Wednesday, November 11, 2009

When every surface is covered....

I've been housecleaning. And as we all know, housecleaning if done right, can kill you. I take this very seriously. I don't want my epitaph to read "She was a fine housecleaner."

However, when nearly every flat surface in your home has a doll (or two or three) on it, action must be taken. Sadly, our walls are pretty full too. So, what do you do when you have more dolls that must be adequately displayed than there are places to display them? What I did was to remove most of the china from my china cabinet and turn it over to the Free Spirits :-)

What do you do? I'd love to know how you display dolls, and what you do with overcrowding conditions. Many of my dolls go to charity, or become gifts. How about you? Please share your ideas on how to display our lovely handwork.

As you can see, Gabrielle is right at home with the Blue Willow and her puppies :-)

15 comments:

  1. Hi! I agree your ideas, more dolls in your cabinet! Unlucky I have to put all my dolls into a plastic box, I have a very little house :(... But fortunately more of my doll are adopted in my shop and more and more became a gift for my cousins (I have 10, we are a huge family)and friends,I can tell all my friends have one of my plush :) I'm happy!
    Kiss

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  2. My kiddies are still young so most of the dolls i craft go to them and their friends. A few that i made for me (he he) sit on shelfs around my craft table.
    We are in the process of completely decorating our house, so i can think where to put my girls around how we decorate ;)

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  3. I haven't made very many crocheted dolls. Actually just the one free spirit one. I have her sitting on a container next to my dresser in my room. I do however have lots of watnots (or little figurines and such). I have them in my mama's china cabinet and sitting all over the place in my bedroom! I used to make soft sculpture dolls about 23 years ago and sold them at work. I love the way you have displayed your dolls!
    Please take a minute and look at my Etsy Store:
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/craftydiane
    Thank you and have a Blessed Day,
    Diane

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  4. Natalie and Barbara, I love making dolls for children too. They are my favorite recipients. Diane, your booties and hats on your Etsy shop are darling...I'd love booties that fit me like the ones you make for little ones :-)

    Beth

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  5. When every surface is covered, it's time to take over the garage!

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  6. Hi River Glorious! I recognize you from Crochet Partners :-) Unfortunately, the garage is full of bicycles!

    Beth

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  7. I have just come to the stage where I am starting to give away dolls and wonder about shelves in the music room. I have thought about taking over the china hutch. But the china looks so good in there. I am surprised at how easy it is to give away some of the dolls.
    Beth,... are those the new Nancy Ann's I see? I love those even more than the old ones ( which I have a ton of... would you like an old one?)
    cribet

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  8. Hi Cindy,

    Yes, those are the first four of the new Nancy Ann Storybook dolls. I've always admired Dianna Effner's dolls, and jumped at the chance to have some of my own. Do you collect the older bisque Nancy Ann's? It would be fun to own an older one :-)

    I didn't take out all of my china; I left a few precious pieces among the dolls. Perhaps you could do the same?

    Beth

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  9. I'll send you an older bisque Nancy Ann. The ones I have are not minty. But I like getting the old nasty ones and restoring them.
    Send me your land address via email. You know how to reach me.
    cindy

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  10. "Land address!!" We *used* to say address. Now it's "land address" and "Pony Express address." My my my...

    Beth, I have no sane suggestions for your dolls. You would probably find my house bare, but I'm trying to get rid of things here, too many things to dust. I even put away my pencil collection, except for a few pretty pieces.

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  11. Hi Beth: I have two china cabinets. The adult-themed one in the living room and the craft-themed one in the craft room. Guess which is my favorite? My crafts are also housed in my closet in plastic containers. I rotate from the closet to the craft china cabinet when the mood hits me to see a different little face. Alas, I'm running out of closet space. I'll have to find a charity some time soon. However, these are art dolls and I wouldn't feel safe giving them to very young children. The child would have to be heavily supervised by the parents when playing with some of them.


    Joyce

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  12. The last couple of years the best recipient for my dolls has been the Methodist church I attended as a child. My folks still belong there; the church has a Christmas bazaar every year in November, and last year to my surprise, one of the dolls I gifted them sold for $40.00. For a church bazaar this is amazing. And the other amazing thing is that is was mostly women buying the dolls for themselves :-) So it is possible that your art dolls might do well in a charity something like this.

    It isn't easy to part with any dolls :-) But I find that if I get to look at a doll for several months, then I feel pretty good about finding another home for her or him. And I do think a 'softie' is a nice change of pace for a child from electronic gizmos.

    Beth

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  13. I've stuck ferries on my walls with plastic removeable hooks. Hubby says you can't have things like that on your walls. I say why not.

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    1. I think that sounds like a brilliant idea!

      Beth

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  14. I donate them. The Assistance League near me is a great resource. I also use Goodwill. I've been in groups where makers consider that scandalous, but we relied on Goodwill when I was growing up and I am so thankful for those who gave me handmade items full of care.

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