tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78289887572809379902024-03-08T08:05:15.148-07:00DIY Doll StringingHelping you restring, repair, and restore your vintage strung composition and hard plastic dollsKatharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-62660474968335372672022-10-03T10:00:00.001-06:002022-10-03T10:00:00.175-06:00Love the Hunt<p>You may have noticed my recent post about my <a href="https://www.dollstringing.com/2022/09/50s-doll-haul.html" target="_blank">50s doll haul</a>. One thing about me is that I love the hunt, so I'm frequently thrifting and checking sites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist for local doll lots and finds.</p><p>I've always enjoyed thrifting, but I've gotten more savvy at it in the last ten years or so. Knowing what you're looking for when you go to the thrift store really helps. Plus, it helps to know what thrift stores frequently have vintage dolls. There's a thrift store right around the corner from me that often has vintage dolls in the case, for instance. I guess the neighborhood must be full of older people selling their things... or kids moving their parents into assisted living and getting rid of their things. Maybe some of it is adult children going through their parents' things after they've passed, too.</p><p>In addition, I've learned through collecting more modern dolls how often vintage doll lots are listed for sale locally by people who don't really care how much the dolls are worth. One lot I picked up once was owned by the seller's great-aunt-in-law who had gone into assisted living, for example, and another time I picked up a woman's own childhood dolls. The lot the other day belonged to a woman about my age (I'm 42) who was selling her childhood dolls. Given how many of the dolls in that lot were from right about 1954, I'm wondering if they were her mom's once upon a time.</p><p>I'm sure there are often sad stories between why the dolls end up being sold or given away, but I like to think of myself as fixing them up for a new life as collectors' dolls. I hope their former owners would appreciate me making them beautiful again and either loving them myself, or passing them on to another collector to love.</p><p>All the thrifting I do has taught me to love the hunt. Once upon a time I only ever bought my dolls on eBay or in doll stores. Sometimes they needed to be fixed up, but they were much more often in collector doll condition that way. Plus you tend to pay more when you buy dolls that are properly identified and marketed to a national (or international!) audience.</p><p>Thrifting and doll hunting is much more of a crapshoot - I never know when I open Marketplace what I'll find, or whether they'll have any dolls when I walk into the thrift store - but it's so satisfying when you do find a doll. Plus the prices are typically a fraction of what you'd pay on eBay or purchasing from another collector.</p><p>Do you thrift or check local sales sites such as Marketplace and Craigslist? What treasures have you found?</p>Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-39539514800954914782022-09-30T13:53:00.005-06:002022-10-01T19:11:52.543-06:0050s Doll Haul<p style="text-align: left;">I have collected 50s dolls for 22ish years now, but it was only recently that I learned to watch local listings for local finds - or perhaps it's just been that Facebook Marketplace has more recently provided a good place to buy and sell dolls. Modern dolls come up more often as parents get rid of their kids' toys, but sometimes vintage dolls come up, too.</p><p style="text-align: left;">In any case, recently I picked up a whole under-bed plastic bin full of small 50s dolls, plus a couple of more modern 8-inch Madame Alexanders. I bought it from a lady about my age (early 40s) who was selling her childhood dolls. I don't know the story or why she had some 50s dolls, but I saw them and snapped them up.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6ZbkjHPc1_n-0C5e89gaZeGOOX3DK-aovxrN_PMXzAPuDz-7UzHUI7xajfewt7QIHWoLnaIhg963kJ-a6pAdkPu3KKDYswhSYFZqF3JWh9fkCDru9n9LGv_JDnuUZsVkof1kk3KXaNCelIqj6WLIWJz9K6Zj6lU51xyBoM3soNCN5iK8Zg-thbe6/s1277/Doll%20haul.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="1277" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6ZbkjHPc1_n-0C5e89gaZeGOOX3DK-aovxrN_PMXzAPuDz-7UzHUI7xajfewt7QIHWoLnaIhg963kJ-a6pAdkPu3KKDYswhSYFZqF3JWh9fkCDru9n9LGv_JDnuUZsVkof1kk3KXaNCelIqj6WLIWJz9K6Zj6lU51xyBoM3soNCN5iK8Zg-thbe6/w400-h224/Doll%20haul.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">The pictures were all group pictures and didn't do a great job of showing the dolls, but I knew there were some treasures in there, so I couldn't wait to get home and go through everything. Sure enough, in that box I found a 1954 Muffie in a correct dress...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzAOOOJ8vx8_wTwARHnK7x_aJ-7FwqGpiXMAJuBAGngHrnEsLCWNMTkR-aNcdnNHeKUaUbO3ZBsFgR525HI3QkaxOtdKaSZoV6k_J6hY-DS00nh6tRyCJLjraSmJd1vl2UHFfBkMDmIe1xfnyZCGG7DChwTnromOt8nxNFUHeCjNhxCym4QWJa__w/s680/Muffie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="611" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzAOOOJ8vx8_wTwARHnK7x_aJ-7FwqGpiXMAJuBAGngHrnEsLCWNMTkR-aNcdnNHeKUaUbO3ZBsFgR525HI3QkaxOtdKaSZoV6k_J6hY-DS00nh6tRyCJLjraSmJd1vl2UHFfBkMDmIe1xfnyZCGG7DChwTnromOt8nxNFUHeCjNhxCym4QWJa__w/w360-h400/Muffie.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">Two 1954 Vogue Ginny dolls, one in a 1955 dress and one in an unidentified ski outfit...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQluVhnzmbcgOhKIPGm0vE739sCuv1nw6yi89QFOOlYkFjh-Jqa_UbCwEXbtX_HRqCu3VVTInOdUvFeqm_zGdWcZOi-vPFYQtfE6QCSFSn6a0pS36a0j9SfVgjQElGOIa76jOUZeDHSPwiU2brCg9ehl_gFASHmQ3C-AXceJjaQccq8vgdOU55lgc/s657/Ginny%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="507" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQluVhnzmbcgOhKIPGm0vE739sCuv1nw6yi89QFOOlYkFjh-Jqa_UbCwEXbtX_HRqCu3VVTInOdUvFeqm_zGdWcZOi-vPFYQtfE6QCSFSn6a0pS36a0j9SfVgjQElGOIa76jOUZeDHSPwiU2brCg9ehl_gFASHmQ3C-AXceJjaQccq8vgdOU55lgc/w309-h400/Ginny%201.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1U2PtkCYZs1kdtA_NpCNR2fhbt9ovFduatxhQpmxUrvogTgj321XPUAEgtPxjA7euGWfJR7adoAdH_7UHtxlp8QQN8-Wae3ioKjx333OHn1v0XEDnxy68rqzwX41lY-swrshnknfPCCHrCw312Z8d7TDjnO1eyD31ef-DXDe7-12brxjmR5Op0U8/s668/Ginny%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="493" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1U2PtkCYZs1kdtA_NpCNR2fhbt9ovFduatxhQpmxUrvogTgj321XPUAEgtPxjA7euGWfJR7adoAdH_7UHtxlp8QQN8-Wae3ioKjx333OHn1v0XEDnxy68rqzwX41lY-swrshnknfPCCHrCw312Z8d7TDjnO1eyD31ef-DXDe7-12brxjmR5Op0U8/w295-h400/Ginny%202.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">A 1954 or 1955 Madame Alexander straight legged walker Alexander-kins...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXN-MwNBE_ZGC6YYZa9enK4mneR8L3tQmlMF2PfLbEhCL8rdenNqZ0-DDT-cjh-iJz5Uzj2gJxpvA9wEFgadoU6Qn52fKsIRLfJkbe_efLZD5R7D9-xyp9cRs_lVZN50q5bIgP4_ml8LkvJUiIvNT5Y0v1B16IlrxfG_8LC3o_sfTsoyuc9RofsKOq/s690/Alex.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="516" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXN-MwNBE_ZGC6YYZa9enK4mneR8L3tQmlMF2PfLbEhCL8rdenNqZ0-DDT-cjh-iJz5Uzj2gJxpvA9wEFgadoU6Qn52fKsIRLfJkbe_efLZD5R7D9-xyp9cRs_lVZN50q5bIgP4_ml8LkvJUiIvNT5Y0v1B16IlrxfG_8LC3o_sfTsoyuc9RofsKOq/w299-h400/Alex.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">A couple of other 50s/60s off brand dolls...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGF3AAgCHq9xuUf_pupqv82jZaNiBpL25dHteRCmz6YxWGV4WYyEYNk0AyHh-uIz2yPP21CQlMaUmBor8ydMLBonPnV7NSC6mi3fBimxlhvrX5rxaJ5mKTWyIY72ziBmfNJnwCw_l6asdZnAGdLxE16bFZBbRhOoULbmvhrC5YsceLrgUK7dLeOSUq/s690/Ginger%20clone.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGF3AAgCHq9xuUf_pupqv82jZaNiBpL25dHteRCmz6YxWGV4WYyEYNk0AyHh-uIz2yPP21CQlMaUmBor8ydMLBonPnV7NSC6mi3fBimxlhvrX5rxaJ5mKTWyIY72ziBmfNJnwCw_l6asdZnAGdLxE16bFZBbRhOoULbmvhrC5YsceLrgUK7dLeOSUq/w366-h400/Ginger%20clone.jpg" width="366" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTMfRTaRmOCDto3dHhrQY9S4zSxbQv8nCDrBHpABVJuDp70ZY6_yM8JXLpxXAgA1XHbFNM76tWA0f3kMn6qmiURr03GMrQQt7T4pCxvAg7egLYzn4SnaqOlT2aR_ANxcoa6gHGPHzlWfaypIB1qAdlQH2XMhu7GAelsiWsyQIjsapDWv6BNHYF6Tb/s718/Pam.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="617" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTMfRTaRmOCDto3dHhrQY9S4zSxbQv8nCDrBHpABVJuDp70ZY6_yM8JXLpxXAgA1XHbFNM76tWA0f3kMn6qmiURr03GMrQQt7T4pCxvAg7egLYzn4SnaqOlT2aR_ANxcoa6gHGPHzlWfaypIB1qAdlQH2XMhu7GAelsiWsyQIjsapDWv6BNHYF6Tb/w344-h400/Pam.jpg" width="344" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">A couple of Vogue Ginnette dolls...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47fzPfu7cttNHp6I3V-o6qxVgMt6TKcd9LK769Rd-LDVR4yJ0EGW_jJ8SCq6pJXqwDn-RQXQNI6aNj9QRw6wFJuSlCjw_vCIRJnud85rKnEYsNggOV19thLM38thZLQLukMaUmevZ1BsfUWny22dzk2ZK4yrBwLpVOJaT_-A5QIb9Uw0c-1wRFWcI/s827/Ginettes%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="827" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47fzPfu7cttNHp6I3V-o6qxVgMt6TKcd9LK769Rd-LDVR4yJ0EGW_jJ8SCq6pJXqwDn-RQXQNI6aNj9QRw6wFJuSlCjw_vCIRJnud85rKnEYsNggOV19thLM38thZLQLukMaUmevZ1BsfUWny22dzk2ZK4yrBwLpVOJaT_-A5QIb9Uw0c-1wRFWcI/w400-h345/Ginettes%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4urW5__t9fNUjqJiLalS-VbAr9Fw83Su_fqbwk6rgqt2m7JfdqX_oVoPeQATPF4dKhThMQsFeEgeQp7Kzp3xPfRhqd_rerMXy4-YRPwRf7R8amcFh-OV-XCkoJzxtX3QhD6QexbB3H9asuu5L8hs26aRH6HLEuFgy44kWV7RWkGv1GWNF7iCVXBH/s712/Ginettes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline-width: 0px; user-select: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="712" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4urW5__t9fNUjqJiLalS-VbAr9Fw83Su_fqbwk6rgqt2m7JfdqX_oVoPeQATPF4dKhThMQsFeEgeQp7Kzp3xPfRhqd_rerMXy4-YRPwRf7R8amcFh-OV-XCkoJzxtX3QhD6QexbB3H9asuu5L8hs26aRH6HLEuFgy44kWV7RWkGv1GWNF7iCVXBH/w400-h400/Ginettes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">Plus some Ginnette clothes, a couple of newer Madame Alexander dolls, and some other miscellaneous dolls and things.</p><p style="text-align: left;">All the dolls need to be cleaned up and restrung, and need some other small repairs here and there, but overall it's a great find! I will take after pictures once I finish their glow ups.</p>Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-11344065693447823692022-09-17T15:55:00.001-06:002022-10-13T00:36:08.697-06:00Website Overhaul... Again<p>I've been working a lot on my visual branding lately, for this and other sites. I wasn't happy with the website overhaul I did on this site a couple weeks ago, so yesterday I decided to work on it some more. I knew better now what I wanted from the template, so I tried out a couple of different templates and designed a header image in Canva before finally settling on an overall appearance for my website.</p><p>I know this has been a rather ignored site for a long time, so I'm trying to revive it with a whole new look and some fresh posts. I am planning to overhaul my restringing ebook as well to reflect my branding, and after that I'll look at getting back to work on the expanded restringing ebook and other tutorials I wanted to offer eventually.</p><p>I have some new posts coming soon, including an exciting thrift store find and a couple of glow ups!</p>Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-22492277904059769822022-09-03T16:36:00.004-06:002022-10-13T00:36:26.189-06:00Making Progress<p>I've mentioned a few times that I'm doing some updates to my blogs and websites, including this one. I had been thinking about moving to another hosting company, but ended up deciding not to, at least for now. But since the blog was very old and outdated, I needed to transfer it over from my hosting platform's FTP publishing, which Blogger no longer uses.</p><p>Well, I've finally finished the long, tedious task of transferring all of this blog's photos over from the original platform, which is a big deal, as it was a big job and also a big problem if you tried to view any of my older posts, as the images simply weren't loading. That was a walk down memory lane for me, though, as I had to open up nearly every single one of my old posts. I didn't read each one closely, but I read enough, and loaded enough old pictures, that it was quite the revelation for me.</p><p>It would have been a shame to lose all the old content, but in some ways, I wish I could have scrapped it all and started over. Those posts were 13 and 14 years old, and I can totally see the difference: in my writing, in my doll repair projects, and especially in my pictures. I take <i>far</i> better photographs now. I was almost ashamed to repost some of those, they were so much beneath my current standards, but I wanted to be true to the original content.</p><p>I also found some inaccuracies. For instance, I've since bought a book on Elise that does a better job of <a href="https://www.dollstringing.com/2008/03/how-to-date-your-early-elise-ballerina.html" target="_blank">dating Elise ballerinas</a>, and I think it's more accurate than the old information.</p><p>So while I'm glad to have all the old photos back up finally, there's still a lot to do. I need to work more on the appearance of the website, plus I have new post ideas and updates and want to post better photos as well. I can't forget too that I still need to figure out a new way to automate selling my ebook.</p><p>So, stay tuned for more changes in the coming weeks, and thank you for your continued patience!</p>Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-27522611977240026792022-08-29T01:49:00.007-06:002022-08-29T01:50:05.644-06:00Thanks for Your Patience!<p>Fixing up my website has been an ordeal. I had to move the blog, so all of the pictures were lost and I'm adding them back in manually. When I moved the blog, I also renamed the website to DIY Doll Stringing (from Doll Stringing Extravaganza), and overhauled the appearance of the entire site. I am not yet satisfied with how it looks, though, so I'm going to tweak it a bit more once I have all the pictures uploaded again.</p><p>I also rewrote several sections of the website, including my doll stringing ebook's sales page. I'm also in the process of making some updates to the ebook, which will be ready soon!</p><p>Thanks for your patience while I make all of these changes. It'll be a little while before everything is completed, but we're getting closer!</p>Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-36593800353289535862022-06-13T00:55:00.001-06:002022-10-13T00:36:32.746-06:00Site Under Construction<p>Don't mind my mess! This website is temporarily under construction while I change hosts and update the site. The buy buttons have therefore been disabled temporarily until I get everything fixed. In the meantime, if you'd like to buy my ebook on how to restring a vintage strung doll, contact me at admin at doll stringing dot com.</p>Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-47038981958820039212009-12-25T18:53:00.000-07:002022-10-13T00:36:45.023-06:00Merry Christmas, from my dolls to yours!I have had a busy year and haven't been blogging or even working on my dolls very much — until recently. I have several projects I am currently working on or planning to work on, so hopefully there will be new stories to share very soon.<br /><br />Here are a few of my Christmas presents to myself:<br /><br />A bent-knee Cosmopolitan Ginger in the Disney mouseketeer outfit, and a Ginger clone in a MIB A&H Julie outfit...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDF__OE1BiS1k7U4z0dATKjIpytNIRO6H066rRFd0aN0WJlZwLrYXbUnHi6KCR3oGFz-s97hDtoO1uAKkrcn2lqRZFUW071nSLGwC0SawFmyhrf6IWKtsA--nJ2RxnIxE8S5Jd3Q30l3JnWgykgzLjcjzQu9j234bdNVkxKgKSszeY7bh4VYJ0oc92" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDF__OE1BiS1k7U4z0dATKjIpytNIRO6H066rRFd0aN0WJlZwLrYXbUnHi6KCR3oGFz-s97hDtoO1uAKkrcn2lqRZFUW071nSLGwC0SawFmyhrf6IWKtsA--nJ2RxnIxE8S5Jd3Q30l3JnWgykgzLjcjzQu9j234bdNVkxKgKSszeY7bh4VYJ0oc92=w377-h400" width="377" /></a></div><br />...and a mint, unopened canister of Ginger shoes, part of a fantastic lot of Ginger dolls and outfits that I was lucky enough to win on eBay.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilVEpyrHFUnFo0gIe01gKVpfZ8YvaPVE56d-IPNlMyJBe7UnxLxJBk2fhS4pfWuZJTQAfuY2lPp-80t9fKN5sz8H5Kj5mYFAR4d6HmvPdWhg3HFs7nyXSDEVIEMrIsNcyvuV98ICFbEx48I8V1swADFwFdz5rTu8Nk16H1h6yGWO6aiplDgOrYqF-A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="450" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilVEpyrHFUnFo0gIe01gKVpfZ8YvaPVE56d-IPNlMyJBe7UnxLxJBk2fhS4pfWuZJTQAfuY2lPp-80t9fKN5sz8H5Kj5mYFAR4d6HmvPdWhg3HFs7nyXSDEVIEMrIsNcyvuV98ICFbEx48I8V1swADFwFdz5rTu8Nk16H1h6yGWO6aiplDgOrYqF-A=w400-h270" width="400" /></a></div><br />Have a very merry Christmas — and may there be dolls under your tree!Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-53515806495382623472009-10-30T12:18:00.000-06:002022-08-25T19:38:47.714-06:00New additions to my collectionI have been too busy for many of my project dolls lately, so I haven't been posting here as much as I used to. However, I <em>have</em> been adding a lot of dolls to my collection.<br /><br />In addition to fixing up "project dolls," I have a couple of boxes full of clothes that I enjoy finding dolls to wear. Just this week, I have found several nude dolls to dress. Here are a few of my newest additions.<br /><br />The Ginger on the left is one I've featured before, <a href="http://www.dollstringing.com/2008/03/some-peoples-trash.html">#444 from 1956</a>. The one in the center is new — a nude with perfect hair that I found and dressed in #226 from 1954/55. The one on the right is another I've had a while, but recently completed her outfit with hat, belt, and lavender socks. The accessories came in a boxed outfit and are correct for this dress.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjG_rgzTxUWjpQTPGiwZp9QVOazIxSXAn5Dvi_MMhTPUp5SvwDA3P81TaxK46i6T3KzRKQOpFveL_zKY_Nu8J84yDhK0dIvonNwtD0UkkDSXVZWnqrbWdQIWcdX4IiWXgJ6o7FRDyWDo1I23zIcmPsB0bPyKOj_MnRFJdNi9KFrja7dlXP2BIxSt9/s450/newginger.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline-width: 0px; user-select: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="450" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjG_rgzTxUWjpQTPGiwZp9QVOazIxSXAn5Dvi_MMhTPUp5SvwDA3P81TaxK46i6T3KzRKQOpFveL_zKY_Nu8J84yDhK0dIvonNwtD0UkkDSXVZWnqrbWdQIWcdX4IiWXgJ6o7FRDyWDo1I23zIcmPsB0bPyKOj_MnRFJdNi9KFrja7dlXP2BIxSt9/w400-h300/newginger.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div>This little sweetheart is a Ginger clone that I've dressed in one of my favorite clone outfits. I'm not sure who the doll is, or who the outfit belongs to. The dress closes with a Greek key snap, which was used by both Cosmopolitan and some of the companies that sold Ginger clones.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bMSvDqvYBgZd5VMBeKKgpu7igOmQ2DQrlQQJCL4jP-cpgrTFsCLTtPvxoykCb81xqaZ4Y5yXl5c62s_VXRvwxqV8b_yYtfA09eMDUVMS3LwjRfTPiE3zS6Vv5eNT1YgvR_9QaQi9AaAbiZ7Wz4kLHBx_SGAqsZZb_ivTW1SRzGRsaGzCG5p7PZO3/s646/newginger1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bMSvDqvYBgZd5VMBeKKgpu7igOmQ2DQrlQQJCL4jP-cpgrTFsCLTtPvxoykCb81xqaZ4Y5yXl5c62s_VXRvwxqV8b_yYtfA09eMDUVMS3LwjRfTPiE3zS6Vv5eNT1YgvR_9QaQi9AaAbiZ7Wz4kLHBx_SGAqsZZb_ivTW1SRzGRsaGzCG5p7PZO3/w279-h400/newginger1.JPG" width="279" /></a></div><br />Next we have a pretty little brunette I just got and dressed in #441 from 1954/55. Although I put the outfit together myself, all of it is correct except the bloomers (she has white taffeta fat pants on, but they should be the same navy waffle weave as the dress). The belt has torn before and is a bit short as a result, but is otherwise correct for the outfit.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSHekYFvCVgVnSsYtt-qbO8OjWgWRS88NmZpLqzK8Ub1y1MdLLZ7dZI8pQ99yW8_D8H8aIbJ0fbAAwHllmm06In6qhiYjBtg0KtjxCS_bHMZyr6q-iGpNpunUWyvPWo5uYJ4vW47Kindp-n36OEz5npulSDMXDFlO2kYKZLB4KtTC8yGNHHm94zqz/s742/newginger2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline-width: 0px !important; user-select: auto !important;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSHekYFvCVgVnSsYtt-qbO8OjWgWRS88NmZpLqzK8Ub1y1MdLLZ7dZI8pQ99yW8_D8H8aIbJ0fbAAwHllmm06In6qhiYjBtg0KtjxCS_bHMZyr6q-iGpNpunUWyvPWo5uYJ4vW47Kindp-n36OEz5npulSDMXDFlO2kYKZLB4KtTC8yGNHHm94zqz/w242-h400/newginger2.JPG" width="242" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This next one is probably my favorite of my new additions. She is wearing an outfit I've featured before: <a href="http://www.dollstringing.com/2009/02/cosmopolitan-ginger-sailor-outfit.html">Ginger's sailor outfit</a>, which I've since discovered is #333 from 1955. I found one for myself, then found the white belt and red ribbon necktie to go with it. The beanie is a lovely crocheted one made by <a href="http://gingerdolls.dk/">Regitze</a> to replace the original red felt beanie.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiovD7_D83EjMpthSFcjIm_Vcf-rVdOgPm6KrHNRmgYoWDq9o7eVRKvJO00IQ7u-SWTxKuo0tjHZmOH5k00OcoEs0D92a1CketUNn2AVLQ5lFacd_ZBp2ZRMBrUWs-Tpg0VQlBuJO5MODD0J8rxVNoCexnYBbJeKSyKWQxv69qzbSw_UGNPuiEaGF/s679/newginger3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiovD7_D83EjMpthSFcjIm_Vcf-rVdOgPm6KrHNRmgYoWDq9o7eVRKvJO00IQ7u-SWTxKuo0tjHZmOH5k00OcoEs0D92a1CketUNn2AVLQ5lFacd_ZBp2ZRMBrUWs-Tpg0VQlBuJO5MODD0J8rxVNoCexnYBbJeKSyKWQxv69qzbSw_UGNPuiEaGF/w265-h400/newginger3.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />The doll has a <a href="http://www.dollstringing.com/2009/06/repairing-ginger-dolls-broken-walking.html">broken walking post</a>, which I might try to fix eventually, but for now I'm not too worried — she is lovely enough that I don't care if her head wobbles a little bit!<br /><br />The trunk used as a backdrop for these pictures is a new addition too, incidentally.<br /><br />I am hoping that in the coming weeks I will have an opportunity to catch up on my project dolls. Stay tuned for some posts on hair restyling and seam split repair.</div>Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-72435951365234408412009-10-28T14:17:00.000-06:002022-08-25T21:17:01.806-06:00Another year, another doll show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifousMEWDaUHCo-5j6Q6btqtO9E7RwMH9uTULgkkrZ__wZVC_vJBCOOvCzDpexBYgQTZbcV4lXTCyxov6x-25BXwqReGpN8EnapQM2Cx4uEW_zgGrFhPz9Pa2tpBtQxpv08mvqckyJnWlwkXP7Bd8u06NWDDM4CLibqtGAqFawgUlIcc-KxErDl5Be/s450/dollshow102509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="450" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifousMEWDaUHCo-5j6Q6btqtO9E7RwMH9uTULgkkrZ__wZVC_vJBCOOvCzDpexBYgQTZbcV4lXTCyxov6x-25BXwqReGpN8EnapQM2Cx4uEW_zgGrFhPz9Pa2tpBtQxpv08mvqckyJnWlwkXP7Bd8u06NWDDM4CLibqtGAqFawgUlIcc-KxErDl5Be/w400-h300/dollshow102509.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />On Sunday my mom and I had a booth in another doll show. A fellow Ginger collector and good friend of mine from Denmark, and the owner of <a href="http://gingerdolls.dk/">GingerDolls.dk</a>, also had a few things (a few small dolls and a boxload of clothes) for sale in our booth.<br /><br />This particular show ran twice last year — <a href="http://www.dollstringing.com/2008/10/live-blogging-doll-show.html">October</a> and <a href="http://www.dollstringing.com/2008/12/live-blogging-doll-show-again.html">December</a> — and we did both shows. This one, however, was more successful than both of last year's shows combined.<br /><br />I've been slowly focusing my collecting efforts on Cosmopolitan Ginger, and as a result I've been getting rid of dolls that don't fit my collection anymore. There are some dolls that I won't get rid of no matter how my collecting changes, but there are others that I don't care as much for and that take up too much room to keep. My mom would call it downsizing, but I think techically a collection has to get smaller in order for that to be true — and mine is growing all the time.<br /><br />Anyway, here is a listing of what we sold at the show:<br /><br /><strong>My mom:</strong><br /><br />* 1930s Madame Alexander Madelaine DuBain<br />* 1950s American Character Tiny Tears with original trunk, clothes, and accessories<br />* 1950s magic skin baby with clothes and accessories<br />* Figurines from occupied Japan<br />* Carved wooden animals from Kenya<br />* Doll clothes<br /><br /><strong>Me:</strong><br /><br />* 1950s 14" hard plastic "Made in USA" doll<br />* Madame Alexander Alexander-kins with the Maggie Mixup face and a 1960 tagged outfit<br />* Newer MIB Madame Alexander dolls<br />* Several "$5 dolls" — nude 1950s fashion dolls, Ginger clones, etc. — all needing TLC<br />* Doll clothes<br /><br /><strong>Regitze:</strong><br /><br />* Ginny and Jill doll parts<br />* Doll clothes<br /><br />One thing we have found about these shows is that it helps to have a combination of high-dollar dolls ("eye candy") and bargain stuff. So in addition to our nice dolls, we had a number of bargain dolls and several plastic tubs full of clothes (off to the side, out of the picture) for people to dig through. We set our prices fairly low, and by the end of the day our table was quite a bit more bare than what you see here.<br /><br />Of course, the result is that we will turn around and put a lot of what we made into buying <em>more</em> dolls. The cycle never ends!Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-15802575025511448262009-08-06T23:15:00.000-06:002022-06-12T16:29:43.373-06:00eBay picture sharingI know it's been a while since I've posted on this blog. The lighting in my makeshift studio went down and I haven't been able to fix it yet. But I'll get some new pictures and posts up soon.<br /><br />In the meantime, I want to let everyone who sells on eBay know about a new policy regarding people's photos. eBay has change their terms of use so that <em>unless you opt out</em>, you are automatically agreeing to let them use your photos without notifying you or asking for your permission.<br /><br />It's really best if you opt out <em>before August 31st</em>, which is when the new policy will take effect. <em>After</em> August 31st they can still use your old photos, just not any you upload after opting out. Problem is, eBay isn't being very proactive about letting people know — not that we're surprised. Why would they do that?<br /><br />To opt out of sharing your eBay photos without your permission, hover your mouse over the Accounts tab on your My eBay page and click on the Site Preferences option from the drop down menu that appears. To the right of the selection "Share your Photos," click Show. Most likely your account has defaulted to "Yes." To change that, click Edit (under the link for Show) and then put a little tick mark in the box to opt out.<br /><br />Doing this will protect the item photos you post on eBay from being used without your knowledge or permission!Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-43222549528774941962009-06-01T12:16:00.000-06:002022-08-25T21:25:26.280-06:00Repairing a Ginger doll's broken walking postA common problem among Cosmopolitan Ginger dolls from the 1950s is that they are found with broken walking posts. The post that connects their head to the walking mechanism in their hips is made of plastic, which makes it susceptible to breaking. If the post breaks, not only does their head not move back and forth when they "walk," but it only wobbles and can spin all the way around.<br /><br />Several years ago, I bought a nude Ginger doll that arrived with a cracked walking post. The crack, which I could see through the arm holes, went about halfway through the post, so I knew if I wasn't careful it would break off the rest of the way. I decided to try gluing the walking post in the hopes of saving her.<br /><br />I actually glued her twice. The first time I used super glue, applied painstakingly with the tip of a toothpick. Once I felt I had enough glue in the crack, I positioned her head to close the crack, held her like that for several minutes, and then very carefully laid her on her back to dry.<br /><br />The super glue actually held for quite a while, but one day when I was dressing her or styling her hair, I wasn't quite careful enough and the glue failed. This time I didn't have any super glue handy, so I decided to try the glue I use for <a href="http://www.dollstringing.com/2009/04/vintage-doll-wig-replacement-part-1.html">wig replacement</a> and touch-ups. I think I used a little more glue this time, too. Again, I held her head in position for several minutes before laying her down to dry. So far, the Tacky Glue has held, and I haven't had to reglue her walking post again.<br /><br />I took a couple of photos to show my repair job. In the first photo, you can see the crack at the top of the curve. If you look closely in the second photo, you can see the clear layer of glue over the outside of the walking post.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JZrv4smbKpmsW_0-OH2pkvpl5OE2gklL6tiSkw4EDgIT92c1btJ6v3Bp8rU4I8gu5RYeHw-HRqM6DQwwv9_66JwtoWY0I-3uUMmxi07lv8-915mzmwyyNQ387eI1rriZAs0qQB7J4Eu_ulLS6-tVtRMlk1niwnhdc5HChliWneqqzWAbO5IeiRO5/s538/gluedpost1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JZrv4smbKpmsW_0-OH2pkvpl5OE2gklL6tiSkw4EDgIT92c1btJ6v3Bp8rU4I8gu5RYeHw-HRqM6DQwwv9_66JwtoWY0I-3uUMmxi07lv8-915mzmwyyNQ387eI1rriZAs0qQB7J4Eu_ulLS6-tVtRMlk1niwnhdc5HChliWneqqzWAbO5IeiRO5/w335-h400/gluedpost1.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4jTbUlXmzXovZX0cGKbG3BLo1Hi9eJEreOWPshfGRiScM6_Fkkn2HaIrbpKDm0ekbedGocFTGdFUW3Lldmq6qM11TURzbfAp4g0eqnpBHrL5mjA12ghBGxFgsFtHytkof9HywPXojlAdCEx2sQDYPC-OFw7pXIJmvzALn4meIfLP9vQG9nCSL88R/s450/gluedpost2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline-width: 0px; user-select: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="450" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4jTbUlXmzXovZX0cGKbG3BLo1Hi9eJEreOWPshfGRiScM6_Fkkn2HaIrbpKDm0ekbedGocFTGdFUW3Lldmq6qM11TURzbfAp4g0eqnpBHrL5mjA12ghBGxFgsFtHytkof9HywPXojlAdCEx2sQDYPC-OFw7pXIJmvzALn4meIfLP9vQG9nCSL88R/w400-h396/gluedpost2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />A little bit of work, and I was able to save a perfectly good Ginger doll from the trash bin!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPATkOA0CHx7R7wkkCxyBcld1ozYnFRNWDqGJRiBKuzsogoSc6cHRvAsUAIiKgrAx5o8mGQRgFPDakofps4OuWMUvY41JrXrjHQPKqzw3a0n71-YBYGcuJAs5SObK0__EBlmEtKX0peDMFriNhOPZoaVl_a2697Ddz__1CcZGPlZdFF_YFPkLCXnNv/s657/Ginger112-1955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPATkOA0CHx7R7wkkCxyBcld1ozYnFRNWDqGJRiBKuzsogoSc6cHRvAsUAIiKgrAx5o8mGQRgFPDakofps4OuWMUvY41JrXrjHQPKqzw3a0n71-YBYGcuJAs5SObK0__EBlmEtKX0peDMFriNhOPZoaVl_a2697Ddz__1CcZGPlZdFF_YFPkLCXnNv/w274-h400/Ginger112-1955.jpg" width="274" /></a></div><br />Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-81255667468988532052009-05-29T12:48:00.000-06:002022-08-26T00:22:23.697-06:00Vintage doll wig replacement, part 2More than a month ago, I blogged about <a href="http://www.dollstringing.com/2009/04/vintage-doll-wig-replacement-part-1.html">replacing the wig</a> on one of my 8-inch Ginger dolls. Here at last is the rest of the story, as well as a few pictures.<br /><br />As you'll remember, she wasn't the prettiest doll starting out — her crazy wig inspired me to nickname her Medusa. So I took the wig off of another Ginger doll with a walking post that was broken beyond repair.<br /><br />Once I had the new wig in place (all of this is described in detail in the other post), I tied a ribbon around her head to keep the cheesecloth wig cap flush against her head while the glue dried. (I don't recomend fast-drying glue unless it's something that is reversible — too easy to make mistakes. Better to learn patience!)<br /><br />After about 24 hours, I took the ribbon off. Although I had rebraided the wig before switching it, I did have do a little restyling after transferring it. Once the braids were how I wanted them, I put an extra spot of glue on each of side above the ear, so that the hair alongside her face stayed down instead of peeling up and making her look funny. That meant putting the ribbon back on again, of course.<br /><br />When I took the ribbon off for the final time, I was duly impressed with my own work. Because I'd done such a thorough job of removing the evidence of glue and hair from the original wig, it's not immediately obvious that the wig is a replacement.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQlhzK269cphUGk_6r1sMSBaVnniZWsZgngm01p1vT9jyTPf4pvLqqCUoj3_Hcii0344Hthyc4Q3xv9fqYvxmqrQXMdcnDGq7WzP55Kp4l47Qzubo52VakwWjQ0FvFeLiktVQm4Csr-ik481BYqcQB7DQrF4t-2o66jQ236MVtTbxWb-yj8DrYRn1/s651/Ginger666-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQlhzK269cphUGk_6r1sMSBaVnniZWsZgngm01p1vT9jyTPf4pvLqqCUoj3_Hcii0344Hthyc4Q3xv9fqYvxmqrQXMdcnDGq7WzP55Kp4l47Qzubo52VakwWjQ0FvFeLiktVQm4Csr-ik481BYqcQB7DQrF4t-2o66jQ236MVtTbxWb-yj8DrYRn1/w276-h400/Ginger666-2.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCaU1zOFkOHL6T38N0_f-VMjKjO2OX8Kyp8yXBcdiOgYMXdyCfEfa7ASBG8N2c4jP3dAx6dyxq2D2me35Bc-5ZjBqJDJEt9hiXaEom1MtkapH4rxiwVPP7wXj6t0swODslVQKe9CmhgGEfi2xaqzaOyaMAkh4IvGKhxssLwETU48zltbU5viInNW_/s450/Ginger666-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="450" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCaU1zOFkOHL6T38N0_f-VMjKjO2OX8Kyp8yXBcdiOgYMXdyCfEfa7ASBG8N2c4jP3dAx6dyxq2D2me35Bc-5ZjBqJDJEt9hiXaEom1MtkapH4rxiwVPP7wXj6t0swODslVQKe9CmhgGEfi2xaqzaOyaMAkh4IvGKhxssLwETU48zltbU5viInNW_/w400-h324/Ginger666-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I also found her an outfit that I thought appropriate: #666 from the 1955 catalog. I bought the dress separately, so the yellow taffeta fat pants, yellow rayon socks, and white shoes are all appropriate vintage replacements. I'm still missing the hat, which I believe should be a lacy-looking white hat.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrA0OK2YEP6yNCM2AsIdxuxkBmkTf-0-nWA1_t2PWHq1fO3oaJCNWckP8NR3P5wMmpvPITZMl5j1e3fmDmVlPYD7-nW21oqJDsFSDzibNSfS9-gFLnvF04CihZB2S7nl1aCTKyw6fM93pirt4L33U-skhnGmybAlAoj70ef2E2UA1vsTISeKR_LTaO/s663/Ginger666.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline-width: 0px !important; user-select: auto !important;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrA0OK2YEP6yNCM2AsIdxuxkBmkTf-0-nWA1_t2PWHq1fO3oaJCNWckP8NR3P5wMmpvPITZMl5j1e3fmDmVlPYD7-nW21oqJDsFSDzibNSfS9-gFLnvF04CihZB2S7nl1aCTKyw6fM93pirt4L33U-skhnGmybAlAoj70ef2E2UA1vsTISeKR_LTaO/w271-h400/Ginger666.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><br />A lot of doll collectors shy away from dolls with replaced wigs, but I think the key is finding an appropriate vintage replacements. Most modern replacement wigs will be glaringly obvious, but you can easily find an appropriate vintage replacement by buying a parts doll with a good wig.<br /><br />Of course, replacing the wig does affect the value — my doll <em>might</em> be worth more than she was with a Medusa wig, but not by much, and definitely not as much as if it were her original wig. Therefore, I don't necessarily recommend doing this on a doll you plan to sell; but if it's just a doll you plan to display and enjoy, I think you'll be pleased with the results.Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-75627117067213567292009-05-27T23:11:00.000-06:002022-06-12T16:29:43.445-06:00Catching upA friend scolded me lately for not having updated my blog lately, so I have to apologize — I've been extremely busy lately with work and my other hobbies, which involve enjoying the nice springtime weather.<br /><br />However, today I bit the bullet and took a whole bunch of really great pictures, so you can expect new posts again! I'm especially excited about these pictures, because I've put together a new backdrop and studio setup, and I'm extraordinarily pleased with the results.<br /><br />Check back soon for updates and more eye candy!Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-73892948225648314412009-04-17T13:16:00.000-06:002022-08-26T01:04:46.505-06:00Vintage doll wig replacement, part 1A couple weekends ago I did my first wig replacement on a vintage doll.<br /><br />I had two Ginger/clone dolls: one doll with a broken neck but a good wig, and another with a great body, great face paint, but Medusa hair.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1LI68pjDYRQhiMKJ0Ywy-D7naRFemOPg3jOWDICwUVsSLvWDaHtpWJIAT97sYRO0bIbD_nJqZ9JNyhUna7jQ4LD7g7q-bgMrv91bfiQYw3Ba9sHjSt5l7XCVD7zvP94GMPb3Y3D56YCfJpr4N86lurvFiEv4Hr2GWa7fHQENTtlYhf1EgcEM3WxE/s450/wigreplacement-before.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline-width: 0px; user-select: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="450" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1LI68pjDYRQhiMKJ0Ywy-D7naRFemOPg3jOWDICwUVsSLvWDaHtpWJIAT97sYRO0bIbD_nJqZ9JNyhUna7jQ4LD7g7q-bgMrv91bfiQYw3Ba9sHjSt5l7XCVD7zvP94GMPb3Y3D56YCfJpr4N86lurvFiEv4Hr2GWa7fHQENTtlYhf1EgcEM3WxE/w400-h299/wigreplacement-before.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">Photo by </span><a href="http://myworld.ebay.com/dallcm/"><span style="font-size: 85%;">dallcm</span></a><br /></div><br /><div>Getting the bad wig off of the good doll was pretty easy, because the only thing I had to worry about was holding her head still so that I wouldn't break <em>her</em> walking post. Once the wig was off, I used my <a href="http://www.dollstringing.com/2008/11/another-testament-to-cathie-lee-doll.html">favorite doll cleaner</a> to remove all of the glue residue. It took a little elbow grease, but the cleaner removed the glue!<br /><br />Taking off the other doll's wig was a little trickier, as I had to be careful not to damage it. Luckily it is a genuine Cosmopolitan Ginger wig, with a full fabric cap (as opposed to the clone wigs, which generally just had a strip of fabric under the stitched part). I was therefore able to just focus on working the cheesecloth fabric away from the head. I didn't use water or doll cleaner to loosen it, just carefully worked the tip of a spoon under the fabric and avoided tearing it as much as possible.<br /><br />Once I got the wig off, I put it on the other doll's now-shiny bald head, and moved it around a bunch to see how it looked in various positions. Once I had decided how I was going to position the wig, I had my husband hold the doll while I did a "practice run" without glue. I wanted to be certain I got it right the first time!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23p70L1hMNRGC9rnGFVM6XJQ3jClSQnkKCGEMQvKSitjuK6DhFEkNb4yeoTwioIeBkn1fsmuLmUVwREi4XPSZecdBH-feSqYdcN21cCr3K-5iuOrvwIbN8Lhv00RQXfT0Ft7yOEtdhtu6hZ3n09MtlTEt6dG_rARG1GTZPwbQMR5ZByaYgxHh5N8N/s231/tackyglue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="231" data-original-width="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23p70L1hMNRGC9rnGFVM6XJQ3jClSQnkKCGEMQvKSitjuK6DhFEkNb4yeoTwioIeBkn1fsmuLmUVwREi4XPSZecdBH-feSqYdcN21cCr3K-5iuOrvwIbN8Lhv00RQXfT0Ft7yOEtdhtu6hZ3n09MtlTEt6dG_rARG1GTZPwbQMR5ZByaYgxHh5N8N/s16000/tackyglue.JPG" /></a></div>Finally I was ready to glue the wig on. I applied Tacky Glue directly to the inside of the wig — a circle all around the outer edge, a line of glue down the stitching for the part, and a little squiggle on each side of the part. I wanted to be sure I used plenty of glue, but I also had to be sure I didn't overglue.<br /><br />When I put the wig on, I positioned it and then held it tight with my fingers for several minutes. When I was confident that it was starting to set, I tied a ribbon around the doll's head to keep the wig in place.<br /><br />Stay tuned for the unveiling — my next post will address restyling her hair and putting the finishing touches on the replacement wig!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mewxZ4tcrnYw8WYn8oYDj_lNA9hfar-ielW1OQeXaZMnQPfZtozUyNUROO7_TMVlcFRZPs6aLVbm8wBFDMBIpv5PYQJyx5P_4aICHLVrH_G5Km25lxlZ6eHO_IAmPJgKco38SoiJNNxwq43MKmMpgUjduJX5idcaz9BOzg2Q0R7kbOVThi15kDeG/s450/wigreplacement-recovery.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="450" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mewxZ4tcrnYw8WYn8oYDj_lNA9hfar-ielW1OQeXaZMnQPfZtozUyNUROO7_TMVlcFRZPs6aLVbm8wBFDMBIpv5PYQJyx5P_4aICHLVrH_G5Km25lxlZ6eHO_IAmPJgKco38SoiJNNxwq43MKmMpgUjduJX5idcaz9BOzg2Q0R7kbOVThi15kDeG/w400-h299/wigreplacement-recovery.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-90529712944655716832009-04-13T12:35:00.000-06:002022-08-26T01:07:53.940-06:00Doll cleaning and a mystery dollIt always amazes me how much you can transform some dolls with just a little cleaning. This doll — a little mystery doll that I haven't yet identified — was so dirty that it actually affected whether I liked her, and as a result I was planning on selling her. But then I decided to clean her up first, and guess what? It turns out I like her after all!<br /><br />In this picture, you can see how dirty her face was before — and how clean and pretty a little doll cleaner made it. The darker half of her face is not in shadow or Photoshopped — it's dirty! Amazing, isn't it?<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfl6fybcz-lJec4APXZbWcGLyvG1veKjJCJp_PbXzDW62AbFZgeIiRcdRYPHmyoxAC5GOhqp8O-toX3ks2jXijlSDyypI21NAbi88xvTsl8bLJIk6ygD65hiNfcfhLVpiZv-8bE5wFpTMXQRKfqGoLqw_2Jm5E9DfQRpF3HQssGJvAFlKEumWKVNX2/s561/facecleaning1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfl6fybcz-lJec4APXZbWcGLyvG1veKjJCJp_PbXzDW62AbFZgeIiRcdRYPHmyoxAC5GOhqp8O-toX3ks2jXijlSDyypI21NAbi88xvTsl8bLJIk6ygD65hiNfcfhLVpiZv-8bE5wFpTMXQRKfqGoLqw_2Jm5E9DfQRpF3HQssGJvAFlKEumWKVNX2/w321-h400/facecleaning1.JPG" width="321" /></a></div><div><br />Now to explain the mystery. This little strung 8-inch toddler doll is clearly made using the same mold as the medium- and large-eyed Gingers and clones. She is also dressed exactly like Carol Sue, a strung clone that used the Ginger body. However, she is made of a much lighter plastic, her eyes are different, and she is stamped on her back with:<br /><br /><div align="center">A 175</div><div align="center">A.T.C.</div><div align="center">MADE IN HONG KONG</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieLiEcgwc6rsy0ot-oKgS8xd_ObNeVJUEl19LyJQp1hshFSgmdaLGXpOdfz4lLTqEXp0BzMXLVWEKRYOZPO0sSZF87oOBaMVS0MoLVXpvrdh3V_u1HKZ8sON5qT9GGyW9wmw_M9oOEvFBINpG-Zn-cmULYDP_rsEC-ayg9mpAW1Q0krAuLV6Mf7AF/s634/facecleaning2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieLiEcgwc6rsy0ot-oKgS8xd_ObNeVJUEl19LyJQp1hshFSgmdaLGXpOdfz4lLTqEXp0BzMXLVWEKRYOZPO0sSZF87oOBaMVS0MoLVXpvrdh3V_u1HKZ8sON5qT9GGyW9wmw_M9oOEvFBINpG-Zn-cmULYDP_rsEC-ayg9mpAW1Q0krAuLV6Mf7AF/s320/facecleaning2.JPG" width="227" /></a></div><br />So who is she? I have no idea. Maybe someday I'll be able to find out. But at least she is clean now!Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-22329814002405571832009-04-10T14:59:00.000-06:002022-08-26T01:10:19.865-06:00Waste not, want notEven doll collectors can benefit from the wisdom of "Waste not, want not."<br /><br />The other day I was trying to decide what to do with my extra Frontier Girl Ginger from my <a href="http://www.dollstringing.com/2009/04/my-vintage-disney-doll-display.html">Disney dolls display</a>. I have two of these dolls, but the other one is mint in box so I haven't displayed her before. However, she has blond braids just like my new Davy Crockett doll, so I decided to put her into the display.<br /><br />I was planning to sell my extra Frontier Girl. I even took pictures and wrote out the description for the listing, but I started having major second thoughts. Even though this Ginger doll's hair is down, her face coloring is gorgeous. Really, her hair being down is her only flaw.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qP2SCWQamE9yALRxhIMEYdjMgmWdwPPtfH8hiwBdaWVXSWnwSPuSZu6cdTWVX2FkxxzzYnCFcJkk1JNFGzvV0UtKqMr5pfTNPLKbhvQQGa41gVqHI2XKkhdowe5GFUJIW0zLnIIXaNvQKbFjQinu9ExYEU7IhVjLWdYToge4R-9JPOxtCYa7Vy4X/s600/FrontierGirl-extra.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qP2SCWQamE9yALRxhIMEYdjMgmWdwPPtfH8hiwBdaWVXSWnwSPuSZu6cdTWVX2FkxxzzYnCFcJkk1JNFGzvV0UtKqMr5pfTNPLKbhvQQGa41gVqHI2XKkhdowe5GFUJIW0zLnIIXaNvQKbFjQinu9ExYEU7IhVjLWdYToge4R-9JPOxtCYa7Vy4X/w300-h400/FrontierGirl-extra.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>After some agonizing indecision over whether I ought to be selling her, it occurred to me that I have several Ginger outfits just waiting for a doll to wear them. Rather than selling this doll and then spending more on a new doll with mint hair, why not just redress her in one of them? Even if I decide to put a different doll in the dress later, at least I will get some more enjoyment out of her — and get a great outfit on a doll.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXYsQEXjp298yNhvtDE_CcIjpG1_SW-poDIZ957w9lseplLgibQ0eizxReHaGxKLciGyveiE-NjiiQ4u0T1AeFYKi-UqaoPShtC8WqAyL1obEtX0lG0HFIODSIoZVOE5gjTEs4RwCTBWaLwZ1Gjt_DMtjgxG8uDk-C5aCYlhWILEoouVnWFs2yipC/s579/FrontierGirl-redressed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXYsQEXjp298yNhvtDE_CcIjpG1_SW-poDIZ957w9lseplLgibQ0eizxReHaGxKLciGyveiE-NjiiQ4u0T1AeFYKi-UqaoPShtC8WqAyL1obEtX0lG0HFIODSIoZVOE5gjTEs4RwCTBWaLwZ1Gjt_DMtjgxG8uDk-C5aCYlhWILEoouVnWFs2yipC/w311-h400/FrontierGirl-redressed.JPG" width="311" /></a></div><br /><div>I will keep her original Frontier Girl outfit, of course, in case I decide to redress her in it — or even sell her — at a later date. In the meantime, she looks darling in the outfit, and I am very happy with my decision!</div>Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-6261913996634548852009-04-08T10:15:00.000-06:002022-06-12T16:29:43.532-06:00Rags to riches, part 2One of my favorite parts of complete a project doll is finding the correct clothes and accessories to complete the doll, as I did with the Davy Crockett doll that is now in my display of 1950s Disney dolls.<br /><br />My last post about this doll demonstrated how much a doll can be transformed by cleaning and restyling its hair. But that transformation is not complete until the doll has appropriate clothing, too.<br /><br />I actually did not intend the Davy Crockett outfit for this doll when I first saw it — I just knew that I wanted the outfit. A couple of days later, I restyled this doll's hair, and knew then that she would be perfect for the outfit.<br /><br />The outfit was boxed — in the wrong box, but as I discovered when I got the outfit, it had probably never been on a doll. It was therefore very stiff, as the suede material they used didn't really age very well. I <a href="http://www.dollstringing.com/2008/11/restoring-stiff-oilcloth-doll-shoes.html">steamed</a> the outfit to make it flexible enough to get on my doll, but even so, it took a lot of coaxing. Now that it's on, I am never going to take it off!<br /><br />The outfit is great — it includes the suede fringed skirt and top, red suede boots, a red belt, "saddle bags" to hang on the belt, and of course a darling rabbit fur "coonskin" hat with a little "tail." The outfit also has the rifle, which I was thrilled about, of course!<br /><br />Even with her pale face and rebraided hair, this outfit transforms this little Ginger from a six-dollar doll into one of the sought-after Disney Gingers. I'm very proud to have uncovered this little diamond in the rough!Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-27299782567006835732009-04-06T18:52:00.000-06:002022-08-26T01:15:08.839-06:00Rags to riches, part 1My "Ginger as Davy Crockett" or "Pioneer Girl" (depending on which Cosmopolitan catalog you are looking at) is a true rags to riches story as far as dolls go, as I noted in my post about my 1950s Disney dolls display.<br /><br />When I got her, I had no idea she would become one of my favorite dolls overnight. A friend of mine, who also collects <a href="http://www.gingerdolls.dk/">Ginger dolls</a>, sent me the auction on eBay (thanks, Regitze!). She didn't look like much, and wasn't identified as Ginger, but I decided to take a chance and bid on her anyway. I ended up winning her for $6.50.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zeeIcifGxTVdxoFOSFWoT3hLO6XnJS2n68bNzb3GiUdR8cAlreaIL36g5VQeLIDDMC95eX5FMPA2OK51Ac9lkz4144L1fqC9sVqzPlstcMBfMiYXkBnCG7QdjBgJ3sm4OKsxkbnq9OL0-tDpsO96ejSm-ciff_fLuhFwqsyEHn_YAyzo8euBSe2n/s400/davycrockett-before.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zeeIcifGxTVdxoFOSFWoT3hLO6XnJS2n68bNzb3GiUdR8cAlreaIL36g5VQeLIDDMC95eX5FMPA2OK51Ac9lkz4144L1fqC9sVqzPlstcMBfMiYXkBnCG7QdjBgJ3sm4OKsxkbnq9OL0-tDpsO96ejSm-ciff_fLuhFwqsyEHn_YAyzo8euBSe2n/w300-h400/davycrockett-before.jpg" width="300" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;">Photo by <a href="http://myworld.ebay.com/hytenjr?ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1181">hytenjr</a></span></div><br /><div>When I got her, I was delighted to find that her hair is parted for pigtails. That made me happy because I can easily restyle pigtails. Ginger's hard rolled flip, though, is difficult to duplicate. I've done it once and will probably never try it again, it was so frustrating!<br /><br />Restyling her hair was one of the <a href="http://www.dollstringing.com/2009/03/cleaning-vintage-doll-shoes.html">doll projects</a> I worked on a little more than a week ago. I was able to fairly easily repart the hair. I also found that the hair was still a little crimped from the original braids, which made it easier to rebraid it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSx-kY6MdkH_lgDSPROHGubDbDkViCUbsfFWfouORMBzI-Lv9wTFmB_X3uyvvPCLDiFpPMIYMsdQzIgI3bfX2k5uG2Drf5HWAnHQd4jxYVxJhDTeofv4jshIVuTEua_EMnztfKUlKkD3nQWO6l72IEtstVdhddlZfVyuoxF8YoOOO6KUiojqBh--6D/s546/davycrockett-hair1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSx-kY6MdkH_lgDSPROHGubDbDkViCUbsfFWfouORMBzI-Lv9wTFmB_X3uyvvPCLDiFpPMIYMsdQzIgI3bfX2k5uG2Drf5HWAnHQd4jxYVxJhDTeofv4jshIVuTEua_EMnztfKUlKkD3nQWO6l72IEtstVdhddlZfVyuoxF8YoOOO6KUiojqBh--6D/w330-h400/davycrockett-hair1.JPG" width="330" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEK8zI8WTVLv1MudK3owoyCzSbq09n9ZnozUFNe86b3_jZPNkEgt-jkNgLKSsl1MTLHGQSxNlyRZ1bLsSYsehHrpOkOuwePya2aC0rKa0dXz3XajDZNd_qBYalC8KI_-03SYLRUP5sNt_Tze4wiiMlssaCUyU8MES-5jcO3DCTiRPWLUH1rA37jAU/s525/davycrockett-hair2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEK8zI8WTVLv1MudK3owoyCzSbq09n9ZnozUFNe86b3_jZPNkEgt-jkNgLKSsl1MTLHGQSxNlyRZ1bLsSYsehHrpOkOuwePya2aC0rKa0dXz3XajDZNd_qBYalC8KI_-03SYLRUP5sNt_Tze4wiiMlssaCUyU8MES-5jcO3DCTiRPWLUH1rA37jAU/w343-h400/davycrockett-hair2.JPG" width="343" /></a></div><br /><div>I also cleaned her up a little bit, as she had some play soil on her, especially on her face.<br /><br />In my next post I'll talk about finding her an appropriate outfit to complete her transformation!</div>Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-19350361285897756462009-04-03T16:28:00.000-06:002022-08-26T01:17:22.941-06:00My vintage Disney doll displayI have eight dolls in my collection right now that represent Disney characters or were sold using the Disney name. I have put together six of them on one of my shelves in my doll cabinets as a vintage Disney doll display.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7-biX7cZ6LtyyEKqT40sV1z-VKWdwPgL_eEN271Y64PRANK9_xji9W0mx7sRjkx5nKQ_rqCiMPKYoAFKBL01Mw_6Co8PHrkzEsUs8oEbKhprnpSc1N0_9VO_ghzaqHmdfqjl9YRGg0GUy4HMlAgXGNOn0XS4cYyELtNEFouDNciBkNm3mIzQ_buy/s450/disney1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="450" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7-biX7cZ6LtyyEKqT40sV1z-VKWdwPgL_eEN271Y64PRANK9_xji9W0mx7sRjkx5nKQ_rqCiMPKYoAFKBL01Mw_6Co8PHrkzEsUs8oEbKhprnpSc1N0_9VO_ghzaqHmdfqjl9YRGg0GUy4HMlAgXGNOn0XS4cYyELtNEFouDNciBkNm3mIzQ_buy/w400-h301/disney1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /><strong><a href="http://www.dollstringing.com/2008/05/alice-in-wonderland-project-doll.html">Alice in Wonderland</a></strong> by Madame Alexander, 1951<br /><strong>Cinderella</strong> by Madame Alexander, 1950<br /><strong>Prince Charming</strong> by Madame Alexander, 1950<br /><strong><a href="http://www.dollstringing.com/2008/03/restyling-snow-whites-hair.html">Snow White</a></strong> by Madame Alexander, 1952<br /><strong>Ginger as Davy Crockett</strong> by Cosmopolitan, c. 1954; also called <strong>Pioneer Girl</strong> in 1956 catalog<br /><strong>Frontier Girl Ginger</strong> by Cosmopolitan, c. 1956<br /><br />Disney put their name on a whole bunch of Cosmopolitan Ginger dolls in the mid-1950s. The Davy Crockett doll is actually a new addition to my collection, and a true rags to riches story. I'll be blogging about her in a series of posts to come!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rs_WFkRuNsY1qMMYAYru8ywGyv1J0KkF_AU5ngEXiygHd8p_EccAsdPAXmnFlzu5eLe_3dG9gS15nt8jpWHozmH-TwuDAaBd--QH5DreQsnuqHSgokLJJzVWmXS5DoeWYP9uR0M9sCva7G4oWexaosXkJ7K0VMHPNOPEfm7wI33WAUsqgPdon38F/s450/disney2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="450" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rs_WFkRuNsY1qMMYAYru8ywGyv1J0KkF_AU5ngEXiygHd8p_EccAsdPAXmnFlzu5eLe_3dG9gS15nt8jpWHozmH-TwuDAaBd--QH5DreQsnuqHSgokLJJzVWmXS5DoeWYP9uR0M9sCva7G4oWexaosXkJ7K0VMHPNOPEfm7wI33WAUsqgPdon38F/w400-h300/disney2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-35380661505105279812009-04-02T12:31:00.000-06:002022-06-12T16:29:43.603-06:00Washing vintage doll clothesWashing vintage doll clothes is a tricky business. Washing a doll's clothes typically detracts from a doll's originality and lowers the doll's value, particularly if you can really tell the clothing has been washed. However, dirty clothing also reduces the value.<br /><br />Deciding whether to wash a doll's clothes therefore entails weighing the pros and cons — whether the doll's value will be affected more by dirty clothes or washed clothes. It can also be affected heavily by personal preference — i.e., whether you prefer a doll in your collection to be as original as possible, or as clean as possible.<br /><br />In any case, whether to wash your doll's clothing is a very personal decision, so I won't give you advice on when you should or shouldn't. If you do decide to, however, this is how I prefer to wash my doll's clothing.<br /><br /><strong>You will need:</strong><br /><br />* Biz laundry soap<br />* A large bowl or a mixing bowl<br />* An upside-down bowl, or a clean bottle, on which to dry the dress.<br /><br /><em><strong>Note: Always remember to use cold water when washing vintage doll clothes. Some of the dyes were not very colorfast, and warm or hot water can cause them to run.</strong></em><br /><br />1) Put a small scoop of Biz into the bowl and fill with cold water, stirring to mix the detergent in as well as possible. Put the clothes in, stir again, and allow to soak. <strong>Do not scrub spots.</strong><br /><br />2) Check on the clothes and stir the water periodically. You may want to turn the clothes so all of it gets immersed in the water at some point. Change the water and Biz if the water becomes dirty or clouded.<br /><br />3) Soak for up to 24 hours, <strong>checking the clothes frequently for damage caused by soaking too long, such as bleeding dye or tears in the fabric.</strong> Remove the clothes immediately if you see any of this. In my experience, cotton and taffeta hold up over 24 hours pretty well, but the more fragile organdy and satin should be taken out sooner.<br /><br />4) Remove the clothing from the water and rinse under running <strong>cold</strong> water. Scuff the fabric lightly with your fingers as you rinse it to make sure none of the detergent is left in the fabric.<br /><br />5) When the clothes are rinsed, you can press the clothes gently to squeeze out the extra water, but <strong><em>do not wring.</em></strong> This is very important, as wringing causes wrinkles that often do not come out again!<br /><br />6) Arrange the clothing how you want it to dry. For instance, if the skirt is full and you want it to stand out a bit on the doll, arrange it flat, in a circle, with the bodice of the dress standing up. If you don't want it to stand out as much, arrange the dress over a bowl, so that the skirt hangs down around it. Be sure to puff out sleeves, etc., so that they don't dry flat or creased.<br /><br />7) Allow the clothes to dry overnight. <strong>Do not use heat to dry them faster.</strong><br /><br />In my experience, this method of washing will not remove the sizing (the factory stiffness in the fabric, desireable in mint or near-mint dolls). Sometimes I've even found that vintage doll clothing that has been machine washed or ironed (which makes them limp) regains some of that desireable stiffness with this method.<br /><br />Good luck!Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-86763574552323078712009-03-31T10:44:00.000-06:002022-08-26T01:19:02.818-06:00Cleaning vintage doll shoesSunday and Monday were doll project days at my house. I have a whole list of things that I fixed and that I will blog about in the coming days, so be sure to check back!<br /><br />One of the things I did yesterday was to clean a pair of vintage doll shoes, the vinyl or plastic Mary Jane types that fit Ginny-sized dolls. They were seriously the filthiest pair of doll shoes I have ever seen, but they were one of my Ginger doll's originals, so I wanted to try to salvage them.<br /><br />They had a lot of play soil on them, as well as some kind of glue or varnish that had made shiny discolored spots:<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3nj5Uj0-NM9hDIxlsmAnJe2XAbSy_rQ7aHRsbiwZQYqM3sADI69Qip6dvK4M1YK87N8iZ5p63gzdisxAlDMLsq7BSQG7Z2358kXwm63m_Pc00VQr2Bzyu6QBQhWxNuODBP-dsxRxZ0tZNv90EJJldIyXGwx_IMLK-lfdnFHC3E_xgNtO9t1PSEIO/s450/shoes-before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="450" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3nj5Uj0-NM9hDIxlsmAnJe2XAbSy_rQ7aHRsbiwZQYqM3sADI69Qip6dvK4M1YK87N8iZ5p63gzdisxAlDMLsq7BSQG7Z2358kXwm63m_Pc00VQr2Bzyu6QBQhWxNuODBP-dsxRxZ0tZNv90EJJldIyXGwx_IMLK-lfdnFHC3E_xgNtO9t1PSEIO/w400-h297/shoes-before.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />I started out using a little of my <a href="http://www.dollstringing.com/2008/11/another-testament-to-cathie-lee-doll.html">favorite doll cleaner</a>, but even that stuff — as good as it is — wouldn't cut through the glue or varnish that was on the shoes.<br /><br />I happened to be soaking some doll clothes at the time, so I decided "Why not?" and threw the doll shoes in with a dress. They soaked overnight in Biz (I'll blog about my clothes washing method another time). When I rinsed them off the next day, I scratched the spots a little with a fingernail and found that I was to peel up the varnish or glue.<br /><br />The shoes were still a little discolored, especially under where the varnish had been, so I used the doll cleaner on them again. I was surprised and delighted at how white they turned out!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHvWp9rcx6UH0fYLptTEEpFU-vRs5Aj8D6bMHHEfeYYbCHpWwBeYckQZdok7vQX6JjPsMIq_2OU3Q0Tdb1bvUUSzszKTN4HbsObWdgRNNm0pVvSl2H9qp-CFN6NVO2BLt2DDg4jehOy0lqB4aigTKP5UKjosLaPFRv3iP6y3DXXIo96aQjUGfIHGB/s450/shoes-after.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="450" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHvWp9rcx6UH0fYLptTEEpFU-vRs5Aj8D6bMHHEfeYYbCHpWwBeYckQZdok7vQX6JjPsMIq_2OU3Q0Tdb1bvUUSzszKTN4HbsObWdgRNNm0pVvSl2H9qp-CFN6NVO2BLt2DDg4jehOy0lqB4aigTKP5UKjosLaPFRv3iP6y3DXXIo96aQjUGfIHGB/w400-h274/shoes-after.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />It's definitely worth a little time and effort to clean vintage doll shoes!</div>Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-90729211027939583802009-03-16T11:59:00.000-06:002022-06-12T16:29:43.649-06:00Stay tuned for new posts and picturesI must apologize for the lack of posts lately. My husband and I just returned late Saturday night from a trip to Europe. I was so busy in the weeks leading up to the trip, that I wasn't able to get any posts ready and scheduled for while we were gone. But I'm back now, and will be getting back into the swing of my "real" life this week — so stay tuned for some new doll pictures and posts!Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-54637268564548786972009-02-25T12:21:00.000-07:002022-08-26T01:23:14.488-06:00Cosmopolitan Ginger sailor outfitIt's been far too long since I posted any pictures or stories of dolls. I've been busily getting back to collecting, though, so it's not for lack of material!<br /><br />This outfit actually belongs to a friend of mine who has a <a href="http://www.gingerdolls.dk/">Ginger dolls</a> website, but she was kind enough to let me photograph my doll in it.<br /><br />The outfit is a tagged Cosompolitan Ginger sailor outfit. Neither of us have seen any documentation on this outfit, so we don't know much about it. The hat is vintage Ginger or Pam and is our addition. The purse, socks, and shoes are mine.<br /><br />Here are a few detailed pictures of the outfit. It has matching bloomers and bears the Jackson Heights tag, both of which I forgot to photograph.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEyhXP2AF6PqerH0CpUSUbo8iaUVDmXgwgDkvCG5sdMiMbw8n54tF6qnW36rJsoHM8HZ3e-lW1GTyMLESTIGc-wI7GksStVIrFCSo4RJlLCzZJfHP25Hvk0FwcFQ9npSjdvLgqGDaayyeJdFJIl1VGx4jeX8K9z83xufLyFqVsE8qdSB64YO1_MlU/s666/gingersailor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline-width: 0px !important; user-select: auto !important;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEyhXP2AF6PqerH0CpUSUbo8iaUVDmXgwgDkvCG5sdMiMbw8n54tF6qnW36rJsoHM8HZ3e-lW1GTyMLESTIGc-wI7GksStVIrFCSo4RJlLCzZJfHP25Hvk0FwcFQ9npSjdvLgqGDaayyeJdFJIl1VGx4jeX8K9z83xufLyFqVsE8qdSB64YO1_MlU/w270-h400/gingersailor.JPG" width="270" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvELAbseZtnJT6vDRWoXSCIQB6LmIki5Jb7CMpHa3SdNldbFIdh5SPG8zeTVEtya9M2XJ8aAoN8YlPMe9npWw-103n289DI84ANl-5C5mSyrKcfuYRgNq84Sa7LHZxlZuD_8JdvQUztzlnZRPeb7jdNtq_UC19Q12VV66g1ci_nf4jVhLqPu_iLx_l/s675/gingersailor-face.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvELAbseZtnJT6vDRWoXSCIQB6LmIki5Jb7CMpHa3SdNldbFIdh5SPG8zeTVEtya9M2XJ8aAoN8YlPMe9npWw-103n289DI84ANl-5C5mSyrKcfuYRgNq84Sa7LHZxlZuD_8JdvQUztzlnZRPeb7jdNtq_UC19Q12VV66g1ci_nf4jVhLqPu_iLx_l/w266-h400/gingersailor-face.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jr6fLj4dms8hpC6yVOap0JIpvQwlheaTbFR4ND5LuuIRZHkFo3bpHQfArd0fj8sCFyQDJrlhGUaqXxzS_0hMyyxJOA358j5ypDFU4Eb_r47UVqosXAM_fBSqH3f8b8I_Sb3UP-tZBPpUy9TvfjWElZmwN_wtrqJIAF_wcjFzVje9ClBfY0Awq7Sj/s666/gingersailor-side.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jr6fLj4dms8hpC6yVOap0JIpvQwlheaTbFR4ND5LuuIRZHkFo3bpHQfArd0fj8sCFyQDJrlhGUaqXxzS_0hMyyxJOA358j5ypDFU4Eb_r47UVqosXAM_fBSqH3f8b8I_Sb3UP-tZBPpUy9TvfjWElZmwN_wtrqJIAF_wcjFzVje9ClBfY0Awq7Sj/w270-h400/gingersailor-side.JPG" width="270" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iQdPPL5Wgn34ZspFtx14LWeRHkreEamvRDaaV6BtPW0OS1Sz-fZHV0G3SVialD5wuUYGo_GqCn7jEhh7m3k5VUF0s8Zvf3mQVCLRniJSbGdARPsExOrlKiP-O9uQI7vW1JRtId3lCVs_bDkyoT8k7CStado123lETyqmBtQM9qw-LeF0Y3eBTMvz/s677/gingersailor-back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iQdPPL5Wgn34ZspFtx14LWeRHkreEamvRDaaV6BtPW0OS1Sz-fZHV0G3SVialD5wuUYGo_GqCn7jEhh7m3k5VUF0s8Zvf3mQVCLRniJSbGdARPsExOrlKiP-O9uQI7vW1JRtId3lCVs_bDkyoT8k7CStado123lETyqmBtQM9qw-LeF0Y3eBTMvz/w266-h400/gingersailor-back.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoZtCokr-KN1HJDeJpTNVtcM_bd5l39kyLE0-VTvWPZQZeoUsGyRJ8pgoDmCX7kBMw-FA8_Eylz5cVBF2GuJijNX4USYIIAdHIWnXKpYFy9nVjRBXQYeIeqW75PFLfw6aVHThHVv3vpnyz3ehs2QXlvlFkBC-NSD4uReb8-G2SPxqbYxYVTrE4uLa/s665/gingersailor-hat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoZtCokr-KN1HJDeJpTNVtcM_bd5l39kyLE0-VTvWPZQZeoUsGyRJ8pgoDmCX7kBMw-FA8_Eylz5cVBF2GuJijNX4USYIIAdHIWnXKpYFy9nVjRBXQYeIeqW75PFLfw6aVHThHVv3vpnyz3ehs2QXlvlFkBC-NSD4uReb8-G2SPxqbYxYVTrE4uLa/w271-h400/gingersailor-hat.JPG" width="271" /></a></div><div><br />Does anyone have any information on this little blue sailor dress? It is tagged Cosmopolitan Ginger, but we haven't seen any documentation on the outfit.</div>Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-59194297236987497342009-02-17T14:42:00.000-07:002022-08-26T01:24:13.609-06:001986 Vogue Ginny Bride and Groom MIB - SOLD!I was going through my more modern dolls, and decided to get rid of some of them, since I don't really care for them anymore — I much prefer the vintage dolls. I'm only asking $30 for this Ginny Bride and Groom from 1986. The Vogue company did a series of romantic couples in this year that also included Romeo and Juliet, and I think I've heard of a king and queen as well.<br /><br />This set is mint in box. I removed them from the box when I bought them, but I was the first to do so. I put them right back in without displaying them. The box is in great shape with only a little bit of shelf wear, and of course the dolls are mint.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSHKBQCzTPhc6uiWGz36ZuPm67kBGd3f3b5ihgI6bYWpFyibLzbEMe7ycHSRLWsmK8asAY_BpFVpoFQ2Er2lryNo8_ie0M9ghqJWUWV6R3lprfpuQWzy5eQrtiByB-XsuNPVif0SEDd4qf5u3BabJubI9ZVuIGWCUKdFjKliP2zVBrWbw6uzbnW4X/s512/ginnybridegroom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSHKBQCzTPhc6uiWGz36ZuPm67kBGd3f3b5ihgI6bYWpFyibLzbEMe7ycHSRLWsmK8asAY_BpFVpoFQ2Er2lryNo8_ie0M9ghqJWUWV6R3lprfpuQWzy5eQrtiByB-XsuNPVif0SEDd4qf5u3BabJubI9ZVuIGWCUKdFjKliP2zVBrWbw6uzbnW4X/w351-h400/ginnybridegroom.JPG" width="351" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828988757280937990.post-3563363934800639302009-02-06T13:01:00.000-07:002022-08-26T01:37:12.703-06:00Greek key snaps on vintage doll clothing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VyrxoNpfl_72PnTElNUYE98nmsKMXtJ8cxpY1lmYBlJYiPeLCTuVzEr6JrLc0UIcjI67iaIffqg4ue8ySuWvOlGzWTZzrO4DpA0iO5Zgy1t35FZTvrHAJpTNmbgvHXB2YBV3LNpIpOoUSp_oerG_fjZ1kamL1iXWzsnQJLJJ0K2z5hV7T3-XhGlH/s200/greekkey.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VyrxoNpfl_72PnTElNUYE98nmsKMXtJ8cxpY1lmYBlJYiPeLCTuVzEr6JrLc0UIcjI67iaIffqg4ue8ySuWvOlGzWTZzrO4DpA0iO5Zgy1t35FZTvrHAJpTNmbgvHXB2YBV3LNpIpOoUSp_oerG_fjZ1kamL1iXWzsnQJLJJ0K2z5hV7T3-XhGlH/s16000/greekkey.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Greek key snaps, or "P" pattern snaps, were often used on vintage doll clothing in the 1950s and 1960s. Sometimes they were painted, sometimes they were left unpainted. The unpainted ones could be made of either silver or gold-colored metal.<br /><br />They are often referred to as "Ginger snaps," because they were used so much on Cosmopolitan Ginger clothing. However, they were also used by other clothing manufacturers on shoes and clothes.<br /><br />Here are a few of the places you can find Greek key snaps:<br /><br /><strong>On a tagged Ginger dress:</strong><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazmydz88dkWN4tysht70zIAj3aVf0D6YmR9Z7VhH3elorM8yHmtW4bCxu_ZEWjEk9lihve7_-muj6DiiygYDoo1hr3iq3SGvspgX8hjH6uxEbjMSNhXDQfDzwZK_4Cmzu14clfgjr7QDRcWp-_xAT6sB2bZh34BghgG6pWZuBSJprqo-0_zPYDDMB/s450/greekkey-ginger.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="450" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazmydz88dkWN4tysht70zIAj3aVf0D6YmR9Z7VhH3elorM8yHmtW4bCxu_ZEWjEk9lihve7_-muj6DiiygYDoo1hr3iq3SGvspgX8hjH6uxEbjMSNhXDQfDzwZK_4Cmzu14clfgjr7QDRcWp-_xAT6sB2bZh34BghgG6pWZuBSJprqo-0_zPYDDMB/s320/greekkey-ginger.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><strong>On a mint in box Fortune Ninette's clothing:</strong><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBIjwrGXICge2f_UXXXcsBZc-Za-2iERNQi0G9nFdf4JPTIWzo7Trhx5s_4HAsZv-gVwx-IRPBdrGSqmtwIdah1sqvQ_T5iQuVuEL6boUETDGdn3AEH6MH4qjl84b9L8lpb-ZFNI7jHCVmQlz1NcMNXdfyP0Bwjrltc7NnpHa1hETEUUfRZBOi9Qz/s579/greekkey-ninette.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBIjwrGXICge2f_UXXXcsBZc-Za-2iERNQi0G9nFdf4JPTIWzo7Trhx5s_4HAsZv-gVwx-IRPBdrGSqmtwIdah1sqvQ_T5iQuVuEL6boUETDGdn3AEH6MH4qjl84b9L8lpb-ZFNI7jHCVmQlz1NcMNXdfyP0Bwjrltc7NnpHa1hETEUUfRZBOi9Qz/s320/greekkey-ninette.JPG" width="249" /></a></div><br /><strong>On a Fortune Pam's dress:</strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_xO9lM519CzWpWjJ1fwgK-PmrLMuNQV7LSkO8DfPflobeC7Lg6RMPmgjw384A2DuLmoAbWtPZ_80CuroLzUEQ1cxR9jhytrJQ4HskG9zLynvQQlMcJgNWxWjWFBdH1OisNPh8puP-WqWujepsGRRD5C-Li20VcAnNz2v8PYnLsWZOMUmbYvgd6YM/s450/greekkey-pam.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="450" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_xO9lM519CzWpWjJ1fwgK-PmrLMuNQV7LSkO8DfPflobeC7Lg6RMPmgjw384A2DuLmoAbWtPZ_80CuroLzUEQ1cxR9jhytrJQ4HskG9zLynvQQlMcJgNWxWjWFBdH1OisNPh8puP-WqWujepsGRRD5C-Li20VcAnNz2v8PYnLsWZOMUmbYvgd6YM/s320/greekkey-pam.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><strong>On an A&H Gigi outfit (identified in <em>Small Dolls of the 40s & 50s</em> by Carol Stover, pages 11 and 13):</strong><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQMPyt7E8m435g1bzYs1dHpJM3vr1aqhQTG48glwW1wHI9hiahEinGKTNOtngl910HVGAM6pJ3z1bwNIiE6yn3Ghnqjvqc3VHaDBIGEUw3CClzVUB0P13-gkJ7w7yqh-5-XaqERC_0lOjNxbYKcFt3HVJg2LeJ7eD_fSyK0HAn9yo-k88hi2dYULU/s450/greekkey-gigi.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="450" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQMPyt7E8m435g1bzYs1dHpJM3vr1aqhQTG48glwW1wHI9hiahEinGKTNOtngl910HVGAM6pJ3z1bwNIiE6yn3Ghnqjvqc3VHaDBIGEUw3CClzVUB0P13-gkJ7w7yqh-5-XaqERC_0lOjNxbYKcFt3HVJg2LeJ7eD_fSyK0HAn9yo-k88hi2dYULU/s320/greekkey-gigi.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><strong>On an unidentified Ginger clone's dress:</strong><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZm-Z0CEAyBIVWH8LC35jsMVyKdh7N6ks3RMzxKxKW8-H3C-rag2FfdpXv7bCDyBoPwTXLkp3RbbimnawmCHwm4CGxMOHT6AAKmS5Tb36nO-86fVuL8aNxTCjbXy7pqVN_nLHjc2BIPnIjvi-yj3TqqW0vV1AAkX8qpwL-mXKQV3GScx8FqBh0RJbF/s641/greekkey-clone.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZm-Z0CEAyBIVWH8LC35jsMVyKdh7N6ks3RMzxKxKW8-H3C-rag2FfdpXv7bCDyBoPwTXLkp3RbbimnawmCHwm4CGxMOHT6AAKmS5Tb36nO-86fVuL8aNxTCjbXy7pqVN_nLHjc2BIPnIjvi-yj3TqqW0vV1AAkX8qpwL-mXKQV3GScx8FqBh0RJbF/s320/greekkey-clone.JPG" width="225" /></a></div><br /><strong>On a pair of fuzzy-bottomed center snap shoes from the early 1950s (worn by an 18-inch Madame Alexander doll, but may not be original): </strong><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNcVEIUlhC7W3UM7DqmUQAT3ClIpgq6m38sq1jVW9nVVYpmRMY073WuEEWEaduIwEm-VmkFfGG8APJAbIZOMIXsHat5hun2oY-CoBbaiKXNXws9bi8j2NxwII-w6YHSiooZNJ7f7wEl20GyxBbumHuctT4pfGRqO7kIEnglZz0bDJttNgG9gddHDa/s517/greekkey-ma.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNcVEIUlhC7W3UM7DqmUQAT3ClIpgq6m38sq1jVW9nVVYpmRMY073WuEEWEaduIwEm-VmkFfGG8APJAbIZOMIXsHat5hun2oY-CoBbaiKXNXws9bi8j2NxwII-w6YHSiooZNJ7f7wEl20GyxBbumHuctT4pfGRqO7kIEnglZz0bDJttNgG9gddHDa/s320/greekkey-ma.JPG" width="279" /></a></div><br /><strong>On a pair of replacement side snap shoes for a Madame Alexander Alexander-kins:</strong><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckJ9FA2uXiKD1NYG8ifizXz5FhPporJIQ0dRy3UHzTm1g2BvqYc1m16LJsIytlKU3rlCJz2G75nqzWT0wZ76WXveW-F-lmWdmzlJ5LhrcueaEV8IEyRw8-PM-bkM17iSQhuZcYzMM59qF9VoVH3_A6htgU5GOemTBt_MH-nQiB0fAxDl0u3JapIq9/s450/greekkey-alex.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="331" data-original-width="450" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckJ9FA2uXiKD1NYG8ifizXz5FhPporJIQ0dRy3UHzTm1g2BvqYc1m16LJsIytlKU3rlCJz2G75nqzWT0wZ76WXveW-F-lmWdmzlJ5LhrcueaEV8IEyRw8-PM-bkM17iSQhuZcYzMM59qF9VoVH3_A6htgU5GOemTBt_MH-nQiB0fAxDl0u3JapIq9/s320/greekkey-alex.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><strong>On a pair of center snap shoes worn by Ginny, Muffie, Ginger, Ninette, and other high quality toddler dolls in the early 1950s:</strong><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8vVwq43V-yc1v3wGUgtlcnG5D-5yXEx1oeCEEdeL89YKQMugP_XlsZntH_CQEOIHX8gD4ZLYAeagb18lblBi8ucMzjuxLbKjWNcwZe0AHmiLs4Jk6ZiY42-xcEhgOsGT8UknohWXjUpw58l0tMVeuTpjduEpYxQjXzYF7I_WSe9bT6N2vDz-c_iv/s450/greekkey-shoes.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="450" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8vVwq43V-yc1v3wGUgtlcnG5D-5yXEx1oeCEEdeL89YKQMugP_XlsZntH_CQEOIHX8gD4ZLYAeagb18lblBi8ucMzjuxLbKjWNcwZe0AHmiLs4Jk6ZiY42-xcEhgOsGT8UknohWXjUpw58l0tMVeuTpjduEpYxQjXzYF7I_WSe9bT6N2vDz-c_iv/s320/greekkey-shoes.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Katharine Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16805523619692744514noreply@blogger.com2