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Restoration
Essential information and sites dealing with restoration, conservation, repair and preservation of dolls and other collectibles. Specific information on dolls, as well as general conservation and restoration information for collectibles.
Dusting Your Dolls Is Essential For Doll Conservation
It's very important to dust your dolls; check out this quick tip on how to properly dust your doll collection to keep it looking its very best.
Should I Fix My Doll?
It's possible to fix nearly any broken doll. But the real question is should you? This guide will help you decide.
Top Ways to Ruin Your Dolls
Top Ways to Ruin Your Dolls
Restoration and Conservation of Dolls
Seven articles on conserving and restoring dolls and their costumes. Separate articles on Barbie dolls, antqique dolls, doll costumes and more. Includes lists of restoration suppliers and an extensive bibliography.
The Art Of Doll Restoration
Question and Answer about doll restoration by Gary Sowatzka.
Antie Claire's Doll Hospital
Shop in St. Paul, Minnesota has restored over 45,000 dolls since 1970! Wish before and afters were bigger!
The Caning Shop
Source of Darwi Modelling Compound, useful for many doll repairs.
Craze Control
Product to treat crazing on composition dolls. Some collectors swear by it, others dislike it--you decide!
Conservator's Emporium
Another source of conservation products, including British Museum Leather Dressing (great for cleaning leather bodies) ,Humidirty Indicator Cards, Renaissance Wax and Orvus.
Darwi Classics
The company that makes Darwi Modelling Compound, useful for many doll repairs including replacement of missing portions of composition.
Definitive Book on the Care and Preservation of Vinyl Dolls
Book by Nick Hill. Especially valuable reference for restoration and care of Barbie and other vinyl fashion dolls. Order online.
Restore Products
Online store from England with products to assist in textile restoration. Has silk crepeline and monofilament conservation net. Includes a product for removing iron stains.
Doll Hair Care and Cleaning
Tips on cleaning and restoring doll hair, from the Biddington Auction House.
The Doll Hospital
Shop in Spring, Texas. Before and after photos (could be bigger!).
A Doll's Dressmaker and Dolls Hospital
A full service doll hospital located in Portland, Oregon.
Doll-Lee Art
Informative article on repair vs. restoration, and what sort of damage can be repaired.
Fixing Up Shirley Temple Dolls
Tips for restoring your composition Shirley Temple. From the Wonderful World of Shirley Temple Dolls.
Gaylords
One of the best-known archival supply houses. You can obtain Renaissance Wax (for cleaning composition, bisque and more), archival storage materials, knox pencils (cleans paper dolls), and much more here.
I TALK!!! Professional Voice Unit Restoration on Mattel Talking Dolls and Toys
Do you have an old Barbie®, Chatty, Shrinking Violet or Mrs. Beasly that can't talk any more? This restoration artist can fix your doll!
Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Objects
Extensive site; has fantastic articles on caring for special objects, caring for textiles, and caring for paper, plus much more.
Karen's "Loved to Pieces" Doll Hospital
Small doll repair hospital, specializing in Shirley Temples and antique dolls in Delaware.
Karen Pugh: Doll Doctor
Interview with a doll doctor.
Krista's Doll Restoration
Restoration artist specializing in vintage and mod Barbies; good before and afters.
Light Impressions
Archival Supply House; mostly for paper goods, but many useful items.
The Preservation of Leather and Skin Objects
Excellent article on preservation of leather and skin objects; great help for preservation of leather doll bodies.
Protecting Shirley Temple from Heat and Humidity
These tips work for all composition dolls. From The Wonderful World of Shirley Temple Dolls.
Rosalee's Terri Lee Hospital
Specializing in the restoration of vintage Terri Lees.
Stacy's Vintage Specialties
Restoration for vintage Barbies.
Storage of Antique Textiles
Wonderful primer on storage of antique textiles. From the Smithsonian.
TLC Doll Hospital
Professional doll repair shop in Edgewater, Colorado. Also doll parts available.
Twin Pines of Maine
Popular collector products for cleaning and restoring vintage dolls and doll costuming