The Way They Were

My love for Barbie ...

My love for Barbie started at a very young age. I remember visiting my grandma's house and her letting me play with my aunt's vintage Barbie.  She was a 1961 Jet Black Bubblecut. Her hair was super tight and she had beautiful red lips. She was the celebrity of my toy box. As time progressed I delved more into this world of vintage Barbie and little by little (on the down low) began my own collection. Of course being around 11 years old didn't help. I remember saving up my allowance for weeks and waiting in angst for upcoming doll shows. I would have such a ball going and looking at all the beautiful dolls that I would aspire to have some day. Of course the budget I had to work with back then was a bit slim and most of the dolls that comprised my collection were usually in need of major restoration. Again being a child, I couldn't afford any of the good restorationists so I decided I would provide Barbie with my own makeovers. Ironically, I grew up to do the same thing to humans (I'm a Cosmetologist). Anyhow, after years of practice and loving Barbie I have decided to offer my hard earned talent to the public.

My Views on Restoration...

Although for the most part I do my own restoration I have used two very well known restorationists in the past. Both times my heart fell to my stomach when I recieved my dolls back from these "experts". The first one was an american girl. The poor thing was sent back with thick chunky eyebrows and lips that were so glossy they appeared to be wet!  The other doll I had restored actually wasn't too long ago. She was a rare 1961 Brownette Bubblecut. As most dolls from that era, she had lost her lips, brows, and even some of her eye paint!....When I recieved her from her "makeover"  I was appalled! Her lash ridges were sticky, her eyebrows were thick, chunky and weren't even the same shape! Her lips were painted in the most awful shade of mauve, there were chunks in them and to top it off, they stained her vinyl when I removed them.By no means am I calling myself an "expert" but I strive to make each doll look the most authentic as possible. Recently I transformed an extremely tlc #3 ponytail head I had to a gorgeous faux #2 and sold her on ebay. The response to this doll was overwhelming! Not only did this head sell for over $800 but I got tons of emails from people requesting me to transform their dolls as well. I was so moved by all the sweet emails that it made me decide to share my talent.