The International Doll Museum blog: October 2019

Friday, October 4, 2019

Kane County Doll Show; Opening of our Museum

Today, a life-long dream started to come true. We took possession of our doll museum building, and began moving in cases. I put post-it notes on them to remind me which dolls go where. All my dolls won’t fit; they really are a doll universe, but a good representative grouping of each category will fit, along with a small reference library, a few doll houses and miniatures, and a nice selection of toys, antique to modern. Framed paper dolls will grace the walls, and others will “live” organized in filing cabinets. One case will hold seasonal dolls and artifacts, and other will be a small gift shop.

I had a lot of fun last week at the Kane County show sponsored by Karla M. I sold three copies of With Love from Tin Lizzie, a History of Metal dolls, out of just five that I brought, and I was thrilled. There were many friends at this show, people I’ve known for years, literally we grew up together. Many knew my late parents, often referring to my patient Dad who brought Mom and Me as “the man in the car.” I was there to help my Friend Diane R. with her lovely booth, and I learned a lot, and am learning a lot, in the process.

These folks are my family, and I felt from them love, respect, and credibility, more than I got in over twenty years of teaching , [my awesome students notwithstanding], more than I ever felt working in the courts, or in private law firms. I loved the law, loved the clients, but the culture was something else. In this group of like minded doll folk, though, everything was different. A lovely dealer named Peg donated a box of lovely 70s Barbie furniture to the Museum. Pam G. and I spent the time conversing about all kinds of dolls. My friend Marion Z. and her sister Suzanne were there, and so were Marianne and Jerry from Galena. Fritzi had a wonderful display, and Laverne and George Koddy were there; I hadn’t seen them in years. I met some of my instagram and Facebook friends as well. Quite simply, everyone was kind and supportive.

There was no creepy doll garbage, and no doll divas. Thank you to all of you, my extended doll family, for your support, and kind thoughts. Without you, I wouldn’t have been able to move forward with this project. Thank you, dear, sweet Dianne, for finding room in your car for all our treasure, and to your friends Tammy, Debbie, and their husbands for the fun and great conversation. Here’s to next time!