Online Literary Magazine for CM 220, CM 107 Classes and Friends of KU: Untitled

Online Literary Magazine for CM 220, CM 107 Classes and Friends of KU: Untitled: Emory Taylor   I went to school And there I saw A kite flying with a key, An apple fall from a tree, And heard that Mr...

Online Literary Magazine for CM 220, CM 107 Classes and Friends of KU: Something to Start out the Class!

Online Literary Magazine for CM 220, CM 107 Classes and Friends of KU: Something to Start out the Class!: I, Carp by Ellen Tsagaris   The Compleat Angler : … Carp . . . queen of rivers; … good, …fish… not at first bred …   in England …...

Antique Doll Collector Magazine: A Visit with Kathy Patterson

Antique Doll Collector Magazine: A Visit with Kathy Patterson: Since I was a child I loved dolls.  Later, when I was 18 I started to collect antique dolls and left no rock unturned!  When I was 2...

Harper Lee, Nancy Reagan and Hillary Clinton

We salute three excellent women, for very different reasons, with more to come on each.  We are not making any political statements, but feel these extraordinary women need to be acknowledged!  So, kudos to all 3, and may the memories of Harper Lee and Nancy Reagan be eternal.

An older Free Newsletter; Marionettes and More

The Mandalay Marionettes Swing Again! Happy Valentine's Week It's Valentine's Day and President's Day tomorrow! The New York Toy Fair took place this weekend, along with one of our oldest Antique Shows!  Look for reports on both soon!  This week we take a look at the famous Mandalay Marionettes and their important role in the culture of Myanmar.  Also, in light of last week's Rendezvous Auction, an update on our girl Ginny is printed here for your approval.  Here is also a review of some lovely Chinese opera dolls and dolls for Washington's Birthday in honor of President's day.  Do you have photos of patriotic dolls you would like to share?  Email me at etsag1998@aol.com.  Note that our old "collect dolls" email address is no longer in service, and thanks to the persistent reader who found me last week when she discovered the old email no longer worked.  I'd also like to take time to remember my friend, Mary Hillier, who loved Valentine's Day, and whose last gift to me was a magazine in which she had published about antique Valentines.  Mary left this world on February 14, 1999, but she is with me every day in spirit, and her wonderful doll research lives on.  Happy Collecting, and Happy Valentine's Day, and thank you for your notes and emails. Ellen Tsagaris Doll Collecting Expert

The Mandalay Marionettes Swing Again!   The Burmese Marionette Theater has dates to ancient times as a means of education, entertainment, communication and religious instruction. READ NOW

An About Requested Update of a Popular Little Doll   Here is an update on Ginny, in time for an auction of Ginny items by Theriault's. READ NOW

Chinese Opera Dolls; part of an Important Theater Tradition   In honor of Chinese New Year, and centuries of Chinese doll making, here is a post about these amazing dolls. READ NOW

Dolls for Washington's Birthday-Emma Clear, Effanbee, More   .The Father of our Country and the First President inspired many fine dolls and figurines, and as a doting parent, he also bought dolls and toys. READ NOW

Of Bell Jars and Things under Domes; A Free Newsletter

Bronte and Pym would both know about preserving things in Domes, and Excellent Women is mentioned in the post on Miniature Worlds under glass.

 

Sweet Strawberry Shortcake and Her friends Rethought! I thank M, one of our readers, who suggested our first piece on Strawberry Shortcake.  What a lovely idea with spring just around the corner!  This week was a bustle of pre-spring activities, including our March Antique show and the first ads for our spring flower show.  Don't we all want to go to the sun!!  Our next post deals with tips on how to insure and protect dolls.  While I'm no expert in insurance, this is food for thought for us collectors.  Another wonderful reader inspired our post on types of dolls to collect; she had some very interesting preferences that were inspiring.  Doll collecting seems to be enjoying a Renaissance this spring; many new dolls were introduced at The New York Toy Fair, and many great doll shows are springing up everywhere.  I plan to write more about our antique show, but there were many dolls and similar items available, more than I have seen in years. I did very well there, and also well at a retirement sale of a shop that featured Boyd's Bears, Wee Forest Folk, Steiff, and more. One lovely object at the antique show from Summer Kitchen Antiques was a very large dome, about 2 feet in height or more, that contained a scene made of tiny French fashion type dolls that had bisque heads and limbs, but tiny bodies of steel springs.  They danced along a grassy flowered, slope to music.  Just fantastic!  I also note that current issues  of Doll Castle News and Antique Doll Collector Magazine feature very unusual mechanical dolls, primarily made with metal and composition and papier mache.  With spring comes a lot of doll variety, so have fun choosing and collecting!  Remember to write at etsag1998@aol.com. Ellen Tsagaris Doll Collecting Expert

Sweet Strawberry Shortcake and Her friends Rethought!   Strawberry Shortcake, now 35 and counting, and her doll friends, continue to be popular with collectors. And, they smell as good as ever! READ NOW

Caring for Dolls and More; How to insure Our Treasures   Here are some ideas for protecting and insuring your dolls for posterity. Dolls should be safe from damp, heat, and destruction! READ NOW

Focus on some Dolls to Collect, suggest by one of our Readers   A Reader's Request leads to Tips on Buying Dolls, including Dolls with Teeth! Here are some ideas for collecting some unusual dolls. READ NOW

Miniature Doll Worlds encased in Glass   Glass domes were all the rage in the Victorian Era; they housed everything from tiny dolls to wax fruit. I saw one this weekend that was priced at $12,000! READ NOW