Dr. E's Doll Museum Blog: Dolls really are Everywhere!

Dr. E's Doll Museum Blog: Dolls really are Everywhere!:  No kidding, watch the Lemon Aid ads for male ED; in the background is an Ashanti fertility doll.  The same doll appears on the set of Will ...

American Doll and Toy Museum Update

 

I thought it might be time for an update.  Our museum progresses, and we only have one case to move in.  I’m creating labels with my intern, Larissa, who is enthusiastic, intelligent, and very helpful.  We finished loading an Alice themed case, and a case with artist and other dolls donated by our friend Harriet Brinker, which is also our tribute to the UFDC.

 

We have finished a case of primarily china heads, and another with antiques and some of our Shirley Temples.

 

Many friends have visited us while we are in progress to offer moral support, which is always appreciated.  I work here 7 days a week, and it is often a lot of cleaning, moving heavy things, and basically, hot work.  We do have air conditioning, but I am still going in and out a lot.

 

Also caring for our flowers and lawn, with the help of J. Cooper of CMS Snow, who is also a generous donor.

 

I’ve loaded a gorgeous baby carriage from Jan Walker with reborns from the Ann Sheley collection, and also have a great alpine German doll house with furnishings from my neighbor, Suzie Crawford.

 

We are working on a grant with Larissa, and my husband setup Square for our gift shop, memberships, and admission.

 

Our admission will be $5 with $3 for Seniors and Veterans and $1 kids under 12.  We will also have days where admission will be free.  We always appreciate donations in our jar, though they are not expected.

 

Our toys are arriving, too.  We are hanging model airplanes and puppets from the ceiling, and we hope to host a car show with a special viewing display of our own pedal cars, Hot Wheels and other toy cars and boats.

 

Our board game display is also taking shape, and we will be adding computer games.  I’m hoping to get to the toy museum in Branson in the fall for inspiration, too.

 

Happy Collecting!  Thanks for following us!

I'm on Patrick Miner's Podcast!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/849880/8827056-children-play-alongside-cultural-anthropology

Children play alongside Cultural Anthropology

 

Museum Update; The State of the Doll House

 

Today started out as another Monday with a lot of potential to go wrong.  So, I gave up and went thrifting for awhile.  I read everything, and have started to read the Bible cover to cover, but have also binge read Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum novels.  They are clever, but simple, and they make me laugh.  In college, I had a good friend named Janet Dijanovich.  That may be another reason I like her books so much.  Still, I get to the museum.  We are trying to build frames to encase the shelves already up, and need to move glass cases around.  We also need to move more glass cases into the building.

 

As the photos show, we’ve done some landscaping.  Our biggest expense is building maintenance; I have been paying out of pocket with my own money.  Until we can open, this is my only option.  We need financial donations, but we truly thank all of our friends and mentors who have donated cases, dolls, toys, stands, furniture, books, etc.  We do not sell our donations, and have provided homes for treasured items for those who could no longer keep them.

 

I put together a case of international costume dolls, primarily the former collection of Mrs. Doris Olson of Do Travel; she collected them on trips all over the world.  I began collecting with these types of dolls, and I still am very fond of them and look for them everywhere.

 

I have been dressing and repairing dolls where needed, and refurbishing toys.  Today, I added Chinese Checkers and a Texas Hold ‘Em set to our board games. I also added a small super soaker type water gun; believe it or not, these water guns have a huge following of collectors. 

 

I am rearranging some of the shelves, and making labels for displays.  Also, unpacking and repacking some things as I arrange the displays.

 

We hope to open late summer, but I’ll keep you posted.  One of our first programs will be geared towards helping the local food pantries.  We will also get our puppet theater going, and our Fairy Land display assembled.

 

Thank you to those who support this page and my other pages on dolls, Dr. R., Antique Doll, and Dr. E’s Doll Museum.  I will also post this on our American Doll and Toy Museum Blog.  Thanks to those who have supported my Ellen Tsagaris, aka Liz Borden authors page, and our family business page, On Guard Security.

 

My book, Thinking outside the Doll House, a Memoir, is being sold in paperback, hard back, and eBook format.  It is available online at Austin Macaulay, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, and elsewhere.  I’ve found it is being sold around the world.  Proceeds go tot support the museum.

 

We will move forward, and recover from the months we were shut down by COVID.  Hopefully, we are all now healthy and recovered, and life will follow its usual rhythm and routine.  Good luck to all, happy collecting, and again a big thank you to all who have helped us.  More updates will follow.

Miss Charlotte Bronte meets Miss Barbara Pym: Pymian Material Culture

Miss Charlotte Bronte meets Miss Barbara Pym: Pymian Material Culture:   Material Culture   Happy Mother’s Day, a day I can no longer celebrate since I lost my mom and my aunt, but all the same.   I was ...

What I've Done the Last Two Weeks for the Museum

 Like many of you, I'm playing catch-up.  I was out of commission for six weeks during March and April, and am still tired.  I've dealt with insane neighbors, helped relatives with problems, run my house and my families', dealt with taxes, yard work, housework, pet 1.needs, etc.  I've read several books, and tried to write and make some progress.  Here is a list of what I've done for the museum.

International Dolls and Items from Doris Olson Collection

1.Moved and transported boxes of dolls and related items.

2. Attended a doll show to make some money for the museum.

3. Moved and arranged a case dedicated to the international costume dolls of Mrs. Doris Olson.

4. Repaired several dolls.

5. Began writing labels for dolls in museum displays.

6. Unpacked more older dolls and organized them for display.

7.  Furnished several doll houses.

8.  Did some doll shopping and hunting.

9. Dressed dolls.

10. Organized doll clothes.

11. General cleaning in museum.

12. Financed lawn care and landscaping in museum.

13. Put up modest Cinco de Mayo decorations.

14. Planned a podcast for the museum.

15.  Wrote thank you letters to donors.

16. Fielded questions from nosy neighbors.

17. Worked on social media to make sure we get "out there."

I also did a million other little things.  I hardly sleep.  some days, I run around for my family's estate matters, all day.  Just try to get a notary public these days!

So, we are hoping for a late summer opening, but keep your doll fingers crossed.  Happy Collecting, and Good Luck!

Kane County Doll Show

 My friend Diane and I set up at Kane County doll show, one of the first shows to take place after Covid 19. I offered small items like vintage jewelry, a few doll clothes, smalls, a doll/garden basket, a few small vintage dolls, and my book. I also offered customized doll hats I made.

Diane did well with vintage and antique doll clothes, small bisque dolls, and doll accessories.

My sales were good; we exceeded profits from the last three shows I did; this is only my 4th show, though I do online sales when I can.  All profits go to the museum.  Below are some of my pictures.

There were over 100 people milling around, plus 52 dealers.  Prices were good, up in many areas, including collectors' dolls like Franklin Mint, vintage Barbies out of the box in  played with condition, Barbie and other clothes, and celebrity dolls.

A Twist N Turn Barbie sold for 90.00.  A Twist N Turn Barbie for 70.  An 18 inch ByeLo Baby with broken celluloid hands, otherwise good condition, was priced at 295.00. French bebes, various companies, were around 4,000.00.  A 24 inch flat top china head in red costume was 300.00.

There was a brisk trade in doll trims, material, and doll clothes.  CPKs were popular, selling around 10.00.  

 

Portrait Madame Alexanders were climbing at 125.00 each, up from 20.00 at the September show I attended in Iowa.  

We mourned the loss of Mary Ann Kiefer of Ragamuffin dolls, and extend sympathy to her family .  She died Feb. 28, 2021.  Also, Ellen Dodge of Ducks and Dolls has moved.  Apparently, she and her husband have moved.  Also met Kewpie 83, who took video of our booth.  Look for her Vlog on YouTube.