For me, that is. In the course of one day I suddenly decided that I NEED to get rid of the dolls that I am not making outfits for. Well, some of the them anyway. I guess the ones that I know I will never make anything for really should find new homes.
A couple of (maybe a few) years ago I sold the first 14″ Kish Chrysalis doll (Grace), two of Ann Estelle’s friends (Gracie and Georgia), and Marley Wentworth; it was fine. Of course it was fine. Look at the dolls I still have! I still have three other 14″ Kish Chrysalis dolls, 10″ Ann Estelle and Sophie. I also have a large Ann Estelle and Lilah (10″ Ann Estelle’s sister). I have lots of other Kish dolls: Tamsin, Alisha, four Riley sized: Riley, Tulah, Zsu Zse, and Avery, three of the small babies: Ellery, Jessamyn, and Miki, a Lisbet (who needs a new lip repaint). Two BJD dolls, a Bo Bergemann Dream Doll and a Pamela Macy Remy are also sitting around. These are all dolls that I do not actively sew for.
In addition to these dolls, I have huge cartons filled with NRFB Barbie, Skipper, Stacie, and Kelly dolls. Most of these are from the 1990s.
I am not a collector in the sense that one thinks of as a collector because I just don’t like to have a lot of things around. (And, it’s taken me many years to learn this about myself.) The one exception to this is my creative supplies: fabric, yarn, beads, etc. Having those “things” around sparks, not saps, my energy. These extra dolls are sapping my creative energy.
Really… already! I need to destash, declutter, downsize, or whatever it is called.
I snapped this photo yesterday of my 18″ Ann Estelle whom I’ve had since 2003. She is the largest in my “doll collection”. Poor, poor Ann gets no attention whatsoever. She has such a sweet face, doesn’t she?
Comments, please! Any thoughts you might have will help. Please! I need words of wisdom (or just simple words) on how to start, so I can move on.
Cindy Rice Designs 
I have too many dolls too, but I love them all and I have not the courage to separate myself with some of them! So I can’t give you advice, because I’m not able to do it myself! Especially don’t sell something you might regret later! Your 18″ Ann is really beautiful! I’ve 3 “little” Ann Estelle, 1 Georgia, 5 LD, 5 Boneka, a lot of Betsy McCall (Betsy, Barbara, Jane, Dru!) and many others!
Sorry, I didn’t help you!
Have a good week-end! Warm regards.
Hi Catherine,
Your doll collection sounds wonderful. You are so right about thinking hard before selling a doll. That would be terrible if I sold one only to want her back.
Photo and sell them here …! I was expecting to find them …but no dalings needing homes dnlto
Hi Lorinda,
Great idea! I only have one Little Darling. By the time I got Gina I was learning not to buy too many of the same doll. Sorry I don’t have any extra to sell to you.
Funny you should post this topic today. Because just last evening I listed 3 of my dolls (BJD) just for the fact of feeling overwhelmed creatively. Each of the 3 I think are beautiful, however I feel I would be happier having less dolls and focus on a smaller number. I can imagine some would laugh, because I only have 12 dolls, small compared to many collections. When I have such a variety to create for, I have a hard time deciding who to create for. Good luck with whatever your decision. I always find it hard to make the cuts, but once decided, and rehomed I always feel a renewed sense of creativity and joy. Plus, there were always be more dolls 😉
Yes, Laurie, there are always more dolls! LOL! If you are like me and only like to have dolls around that are currently being sewn for then I don’t think that your collection isn’t small at all. I find that about a six doll rotation is good for me. Much more than that and I lose the feel of what looks good on the doll when I finally get around to making something for her again. Thanks for your ideas; they are appreciated.
Decluttering is liberating! Take solace in that your letting go will result in someone else’s enjoyment for years to come.
So true! I am sure my neglected dolls would make someone else very happy. Thanks for your comment. 🙂
I know how you feel, Cindy. Sometimes you can have too many dolls. I do! I started collecting Ashton Drake, Frankilin Mint, Wendy Lawton and at least 10 other Artists dolls. I still have some of Dianna Effner’s porcelain dolls, but these dolls have really come down in price now. Then on to Antique dolls, German, French, etc. Then on to Modern dolls, American Girl, BJD”S and Boneka. Also some older teddy bears. You name it! The house is full and I must stop, but I love Little Darlings, now. I think that Lorinda has a good idea about you maybe trying to sell some of your dolls, here.
Hi Sonia,
Wow, you have quite a collection! Little Darlings are so very adorable and the good thing is that they take so long to get after ordering them, so we cannot get too many too fast, right? I will think about adding an adoption page to my website for my poor orphans. Thanks for commenting!
My dolls seem to multiply before my very eyes! I too need to weed out those with whom I have not bonded. I think you may have many buyers right here.
Hello Joy,
I am thinking about adding an adoption page to my website. I’ve already started a preliminary list of those that I think need new homes. Sounds like you have the same dolly problem that I have. LOL. Thanks for your comment.
Well, all I can say Cindy is that if you want to sell Avery I would love to buy her. LOL I am downsizing my whole house, but have always wanted Avery. I bet there are people who will feel that way about your other dolls too. If they do not bring you joy then they should go to another home … just my 2 cents.
Hi Kathleen,
You are so right. I feel terrible about not enjoying my beautiful dolls as much as they deserve. I will keep in mind that you are looking for Avery. I need to ask my daughter again about Riley and her friends. She was in grade school when all of those dolls arrived and has sweet memories of them. I’m not sure if Avery is part of those memories or not.
Well, I decided to downsize a few years ago because I just couldn’t enjoy all of them at the same time. I’m still downsizing, but this is the process I go through. I try to get all of the same size or line (ie Ann Estelle) together and rank them as A (Keepers), B (unsure) and C (ready to part with her). I also try the mind game of — I’ve had her and enjoyed her, now I should let someone else enjoy her. Handle each doll and ask yourself if you really love her. This is also a technique that I recently read about in a book called The life-changing magic of tidying up by Marie Kondo. I still have a long way to go, it’s hard sometimes, but I know I’ll get to where I want to be. Rita
Hi Rita,
I just read Marie’s book a couple of months ago. Boy, I wish I had her courage. I even keep greeting cards. It’s so hard to let things go…
I think I unconsciously made three groups in my head, so I will try your advice about handling the dolls in the “unsure” group and maybe can come up with a longer list of those in the “ready to part with” group.
Thanks so much for your advice, Rita, it helps so much!
I say about myself as you do. I’ve never too,wanted too many things around. I sold off dolls when I wanted a new doll. This was easy. My husband and I sold a large collection for about ten years. Once or twice Imsold dolld I now wish I had. Large collections of dolls take time to keep in prime condition. Time lost for creating.
Hi Jan,
I agree wholeheartedly. Less dolls to take care of mean more time for creating. It’s funny, but I have no problem collecting endless amounts of supplies for creating. How about you?
Hello Ms Jan. So what price would your doll(s) be for sale? I looked for Ann Estelle and could not find but her picture. Is she already sold?
Hi, Catherine. Yes, Ann is sold. Actually, quite awhile ago. That post is from 2015. I forgot all about even having a large Ann Estelle. She sure was cute.
❤
Cindy