A handmade paper doll by Margaret Menamin

One of the beautiful things about paper doll collecting is the friendships that are formed.

The friendship between Margaret Menamin and Carol Carey was a thing to behold. They delighted in each other's company and creativity. 

This is a paper doll that Margaret made as a birthday gift for Carol in 1996. Margaret died after a short illness in 2009; you can read more about her here.

Happy Mother's Day

Handmade paper doll, c. 1940s

watercolor and pencil

Mildred, a handmade paper doll, 1902

From the collection of Jean Mallett.

Mary Jane Varden paper doll, c. 1920s

A sweet handmade.

Handmade paper dolls, 1920s

At just about every convention, you can count on Elaine Price bringing in an amazing handmade paper doll, usually with an outstanding wardrobe, and in Dayton she did not disappoint.

Paper doll in pencil, c. 1940s

Jane, a Fashionable Lady

This is a copy of an original handmade paper doll. From the Margaret Menamin collection. A note on the back (apparently from the artist) says:

Jane, Fashionable/Stylized Lady--Same time as "Elegant gentleman"--but perhaps all of these are from summer of 1939 or 1940 -- I remember going to the Pasadena Library for costume books.

Another paper doll mystery...

Convention Tidbits #4: Wallpaper Wardrobe

This is Bonita Granville as Nancy Drew. Artist: Barbara Barnett, 2007.

Who can resist the wallpaper wardrobe of a Barbara Barnett paper doll? And who wouldn't want to try a hand at it, too?

Good news: Scott Jorgenson, vintage fashion expert, will be leading a workshop in creating a wallpaper wardrobe at the 2011 Paper Doll Convention in Philadelphia, Aug.17-21. He'll also offer a presentation on collecting vintage fashion in cloth and paper.

But if you haven't registered yet, don't waste any time. The Registration packets will go out in the mail this month, and workshops will fill up FAST! Click on the convention logo to the left to register.

Here are the details from David Wolfe, chairman of this year's convention:

WALLPAPER WARDROBE WORKSHOP

Participants will create a wardrobe for a vintage-look paper doll. The doll will be given to those attending the workshop along with a set of templates to trace around on patterned wallpaper samples.  They
will also be given sheets of details such as collars, cuffs, and bows to cut out an paste onto the wallpaper dresses and playwear. The workshop will be under the direction of Scott Jorgenson.

COLLECTING VINTAGE FASHIONS of CLOTH or PAPER

Scott Jorgenson will offer a presentation that explains how collecting vintage fashion is the same whether it is made of fabrics or print for paper dolls.  Finding genuine vintage treasures in thrift shops or on the Internet offers first-hand fashion history that has been worn in the past and Scott has a collection of over 500 pieces.  He will share some stories about his neverending quest for special fashions and show how those very same styles have been illustrated by paper doll artists in years gone by and also by many of today's leading paper doll artists.

UPDATE: You can register online using PayPal or a credit card by clicking here.

Betty Boop by Carol Carey

Since Jan. 17 I've posted items I purchased from Paula Hill. Here is the last item, a relic from the days when paper doll collectors gathered in each others' homes to sell, buy, swap and have a great time. Joan Carol Kaltschmidt had one of the early self-published newsletters, Paper Playthings, which ran from April 1963 until the late 1980s. On June 2, 1973, Joan and a few other collectors hosted a party with the theme of paper dolls from the comics. Carol Carey drew the Betty Boop program and paper doll. Other attendees included Grayce Piemontesi and Barbara Jendrick, both knowledgeable writers with outstanding collections.  I also recognize the names of Emma Terry and Marianne Anderson as collectors and artists. I've had the pleasure of getting to know collectors Carol Carey and Marge Schaffer, who attended this party long ago.