Who ARE Doll Collectors?
A Look At The Fascinating Careers and Backgrounds of Doll
Collectors
I think (as do most doll collectors) that the general public has a serious stereotype about the type of people in today's society that collect dolls. The stereotype I am MOST familiar with, from talking to my friends and family, plus other collectors on this site is the following:
--Retired Widows.
--Chubby Old Ladies.
--People with NOTHING better to do.
Now, before you start slamming me with e-mails telling me how much I've just offended everybody, remember one thing--this isn't what I believe all doll collectors are like--I KNOW better! I have been attending conventions and doll events for years, and meeting collectors from all walks of life. Good grief, even the retired widows and older ladies that I meet are usually fascinating people with excellent educations and interesting personal histories.
I was just trying to figure out how to PROVE that the typical stereotype about Doll Collectors is not true for this article, when ABOOSE (Annette) in the Dolls Forum posed the following question: " I don't know any other doll collectors personally and am curious about what people do for a career vs. what their hobby is..." The answers to this question (in one day so far!) have been enlightening! Here are some of the careers and other interests that doll collectors have already reported, in their own words:
Environmental Science: "I have a Bachelors degree in Environmental Science and worked in the interpretive field for some time. In order to have a schedule that would allow me to be at home with my family more I took at job at my college alma mater in the Health and Physical Education Department as an administrative assistant. My other hobbies include camping and hiking, rock collecting and water skiing" ABOOSE
American Literature/Writer: "Let's see, my college and grad school backgrounds are in American literature, and I have been an English teacher but now am a writer, currently working part-time in the public affairs office of a local university... I enjoy camping and hiking, and I also love to sew, knit, read and listen to music."ECB29
Lawyer/Television Executive: "I have a Law Degree from Georgetown University, 1986, and a degree in Journalism and Political Science from Syracuse University, 1983 (Phi Beta Kappa, even!) I was a Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs at Fox Television in Los Angeles for many years...Other hobbies? Gardening, camping with family, traveling, reading." AB_COLCTDOLL (your About Guide)
Nurse/Medical Registrar/Senior Scheduling Specialist: "My major in college was Community Mental Health. I started out with Nursing from there I went to non clinical area of Medical Registrar (Medical Billing) I deal with patient insurances and the other part of my job is Senior Scheduling Specialist. I schedule surgical, diagnostic and lab procedures. I have worked in the medical field for some 23 years now and I have seen a lot of changes." ROMAMAY (About Forum Hostess)
Newspaper Copy Editor: " I am a newspaper copy editor with 20+ years of experience (never thought I'd EVER admit that!), with a bachelor's degree in journalism (French minor) from Central Michigan University and a master's in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I just got married a little over a year ago, for the first time; my husband is a freelance writer who mostly covers auto racing.... My other hobbies are reading and crafts and collecting old boys' books and NASCAR stuff. This year I plan to do a little freelancing myself as a Santa's Elf, writing letters from Santa Claus to raise money for charity" HKERFOOT
Symphony Orchestra Musician: "I have been a professional musician for nearly 30 years now and play in a major symphony orchestra. I have done many recordings for film and vocalists as well, traveled around the world, and consider myself enormously lucky." MAYSPIRIT
Software Programmer and Manager: "My occupational background is a bit tangled, having worked in hospitals for several years before returning to school at the age of 36 for degrees in biology and business, with an emphasis in computer science. I'm retired now from IBM - software programmer and manager. My husband and I are building our dream home in northern California, and right now that keeps us frantically busy." IAMANON
High School Teacher/Computer Software Support: I had a double major in History and English and taught both in high schools for awhile. Switched to office work and eventually ended up in computer software support which is interesting but I'm sometimes very glad to go home to the quiet peace of my dolls. Judy (JUDYAO)
Phi Beta Kappa Librarian/Two Masters Degrees: I'm a librarian, with an BA in English and Classical Languages (also Phi Beta Kappa) from the City College of New York and two masters degrees, one in Library Science from Columbia University, the other in English literature from the University of California at Berkeley. My children are grown up now: my daughter graduated from Harvard last year and my son and foster son are in college, so I was afraid I might be bored (famous last words) and went back to my old love of doll collecting and sewing for dolls. I'm having fun, but I never have enough time!" RMS4
Mother of FIVE; Relief Society President: "I am the mother of 5 children, 18,16,13,6,and 3. That really takes most of my time and energy. But it also gives me the most satisfaction too. Then I am our wards' Relief Society President. If you aren't Mormon, that means that I watch over the ladies in our town and give compassionate service as needed. Lots of phone calls and casseroles and taking care of funerals. (I'm not a great cook, so I think that the compassion part is them having to eat my cooking, poor dears!) Basically, just being there for the ladies. I had 2 1/2 years of college in Journalism and Fashion Design." Dee Dee Anderson (DEEDEEANDERS)
Actor/Journalist/Fiction Writer: "I studied to be an actor, and was one, quite successfully, for TV, here in French in Montréal, during 17 years. Also, I was an art journalist, a short fiction film director, an union organizer, and a representative for all women workers at the provincial government; but in 1982, I publish my first book of short stories, and never looked back: I am now a full time fiction writer. (With the exception, last May, when I wrote, directed and played in an adaptation of one of my novels, and I will do the same next year...)"Anne Dandurand (COUTUREDECOR)
Archivist/Bridal Business/Church Administrator: "I have a BA in political science and a MIS (Information Science) and worked as an archivist for 13 years. I got burned out and went into the bridal business as a fitter, consultant and customer service manager for 3 years. When I got sick of brides swearing at me because. I could not find a purple glove that perfectly matched purple bridesmaid gowns, I became a church administrator and do a lot of desk top publishing. My hobbies are sewing and quilting (I head a sewing group at our church that makes original altar cloths and vestments, a very creative outlet)" KLAMOREE
U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran/Custom Sewing/Church Administrator: "I am a U.S. Navy veteran from the Vietnam era and have been employed as a church secretary/administrator for the past 10 years. Before working in the church I had my own business doing custom sewing/alterations and sewing machine repair and teaching sewing in adult education programs while also working in a fabric store. Before that I worked at Raytheon on different projects for the U.S. Navy and when my children were born I stayed home to raise them as long as I could. Carol Howell (CAROLH9) .
OK--I'm impressed! If you would like to meet some of us, stop by in the Dolls Forum! I will periodically update this article as more collectors relate their backgrounds to us in the FORUM, so look for updates!: Dolls Forum
Add to THIS Thread in the Forum Here: Doll Collector Occupations
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