Kiddles, Kiddles, Kiddles

Here's a picture of my new adoptees. They should arrive by Monday. I've been following the kiddle market recently and have been able to snap up some deals again...yay! I've also fallen in love with the Etsy shopping site. There are many talented doll artists out there!

It's Spring and It's Apple Blossom Time!

It's my lucky day! I was missing two Kologne Kiddles; now I'm only missing one--Bluebell. I used to visit ebayland every day and as a result happened across many bargains. But even bargains can pinch one's pocketbook, so I swore off and haven't bought any kiddles since November of last year. The seller today not only had an excellent price for Miss Apple Blossom, but threw in these two vintage kiddle clones as well! There are actually many clone collectors, but I'm not one of them. However, I do have a few that were all thrown in with various kiddle purchases. There really is no comparison between a clone and a kiddle--the genius designers at Mattel made each Liddle Kiddle face absolutely perfect!

Back to Kiddles

I love to visit doll blogs and the doll groups on Flickr because there are so many great pictures! I have never been a great photographer, a quality I must have inherited from my parents. In fact, I recently had to borrow a magnifying glass to look at one of my childhood pics. (Albeit, I was cheekily holding a Liddle Kiddle in front of my face! Even with the magnifying glass I am still not sure, but think it is Shirley Skediddle.) Anyway, that's the way all of my childhood photos are: a bit out of focus and lacking detail.

One of my best clients, and very good friends, is a photographer. She owns an incredible studio in downtown Littleton called Element One Photography. I think I'm going to take her up on her offer to photgraph some of my collection. In the meantime, any photo tips would be greatly appreciated!

Snowy Day in April

Last month I posted that March started out just beautiful, spring-like, and sure enough, it ended like a lion with lots, and lots of snow. April will be our snowiest month here in Colorado this year, which really isn't unusual.

I wish I could just stay home and write today, but I have to go to of all things, a spring-themed business tradeshow. I was at set-up last night and the irony of the theme put a wry smile on my face. In fact, the news just said that we should have two to three feet of snow here! Freezy Sliddle loves to look out the window and watch the snowfall.

Dream Wish List

This morning I went visiting in EbayLand. I didn't buy anything, but oh man if I had money...! It was fun, though, because I made a list for my kids of possible Mothers Day presents. Yep, I'm one of those moms that has finally woken-up and started asking for what I want for the few holidays I have. When Jill and Steven were little, they delighted in going out and shopping for something "special" for Mom. It was always fun to see what they thought I just couldn't live without, which, by the way, were very close to things they wanted--like stuffed animals, plaques with butterflys on them, "stained glass" window displays, boxes of candy, etc. Jill was the first to really start trying and asking me what I might like, plus she is an artist and made me several things that I still treasure today.

The list I made today was comprised entirely of Liddle Kiddles. The prices are such that I only expect one, but it sure is fun to dream.

People who collect dolls are GREAT!

I can't believe that I haven't posted to my blog for over a month! Actually, I've been working on a novel about a news reporter who rediscovers her childhood love--dolls! Yesterday a friend called and was just wondering how my business was going in this economy and also how my doll blog was going. I'm like, oh yeah, I have a doll blog. I originally started it to meet other doll collectors and find out how they went about it, etc, and just share this great love of all things adorable, cute, and enchanting--all things dolls!

The one thing that I have found out for sure is that people who love dolls are just plain nice. I bought my one and only, never-removed-from package, liddle kiddle--Pretty Parlor--on ebay. As I communicated back and forth with the seller, I realized that I was talking to the lady who wrote THE BOOK on Liddle Kiddles. When Pretty Parlor arrived she came with lots of extras from Paris, along with a hand written note. So special!

Then, when I ordered my Kelly books I got a note from the online store that the books would be shipping directly from the author. I sent a quick e-mail to the author after I received these beautiful books and her response was just so genuine and lovely. Not to mention, all of the notes, and extra gifts, I've received from fellow doll collectors.

I'm reading a book about "play" in human culture and it has really opened my eyes to the innate need in all of us to play every day.

Windy Fliddle

Windy was my first complete surprise kiddle. My daughter, Jill, won Windy on ebay. Jill is a very skilled ebay-er! I've tried her techniques, but don't have her track record yet.

BTW, I made the scarf and the keys and glasses are Kelly's. I love to add accessories, and even dress my Kiddles in Kelly outfits (shock, horror!) Of course, I adore the Kiddles with all of their original accessories, clothes, and darling tiny shoes, but there is something so special about rescuing naked, partially chewed, even with some little green spots, etc. Kiddles! That is how, in very short order, I now have 58 sweet, sweet, Liddle Kiddles!!!!

Commercial

This is the video that got me started creating my own doll world: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5HL1ar41wU

And, of course, I found another great video, this time about Peekaboo's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMqgjJ7ickw

Here's a real Peekaboo commercial. I don't know where it's being shown, but it's for sure not in Colorado!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFIvwAgZ-98

Liddle Kiddles

It all began on September 24, 2008. I know, I know, not a long-time-ago, once-upon-a-time beginning, but those all have to begin somewhere, right? Anyway, I was at a client's office helping search for information on model car racing for an upcoming display. I landed at You Tube and started looking through video after video. Since we couldn't decide if the display would be retro, I started to look through vintage toy commercials and came across one for Liddle Kiddles. I googled Liddle Kiddles and, pow!...eBay extravaganza!

That very evening, I signed up for eBay to find the kologne, kola kiddles, and case I had as a child. Straight away I found a set of the kologne kiddles. They arrived two days later--the seller was practically down the street from me. Not knowing what to expect, I opened the package and inside was gobs of bubble wrap. (I've since experienced that Liddle Kiddle collectors, or kollectors--yep, all "c"s convert to "k"s in our world--love bubble wrap. I've bought other dolls and none are wrapped to the extent that Liddle Kiddles are.) Happy ending...buried inside the box, and individually cocooned in bubble wrap and scotch tape, Kiddles! Two weeks later I had the kola kiddles, and the kase. Then the research started...