made in the US. The Cameo Company was acquired by Strombecker Corporation in the 1970’s and the operation was relocated to Chicago.

The first few batches of Cameo dolls did not bear any of their labels but doll made later were marked on their heads, back, or feet with “Cameo”. In 1971, they have also added on their label the tag S71. Some collectible dolls from Cameo are as follows:

1) Kewpie (1909) –

The baby doll was designed by Rose O’Neill which was initially produced in Ohrdruf Germany. The Kewpie dolls made by Cameo measured 2 ½ to 12 inches and bear a read heart paper label on its chest with the marking of its patent. Some also had the signature of O’Neill on their foot. The character doll was characterized by its side glancing eyes, molded and painted hair, pursed smiling mouth, legs are molded together while the shoulders are jointed.

2) Baby Bundie (1921 t0 1925)

The first Baby Bundie dolls were first made by the Rex Doll Company in 1918 and then by Mutual Doll Company from 1919 to 1921. But in 1921, Cameo started producing these dolls and these were still designed by Joseph Kallus.

3) Wooden Dolls from 1929 to 1940’s (Bandy, Pete the Pup, Superman, Ginger, Feliz the Cat, Popeye)

The wooden segmented dolls became one of Cameo’s popular creations and its height usually ranges from 9 inches to 16 inches. It is composed of a hard wooden body and head with a paper label on its chest.

4) Affectionately Peanut (1958)

Measuring 18.5 inches, Peanut is an all-vinyl doll came with a Kewpie Playmate with features such as sleep eyes, drink-wet, and real eye lashes. The doll also coos when squeezed and cries when her legs are pinched. This model was also a reissue from the 1930’s original Peanut yet its head is fashioned after the 1956 doll called Dyp-A-Babe.

5) Ho Ho (1965)

Probably one of the most sought after collection, this 7-inch tall doll was the last that was design created by Rose O’ Neill in the 1940’s. The doll is composed of soft vinyl with a squeaker feature and looks like a smiling Buddha.

Anyone who is into collecting antiques will find a wide selection of character doll series from Cameo. There were several other dolls created by the company such as the cartoon characters of Walt Disney. People who are interested in collecting them should also scour the internet for doll manufactured by the company from 1922 to the 1970’s.