Join the Discussion "What do YOU do to battle the summer dolly doldrums?"  In the Forum!

Related Resources • Doll Collecting Community • Doll Restoration • Doll Convention Survival Guide • Diary of a Mad Doll Collector

From Other Guides • Sizzling Summer Toys • Summer Jewelry Looks • Summer Movie Action Figures

Elsewhere on the Web • UFDC National Convention • Barbie Convention • Doll Clubs

Its 100 degrees outside.  You're hot--your dolls look hot.  You wander to your local doll shop, but there isn't anything new.  You try Toys R Us, but you think you've SEEN all the play-line Barbies and baby dolls that they have.  You try the Internet--but all your doll collecting online buddies are on vacation.  And, to top it all off, your doll collecting club is taking the summer off.

So, WHAT is a doll collector to do during a summer stuck in-between the beginning-of-the-year new doll announcements and the end-of-the-year new doll releases?   If you've got the summertime doll doldrums, below are ideas to help bring some doll excitement to the hot days of summer.

Make a Doll, Customize a  Doll, Sew for a Doll

Now, stop protesting so loudly!  If you've never tried to sew for a doll, customize a doll (repaint, re-do the hair, etc.) or make a doll, now's the time to try while you're in the midst of the summer doldrums.  You can try to make a cloth doll (there are many patterns easily available) or find a studio in your area and try porcelain dollmaking classes.  Perhaps you'd rather try repainting a tired vinyl doll.  Even sewing a simple doll dress can transform a doll--there are many beginner patterns available at sewing stores, and lots of sewing help available online.  Even if you are mainly just a doll collector and not a crafter or seamstress, trying your hand at one of the doll-related crafts or arts can be an eye-opening experience.

Doll Conventions 

One sure cure for the summer doll doldrums is to attend one of the many doll conventions that take place in the summer.  Doll conventions are often are scheduled during the summer to take advantage of the great number of collectors taking vacation, as well as to take advantage of low rates for convention hotels.  At a doll convention there are sales rooms, seminars, lectures, themed events and many, many events and dolls to see to help get the collecting juices flowing.  By attending a convention, you will learn so much about your hobby--your doll collecting knowledge can increase exponentially at a convention!  If you can't afford to go to a convention, you may be able to at least attend the public day in the salesroom if a convention comes to your area.  Upcoming conventions include the UFDC National Convention and the "Queen of the Prom" National Barbie Doll Convention.

Doll Forums

If all your doll club friends are on vacation AND your local doll shop is closed tight, why not share your passion with doll collectors on the many public Doll Collecting Forums (bulletin boards) on the Internet? You can meet new friends and discuss your collection and all things "doll."  You can even help out newbies with their questions.  At this site, we have TWO Forums for collectors--the Doll Collecting Forum which has folders for discussion of dolls by category (Barbie, Antique, 60s dolls, 50s dolls, 16" Fashion Dolls, etc.) and the new Doll Collecting Help Forum which focuses on doll-related questions, doll restoration, repair and customization, dollmaking, doll costuming, dolls and the Internet and doll clubs and events.  You can surf the Forums as a Guest, or you can get a Forum ID to start posting messages and meet new doll collecting friends today! 

Club Activities

Ok, so as mentioned there is a good possibility that your doll club is closed tight for the summer with no new meetings scheduled until August or even September.  You can mope around missing all your local doll friends, OR you can use the down time productively.  You can plan a presentation to give your club later, based on your own collection or dollmaking or doll costuming activities.  OR, you can brainstorm for doll events your club can hold in the fall.  And, don't forget to take photos of any summer doll collecting activities, so you can share with your club at the first meeting you're all back together (you can even put together a summer doll collecting scrapbook!).  

Write Your Christmas List

Yes, I KNOW you aren't 8 years old.  Have you ever tried a Christmas list as an adult?  Its fun, even if you don't intend to give it to anyone.  And, since you're an adult, you'll have no time to put together a Christmas list during the actual Christmas season, since you'll be too busy baking, decorating, sending cards, and buying and wrapping presents.  SO, sit down and make your list NOW--start by checking out the news from this year's Toy Fair to get some ideas.  Then, when Christmas rolls around you can leave your list in a nice, conspicuous place for your significant other to stumble across!  

Start a Doll Chat!

Invite some of your doll collecting friends to have an online chat!  There are many rooms available on the Internet for chatting, including our About.com Doll Collecting chat room. 

Repair, Refurbish, Restore

Even your dolls can appear hot and tired during the summer months.  When all else fails and doll inspiration is weak, take a critical eye and look at your dolls--even in a modern collection, there is usually restoration and refurbishing work that can be done.  Tidy doll hair, restring loose arms, and plump and freshen up costumes to start.  Or, perhaps you want to re-organize your collection.  Check out our 7-part series on Doll Repair and Restoration and our 4-part series on Doll Organization for some ideas to get you started.  

Do YOU have some ideas to help keep your doll collecting excitement fresh during the long, hot summer?  If so,  please share them in the Doll Collecting Forum, or e-mail your ideas to me at collectdolls.guide@about.com.    

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