Top 10 Tips for Collecting Dolls

        Here are my top ten tips for young, first time, doll collectors:

1. Make friends with other doll collectors so that you will always have mutual interests and common discussion groups for enjoyment and help.
2. Doll collecting is the number one hobby in the world, you needn't feel awkward or uncomfortable with this interest.
3. Keep dolls away from the sunshine. Plastics and vinyls may be altered by the light and heat. Always do the research needed to understand 'how' to preserve what you've got.
4. Research the dolls that you wish to collect in order to avoid unwanted purchases and scams.
5. Don't bother collecting what you don't like. After a while a collection may take up a lot of space that you don't have!
6. Keep original costumes, jewelry and accessories in a ziplock, plastic bags while the doll is not on display or not being played with. Later you will regret the lose or damage of these items when you go to resale them or have them evaluated.
7. Search all kinds of venues for dolls: garage sales, Goodwill, thrift shops, neighbor's closets as well as shops and dealers. You never know what you may find and the searching for an unusual or rare doll; this activity is a hobby in and of itself. 
8. Find unique ways to display your doll collection. Modern doll collectors sometimes display their collections online, in exhibits, and "scenes" or doll houses. 
9. Wait a bit to dispose of unwanted dolls from a collection. Don't act impulsively! What you may no longer value could have a far greater value to someone else. Dolls do gain monetary value over time.
10. Not all dolls are playthings! Some dolls are crafted or created for entirely different purposes and this will effect the design, costume and themes applied to a doll.

More To Improve Your Collecting:

• Our Doll Guide - for reading more about history and origins
• Designing Holiday Environments for doll display and play
• Crafting your own doll interiors for photography and play