MY FIRST DOLL SHOW

Although I've been a Barbie doll enthusiast for the last 20 or so years, I consider myself to be a collector for the only the last decade, an obsessed collector for the last six or so years, and a doll artist for three years.  During all these years I've collected, customized, and obsessed over these 11 1/2" plastic goddesses, there's two things I've never done - attend a major doll show and purchase a "vintage" (pre "mod" era) doll.  That fact remained true until yesterday, when I attended my first doll show and purchased my first vintage doll. 

The Plan 
I live in a relatively major, metropolitan city.  However, the state itself is rather low on the United States totem pole. Although we dream of one day hosting a professional football, baseball, or basketball team, we did host a national Barbie Doll convention in the last decade.  Yet doll shows down here are few and far between.  Thus, whenever I've had the opportunity to attend one of these rare events, I could not attend for two important reasons - lack of time or lack of money.  Did I mention that I'm one of those divas who's blessed/cursed with champaign taste on a beer budget?  Add to that equation two small boys with the potential to shatter my good champaign glass and you have an accurate picture of yours truely.  Anyway, this year, I planned ahead - eight months ahead.  With the subscription price of a popular doll collecting magazine comes the priceless knowledge of, among other things, listings of upcoming doll shows.  I noticed one coming to a nearby city (just a scant 2 1/2 hour drive), and I planned.  I planned to have that day free, and, most importantly, I planned to have some cash!  That plan was threated on more than one occassion. But, the doll goddesses were smiling on me that day, and, on a bright and sunny April Sunday, my husband and I were on our way to the doll show!  As we drove, I reviewed the details of my plan.  I wanted a vintage doll, preferably a Bubble Cut or an American Girl ( I knew a ponytail was out of my budget).  If a vintage doll was absolutly unobtainable on my budget, I would get a mod-era doll if I could afford one.  If that was out, I'd get a special modern that struck my eye and maybe an outfit or a case.  Needless to say, my poor brian was a constant flesh and blood computer running a looped program of doll versus budget.  Like most first times, I wanted this one to be memorable. 

THE SHOW 
After a few missed turns we found the hotel that played host for the show.  At this point, I'd like to say that my husband is my most supportive friend and ally when it comes to doll collecting.  Although he does not partake in the hobby himself, he often comes home holding a doll behind his back the way other men would a bouquet of flowers or a box of candy.  As a matter of fact, thirteen years ago, he helped me make my first hand-tailored doll-outfit - a black velvet, pink lace trimmed, Madonna-esque creation.  I can't remember where I left my keys last week, but, in my mind's eye, I can clearly see those large, muscled hands gently threading a needle through a miniature velvet bustier.  But I digress.  Anyway, we paid our $5 entrance fee and entered the hotel conference room where, after absorbing the view, he turned to me and stated, "Baby, I'm gonna need a cup of coffee.  I'll meet you back here in a while.  Where are you gonna be?"  Awestruck, I answered in a barely audible voice, "Here.  Right here."  And "here" was where I stayed for a few minutes after he left.  I had no idea where to start, for I had truely entered Barbie doll heaven. 

THE SEARCH 
As I stood in my spot for a few awestruck moments, I perused my surroundings.  I immediately focused on several displayed groups of vintage dolls.  She was here, somewhere, I could feel it.  Yet, as I tried my best to stick to my plan, I could not help but allow my eye to wander across the wide array of dolls from the mod-era and above.  Dolls I haven't seen since I was a child were displayed next to dolls I've only seen in the magazines.  I took a deep breath, gathered my senses, and began my quest to find my first vintage doll - the one I'd dreamed of for so long.  I allowed my self to view the beautifully maintained, mint-in-box vintage dolls for sale, with the knowledge that I was just browsing...this time.  As I examined the vintage dolls, I focused in on the dolls that were withen my price range - all Bubble Cuts.  We'd arrived three hours into the five hour event, so any American Girls in my price range were long gone.  That's okay, I still had plenty to choose from.  Four different vendors worth to choose from.  I went from table to table and back again.  Finally, I saw her - a nude, White Ginger Bubble Cut, bagged in cellophane and marked $65.  She was in good condition (in my opinion).  She had a little dent in her left hand, her finger and toenail polish was slightly faded, her eye make-up need refreshing, and her frosted pinkish-white lipstick was almost gone.  But she was the doll for me - the model I wanted (although I would have preferred a brunette), in the condition I wanted (not perfect, but pretty good), at the price I wanted.  It was at this time that my husband appeared behind me.  "How's it going?", he asked.  I showed him my find.  "I think she's the one", I answered.  I asked the dealer to hold her or me for ten minutes which he graciously agreed to.  After one more rotation around the floor (which took all of 4 minutes), I came back and purchased her.  I'd done it!  I'd obtained my first authentic vintage doll!  My husband returned wide grin and said, "Well, good, Baby.  I'm gonna get another cup of coffee.  Why don't you look around and see what else you see."  With those tempting words, he was gone again.  I had my first vintage doll in my cute pink-striped bag and I was ready to buy more.  I'd planned on sewing Ginger's entire wardrobe, but, with the back-log of projects I have going, I knew she'd be naked for a while unless I purchased her an outfit.  Of course, most of the vintage outfits I wanted cost at least twice as much as the doll itself (excusing themselves from my budget).  I finally found some bagged garments that were missing most of their accessories.  I found a "Cotton Casual" (dress only) for $5.  For another $5, I purchased the matching jacket and skirt for "Career Girl", with plans to create the missing blouse and black gloves, and forgo the other accessories (for now).  I though about purchasing some vintage shoes to go with the outfits, but I decided that my fatigue (and the idea of the 2 1/2 hour drive home) superceded my desire for one more purchase.  All in all, I was (and am) happy.  Now, those of you with shelves and shelves of vintage dolls and fashions my scoff at my ameture first outing, but, please remember, you too had to start out somewhere!  I'm happy with my start and can't wait to restore Ginger's face paint (regardless of the fact that it may reduce her value) and sew her fabulous wardrobe! 

THE REST 
Between the purchase of my doll and her starter wardrobe, I took the opportunity peruse the rest of the dealer tables.  Oh, if money grew on trees, I'd commit arborcide for miles to purchase the dolls and accessories I saw!  I saw many good deals ($20 Francie dolls in swimsuits), and many outrageous price tags (for $10,000, MIB #1 Barbie doll better come with her own human-sized car to drive this diva around)!  Dolls and outfits from my childhood (the "mod" era) brought up long-lost, nostalgic memories.  New dolls provided me with a mental "wish-list" for years to come.  One of the highlights of the event for me was to see many doll and outfits of a certain reputible doll artist (it's not the mission of this article to advertise for anyone, so I'll just say that the artist's initials are BN).  As an aspiring artist, I was thrilled to see just how far I'd come from when I started three years ago, and just how far I could go.  The work was exquisite - absolutely fabulous.  Even my patient yet fatigued husband took the time to examine the dolls and outfits.  I could tell by his face that he was impressed (and full of ideas for my future projects).  Overall, my first experience at a major doll show was everything I'd dreamed of - almost.  My enthusiasm for my first doll show almost erased the fact that the real world is not quite as gentile and polite as Barbie's.  Ninty-nine percent of the dealers and collectors that I met were gracious and shared my enthusiam for the dolls.  However, I had a few bad experiences.  Ironically enough, the same shopper shared a part two of them (pay attention, Blondie, you know who you are).  Blondie was having a conversation with the dealer from whom I purchased my doll.  I must have spent 15 minutes at that table making up my mind, and once made up, was ready to speak to the dealer about my purchase.  The conversation seemed to be nowhere near a pausing point, so tried, politely to make my pressence known.  My throat clearing and coughing went unacknowledged.  When I moved around her to attempt my purchase, she actually stepped in front of me and continued her conversation.  Now, keep in mind that Miss Diva is not one to hold her tongue.  But, before things turned ugly, the dealer finally interrupted the woman to help me.  I still had to work my way around her as she refused to relenquish her spot in front of the dealer (and space was rather limited).  Two hours later, when I purchased my garments, the same woman was having a conversation with yet another dealer from whom I needed help.  But this time, instead of the dealer showing me the common curtesy that the first dealer had shown, she stuck her hand out to receive my money and give me my change, barely acknowledging my pressence or even giving me eye contact.  I realize that I was only spending $10 with her, but my years of customer service experience has taught me that a sale is a sale, and all customers are to be treated with the same curtesy and respect.  But, Miss Diva was tired, and ready to go, so I took my change and left.  My husband even pointed out the rude behavior of both women.  He also pointed out that, for all Blondie's expert talk and inside information, she did not have one bag in her had.  Perhaps she was trying to talk herself a purchase.  She should have made a plan, like me!  I must admit that, because of our packed weekend and long drive, I had little time to throw on my make-up, and my clothes were simple jeans and a t-shirt (Blondie was made-up to the nines, but I won't be catty and go there), so perhaps my appearance gave a few other dealers the impression that I was not there to buy (like I paid $5 of my hard-earned money just to look).  But, overall, I found most people, dealers and shoppers alike, to be happy, helpful, and full of information just for the asking.  Miss Diva has resolved to refuse to let a few extremely bad apples ruin her doll show pie.  The memory of my first doll show will be a good one!