By Sydney Johnston

From the beginning, eBay's primary growth came from the collectibles market. There are two basic models for eBay sales:

1. Currently available consumers goods. This is a price-driven model, and although smart sellers can earn above-average prices, buyers are there looking for a bargain and price is the #1 consideration.

2. Other buyers are collectors, looking for one-of-a-kind unique items that they can't locate elsewhere. Here, price isn't as important as it is with consumer goods. The  

power of this market is obvious because, before eBay and the Internet, most      collectors were confined to a local market.

Dolls have always been big sellers as eBay collectibles and eight of them are  

especially strong sellers:

1. The Cabbage Patch Kids began in 1978 and are never "sold". They are 'born'

    at Babyland General Hospital inCleveland, Georgia and proud parents pay an

    'adoption fee'. The Cabbage Patch Kids were one of the greatest toy       

    phenomenons of the later 20th century. At one time, it was a common sight to

    see grown women shopping and lunching with their babies in hand. In

    restaurants, the Kids had their  own chairs and were always appropriately

    dressed for the weather.

2. Precious Moments began in the early 1970s when creator Sam Butcher began

    drawing the endearing teardrop-eye children as gifts for family and friends.

    Today  Sam's Precious Moments artwork is among the most recognized in the

    world, and  eBay prices reflect this popularity.

3. Madame Alexander dolls were created in 1923. These beloved dolls range

    from Charlie Brown to babies and children to elegant dressed women to

    glamorous and famous women like Greta Garbo and Judy Garland. With all the

    varieties of costumes, a single doll can be a 1920s flapper as easily as a member

    of the court of Louis XIV.

4. Lee Middleton dolls, according to legend, are so real in appearance that grown

    men sent for a rescue squad to save "the baby" from a locked car! Mistaken

    identity is supposedly a frequent occurrence and the dolls have been counted as

    "passengers" on airplanes and rescued from store countertops to prevent the

    'baby' from falling. As one happy owner says, "These dolls are so lifelike it's

    uncanny."

5. American Girl dolls are loved by millions of little girls (and grown ups, too!)

    They are not only from different times and places, but are ethnically diverse:

    Felicity from colonial Virginia; Josephina from the 1830's in New Mexico;

    Kirsten is "a pioneer girl of strength and spirit growing up in Minnesota in 1854";

    Addy is alive in the 186o's, having escaped from slavery with her mother;

    Samantha is "a bright Victorian girl living with her wealthy grandmother in 1904";

    Kit is growing up in 193os, during America's Great Depression; Molly lives in the

   1940's while her dad is away at war; Kaya is a Nez Perce Indian living in the

   northwest.

6. Hasbro dolls are one of the products of the gigantic Hasbro company, who claim

    to have been making toys for eight generations, including famous games like

    Monopoly, Scrabble and Clue.

7. Bratz dolls, unlike older dolls like Madame Alexander and Cabbage Patch Kids,

    have no long history as favorite toys or collectibles. Nevertheless, their price has

    astonished eBay sellers and the Bratz collection was one of the 'super hits'

    of the 2003 holiday season and sales have been strong ever since.

8. And, no surprise, Barbie is the best-selling doll on eBay. Since Mattel has

    recently  announced that Ken and Barbie will no longer be an "item", dolls from

    the 'good old days' when the name "Barbie" was rarely heard without 'Ken',  will

   inevitably become more valuable.

     Anyone who loves and understands the doll market, can do very well selling dolls

on eBay. They've been strong sellers for the 10 years eBay has been in existence and are almost certain to remain popular for years to come 

About the Author
Learn how to sell on eBay with 16 hours of online instruction taught by a 10 year eBay veteran. Own an eBay business instead of an eBay hobby.

 http://www.auction-genius-course.com
 

                         Article Source http://ww.simplysearch4it.com/article/7323.html　


 

     It can sometimes be difficult to know how to clean your cherished collectible without causing harm. The following is a simple guideline for you to help you learn which way is the best way to care for your doll.

 Porcelain Dolls:   With porcelain, the decorations are usually fired on, so it would be unlikely that that you would hurt them by cleaning. Use warm soapy water. If this doesn't work good enough, try a wet eraser to remove marks. As a last resort, very, very gently clean with a low abrasive cleaner such as Tilex or Soft Scrub. Use caution because some cleansers have bleaching agents that could be devastating to antique clothing, wigs or bodies. Ultra violet rays can be very damaging to porcelain dolls, so when you are displaying your doll, avoid direct sunlight.

Celluloid Dolls:    These dolls are extremely perishable. They are easily broken and can become very brittle over time. Proper care and respect of a celluloid doll helps a perfect example remain in that condition. Heat is celluloid's worst enemy. Keep these dolls in a cool room with good ventilation - and never store celluloid in a sealed case - it can combust!

Cloth Dolls: Vintage cloth dolls can be worth thousands of dollars and deserve your best efforts to preserve them and prevent needless deterioration. Keeping the fabric clean is important because it's exposing the fabric to pollutants that will weaken the material. Direct sunlight is not good for these dolls. You should also inspect your cloth dolls every now and then for  insects. There are insecticides designed especially for textiles under many brands and the results can be excellent if used according to instructions. If you decide to vacuum your doll, place a nylon screen over the fabric first to protect the delicate fibers. Most often, a good vacuuming is enough to restore a doll to display condition. If you doll is badly soiled, get the advice of a professional who specializes in preserving textiles. Sometimes you can use an eraser or art gum, tapeten and reinger-and-absorene to clean your cloth doll. These seem to give the best results. Ink can be removed with hairspray, but first test an area on the doll to assure that no damage will occur. Apply the hair spray with a cloth, and wipe in a light rubbing motion with a clean white cloth. For  display purposes, it is best to keep them in protective cases and

inspect them regularly. Moth crystals should be placed near your dolls. Many collectors recommend making a small cloth pouch, filling it with moth crystals and placing it under the doll's hat or tying it around its waist beneath the clothing.

Composition and paper-mache Dolls: These dolls pretty much require the same care as the cloth type dolls. They are especially susceptible to damage from temperature changes. Never store composition or paper-mache dolls in a hot or cold attic, or in a damp basement. Most collectors will accept some signs of aging on composition dolls - fine craze lines or cracked eyes, for example. There are many popular ways for cleaning composition, but first always test it on an inconspicuous area of the doll and work quickly - never leave any cleaning agent on the doll for any length of time. Pond's Cold Cream or Vaseline and a soft tissue work well for these dolls. Another option is paste window cleaner but not the ammonia type. You want the old fashioned paste that you can get at most hardware stores. Wigs can be restyled after spraying with Johnson's & Johnson's No More Tangles. Faded or worn-off facial features can be touched up with artist's colored pencils. When moistened, they are very easy to apply. Crackled eyes are best left alone.

Hard Plastic Dolls: These types of dolls are very resilient and can be cleaned with almost any soap detergent. You can clean stubborn stains with cold cream or waterless hand cleaner. Avoid chlorine, bleach and ammonia. Never use fingernail polish remover or lacquer thinner which may eat into the plastic! You can use Oxy-10 to remove stains that are not close to painted surfaces. Just moisten a cotton ball and allow it to sit on the stain for several hours. You may have to repeat this process several times. After each cleaning, wash the doll with mild soap and rinse well. For displaying purposes, avoid direct exposure to ultraviolet light. Although they may seem indestructible, hard plastic can slowly oxidize and change color and direct heat can also cause warping.

Rubber Dolls: These dolls will deteriorate no matter what precautions you take, but you can delay the process. Any form of grease is harmful and accelerates deterioration. If you have a "Magic Skin Doll" always wear cotton gloves when handling her. Rubbing corn starch on these kinds of dolls twice a year will help to preserve the dolls' life. Maintain an even temperature and avoid changes in humidity. Tin Dolls: These dolls often have chipped paint which can happen from the metal getting cold which in turn causes the paint to lift off the face. Try to keep these dolls in a constant temperature environment.

Vinyl Dolls: Vinyl dolls are probably the most lifelike in appearance and touch. In order to keep them looking that way, special care is needed. Extreme room temperatures are harmful. Even quality vinyl dolls subjected to heaters or air conditioners can be damaged in just a few months. Direct sunlight can be deadly. Vinyl is also sensitive to

fluorescent light; use indirect non-fluorescent lights. Finally, avoid tightly sealed show cases or glass domes because condensation can form and damage vinyl dolls.

Wooden Dolls: Chipping paint is a major problem with wooden dolls. Humidity and mistreatment are the two main culprits. Keep wooden dolls in a dry atmosphere. Expanding and contracting associated with high humidity causes paint to chip. Knocks and bumps can also chip paint, so take care in moving or displaying wooden dolls. Wax Dolls:

Wax dolls can be intimidating to many collectors. They do require special care, but so do all types of dolls. Basic care and common sense will help preserve a wax doll in perfect condition. Of course, never place a wax doll in direct sunlight or near any heat source, such as a fireplace mantle. The best way to start cleaning these types of dolls is to use a solution of cool water and Woolite. Saturate a cotton ball or a Q-tip and wash the wax. If this doesn't work, try a dab of cold cream on a Q-tip, followed by a rinse of the Woolite solution and then clean, cool water. As a last resort, try denatured alcohol on a cotton ball, followed by a through rinsing. Never use turpentine to clean wax dolls because it can soften the wax!

Tips for Barbie Doll Collectors: Remember those Barbie Dolls with the earrings and how it would eventually create green deposits around the ear? Here's a way to remove it: Cover the ears with a small piece of cotton soaked in Tarn-X silver cleaner. Wrap the head in saran wrap to keep the application moist. Check after two days. If the ears are still green, replace the saran wrap. If, the ears are still green after four days, repeat the procedure with fresh cotton balls. Once the green is gone, rub a paste of baking soda and water over the treated areas.After several days, flake off the dried baking soda and clean the area with warm, soapy water on a Q-tip. Tarn-X causes a chemical reaction that acts as a bleach; the baking soda neutralizes the reaction; and the warm, soapy water removes any residue. It is important to perform each step as described and to inspect the doll periodically throughout the process. Bubble cut Barbies often have sticky or greasy faces. This is due to an ingredient being emitted by the vinyl. Here's a tip to take care of that: Carefully remove the head from the body and clean inside and out with a Q-tip soaked in alcohol. Dry it good and fill the head cavity with baking soda. Then replace it on the body. The baking soda will neutralize the chemicals and absorb the extracted grease.

Old Tips Recommended By Some Doll Collectors - To remove mildew: soak in sour milk and salt. Then lay the doll in the sun. To remove milk therapy, follow with a warm soapy water wash and rinse. - To restore color to faded cloth: sponge with chloroform. - To soften old kid: saturate an old woolen rag with kerosene and rub in the kid. - To clean old ivory: scrub with Ivory soap; bleach in the sun for several days, reapplying the soapy solution often. - To remove tar: clean first with turpentine, then clean with Lux soap. - To remove paint: Patient rubbing with chloroform. - To restore faded calico: wash in water with a teaspoon of sugar of lead; soak for fifteen minutes and launder. - Black taffeta is best washed in strong tea. Hopefully, we given you some helpful information!

About the Author

Evelyn Whitaker writes articles for Deutsches Haus

http://www.deutscheshaus.cc

which is located in St. Paul, Minnesota. Deutsches Haus offers

German collectibles, souvenirs, gifts and foods.

Source: http://www.articopia.com

    When Barbie strolled onto the world of dolls in 1959, everybody knew it will change the doll scene forever. Since Mattel introduced her, more and more girls all over the world fell in love with the most popular and lovable creation. Aside from the dolls itself, Barbie and everything about her became quite a hit to so many endeared markets'especially her long-standing relationship with Ken Carson.

UNFOLDING BARBIE AND KEN'S JOURNEY

      After the introduction of Barbie in 1959, the creators of the world's most-loved doll decided to give her a companion in the form of Ken in 1961. Barbie and Ken, who was created by Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel, Inc. were named after the creator's daughter and son. Since their introduction as a couple, Barbie and Ken have been known to have on-and-off relationship. The loves story of the two plastic dolls started when Barbie met Ken on the set of a TV commercial in 1961. since their first meeting, the couple has and been inseparable ever since.

   Through the years, the couple's fans around the world followed their "perfect" love story. Everybody hoped that the two would end up together but the possibility was thrown into flames when the two decided to part ways in 2004. After 43 years of being together, the world's most famous couple in the doll scene has decided to end up their affair but claims it's only temporary. Like the break ups of famous couples in Hollywood, the break up of Barbie and Ken was big news. According to Mattel vice president of Marketing Russell Arons, the plastic couple's "business manager," the break up stemmed from the fact that the couple wanted to spend quality time apart. And though their romance came to an end, the pretty ex-couple continued to friends. According to the news, the relationship ended because of the overwhelming pressure of always being scrutinized by public eye. Others say that Ken's vague sexuality and Barbie's disproportionate figure may have finally taken their toll between the two.

   While other suspect that Barbie's career and popularity over Ken's must have been the real issue between their differences. But, Barbie fans insist that Ken's refusal of tying the knot with the world's most popular fashion doll might have pulled the trigger and ended up the couple's romance. Despite the rumors spreading about the couple's break up, Mattel assures that the status of the dolls' relationship is temporary, thus, their relationship can be revived again.

   One of Mattel's recent endeavors is the introduction of Barbie Fairytopia. To be able to launch the new line of doll, an animated movie was created for the Barbie Fairytopia in 2005. The movie was entitled "Barbie Fairytopia, Discover a Magical New Land." The story features Elina, a flower fairy. The plot revolves Elina's discovery that her home of Magic Meadow has been conquered by a dreadful disorder that kills the flowers and restricts the fairies to fly. Seeking the help of Bibble, a puffball and Hue, a giant butterfly Elina attempts to find Azura, a Guardian Fairy. But, along the way, she's by the evil Laverna who wants to assume the position of the Enchantress, the known ruler of Fairytopia.

   This family film was written Elise Allen and Diane Duane under the direction of Walter Martishius and co-direction of Will Lau. It featured the voices of Kelly Sheridan, Lee Tockar, Tabitha St. Germain and many more. Presented in an above average digital animation, the movie outlined the beautiful characters, which are mythical fairies, and can entice you to buy Barbie Fairytopia dolls.

THE TRANSFORMATION OF BARBIE IN A FAIRY LAND

If you're one of those who was able to watch the movie and is looking for the hottest Barbie Fairytopia dolls and merchandise, you might want to consider these options:

1. Fairytopia Elina Doll. This doll is a replica of a miniature beautiful fairy that has a pink flower-inspired dress, rooted eyelashes and magical fiber optic light-up wings.

2. The Dandelion Doll. This doll presents one of Elina's best friends Dandelion who is dressed in a pretty yellow dress that highlights her beautiful red hair.

3. The Dahlia Doll. This is also one of Elina's best friends from that has pretty pastel skin tones and beautiful leg art.

4. The Fairytopia Elina Styling Head. This doll is themed to Elina that as a beautiful

face art and long blonde hair that enables the child to braid and style to achieve multiple looks.

5. The Fairytopia Plush Bibble Doll. This features Bibble, the cute and cuddly character from the film. This comes in girl-sized plush Bibble shakes and wobbles. It also makes adorable "Bibble" sounds it is tickled on the tummy. Other fun-filled Fairytopia dolls and toys include the Fairytopia Butterfly Vehicle, Fairytopia Azura Cottage Playset, Fairytopia Peony House Playset, Fairytopia Wildering Wood Playset, and the Fairytopia Magic Meadow Playset.

About the Author

Low Jeremy maintains

Source:

http://www.articopia.com