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A Collection Question

Posted by PaulB <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=PaulB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 15, 2022, 9:05 am

Hello;

I am curious how other collectors store their dolls.
Do you keep everything in shippers? I have until now, but am beginning to think that I would interact and enjoy my collection more and have them more accessible if I kept them without the shipper. I am also almost at the point where my collection is "permanent" and have decided to keep a set limit- one doll in, one doll out. So would you keep all the shippers separately or just a few of each size when you do decide to part with a doll?

Thank you for your thoughts.

It’s a dilemma isn’t it! If I had to choose between displaying some dolls vs storing more in boxes

Posted by Alliegator <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Alliegator' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 16, 2022, 11:19 am, in reply to "A Collection Question"

I’d probably choose to display, for exactly the reason you said. I love to interact with my dolls - at least spend time looking at them often. If they were packed away in boxes I don’t think I would enjoy them as much as I do now, in which case they may as well go to a new home. It’s a dilemma though when you have more absolutely essential (!) favourites than room to display them in!

With dolls that aren’t sewn into their boxes (dolls that are meant to be removed like JS, Tonner, etc), I don’t think the box matters as much as it does with dolls who are intended to display inside their original box. The boxes take up a ton of space and if the choice is simplified to dolls OR boxes I think we would all choose dolls!!

Alliegator in NS, Canada
(seeyalateralliegator@gmail.com)

WTB Illaria wigs, JS Glove hands, Ballerina feet, Confetti Gene, Ballerina Grace dolls, Demi Grace

My dolls are out permanently on display... I have kept some boxes

Posted by Karen in NZ <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Karen+in+NZ' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 16, 2022, 4:38 am, in reply to "A Collection Question"

but where I live there is no hope of actually selling a boxed doll so little point... but perhaps if I move it will be useful to put them in there the resin ones particularly

I kept all boxes and most of the shippers. I broke the shippers down flat and store that way.

Posted by Max <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Max' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 16, 2022, 1:14 am, in reply to "A Collection Question"

You may not think you will ever sell your dollies, but at some point you might. The shippers are a godsend when shipping a beloved doll. It is difficult to find a shipper of any kind that fits the boxes exactly and keeps them safe.

It’s probably smart to keep both, but I just have never had the room for that.

Posted by Ohiostar <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Ohiostar' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 15, 2022, 3:09 pm, in reply to "A Collection Question"

I usually keep the boxes, but not the shippers. Although I have a....

Posted by SuzanneMcD <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=SuzanneMcD' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 15, 2022, 2:49 pm, in reply to "A Collection Question"

large and varied collection, I don't like having too many dolls out at one time, so I rotate them. After the children grew up and left, I was finally able to have a doll room. I have two cases, one for 16" dolls, and the other for 11.5 inch dolls. The Gene dolls that I redress often are kept in a drawer protected by an organza bag.

I have a closet where I store the boxed dolls. I have arranged the boxes so that I can easily see what I have and can pull them out when I went to display them. My family calls the closet "The Mausoleum"!

Your collection is so lovely! I would love to know, which Deja Vu girl is at the back right? Blond

hair. Is it slight chill or the one with the sparkly gold eyeshadow? I love the Deja Vu girls so much! And your Gene collection is so special too!

Alliegator in NS, Canada
(seeyalateralliegator@gmail.com)

WTB Illaria wigs, JS Glove hands, Ballerina feet, Confetti Gene, Ballerina Grace dolls, Demi Grace

She is Deja Vu "Emma Jean's Grand Drama".

Posted by SuzanneMcD <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=SuzanneMcD' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 16, 2022, 11:09 am, in reply to "Your collection is so lovely! I would love to know, which Deja Vu girl is at the back right? Blond"

Your room is lovely. I see that you also have some beautiful Tiny Kitty dolls. I love her.

Posted by Trish at dollymall <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Trish+at+dollymall' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 16, 2022, 1:27 am, in reply to "I usually keep the boxes, but not the shippers. Although I have a...."

The organza bags make such good sense!!

Posted by Bryan <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Bryan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 15, 2022, 4:34 pm, in reply to "I usually keep the boxes, but not the shippers. Although I have a...."

Bryan in Florida
aka periodsoftime on Ebay
bryanphopper@aol.com

Several PIC>>>>>>

Good question and I have been asking the same thing lately. I’m feeling boxed in so to say with so

Posted by Lori N <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Lori+N' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 15, 2022, 1:52 pm, in reply to "A Collection Question"

many doll boxes. I keep them in their shipper so I can see the name and know what’s inside. I have been relieved buying dolls not in their original box so there is no guilt throwing them out. I sometimes think I should remove the dolls and toss the box but that would be a huge task now. I think my best bet is to part with some all together. I’m feeling overwhelmed.

Like Jackie, most of mine are in boxes and shippers if I had one, but >>>

Posted by Kathleen in NKY <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Kathleen+in+NKY' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 15, 2022, 1:47 pm, in reply to "A Collection Question"

I did debox about half of my outfits and now store them in archival sleeves which makes accessing them much easier and more fun. I kept the boxes to keep dust and light off of the dolls, but I agree that it does hinder my play. I tend to forget who is in the boxes and play with the ones that are out.

My Flickr Site:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathinky

My Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/myvirginiaroots/

I have no boxed dolls, no shippers and no boxes, but then -

I sold off all of my one owner dolls years ago when an emergency required it. As a rebooted collector, I have many nude dolls that I keep in a unique way in my sewing room to help inspire me to create new clothes.

My collection has grown 100% as I now have more Integrity dolls for their better articulation and for the first time I am in the process of buying a display cabinet to show off some of my work (the few things I keep for myself).

Bryan in Florida
aka periodsoftime on Ebay
bryanphopper@aol.com

What a great idea!

Excellent question. I applaud your one in / one out policy. I do keep my shippers, if the doll is

Posted by Geneboyz <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Geneboyz' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 15, 2022, 11:43 am, in reply to "A Collection Question"

not on display then they are in their original box and the original box is in the orginal shipper. The only exceptions to that are if I purchased a doll second-hand and they didn't have the original box and shipper. I feel that this way the doll and box are protected and the whole set doesn't take up and more room than necessary.

All things being equal I would pay more for a doll with their original box and original shipper than just the doll alone.

Having said that.....if there was an easy way to sell probably 2/3 or more of my collection I would do it as there are many many dolls that I have not had displayed in a long time.

Almost everything I have is in a box, I have space constraints.

Posted by Jackie_NJ <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Jackie_NJ' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 15, 2022, 10:49 am, in reply to "A Collection Question"

My Ebay store for Fashion Doll clothes:
https://www.ebay.com/str/katzmeowdesignsforfashiondolls

My Etsy Store for Fashion dolls and 60-70 cm BJDS
http://www.etsy.com/shop/KatzMeowDesigns

Good question, Paul. Everything in my collection is on display or else it ...

Posted by Ori <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Ori' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 15, 2022, 9:25 am, in reply to "A Collection Question"

is planned to be sold. The limits of space determines my collection size, though I've found ways to increase it, a small display-only case in the bedroom for 6 dolls, a small wall case for one doll in the front hall! The majority move between doll cabinets and my dioramas in the doll room, where they are also redressed. I absolutely love walking in and enjoying their beautiful faces and clothing.

I keep an inventory, and each doll is assigned a character that fits with the others, friends/family, which always inspires me.
The attic has boxes for most, though most shippers have already been repurposed in sales when my collection needs changed. I don't try to keep the shippers.

I suppose if I didn't have an extra room, my collection size would be smaller. Or, maybe I would do rotations. Hard to say, as I only started collecting after my own children left the nest, quite by accident it seemed at the time.

Thank you Ori

Posted by PaulB <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=PaulB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 15, 2022, 9:55 am, in reply to "Good question, Paul. Everything in my collection is on display or else it ..."

It is interesting to know how others manage their collections to get the most out of the pieces that they have and enjoy. I think I can do much better,

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