Bios Page 2 (H to M)
Bios Page 4 (T to Z)
Nichole~~I got married three weeks ago and it was the most amazing day. We've been back from the honeymoon for about a week and so far we love married life (evertime I get to say husband, I laugh!). ~~
I finished my Business Degree but I'm back in school for Interior Design-I"ll be done next summer, and I'm really excited because I know this is what I'm supposed to do-I'm going to be good at it!~~I haven't bought many barbies lately, but I still love the girls I have (I had to sell a few to buy my dear husband a surprise wedding gift) and I'll catch up on all the girls I've missed after we have a house and more spending money.~~We adpoted a fourth cat, named Fancy and she's a little doll-we just adore her. 9/18/02
Niki~~I am 23 years old and married. My husband and I were high school sweethearts and have been married for 2 1/2 years. We live in Oregon, in a tiny town of about 300. We have two cats (my babies Timmy and Calvin), a dog (Patch), and a bunny rabbit (Toby). I have been collecting barbies for about 3 years. I have always loved barbies. My sisters and I had sooo much fun playing with them when we were little. There are many fond memories that involve barbie. It just seemed natural to start collecting them when I was older. My older sister does, too. I have some that are nrfb and some on display. Most of my display dolls are from the playline. I call them "guilt-free deboxers." I'm not worried about losing the value just because I took them out of the box. And the playline has some really pretty dolls. One of my favorites is Jewel Girl Teresa. I have a site where you can see some of my collection, http://goofygirlniki.tripod.com
(I also love Goofy!!) I also collect the silkstone barbies. I didn't really care for them when they came out, but I fell in love with the raven haired lingerie doll and have been collecting ever since. I am now up to 10 or 11. I have to debox them, too. They are just too much fun redressing for pictures to leave them in the box! I also love the fashion avenue line. There are some really cute clothes that my girlies love to wear! Now, I gotta go read everyone else's bio! :)
9/18/02
Nora~~ Greetings from Upstate New York! My name is Nora. I am married to a terrific man and have three great children. Two of my children are in their twenties and live on their own so, we just have one teenage daughter at home with us. We also have a cat, dog and fish. ~~ Some of my hobbies include cooking, gardening, camping, NFL (Go Bills!) , belly dancing and collecting Barbie's! I have been collecting Barbie's for about 9 years. The Silkstone Barbie dolls are my very favorite! I used to be a NRFB kind of collector but I just couldn't resist the silkys! I had to get them out of their boxes! I have a little over 200 Barbie's and my daughter owns about 80 or so. I have some vintage, some mod, as well as collector and limited editions, and the silkstone ladies! My dream doll would be a mint condition high color brunette American Girl doll! ~~This is how I began collecting Barbie's. When my youngest daughter was six years old we got a dog. She loved playing with her Barbie dolls. I set up a corner of the livingroom for her Barbie House, 2 cars and 40 dolls. My little girl would play for hours with her dolls happy as could be! Well, our family had gone to a Christmas party one afternoon and left the dog inside. When we returned home we found the dog had chewed up every doll! There were heads here, legs over there and little hands everywhere throughout the house! My daughter burst into tears as we walked through the front door! She was inconsolable! She sobbed for over a hour, poor little thing! Well my husband decided he would pay for the damages and gave the six year old $300.00 to replace her dolls! So we had a great little shopping trip to TRU and bought lots of play line dolls and three collector editions! That little episode is now known in our household as "The Great Barbie Masacre" and is what set me towards collecting Barbie's along with my daughter!
9/18/02
Pam in NM~~Doll Jazzz by Pam Hi! I am 44, mother of 2, married 21 years on the 12th, and currently live in Carlsbad, NM. I grew up in SF, and was the youngest of 4 kids, so I got both of my sisters Barbies passed down to me. I loved playing Barbies with my girlfriends, and did until I was 12. I started collecting Barbie when I found out I was having a girl (Kaylee now 9) and I just couldn't wait to start her collection! Well one thing lead to another and she now has a wonderful collection that has just about taken over our storage! I also collect for myself, and I debox mine to display them in my curio. I love the new Silkstone dolls and have fun redressing them. I took dress designing in SF and got my 2 year completion which has sent me down the road of designing one of a kind dolls a couple of years ago, and a year ago into Kelly and friends. Ella has been a big help, with tips and a website with support. I now create dolls and sell both my one of a kind dolls and NRFB dolls on ebay. It really is a great way to stay at home with the kids, have a creative hobby and make some extra money to pay for my daughters collection! I have been lucky to add some vintage dolls and outfits that I remember from my childhood, through my good friends Anne and Lori. Thank you Ladies! I enjoy being part of the doll world and hope to continue with my creative hobby! Thank you to all the wonderful friends I have come to have from this board, you have made it fun! Thank you Vicky for keeping the board going! 9/18/02
Pam aka Ü ~~Hi, I am Pam. I am a married 27 yo mother of 4 dogs and 3 cats. I will graduate as a Physician Assistant in Dec 2002, thus bringing my career as a professional student to an end. I also am a webmaster for SPCA of Cumberland County. Come visit if you have minute.~~I first discovered Vicky's board about 5 years ago. At that time I was posting as "Pam in NC" but later changed simply to "Ü." I haven't posted very much in the last couple of years due to school but I do check in every day to see what is new.~~My obsession started when I was about 15 or so (1990?). My mother gave me an Egyptian Queen Barbie for Christmas. At that age, I had stopped playing with the pink box Barbies (they were for kids :) ). So I hadn't been to the Barbie isle for quite some time. I had no idea they had Collector Barbies. She was beautiful. Mom continued to give me Barbies on special occasions, most were the seasonal grocery store type.~~
I later met and married a man that supported my growing obsession. He even introduced me to a new Barbie store that just opened in our area. Soon I discovered the internet and it has just snowballed from there. ~~After the intial "gotta have every doll" rush every collector gets, I narrowed my collecting to elegantly dressed Barbies such as the Mackies. The Fantasy Goddesses are my pride and joy (thanks Mario!) Artic, Americas, and Asia sit on the top shelf of my curio. Hopefully, I will find an African Goodess at a good price when I gets some $$$. ~~I hope everyone has fun and is enjoying their collections!! 9/18/02
Patty Allegro Blue, Brazil~~ Fashion Doll Designs and Jewelry I love Barbie since I was a little kid. I got my first Barbie when I was 7 years old (1987), and she was a Biker Barbie, I still have her. I had other 2 Barbies, one Ken and the 3 Brazilian Barbie friends: Lia, Viky and Diva.
I stoped playing with her around 12 years old, but with 15 years old (1995) I still used to like her and bought Butterfly Princess Barbie and Papillon Prince Ken. ~~In 1996 with 17 years old I bought Cut 'n' Style Barbie and Jewel Hair Mermaid Barbie because of their long hairs, and played a lot with them.
At the same time, I discovered Water Lily in a Brazilian store, but I didn't knew that she was a collectibles, I just though she was another doll which not Barbie. But in 1999, I saw Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella in the same store and loved their allegro blue gowns, so I discovered the Barbie website and notice all the Barbie collectibles. I bought those 2 dolls and started collecting dolls with light blue dresses. Following the blue dresses, I get in love with Marilyn Monroe Barbie after having a University work about her. ~~In 2000 I started customizing a few dolls to suply my allegro blue passion, and keep doing them to sell now. ~~My collection is made most of light blue dolls and blonde dolls. My favourite and which I dreamed so much was Billions Of Dreams Barbie, and I'm so proud to have her! But besides light blue blonde dolls, I love '50 style dolls specially Marilyn dolls! I collect lovely doll which wears pastel colours. ~~The doll I know I can't have, but would be my second dream is Faberge Imperial Elegance. 9/18/02
Peggy~~I started collecting Barbie in 94 when I spotted Benefit Ball at TRU. The next step was finding every Barbie book available and learning everything about all the dolls I loved as a child. During my search I happened across a Barbie club in my area and made the best friend of my life. She had been collecting vintage forever and taught me everything I know today about collecting. She made the hobby so much more fun. Unfortunately, 2 years ago she died of ancer and I thought collecting would never be the same for me. It was hard to be excited about new dolls with no one to share it with. Luckily, I found this board and now I have to check it all day long at work. This board has restored my enthusiasm for collecting and I have met alot of wonderful people here. I mostly collect vintage but I still buy newer dolls when they are great prices. :) lol Thank you to everyone here.....at last I feel like I have someone to share Barbie with again. 9/18/02
Peri in Tucson~~Hi - I am really Linda H. in Tucson Arizona - I am a big Dr. Who fan and Peri is a character in that series. Sophia (in my email addy) was my great cat, who died two months ago at age 18! I am over 50 and work in city court.~~I got my first Barbie in 1961 - a blonde ponytail - I was "old" (11) so my mother pooh poohed her and also did not like her "adult" look, so I didnt play with her much until Junior high, when a neighbor and I began huge elaborate roll playing games with Barbie, Ken and Breyer horses. We both also got Skippers. By High school all the dolls were packed away. ~~My own daughter got me interested again in the 70's and we got lots of playline dolls - in about 1997 we began collecting together - first pink box, then collector dolls. I have about 200 dolls but will be selling some soon on ebay - trying to cut back to just vintage and silkies!~~My dream doll is an AG brunette - maybe someday! We try to keep spending under 150 TOPS for any doll, so I am not expecting to see one soon! (if ever). ~~The board is a joy - I read it all the time and enjoy reading your pieces - Vicky is saintly to host this forum. 9/18/02
Princess Carissa~~When I was young my mother and grandmother had collected many Barbies over the years and I was the forunate one to be the first granddaughter. Every year for my mother's birthday my g-ma would buy her a Barbie that would be put up with the ones my g-ma had collected herself. On my 6th birthday I became the proud owner of about 50 Barbies that had never been out of the box. There are original ones and some I have never even heard of. But until I was older I would get so mad because I couldn't play with them. Most of my dolls had no head or their arms had been chewed on. So I thought I should be able to play with the others. They were all in tact so why couldn't I play with them. Now at 17 I am very grateful that they taught me to love and respect my dolls. When my g-ma died I did give up one to go with her. It was one that had always been her favorite and when my mother's time comes I will give up another. But until then they stay on shelves in my room still in the boxes. Thank you for letting me take this moment to remember my g-ma and the fun we had. 9/18/02
Rachel P in CC~~I really love my Barbies especially the long dresses with glitter, ruffles, and lace. I was born in Minnesota Jan 5 1955, and moved to Corpus Christi TX Jan 1, 1984 because of family problems. My parents were to poor to buy me a Barbie (I am #5 of 8 kids) so when my daughter at the age of 10 got interested in the fancy Barbies 1990 I started to buy her the Holidays and Birthdays one. I got hooked really bad then But at age 13 she decided she loved her soccer and being a tomboy more. So she made me box them up and put them out of her sight until the week she moved out to go to college that was 1998 Luckily I did not listen to her when she asked me not to buy any more cause I kept buying them and I have been buying the Collectors Barbies with the glittery dresses. I was married Sept 18, 1976, making today my 26th Anniversary, and we have 2 sons Cory, 27, a Registered Nurse who is moving to Roswell NM, out by Pam. He and his wife Jan are both RN's and moving out there to take care of her grandparents. Then there is Clinton, 20, and going to college in Denton TX. He is a pure Republican who is working on an education to be campaign managers for any Republicans Campaign. He really hates my Barbies. Then I have a daughter Alison who is 23, and she is still a tomboy, lives in Lewisville, going to college in Denton and looking for a job. Then theres my hubby, Arne who use to support my Barbie habit by buying me one as a gift but doesn't any more cause he thinks I have enough. Oh and we are talking about moving out to Roswell NM also. 9/18/02
Rene' ~~ I started collecting Barbies in 1995. I thought the Holiday Barbies looked pretty and thought I would just collect them every year. Well, seven years later my collection has grown as well as my tastes. I no longer buy pink boxes, I try to concentrate more on the higher end dolls. I have really thinned out my collection in order to purchase some of more expensive dolls. I also like the Barbie and Ken sets. I have to say Tango Barbie and Ken is the best set yet! ~~I am a stay at home Mom with two darling boys, ages 4 and 8 months. My husband doesn't like Barbies but understands my love for them. This board has been a great place to read about dolls and to meet new people, In fact, I met Margo L from this board and we have become very good friends. I grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana but moved away when I got married. I lived in Biloxi Mississippi for six months (my husband was in the Air Force) then we were transferred to Oklahoma City were we stayed for seven years even thought he got out of the service. We then decided to move back closer to home so we now reside in Indianapolis, Indiana. Well, thanks for reading. I have enjoyed reading about everyone too. 9/18/02
RibonCandi aka Bonnie F ~~ have been talking and listening on this board since 1998. For two years I sponsored the holiday swaps. That was a lot of fun and heart ache as well. I must say through all of it I have some really nice One Of A Kind dolls that I will always treasure. I was also around for Pink Chat until that board closed down...still hangin out with "ya all".~~I collect all kinds of dolls but love Robert Tonner designs the best. Currently I am trying my hand at new outfits for Kitty Collier and then will practice on some stuff for the new 18 inch Estelle.
Still have Barbies...lots and lots of Barbies. If you need something let me know because I am trying to down size my collection for some new girls I would like to have. ~~And that's that I guess. ~~
Oh...really, really enjoy all the wonderful pics through out the years and want to say thank you to all of you. Oh and here's a pic of ME heehee ;) 9/18/02
Roseann ~~ I have been a lurker/occasional poster on the board here for several years. I post when I have something to say, not all that often, but I read every day so I already feel like I know everyone here.~~ I've lived on Long Island my entire life, and I'm a single Mom with 3 kids; AJ who is 9, Jackie who is 6 and Nicholas who is 3. They keep me pretty busy, and Jackie very much enjoys having a house with a room dedicated to Barbie, even if it's mostly for looking. There is one small corner of the room set up for play.~~I have been collecting for about 13 years, have about 500 - 600 dolls, and I love this hobby. I have attended the last 4 National Conventions and am registered for Orlando (Mickey & Barbie together, what more could I want?). The wonderful friends I have met through this hobby have been a huge bonus to the joy of collecting. I don't know how I would have gotten through some of the things in my life the past few years if it hadn't been for them.~~ I've had to curtail my collecting in the last 2 years due to finances, so I have been concentrating on Silkstones (I was lucky enough to win most of this year's dolls in Sandi Holder's Raffle) and Vintage. I have all the Mackies, and they are the pride of my collection as I got every one at retail!~~
I love Vintage the most, and my dream doll would be a long-haired brunette, high color American Girl wearing Fashion Luncheon.~~ Thanks to Vicky for putting up with the garbage and keeping the board going. And thanks to Ruth Handler for creating that little piece of vinyl that brought us all together. 9/18/02
Ruth~~I don't post a lot but read every day I can! Have bought some great dolls from some of you! I'm 36, married, and have 2 boys - ages 6 and 10. I loved my barbies when I was little and tried to take care of them but played with them a lot. I couldn't believe the shape of some of my friends dolls! Eeek! I started collecting by getting the 95 Holiday doll and put it in the closet so my husband wouldn't see it and think I was crazy! I would pull it out once in a while to peek at her! Since we live in quite a rural area the only collector dolls I knew about were what I saw at Walmart and the Sears and Penney's catalog. Finally started getting the Miller's doll catalog and then the Barbie Bazaar. My eyes really got opened up once we got a computer and internet in 99! I'm so glad I found this board too! Anyways in 97 or so my family knew how crazy I was over barbies and my husband is great about it - guess he thinks of them as an investment! I don't debox most of my more expensive collector dolls but do really enjoy finding garage sale bargains and some pink box dolls and giving my hand at fixing them up. Like to work on hair and of course paint their nails. I've tried a little at enhancing makeup but can use lots more practice on that! ~~I was thrilled to get to go to the Natl. convention this year. Don't know if I'll ever make it again but it was a blast! Especially love the sales room and room sales!!
Sandy in MD~~I received my first Barbie for my third Christmas - a White Ginger bubblecut with the zebra stripe swimsuit. My parents followed up with some of the early fashions, Ken, Skipper, Miss Barbie and even a Little Theater set in later years. (Unfortunately the Little Theater structure was lost in a house fire in 1970, but at least my family, my dolls and their clothes survived.) I still have all of my original dollies and they have since been joined by lots and lots of friends! I am the only "girl" in my house - my husband and son (he's 17) are fairly supportive of my doll collecting hobby. I have some of the larger fashion dolls (Gene, Tyler, Sydney) but the majority of my dolls are Barbies. I debox everything and have two curios for displaying. I love the addition of Silkstones to the line. I also buy a lot of the Fashion Avenues and make clothing too. ~~I work in I/T with mostly guys, so my dolls are a nice reminder of my feminine side. I also collect "Just the Right Shoe" items, but that collection is small compared to Babs. Some of my free time is spent on arts & crafts - I like making things and giving them away. I like making soaps and candles but also do polymer clay, rubber stamping, jewelry making, scrapbooking, sewing, painting - a little bit of everything. ~~I don't post much at Vicky's because I don't think I am an expert on dolls. I enjoy seeing all of the pretty photos of everyone's collection and the OOAK's that the talented doll artists post here. I have also had the pleasure of buying many of my dolls from some really nice people on this board. ~~It has been fun seeing the posts listed so far today - it is nice to get to know more about each of you. 9/18/02
Sarah, NC ~~ I'm a 59-yr old mother of 2 grown children, and have been collecting Barbies for about 5 years now. I started by selling, at my daughter's request some of her toys, including dolls, when she went off to college. I was amazed at what I saw on eBay - was not aware of all the gorgeous collector Barbies and began buying a few for myself! Now, over 100 dolls later, I've built a nice collection of formally dressed dolls for myself and also a new collection of the horse-related Barbies for my daughter! (She's a trainer - hunter/jumpers.)
I also began doing repaints and making outfits for dolls after having met Jim Faraone at a doll show in Raleigh. I was very inspired by the OOAK dolls I saw at the show and began making some to sell. It's been a wonderful hobby and continues to provide enjoyment as an escape from my job - I'm a child protective services social worker. My husband and son are proud of what I do and don't seem to mind a house filled with dolls. My website is at Sarah's Style. Please take a look at my when you have time!~~ I've really enjoyed reading Vicky's board and appreciate that we have such a nice place to come and enjoy our hobby together. ~~
The doll I'd most like to have right now is the Mackie Lady Liberty. I'd also love to have that Neptune! The only one I have on order right now is Madamoiselle Isabelle - I love the idea of being able to hang the box on the wall. Here's a pic of ME 9/18/02
Schell~~Five years ago this month, I began my adult Barbie collection. I purchased the first BMR doll and I was hooked. Luckily, I still have several of my childhood dolls, mostly mods. My favorite series is the silkstone line, and I also collect world culture dolls. I am very thankful for this board and the great people I have "met" through it. 9/18/02
Shane MA~~ I love my Barbies and her friends! My first Barbie that I remember was a Pretty Growing Hair Barbie - so cool! To this day, I want to be able to have short or long hair on a whim just like her! I also remember having a Miss America Barbie and various Malibus. Did you ever have this happen? Your walking through the toy store and you want that doll but your Grandmother says, "Don't you already have a Barbie like that?" I did!~~Later, I had a Free Moving Barbie and Ken and Fashion Photo PJ. PJ was my favorite because she had brown hair just like me. My baby sitter gave me all of her dolls and clothes: a titian bubble cut, titian Midge, brunette flock haired Ken, Career Girl fashion, Saturday Night Date, etc. At the time, I thought the old dolls were so ugly. BC Barbie and Midge always played the evil stepmother and step-sister.~~I even collected Barbie in my early teens. I fell in love with the Dolls of the World series and bought for myself the first Parisian, Oriental, Scottish and Indian dolls. Then I decided I was too old and everything that had lasted to that point was packed away.~~After the Barbie bug bit me again about 3 years ago, I could only find PJ's head, Free Moving Ken and the Dolls of the World packed away at my Mother's house. Only a few pieces of those great vintage fashions had made it.~~The bug bit when my boyfriend bought me a brunette Corduroy Cool Barbie thinking I would let him spend more time looking at his action figures in stores if I was interested in something in the toy aisles. Bad move on his part. I was only going to have the one doll and I was only going to buy one Fashion Avenue a week for her. ROFLOL!!! That didn't last long. Now we are 3 years down that road, way too many dolls to count and each one has a better wardrobe than I do!~~
I collect whatever I like vintage to modern, Kelly to Ken. I debox it all and have a great time playing with it! Anybody wanna play Barbie with me? 9/18/02
Shani-boy~~Well, it began in the spring of 1993. I was discharged from the Air Force. I had a lot of spare time on my hands. I started cruising the thrift stores and came across an action figure. He appeared to be a Marx figure. I researched the figure and couldn't find anything on it. I even went to a toy store hoping I could find information there. That's were I discovered Steven. He was smilin' at me. I bought him. I searched other stores and bought more Steven's. He looked kinda lonely so I bought him some friends to hang with. There was this other guy doll named Ken. Ken had a friend named Barbie, who had other friends, most notably Christie. Barbie had other friends Shani, Nichelle, Asha and Jamal! Barbie and all of her friends came to join Steven.
Steven's little village started out with just 6 dolls. He moved to a piece of land land that gave him and his friends more room. They relocated twice and are now living in their own studio and doll room. The village now includes Candi, Charice, GI Joe, Integrity dolls and Olmec dolls. The population of the village is estimated over 1,000 (the census taker gave up keepin' track).~~All of this has helped me develop friendships and acquaintances across the globe. Doll collecting has its ups and downs. The downs are too few to really mention. The ups come in a variety of rorms--the thrill of news regarding new dolls, seeing pics of other collections, seeing pics of redresses, marveling at the creativity of doll artist and the camaraderie of the doll world. 9/18/02
Shela~~I'm an Army wife and when I realize the flea markets all over the world I could have been at I cry. I started collecting in 1991 with the dolls of the worlds. I remember turning down Mackie saying $150.00 for a Barbie get real. I exactly got hooked by reading Barbie Bazarre, and I had to have the great dolls I saw. Well, several 100 dolls later, and every fashion avenue ever made and I'm still hooked. It drives my husband crazy, he asks how much is enough, it is never enough. 9/18/02
Sheri in OR~~You want to know about me? There are things about me you wouldn't understand...there are things about me you couldn't understand...there are things about me you shouldn't understand (favorite quote from Pee Wee Herman)~~Like most of you I had Barbies as a child, played with and tortured them to the point I had none left as an adult. Discovered Gene in 1999 and fell in love with fashion dolls big time and (please don't hate me) Gene is my first doll-love for sure but Silkstone Barbie is now a close second. When my next child moves out next month, oh happy day, I will have my long sought after doll room and I will display all my Pretties in the manner they deserve, and Barbie will certainly have her place of honor. I love and appreciate Barbie in a different way than most. She is the doll I learned to sew for, probably when I was 7 years old my stepmother patiently taught me how to thread a needle, how to take tiny stitches and those memories are priceless not to mention the ability to make my doll's clothes when I have time.
Shirley aka Sala50~~SALeMay on ebay I'm 50ish. I live just out side Memphis,TN. That's pronouced Men fuss. You have to get the accent just right.(you know like Elvis said it)I didn't have a Barbie when I was growing up. I was 10 when she came out. My Mother said I was to old to play with dolls. So she wouldn't buy me one. She would roll over in her grave if she knew how much time I spend playing with them now. I do one of a kind dolls that I sell on ebay. Yes it has been awhile since I made one. But I plan to get busy soon. My Granddaughter got me started. She always stayed at my house on the week ends and we played Barbies.When I took her home one Sunday she said that next weekend Barbie and Elvis were getting married. And that they needed new clothes. So I set out to make a wedding gown. I ended up making a whole bridal party. I loved it !! There are a couple of pictures of my work at the link below.
I'm not a collector. Well, I wasn't until the silkstones. I am obsessed with them.
This was a really good idea about the bios. I really enjoyed reading everyones. 9/18/02
Smittygirl~~My bizarro Barbie life began when I was about 16. A couple of things made me decide that I wanted to start seriously collecting the dolls:
1) Disney's Cinderella doll (I still have a slight passion for classic Disney)~~
2) Mom's original TNT Barbie and pals Stacey, Francie and Truly Scrumptious (This would prove to be the strongest catalyst of all, hands down.)~~
Ah, Mom's dolls. When I first really noticed them, you couldn't convince me that they were Barbies. The Barbies I had grown up with so far were bleach blondes with huge blue eyes and had more teeth than an Osmond Family Reunion!~~"Those aren't Barbies, Mom." ~~"Yes they are! They look just like yours." ~~"Uh, no they don't."~~We compared the dolls and sure enough, there was a big difference.~~I wanted dolls like Mom's. Oh brother, did I ever want dolls like hers! What's really funny is that Mom got interested in the more current dolls--exactly opposite of what I was starting to get interested in! I still find this hilarious.~~Fast forward almost ten years now and we have more dolls than we'll ever really know what to do with. We love them, though. Still lots of play time in this house! My little sister, who is ten, is also a collector of Barbies, but she hasn't quite made it to the "let's set up a diorama" stage yet. It's a hoot to watch us in Toys R Us or Kay Bee. Three gals in the pink aisle, eyes aglaze.~~Not long after I got into the Barbie craze, I got into OOAK dolls. I'm *still* into them and everything is a learning experience. I have an absolute blast making different ones, from fantasy creatures to people I know. It must be noted that the kitchen table does look a mess, what with Barbie parts scattered all over the place. I'm still hoping to start a custom doll site one of these days...
~~What I like best about my little Barbie world is that I can control it. That may sound a bit weird, but when there seems to be so much in your life that never fails to go wrong on a daily basis, it's nice to be able to make something--even if it's only plastic--go right. My dolls aren't perfect, which is fine with me. That makes them more like real people, I think. ~~
Barbie and all her little vinyl friends also never seem to stop smiling, either. You have GOT to admire that about her.~~Well, *I* do.~~Back to being a drifter--I'll see everybody around, m'kay? ^_^ *waves and scampers off* 9/18/02
Stacey~~One of my earliest Barbie experiences that I remember clearly:My Grandfather took me shopping to pick out a toy after a fun day spent together horseback riding. I saw the Ballerina Barbie, fell in love, and he bought her for me (I remember she was $9!). I have since replaced her, I don't know where my original ended up. When I received her from a seller on ebay, my breath caught in my throat when I opened the box. It brought back many happy memories of my Grandfather, who I lost 10 years ago this November. Whenever I look at her, I think of Grandpa :)~~I also remember getting the SuperSize Barbie for my 10th Birthday. I have a pic of me posing next to her, in that "model" stance with hands on hips! Hubby started me collecting Barbie again in 1993. He would buy me a Barbie every Christmas from the time we started dating. The first Barbie he bought for me was Romantic Wedding, and then he proposed to me a week later, on New Year's Eve.....
My love for Barbie is rooted in love for those dear to me, I guess..... 9/18/02
Stacey~~I live in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I am 26, married mother of a little boy. My Barbie obesession started when I saw the first Harley Barbie. Course I never did get her. So I just collected a few collector editions until I got my computer. Once I discovered Ebay, I was out of control. I bought all my 80's childhood dolls all still in the box. Then I discovered the Ebay Barbie board and started collecting vintage. Now I collect a little of everthing. I love them all. I also reroot and sew for Barbie. Such fun! Hope I didn't bore anyone for too long. :-)9/18/02
Stacy in KS ~~You guys all know me as Stacy in Ks. I live in Topeka. ~~ My Collecting got started a little later then some of you. As a Child I only had a few Barbies that I received as birthday gifts from my Grandparents and other relatives as my parents wouldn't buy Barbies for me. Needless to say, I am sure making up for lost time now! LOL ~~ My husband had picked up a few Holiday Barbies at Christmastime, and the rest is history! I had been a Beanie collector and frequented the trading boards. I saw an ad for Lingerie Barbies, looked her up to see what she looked like...and after I traded a beanie bear for one each of the Lingerie Blonde and Brunette, I WAS HOOKED! I started trading Beanies for Barbies.
I had originally started out as a "Box" person, then I started seeing photos that my fellow BarbTalkers had posted, so thanks to all of you..you helped me RELEASE those beauties! LOL My Dreamdoll is Mackie's Neptune Fantasy! I am a Stay at Home Mom, to two boys, Brady(3) and Brandon(8 months). 9/18/02
Steph in IN~~ I live in New Castle Indiana. I started being amazed with Barbie at the tender age of 4. My first Barbie was a Live Action Barbie. By the time I was in my late teens, I had over 50 Barbies that had been my playmates over the years. During my 20's, my dolls had become my cousin's daughter's playmates and I ended up loosing some of them. My desire to start collecting began when I seen an infomercial about the Mackie Jewel collection. After that, my obsession took off. Today, I have a little bit of everything. I have started getting into the Silkstones and I can't wait to see what Mattel has waiting around the corner for collector's in the future! 9/18/02
Sue in CO~~ Villa Loma Creations
Well, I guess I should start out by saying I live in Colorado Springs and am 41. My interest in Barbie is more along making clothes for her in this period of my life. But when I was little I had tons of them-then one day I decided I'd rather play with boys and the dolls were given away. In the late 80's I hurt myself at work and whilst recuperating I rec'd a sewing machine as gift. Well, I pretty much suck at making clothes for myself so I decided to try them for ole Babs. I made 100 outfits for little niece (she's now 22!) and she loved them. Someone suggested I sell them so I tried a local craft fair and did better than I'd hope. Now I sell them on the net. As for Barbie I also started to collect them around the same time I started sewing for them. My first one was either the Mackie Gold or the Brazilan-can't remember. Anyway, I had amassed over 100 of them when I decided that I needed a new computer and since I didn't have a proper place to display them I thought they would be an excellent way to make the extra money. I was able to buy that new computer in about 6 months time! Good thing I did sell that summer-the next spring we had major flooding and the place that we kept them had over 8 inches of rain in it! Now I just buy dolls to use as models for my outfits-have several of the Integrity dolls, 2 silkstones and 3 regular Barbies. I also have ventured into making the dolls over-so far it's been a good idea! Anyway, here's my web page addy to include with my bio! 9/18/02
Suzy ~~Of course my name is Suzy,not Sue as my in-laws seem to call me. After knowing me since I was 12,think they could get it right?? hehe!!!~~My first barbie was given to me when I was 4yrs old, which I still have her. :) She is a Go-Go Cocoa TNT & was/is my fav doll. ~~My mother & aunt kept me well supplied in the clothes along with many mattel items too. I had the houses,the cars,snow mobiles & several friends, you name it I had it. ~~Bad part was that when I was 12 & we moved, my parents cleared out almost ALL of the stuff including many vintage hand me downs that included my dream doll...a brunette #1. sigh!! :(
~~ My older cousins gave me tons of stuff when I was about 6yrs old that was theres. One thing I can remember is sitting at the kitchen table trying to use Elmers glue to put the metal tubes back into barbies feet,as they kept coming out.~~ Talk about sickening when I went thru what little was left in the attic to find those dolls werent there anymore. Can you say sick to my stomach?? At least my first barbie was there,but it would have been nice to have that #1 and the AG and other great things that were passed down to me.~~ About age 13 you hear the story your told old to play with dolls so I put what was left away,well sort of. :) My best friend who lived in the old neighborhood came to visit one weekend. At this point we were 16 & decided to play barbies!!!~~My mother walked in & busted us, our secret was out. She just laughed at us,but at that age we were humilated. After that she never brought her dolls when she came to stay & the topic was never brought up. ~~For a few years I put barbie away,found a boyfriend & later married. Needing something of a hobby, I thought about all the fun with barbie & got out what was left. ~~ That was 19yrs ago,back in April 1983!!! I went to a car show,which was at a mall & found a pink box doll I thought was adorable & thus the frenzy began.~~
Back then there was no such thing as really collecting Barbie or you didnt hear about it. There was no magazines or clubs and not much online as the computer age hadnt really hit full force,so it was something you did on your own, looking thru the stores buying what little was there & considering it an excuse to play with dolls at that age in life. ~~ As Barbie caught on as a collectable, more & more people joined in forming conventions & then barbie bazaar & more.~~ I had met many great people & started to aquire a mass of doll friends,it was great. Then it happened the store specials!!~~ I got hooked on those along with pink box & would still haunt yardsales for those vintage girls.~~ About that time a lady in VA started a yearly in person barbie auction along with a catalog one that came out 4 times per year. It was wonderful a barbie mecca!~~ That is where I met most of the barbie crowd & those early collectors like myself.~~ Thru store specials,forgein issues,OOAK dolls & collector versions, I have had almost every type barbie out there. ~~ I've sold most of my collection twice in the 19yrs to get a better grasp & am about to that point where its needed again.~~ My collection is starting to control me again rather than me controling it,so its time to sell off a big chunk & get it back into order.~~ As other dolls arrived I started adding those, grow hair dolls I played with as a child,Dawn dolls, Gene,Tyler, Betsy, the list never ends.~~ Since then I have sold the grow hair dolls & am in the process of selling off my Dawn dolls soon. There are a few genes & Tylers that have remaind along with Betsy & her friend whos fate is undecided.~~ With Barbie Ive stuck with my vintage, newer collector ones & of course the Silkstones. ~~ While I dont have the space, my addition comes in with the FA's, I cant resist them,yet I dont have them out of the boxes yet!~~ I try to pick & chose what I want & what I can live without & if it doesnt have a mackie face then I dont buy it.~~ About me personally, Ive been married for almost 18yrs,no children by natures choice not my own,but do have furry children. ~~ I work for Disney,which is a very challenging job with lots of rules & regulations,but at the same time its Disney,need I say more. :)~~ Besides Barbie I also collect Lady & The Tramp items & Tinkerbell and Boyds & Annette Funicello bears & nascar items & if thats not enough Im big into vintage cars & am the proud owner of 2 1966 mustangs,which one I drive everyday.~~ Barbie has brought me alot of friends,alot of fun & even been a distraction when things in life got stressful or health issues appeared,but all in all I cant remember life without her & hope I dont have to ever find out. ~~ Most of all I appreciate Vicky creating this board as a place to find friends,great deals & fun, even if work prevents me from being here as much as I would like. 9/18/02
Teresa in Phoenixaka "azbarbielover" (which explains it all in one word, Huh??? LOL) My daughter LMH in AZ (Lisa) was the one that got me started collecting barbies (I had always collected all other dolls, ie porcelain, baby dolls, boudoir dolls, etc)& I remember asking her when she bought the Mackie gold for $110 (I think)-"why do you collect a child's toy, & why would you pay so much for a child's toy???" LOL well, that LOL was on me when a few years later she sold that dolly for well over $500 (back when the market was what it should be LOL). Anyway, that was my introduction into "Barbie World"-and, now I don't know what I would have done without her in my life.
Backing up a ways, I was only given 1 doll in my childhood, & maybe that's why I collect. I would love to find her again (she was what one called a "walking doll" stood about 12" in a pink & turquoisy colored checkered dress, with a blonde glued on wig). After, Lisa introduced me into this special world, I went on to be vice-president (6 months) & then, (voted) president for 2 terms (4yrs) to the Phoenix Firebird Barbie doll club (we had up to 47 members at one time, & did really great things for the community)-these are some of the very best years in my entire lifetime. I was hostess to one of the best doll shows given locally in 1997 & am very proud of all the dealers & the donations they made (we had about 30+ sign up from local area as well as from other states).
In my personal life, I am an operator for the largest newspaper in the state of Az, am single, live in same apt complex as my daughter (how lucky can a mom be???maybe, she doesn't always feel that way, as I spend alot of time at her apt. LOL-never had to suffer the dreaded "empty nest syndrome" yet, LOL
Well, that's about the size of me, all & I'm loving every minute of it. My daugher led me to this board (of course, since she has shown me the "barbie world", right?) & was hostess to the barbtalkers swaps for about 1 yr, where I met so many great dollers-like, Pam in NM (the greatest), Carrilyn (the greatest-have to be impartial & fair with my compliments, right???), & so many others that I could just go on & on!!!
well, now that my life is summed up so compactly, I will take myself off to work for the day. 9/18/02
