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Thursday, March 12, 2015

Doll Show Shopping Finds

Hi Doll Friends,

We had a fabulous day at the Bayou Bebe's Doll Show recently. The fun and excitement of going to a doll show is almost indescribable! I took some pictures so that I could try to share a little of that excitement with you.


Imagine walking into a grand hall filled with all kinds of dolls as far as the eye can see...


There really was something for everyone there. Dolls from antique to vintage to modern, and everything in between. 


There were so many bargains at the show, that I couldn't possibly have bought everything that was an amazing deal or even everything that I wanted. If you love bargains, you need to go to a doll show... prices were so low, it's unbelievable.


I realize now that a lot of my pictures are of the wonderful antique dolls that I saw, but there were tables full of brand new dolls too, including Barbie, Monster High, and even whole booths dedicated to reborn dolls. I wish I could have gotten pictures of everything.


There were also lots of accessories at the show, like furniture, miniatures, doll clothes, and shoes. There were also booths with every color and type of fabric that you could possibly want for sewing doll clothes. Fabrics, silk ribbon, tiny trims, and beautiful lace... 


So I guess you're wondering what we brought home. Well, here's a sneak peak of our huge haul...


Now, I went to the doll show with my 3 daughters. When we got there, my oldest and middle daughers wandered off together, while my youngest and I slowly looked at the first table, just trying to take it all in. A few minutes later, they came back with my middle daughter (11 years old) carrying a Giggles doll.  


I've been looking for a Giggles doll for a long time because I grew up with Giggles. I was so excited and completely shocked that they had bought this precious doll for just $10. Giggles is an 18" doll that was made by Ideal from 1967-1969.  She tilts her head from side to side and giggles when you move her arms. She has "flirty eyes", which means her eyes move from side to side when her head tilts. My sister, who was 8 1/2 years old, got a Giggles doll for Chrismas when I was just 5 months old.  This picture is from my first Christmas, and my big sister is holding her new Giggles doll. You can even see the Giggles box on the floor behind me.


Another doll from my childhood was Holly Hobbie. She is a 16" tall ragdoll made by Knickerbocker. I found her at the doll show in clean, excellent condition for just $2.


Not long ago I posted about my new Bleuette doll (see that post here). As I mentioned in that post, a nice antique Bleuette doll could cost around $5,000 or more, and the artist made reproduction Bleuette dolls usually cost around $250 and up. I was so excited to find this little wooden trunk with a beautiful Bleuette head and mohair wig for just $20.  She is a reproduction by doll artist, Laura Kelley from New York.  She is marked SFBJ 247 Paris Laura Kelley 12/05. I have already ordered a wooden Bleuette body, and I can't wait til it arrives to put her together.


I also bought these two adorable Bleuette dresses, so once she's all put together, she'll have something to wear.


I found this adorable shabby chic cabinet that is about 15" tall for just $15. The seller also threw in the china tea set for just $2.


And this miniature metal doll carriage with bedding and doll for $3.


I got this sweet Mammy doll from Gone With The Wind for $5.

  
She even has her rustling red petticoat.


I just fell in love with these two antique China Head dolls, so they came home with me.


My youngest daughter got a My Little Pony Equestria Girl doll.


My two younger daughters are definitely doll collectors already. My oldest daughter, the book-loving school teacher, doesn't collect dolls for herself, but loves to help us look for dolls. But, even she found a doll for herself at the doll show, a book related doll of course, Harry Potter.


The tall doll in the back is a 30" tall walking doll from the 1950's. She is marked AE on the back of her neck, indicating she was made by Allied Eastern. If you hold on to her left arm, she walks with you. One foot on the floor causes the other foot to swing forward. 


Here is a close up of her sweet face. She appears to be wearing her original dress and matching hair bow. One of the vendors gave her to my 11 year old daughter. Doll Show vendors are so generous, and they love to see the younger generation interested in doll collecting. Junior collectors are the future of the hobby after all. 


These two little dolls are 11" Baby Mine dolls made by Ideal from 1951-1954. They have all hard plastic, fully jointed bodies with blue side-glancing sleep eyes.


My younger daughters like Kewpie dolls, and they got these two little vinyl Kewpies and this 1972 Cameo Kewpie Gal doll.


I got this Wee Patsy made by Effanbee. I think she is either Alice in Wonderland or Mary Had a Little Lamb. She is just about 5" tall, and she came with a little lamb. I don't know if the lamb came with her originally or if someone added it. I'm not sure what year this reissue is from, but probably before 2002 when Robert Tonner purchased the Effanbee Company. 


I bought some 100% silk ribbon and a pink flower trim. Did you know that craft and fabric stores don't sell 100% silk ribbon anymore? I was looking for some recently, but I could only find polyester ribbon in stores.


I also picked up some vintage cotton lace.


This little framed 5 x 7 Cream of Wheat dolly picture was just too sweet not to bring it home.


I picked up some back issues of Doll News Magazine for just $1 each. This is the official magazine of the United Federation of Doll Clubs, and is sent out to members only. These wonderful thick magazines are packed with beautiful full color doll photos and informative articles, not ads like other magazines.


Just above the magazines, you can also see a couple of cute dollhouse rugs that a vendor gave to my daughters. Doesn't the braided rug look just perfect in Hitty's house?  ♥ I love it! 


I strongly encourage you to search for doll shows in your area. Check the United Federation of Doll Club's Event Calendar to search by location. You can also search online by typing "Doll Show and your state or location" into your search bar to see what comes up.


We are planning a trip to Fairhope, Alabama this Saturday, March 14, 2015 for the Eastern Shore Doll Study Club's Annual Doll Show and Sale. Looking forward to another exciting doll show!!!

Hugs  
 - Lisa

14 comments:

  1. Oh, aren't doll shows just wonderful? I went to one in our area last month, and am looking forward to attending another in a couple of weeks. You never know what you'll find! And it certainly looks like you found lots of great stuff. I especially love the little doll hutch and the repro Bleuette.

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    1. Yes doll shows are wonderful, Angela! I'd love to hear about what you found! Before going to a doll show, I would have thought that everything would be more expensive there, but I couldn't have been more wrong about that. There were so many bargains that I passed up. Dolls that I would have bought in a heartbeat if I had found them at an antique store or flea market for the same price or more. There were just too many bargains to buy them all at once! I hope you'll find lots of beauties and bargains at your upcoming show too!!!

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  2. Wow, what a great time you had, and such great finds! I went to one doll show last year and was planning on going to more, but got derailed. I'll definitely have to find out what shows are coming up here, and also go back and look closely at all your pictures when I have some extra minutes!

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    1. Hi Barb! Yes, we sure did have a great time at the doll show! It is wonderful to be able to see so many different dolls in one place. I hope you will find some doll shows coming up that are close to you!

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  3. I just stumbled upon your blog via Pinterest. I love the ceiling fan. The Houston doll show is tomorrow and I need another doll like I need a hole in my head! However, I probably will end up going.

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    1. Hi Betty! Thanks for checking out my blog! I'm glad that you liked the mini ceiling fan tutorial. I hope you were able to go to the Houston show! I'd love to hear about any goodies you found! :)

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  4. That's a wonderful haul! Thank you for sharing your trip with us. I love all your finds.

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    1. Thanks Melody! I'm glad you enjoyed reading about our adventure! :)

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  5. Thank you, Lisa, for the UFDC Event Calendar website. I have never attended a doll show before. The one planned for our area in April is called an "auction and sale" so does that mean that you can only attend if you plan to purchase something or will the dolls be displayed just for the fun of looking?
    Fawn

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    1. Hi Fawn! I'm so happy you were able to use the link to find a doll show close to you. Yes, you can go to look even if you don't purchase anything. There may be a contact number listed that you could call to get more information before the event. I hope you're able to go!!! I'd love to hear about it!!!

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  6. Lisa-I also just stumbled onto your blog and clicked on the link you provided and I am so very excited to see a doll show coming my way next month-it will be my first and I am eagerly anticipating it. Thank you so much for the info-hoping I will also find bargains.
    Thanks again, Tina

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    1. Hi Tina! Thanks for checking out my blog. I'm so glad that you were able to find a doll show local to you. Have fun and good luck finding some awesome bargains!!!
      Lisa

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  7. Such wonderful finds from the Doll Show. I haven't been to a doll show in so long. I hope to make our local one,that comes up in October. Blessings

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    1. Thanks Shelley! I hope you get to go to the Doll Show in October! We went to one more last Saturday, but I don't think there will be any more close enough to go to until maybe fall.

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Thanks so much for stopping by. I'd love it if you left a comment to let me know you were here. Have a wonderful day!