Summing up

I’m frequently asked how I think the doll industry is doing, and I find the answer to be a bit complicated. On one hand, I have found that there is still a lot of interest out there among the experienced doll makers who would dearly like to see our craft flourishing again like it was a few years back, and who are hanging on through thick and thin, struggling to find supplies and make their dolls. I think we can safely say that the only thing that’ll stop this group is physical infirmity. These are the core of doll makers who attend the shows in their areas and take part in as many seminars and classes as they can, and who have developed a level of expertise to which the rest of us continue to aspire. And these are the ones who have been gracious enough to share their secrets about successful doll making so freely with the rest of us. Thanks so much to each of you!

There are also an increasing number of former doll makers returning to the craft after taking time out to deal with maturing families, the pressure of work, or caring for their aging parents. We find these folks posting their questions on the various doll boards as they search information needed to help them get back up to speed. Welcome back to the doll world! We’re all so pleased to hear from you again!

And, yes, there are new folks seeking classes to learn to make dolls. Some of them have wanted to learn for a long time, but because of time constraints or because they couldn’t find a class, haven’t been able to get involved before. I’m sure if we take the time to look around, each of us can think of someone who might fit in this group. The problem is that many of us have reached the point where we’re no longer able to continue teaching. Some are just worn out and feel like they don’t have any more to give. It’s hard work pouring all those dolls, replacing broken pieces, meeting with the students for regularly scheduled classes no matter how we’re feeling that day and trying to teach them the fine points of doll making when so many are gone from class so often. It can definitely wear one out over time! The challenge here is to mentor someone to take our places as we step down, or to be able to direct students to an active class in their area. Thanks to each of you who have contributed information about classes to the National Doll Class Directory with this goal in mind!

So we see that even though things aren’t what they once were, the doll community still survives and is slowly gaining in numbers as we forge new connections and open our groups up to others. Attendance is slowly improving at doll shows and other doll functions. New classes are forming.

But on the other hand, our economy sucks, and this has an impact on doll making as much as it does on everything else! So many folds are without jobs. More and more families are forced to seek outside assistance just to put food on the table. More and more grandparents are finding themselves helping out their grown kids or taking in grandkids. No matter how you cut it, money is just plainly in short supply. Many of us are needing to watch our pennies like we never have before.

So what’s the answer? Like those before us who survived the great depression, we just dig in and hang on. We get more creative with what we do have, and we spend cautiously.

Does that mean we’re stymied as far as getting doll supplies goes? No. It means we rethink our methods. If you follow the chat on the various doll boards, you’ve probably noticed people offering to trade molds or supplies for things they need. Most of us have a store of things on hand that we don’t really need right now and that we could afford to swap for things we do, so let’s get at it! Get together with other doll makers in your area and see what you can work out. Try to avoid paying so much shipping by shopping at the doll shows. Check out garage sales, consignment stores and places like Goodwill for useable fabrics, etc.

Price your wares reasonably. It’s better to clear some profit then to hold out for a higher price and not make a sale at all. Put together some of the SFGW or unfinished dolls you have laying around and at least recoup the money you have tied up in parts and pieces, and you’ll have something to buy your supplies with. I don’t know about you, but I’m shocked at how many doll parts are in my doll room just waiting for a body! I put two of these sets together just before Christmas and much to my surprise, sold them for a total of $325, which will go a long way toward finishing up a bunch more projects!

Yes, money is tight and it’s stifling the growth of the doll community to some extent. But this WILL pass. In the meanwhile, we’re still learning, teaching, improvising, reestablishing sources and contacts, and gradually growing in spite of it all! Pretty impressive, if you ask me!