dolls

If you are interested in African American or Ethiopian dolls, you HAVE got to go over to this blog and check out her Barbies she made in to Ethiopian dolls. They are fantastic and she even shows you how to do it. Very cool. http://ethiopia.limbo13.com/index.php/ethiopian_barbie/

Heritage dolls

 

I want to let you know about some super cute dolls that would make a great addition to your child's collection. Boys and girls can enjoy this handmade heritage doll. 

 

Here is a note from Lynda about A Doll's Heart. 

 

Lynda is a mom to 5 great kids. She and her husband adopted thier youngest back in 06 and are currently trying to bring home 1 more. During the wait for thier precious bundle to arrive she decided to start making these rag dolls that portray an adoptive child's birth country. The dolls represent 7 different countries. Each doll has her/his flag colors embordiered on its heart and it's clothes are also made to reflect their countries heritage. Proceeds from the dolls are used to bless orphaned and underpriviledged children around the world. The dolls make a great keepsake for your child's homecoming or adoption day, birthday gift, a gift for your child's first caretaker, or as a hard to find cultural doll for your child just to play with.

Here's our website: www.adollsheart.blogspot.com  Thanks for looking! 

 

 

Collector dolls with Ethiopian Heritage Makeda and Saba

Another note on a doll.
American Girl had a series of dolls called Girls of Many Lands. In that collection was a doll named Saba. She came with the book by the same name by Jane Kurtz. If you can find one she would be a great doll for your collection. Not a doll to play with but one to represent heritage.

Madam Alexander has partnered to create a wonderful Ethiopian collector doll. Makeda, the Queen of Sheba, is avaliable for purchase from EthiDolls and other merchants carrying the EthiDolls. This doll company was started up by Ethiopian women who hope to give the gift of embracing their heritage to children of Ethiopian heritage. They have now expanded and a Ghanian doll has been released. It is great to see this happening.
You can see and buy her here:
http://www.ethidolls.com/home.html
http://www.ethidolls.com/index.aspx

Grace Center in Bahir Dar, buy a doll help a mom

It has come to my attention that some really cute rag dolls can be bought from the single moms from the Grace Center in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
You can get more information about the center at these two sites:
http://graceforethiopia.org/WP/
http://mamameheret.com/

This is a wonderful organization which helps single moms care for and keep their children. They get job training and skills and other educational opportunities.  It is certainly worth checking out.
You can currently buy the doll from ACASA. I understand that you can buy the doll directly from Grace For Ethiopia.
Here is the doll.

ACASA also has these dolls (below) listed for sale but I do not know if they are from the same center or another. I love them.You can buy ones somewhat similar but not as cute on this site. DollsnBears. This site has a section on dolls with African heritage. It is a good resource, but mostly decorative or collector dolls.

Ikea doll and a doll pattern for you to make

Some new dollies to share with you.
The first is a pattern you can download and make yourself for your children or to give away. The catch here is that you can not ever use this pattern for selling even for donations or fundraising. But, it is a cute doll. Check it out.  http://www.nonidolls.com/dollyhugs.html 

Ikea has the cutest soft doll (above) for a mere $9.99. I held this doll and looked at it and it is really a nice one. I would buy it if I had anyone who remotely played with dolls anymore. They are gender neutral and could be easily for a boy or girl depending on how it is dressed. Clothes are sold as well. They come in all variety of ethnicity. I like this doll very much. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00196304/

Ginny Doll

Just wanted to note that among doll makers Ginny Doll is a quality brand and doll. They have been making dolls a long time. My mom played with them, I played with them and your little girl can too!
Check out these cute African American Ginny dolls. These dolls can be bought many places, I have linked to the Doll Market, the largest on line doll store (with great sales too). They currently have some Madame Alexanders on sale and clothing too. They also carry Lee Middleton which is a super great big baby doll.

See their cute Ginny dolls:
Baby doll

Vintage baby doll

Girl doll

Mother doll

The Stinta doll is a way to show the love of both the birth mother and the adoptive mother. This is one of those classic flip dolls with a brown mom on one side and a white mom on the other. Very cool. These are made by a widow in Nigeria and are being sold by a family here waiting for their daughter to come home. Please go check out the site.

BFC Ink. dolls

A little smaller a 12 " doll is also available at various retailers. I know I saw them at Walmart. And you can buy them online too. I found them on Amazon, etc.
The BFC Ink dolls are super cute and poseable. They have cute clothing. They are bigger than Barbie and far far more appropriate and smaller than American Girl. They have modern girl stories and are super cool and have great character. I like them. I like the cute variety better than the mature variety. I found them listed on Sears, Target, Kmart, Walmart, Kohls, Toys R Us and Amazon.

This is their own web site.

more mature Calista  Buy on Amazon 12.99

very cute Calista buy on Amazon 
Target seems to have these cute ones too. Maybe more in store. K-Mart has them as well, maybe more in store.

Dolls on Clearance- Madame Alexander- Walmart

I just thought I would let you know that the 18" Madame Alexander dolls at Walmart start to go on clearance about this time of year. I saw them in the clearance at one Walmart already. At the one I regularly go to they are still in stock with all their accessories. So, this year some Walmarts may not clearance but continue to carry them as regular stock. I still don't see them on line at Walmart or anywhere else. Toys R Us has carried a variation in the past as well. I like this particular African American doll because she has curly hair and you can play with it. She is a great doll for girls of all ages and fits the clothing from American Girl. She is well made and is so much cuter than any other 18" doll out there, in my opinion. The doll runs from $20 to $40. That is quite affordable.
------------------------------
From the Madame Alexander web site:

• Mia Bella (Toys R Us) They used to be called Favorite Friends and they can still be purchased online.
• Doll Factory (FAO Schwarz) build your own doll!!!!!
• Friends 4 Life (Walmart) actually now called Friends Boutique
• Fashion Doll (Target)
• Alexander Girlz (Costco)  not found online
• Dolly & Me (Sears, Dillards, Kohls)
• What-A-Doll (Kmart) mot found online

---------------------------
Each of these lines are the same 18" doll but have different clothing. They are sold only at the location they are marketed for and not available as an Alexander line with Alexander retailers. They are limited editions made for one year and replaced with a new version for the following season. 

You can buy them at Walmart, Toys R Us and on line at these sites.
These Carry the Favorite Friends line:
http://www.dollcloset.com/Madame-Alexander-Favorite-Friends-18-inch-Dolls.html
http://www.matildadolls.com/favorite_friends1.htm
I also found many of them on Amazon you have to put in the full name Madame Alexander and the sub title Mia Bella, Favorite Friends, etc.

Mia Bella found on Amazon but not toys R Us online, Should have this label in stores Toys R Us. $30 aprox

Favorite Friends found on Amazon and other online stores, and Sears. $25-40

Alexander Girlz
 found on Amazon but not Costco online, check in stores

Dollie & Me at Kohls 34.99, Dillards $35

 Gabriella Dollie and Me at Sears. $29.99

Friends 4 Life (2010 version from Walmart) This dolly lives at our house and she is wonderful.
Now called  Friends Boutique.

Hearts 4 Hearts Ethiopian doll at Target (I think she is a 12") Not Madame Alexander.


See other posts on dolls here.

Alexander doll still at Walmart

The Madame Alexander doll I posted about before is once again at Walmart for Christmas. The dolls are redesigned and looking fabulous. They have accessories and clothing as well. This African American doll has curly hair! Get her while she lasts!

NEW Ethiopian doll at Target

There is a new doll being sold at Target, Toys R Us and on Amazon. Rahel from Ethiopia!!!!!! What a smart doll maker to come up with this. Ethiopia is the number one country for international adoptions and with the adoptions comes the parents to market to . Well, I would buy one! She is part of a collection of dolls from around the world. They also include Asia and Hispanic dolls among others. $24
Interactive site for these dolls 
See her here. Rahel.

new site for ethnic dolls of all sorts

WOW! A new site for ethnic dolls. This site has compiled and sells ethnic dolls made by Madame Alexander, Lee Middleton, Corolle, and other doll makers. There is a great selection and the prices are typical. Pop on over and check it out.
http://www.sleepysoft.com/site/480020/page/536565

African American 18 inch doll

Olivia is a new doll put out by Constructive Playthings. She is the newest in a series of cute 18 inch dolls and is African American with curly hair. Very cute doll. I notice she is on back order along with her wardrobe. My daughter has the first one they came out with and she is a great doll. Not quite as big around as the American Girl doll but they can still share all the same clothes. She is sturdy and has not had any mishaps with her construction. :) I think this a great doll to look into, and for the price! Well, you just can't beat that! Olivia with a 15 piece wardrobe -shown- (or any of the other dolls) are just 49.99. There are several clothing sets you can buy too. Three outfits for 34.99. Or you can go for the big set and get one doll with 12 outfits (and that includes shoes and hats and stocking!) for $144.99, that is a great deal! There are also bedroom sets, carry suitcase, horse sets, scooter set, etc. all for less than American Girl and yet very comparable and interchangeable. Check her out at Constructive Playthings.

In case you are skeptical of the quality of these dolls..... check out GaliGirls These are the same dolls. I love that there are dolls with Jewish history! Now, if they could make an Ethiopian Falasha doll. That would be really cool. These dolls are $35. I think they are very cute and their vinyl faces, arms and legs are quite nice. 

UPDATE: I did write to GaliGirls about a potential Ethiopian doll and I got a note back right away that they ARE working on an Ethiopian Story. When the economy improves they will publish it!!!!! Keep watching their web site and I will put it up here when it comes out too. For now the only doll they are planning on is this one. From the email: "dark skinned doll is geared more toward the girl of sephardi or ethiopian background - you can see her here: http://www.galigirls.com/black-hair-dark-skin-gali-girl-p-289.html"
I did suggest another sort of doll with the curly hair eventually. We will see. But for now you can look forward to the story and use whatever doll you feel is right for your family. 

more doll deals

Baby Cuddles is an African American baby doll made by Madame Alexander. This is a great doll for a first doll. Soft and durable. Right now The Doll Market is offering her for 19.96. Click on Baby Cuddles for the link.

Also by Madame Alexander is My First Baby, also available at The Doll Market  (African American) for 12.97

I am going to link all the African American dolls  by Lee Middleton that I think are a great buy for KIDS currently listed as end of season clearance at The Doll Market.
Hailey by Lee Middleton for only $25!!!! WOW
Made With Love  Lee Middleton for $89.99, ordinarily $175
There are three or four cute Asian babies by Lee Middleton too if that interests your family.

Wal-Mart is clearancing the line of 18" dolls by Madame Alexander. They are now $12.98. These are great dolls. They are the same size as American Girl dolls. We now have four of these and one of an earlier model, the one Toys R Us is selling. I like the faces on the Wa-lMart dolls much much better. Ok, you get you one and one for your daughter and one for her friend and your niece and......... :) As far as I know you can only buy them IN store.

Another great doll

Ok, for those of you, who like me are a bit doll crazy..... I realize that is a narrow crowd. :)

I was at Walmart today and looking to see if the new Disney princess was out yet, and I saw the most wonderful doll for such a good price. You can find some of them listed at the Madame Alexander link here these are labeled Favorite Friends.  Madame Alexander has marketed a doll line at Walmart ( Being a collector of MA dolls, I have mixed feelings on this) it is called Friends 4 Ever, the exact same dolls as the Favorite Friends dolls on their site. They are 18" dolls and look the same size as the American Girl dolls. They have the cutest modest clothing on and for sale next to them. They made an African American doll, an Asian one, a Hispanic one and then the regular blond (two versions both with blue eyes), brunette (light and dark both with brown eyes) and red head (with green eyes). I LOVE them. My favorites are the African American and Asian dolls and the one with light brown hair and brown eyes and a pink hair band. Beautiful dolls with unique faces. I would love to have one or two..... They are affordably priced at 24.95 or there about depending on your store. My daughter has a Madame Alexander in this same style but a much earlier model and not this line. She is well made and sturdy for play. Maybe not as quality as the American Girl Doll she has, but really comparable. Better than some of the others out there. Well, happy doll shopping. :)


UPDATE:
Last year Madame Alexander came out with another 18" doll line called Mia Bella. They came in about 4-5 different dolls, African American and Caucasion. Cute dolls. They are marketed at Toys R Us, this year, and include a large variety of dolls including Asian American and Hispanic.  It is a different set of dolls than the WalMart ones, but still Madame Alexandar. You can see them at the Toys R Us link. They are currently selling for 19.95 and usually run 29.95. My Grandma told me she saw the add and she took the add to Walmart and they gave her the price on the Walmart dolls. :) She said they also have clothing there, different ones than at Walmart. :) Thanks Grandma!

looking for African American dolls

>If you are looking for some African American dolls, here are some good choices. I am a doll lover, so this was a fun thing for me to look up after someone posted a question looking for one. Maybe it will be helpful for others too. It is certainly not an end all be all list, but a good start.

The first ever African American Disney princess. Princess Tiana. You can buy them on Amazon already and the toddler doll is sooo cute. The "Barbie" style doll is great too. Amazon Princess Tiana, Amazon Princess Tiana Toddler.

Walmart has Madame Alexander 18" dolls, they are really cute and they have the African American one, an Asian one and a variety of Caucasian and Hispanic. These dolls have the NEW face. They are not available on line only in stores.

Toys R Us also has a line of Madame Alexander 18: dolls with an African American and Asian one. They do not have the new face.

Doll Market, page with lots of African American dolls, various styles baby to Barbie type, prices from $15 up. Lee Middleton doll for a good price. We have this one and love her.
Alexander on Doll Market. 18" play doll with curly black hair. They also have the NEW face dolls.

>doll at CostCo, friends forever dolls with book like American Girl dolls with book.

> http://www.kaplantoys.com/store/trans/productDetailForm.asp?CatID=2%257C0%257C0&PID=82032&Max=48&Seq=28&Page=3
> This one is a baby doll and is $31.
>
> http://www.blackdollscollector.com/ We have the Lee Middleton doll,
> she is WONDERFUL and worth the cost. We did find a discount,
> occasionally possible on line or in close out stores.
>
> http://www.paradisegalleries.com/product.aspx?guid=2e7712c3-1514-4579-aef1-9ba445ef11f0
> BIG toddler doll $44

> http://www.amazon.com/Gotz-GZ20823-Muffin-13-African-American/dp/B0014IMI0W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1250544521&sr=8-2
> Gotz 13" doll $20

> http://www.amazon.com/Madame-Alexander-Girlz-African-American/dp/B001U5Z8SS/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1250544590&sr=1-19
> $60 Madame Alexander. I think she may be what you are looking for.
> VERY CUTE DOLL. I want one of these!!!!!!! I collect Madam's anyway. She is awesome.

> http://www.amazon.com/Lulu-Kenya-World-Collection-Starter/dp/B000X1ZNI0/ref=sr_1_95?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1250544786&sr=1-95
> stand alone big girl doll. $75 with book, Kenyan. Like American Girl dolls.

> http://www.amazon.com/Madame-Alexander-African-American-Doll-Exclusive/dp/B001NLQGA8/ref=sr_1_153?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1250544922&sr=1-153
> $58 not curly hair...... nice doll though, we have one like her. Costco may have this doll for less. They usually carry one like this, new every year.
>
> Maybe that will help.
>
>

Ok, on another note. I was looking for modest Barbie clothes and came up with a Barbie like doll marketed in Muslim countries. You can buy Fulla and her friends on line. I think she is really pretty. She has indoor clothes which are modern and modest. She has her outdoor clothes which consist of a long jacket like dress and her head scarf.  If she were less expensive I would be tempted to buy one for myself the doll junkie that I am. :)

If you are interested in cloth or rag dolls Pottery Barn has some cute ones.
doll
baby

new baby doll company

https://www2900.ssldomain.com/preciousbabydolls/order/store/aboutus.asp
Follow this link to see a company that makes dolls from around the world to tell the story of adoption. They currently have America, Guatemala, Russia and China. I understand they are making one for Ethiopia now.
Very neat!