“I can’t wait to see what they have in store for 2008.” — Collette Shockley, Littlest Princess Doll Shoppe
When TDmonthly Magazine calls toy-store owners about hot sellers, dolls aren’t usually at the top of their lists.
“Doll sales have slowed down since 2001 because of the great number of new dolls and new doll companies entering the marketplace,” said Beau James, director of marketing for Corolle Dolls.
SLOW SALES GAIN SPEED
Despite the glut, the trend of slow sales seems to be reversing. According to the latest NPD polls, doll sales increased by 3 percent in the last three years.
"There may be cycles in sales, but the basics are important and will continue for as long as little girls are able to form healthy attachments, listen to stories and prepare for life,” explained Dr. Toy, a.k.a. Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. “Dolls provide nurturing to children, comfort, a secret friend to talk with, fantasy play, communication and emotional support.”
And no matter how the category does as a whole, many doll companies thrive.
Stephanie Spanos, a spokesperson for Mattel’s American Girl, told TDmonthly, “Our most recent figure is 13 million dolls sold since 1986.”
’08 INTROS GO GLOBAL
Shirley Blackall, owner of Masterpiece Dolls, promised to introduce 9 to 12 “exciting new collectible dolls each quarter in 2008. The first group will be available for ordering at IDEX and through the website starting Jan. 25, 2008.” Shari Abbott of Professional Marketing reported to TDmonthly that Adora Dolls is planning to introduce 15 new dolls to its Limited Edition Collection, including one brand new face sculpt.
“The dolls in the 2008 Limited Edition Collection are costumed in international garb, representing countries from around the globe,” Abbott explained. “Authentic fabrics and materials were used to craft costumes that illustrate the rich cultural traditions of the countries and continents represented.”
Robert Tonner, founder of Tonner Doll Co., announced, “We have new and exciting dolls this year, from playful Kickits to DC Superheroes. … This year, we have introduced dolls from “Gone With the Wind.”
Collette Shockley, owner of The Littlest Princess Doll Shoppe in Norcross, Ga., is looking forward to her own favorites at Toy Fair. “I sold both the new Madame Alexander baby line and the Middleton’s Newborn Nursery Line so well during 2007, especially during the holidays, that I can’t wait to see what they have in store for 2008,” she said.
DOLLS MAKE AFFORDABLE ART … AND MEMORIES
Debra Novak, a talented OOAK (one-of-a-kind) baby doll artist, was recently picked up by the Lee Middleton Doll Company.
“Since OOAK-dolls tend to be expensive, the Middleton dolls offer artist dolls at affordable prices that are suitable for both collectors and children,” Novak pointed out.
Whether for play or display, some dolls become beloved classics.
“Raggedy Ann finally made it into the Toy Hall of Fame ― after 80 years," Dr. Toy told TDmonthly.
Here are other dolls that may aspire to classic status:
Costume Club Kids™ - Lindsay & Bumblebee Costume by PADDYWHACK LANE LLC
One of 10 dolls in the Costume Club Kids™-series, 14” Lindsay is fully posable with a vinyl head, arms and legs and a soft cotton body for snuggling. She wears a whimsical dress-up costume with embroidered details and simple fasteners for little hands. Each Costume Club Kids doll wears canvas high-top sneakers. The line was created by a husband-and-wife team based on the personalities of their eight children. Launch date: January 2008.
Cindy Musgrove is terrific at sculpting new-born babies. (Piper done as a kit sold incredibly well and Brittany in a limited edition was in strong demand long after we had closed the ordering on her.) Now Cindy has created another “new” life-like newborn, Molly. Molly is 19” and done in silicone/vinyl. She has a baby fine, faux-mohair wig and pretty, deep-blue eyes. Cindy has sculpted her arms long enough so they attach directly into her doe skin cloth body and her legs are also long enough to attach to her body at her hips. She is softly filled with fiber and weighted in her bum with pellets to give her the baby like feel when you pick her up to cuddle. Her fingernails are delicately hand-painted with the white tips and moons. She is dressed in a pretty, soft-pink baby outfit with matching cap, has an ID band on her wrist and wears a diaper. Molly also is wearing cute white-satin booties. (blanket is not included). Limited Edition 350 pieces.
Doris Stannat has sculpted a beautiful silicone/vinyl baby, Cora Lee, height 21”. Her face is so sweet and adorable. She has lovely blue eyes. Her cheeks are softly blushed in pink and her lips are painted a pretty pink to match her outfit as well. Doris has sculpted her with arms above the elbow and legs above the knee. Her blonde, baby-fine wig is adorably styled with a pretty pink bow. Her white over-dress is beautifully detailed with accents of eyelet lace. Her pink shirt is soft jersey. Her sneakers are a pretty pink with pink socks to match. Clown accessory included. Limited edition 350 pieces. This doll was a 2008 DOTY (Doll of the Year) Industry's Choice Award winner.
The 32" silicone/vinyl dolls in this pair have a suggested retail price of $189 each. Abigail has brown hair and blue eyes, and Alex has blond hair and blue eyes. Launch date: January 2008.
Monika Levenig has created a gorgeous new sculpt, Lillian, who is 40” and created in a life like vinyl. She has incredibly long, flowing silky-blonde hair and pretty blue eyes with applied upper and lower lashes. The vinyl mix from Germany creates a soft silky feel to her skin. Her arms are sculpted-up into the shoulder plate so she can be dressed in a sleeveless dress as well as one with sleeves. Her legs are sculpted well above her knees. Monika has created a beautiful white dress with a material that has a pretty woven design. There are pretty eyelet-lace accents on the bottom ruffle of her dress, as well as on her shoulders. Adding to the beauty of her outfit are the soft pink- and lavender-embroidered butterflies on her bodice and on the bottom edge of her dress. In her hair are matching butterfly hair accessories. She also wears pretty pink shoes and white socks. Limited edition 350 pieces
The doll combines hip clothes with flirty, pink Hello Kitty® accessories. Her outfit includes a white jacket, a bold pink belt, denim jeans, a hat, a cute bag and more. Launch date: 2007.
Dolly Licorice is a 10” vinyl doll with a cloth body and black hair. She’s dressed in bright colors with striped stockings and a pink streak running through her hair. Launch date: January 2008.
Mia comes dressed in figure skating practice clothes. The 18” doll is soft and huggable, with a poseable body and hair that can be styled. She comes with a book, Mia, that tells the story of her following her dream to become a figure skater and the challenges she faces and the lessons she learns. Additional outfits and accessories are available separately. Launch date: 2008.
Writer's Bio: Virginia Davis is a freelance writer who is considered an expert in the area of dolls and collectibles. She has written hundreds of articles on dolls and toys, as well as other subjects, for numerous publications. She lives in Georgia. Read more articles by this author
And no matter how the category does as a whole, many doll companies thrive.
Collette Shockley, owner of The Littlest Princess Doll Shoppe in Norcross, Ga., is looking forward to her own favorites at Toy Fair. “I sold both the new Madame Alexander baby line and the Middleton’s Newborn Nursery Line so well during 2007, especially during the holidays, that I can’t wait to see what they have in store for 2008,” she said.
Writer's Bio: Virginia Davis is a freelance writer who is considered an expert in the area of dolls and collectibles. She has written hundreds of articles on dolls and toys, as well as other subjects, for numerous publications. She lives in Georgia. Read more articles by this author
