My affair with Gene started when my dolls were taken in a home burglary Archived Message
Posted by VeraS  on February 3, 2025, 2:18 am, in reply to "30 years today Gene hit Toy Fair! My thoughts inside. Add yours xxoo"
I’ve always had dolls of some kind or another: Penny Brite and all her accessories and costumes; Chatty Cathy; that BIG one who would walk with you if you held her hand just *so* and lots of souvenir dolls from many countries gifted to me by family and friends.
The collectible- souvenir - dolls stayed as I grew up and the others (except one Penny Brite) went away. Till one day someone broke in and took them all, along with a bunch of other small, easy to grab items. I was heartbroken. They weren’t “valuable” but they were my memories.
Looking to restart my doll collection, I looked at the Barbies and bought a replica of the first Barbie in the b/w striped bathing suit. I sewed a couple of dresses and some separates, but it was challenging! So tiny! Then I found out that most of what you bought was supposed to be kept in the box! What?! Nope, not for me.
My friend told me about a new doll named “Jean” - or so I thought. I searched online but didn’t find anything until I saw *Gene* at a collectors’ show and that was it - I ordered Monaco the next day, with some clothes to change her and proceeded to look for my tribe which I found in the SF Gene Club (thank you Gael) and that’s how Gene started and is still in my life. The best bonus is the many friends I’ve made along the way at conventions, clubs and gatherings who are so special and still in my life. A better legacy I could not imagine from such a beautiful creation.
Thank you Mel!
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Message Thread: | This response ↓
- 30 years today Gene hit Toy Fair! My thoughts inside. Add yours xxoo - Lori in Denver February 2, 2025, 2:17 pm
- I am very late responding but love this so much I have to post! I was never>> - Izzy February 16, 2025, 10:53 am
- Do you remember... - Gael February 10, 2025, 2:01 pm
- I love the friends I've made through Gene - Gael February 10, 2025, 1:49 pm
- What a wonderful tribute to Gene and Mel, Lori! Thank you for sharing the picture, too!
 - Sue in ABQ February 7, 2025, 1:14 pm - I have a small antique and collectible store that started about that time,.. - dcal February 6, 2025, 9:29 pm
- My 1st Sighting must have been an ad in a doll mag. Red Venus and Monaco came to live w/ me >>> then - Trish at dollymall February 6, 2025, 3:51 pm
- Thank Lori for this. And thanks to all of you for sharing memories and our love of Gene. - Jan in MB February 5, 2025, 3:16 pm
- May I just add how lucky we are to love this doll - Carole NY February 5, 2025, 5:03 am
- I first saw Gene in a Mall gift shop...was fascinated by---->msg - Lori in RI February 4, 2025, 6:17 pm
- Wonderful to read all these stories and memories. Thanks to all my online friends! Hugs!! - Becky in Upstate February 4, 2025, 5:42 pm
- I remember as if it were yesterday, that first picture of Monaco in Blue Goddess in Doll Reader Mag - Jayne in Seattle February 3, 2025, 11:09 pm
- Thank you for sharing this! I remember the smell of opening a new Gene doll box and the excitement.. - RyeGuy February 3, 2025, 9:26 pm
- I first saw Gene at FAO in Orlando and was completely captivated. - Donna in FL February 3, 2025, 7:58 pm
- Lori, thank you for sharing this and starting this thread of reminiscence.>>>>> - Ivy in MA February 3, 2025, 4:52 pm
- Love this. So many great stories from the first year or two. > - dollster February 3, 2025, 11:31 am
- Ahhhh... the memories. Back in 1995 I was just dabbling with dolls as an adult. A friend showed me > - IL Deb February 3, 2025, 10:30 am
- What a great picture! I fell in love with Gene when FAO sent me a catalogue! - Kim in IL February 3, 2025, 5:40 am
- My affair with Gene started when my dolls were taken in a home burglary - VeraS February 3, 2025, 2:18 am
- How Gene drew me in… - Kelly Red February 3, 2025, 12:03 am
- Wow- thank you for sharing this reminder! - sigborga99 February 2, 2025, 9:28 pm
- A beautiful tribute on this anniversary date! - Jim S February 2, 2025, 8:07 pm
- Thank you for the photo! It captures so much about the beginnings of Gene. - Barb in MA February 2, 2025, 6:05 pm
- Love this, Lori! Gene has brought so much to so many. <3 - Michael H February 2, 2025, 5:26 pm
- That was beautifully said Lori. I'd like to share my own "The beginnings of my Love for Gene" story - George in NC February 2, 2025, 3:41 pm
- I am at a loss for words as my eyes well up with tears. Thank you for sharing your story. - Sue in ABQ February 7, 2025, 1:12 pm
- What a heartwarming story! - Kim in IL February 4, 2025, 6:32 am
- That is a beautiful story from such a big heart - Ori February 4, 2025, 3:17 am
- Oh, George…..what a sweet story>>>> - CherylStG February 3, 2025, 10:53 am
- {{{ HUGS }}} - IL Deb February 3, 2025, 9:42 am
- You’ve both broken my heart and made me smile. Thank you for sharing. - Kelly Red February 3, 2025, 12:07 am
- George, that was so sweet. I am glad to know you these 20 some years. - Jackie_NJ February 2, 2025, 4:29 pm
- Lovely Lori! You evoke so many thoughts, memories and joy. >> - Becky in Upstate February 2, 2025, 3:20 pm
- Gene paved the way, and everything about doll collecting changed. - Jackie_NJ February 2, 2025, 2:32 pm
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