I suppose dolls have been around since before written history. Traditionally a toy that girls have used for centuries, dolls have played a vital part in the growing-up process. From learning how to care for a baby to becoming a jet-setting executive, dolls have helped young ladies dream about the future.

Just like the children who play with them, dolls come in all shapes, colors, ages and sizes. There are Barbie, Ken, Cabbage Patch, My Little Pony, American Girl and Bratz Dolls, just to name a few. They can be as simple as paper cut-out dolls and as complex, and expensive, as detailed porcelain dolls. For the boys out there, let's not forget GI Joe and all those "action figures" (come on guys, admit it, they really are dolls, too!).

As varied as the types of dolls, so are the materials that make them. Early dolls were made of wood and, later, paper-mache. The finest dolls had china heads and sometimes hands with wooden-jointed bodies. In the early days of the United States many dolls were made at home. Sew a few old rags together, and you have a new playmate.

Of course, nowadays dolls are not just for kids. Doll collecting has become a very popular hobby among adults as well as children. There are many categories of collections. Some focus on the ubiquitous Barbie, especially early and now rare editions. Others choose antique dolls, or dolls specific to a period of time. Still other collectors focus on a single manufacturer, country or style of doll. If you do not desire to dig and research, there are many special or collector's editions of dolls produced today.

No discussion of dolls would be complete without a look at the growing hobby of dollhouses and miniatures. This has become a hobby unto itself. Once more, materials and types are as varied as the dolls they shelter. A dollhouse can be made by a child from a simple cardboard box. Dollhouses can also range to exact scale replicas of homes with exact scale furnishings, and even full lighting. Those with limited space may chose to do a "shadow box" that meticulously details one room of a house. It would not surprise me if somewhere some stickler for detail builds a dollhouse with full working plumbing!

So, whether Barbie is jet setting all over the world, or GI Joe is saving the world, if you just want to "play" or construct an exact scale model of the White House, dolls and their accessories can take you wherever your imagination can go. They can make a rainy day go by faster, or allow an over-stressed adult a creative outlet. Anyway you look at it, dolls are cool.

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Dolls and what you should know about them

Steiff was one of the first to distribute teddy bears and in 1903 a New York Co would find her teddy bears and order 3000 of her bears. She would later create the first black teddy bear in mourning for those that were lost in Titanic. Every time Steiff makes a new design they have to make 1000s just to keep in stock.

Baby Gund began by branching off of Gund, to make its own baby line. They realized that every child needed a really soft toy in order to love on, that how Baby Gund was born. Baby Gund would begin making small, fluffy teddy bears that were small enough for a baby to hold, rattles, comforters and more. 

Russ Berrie & Co. began with only $500 to its name and manufacturing from the inside of a garage space, but as the company grew so did the product line and money. Berrie no longer has to worry about where he'll make the bears, he just needs to think about the next design. In 1995 Russ would produce the "Bears From the Past" series of teddy bear collectibles. 

Boyds teddy bears all began when G.M. didn't want to paint ducks anymore for their antique shop. Once his son was born he got the desire to design his own stuffed bear, which would become the famous, "Boyds Bears."

These are the facts on five companies and the teddy bears that hold them up. For without these teddy bears, the companies would've fallen to the ground. Each one has its very own story on how it opened its doors and each one is remarkable. Do you know where your teddy bears come from?

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Facts About Teddy Bears

Have you ever asked yourself why Barbie doll collecting is so popular? What drives tens of thousands of people to snap up every type of Barbie doll imaginable?

Barbie Was Brilliantly Marketed Mattel learned early on exactly how to market the Barbie doll. No other doll maker has come close to her. Barbie has been seen on TV commercials since the early 1960's. With over 40 years of continuous television exposure you can't help but see the ads throughout your childhood and into adulthood. This exposure has led Barbie to being one of the most popular toys in history.

Barbie Dolls Are Nostalgic

If you are a woman under the age of 60 then you most likely owned a Barbie when you were a kid. Just like baseball cards, if you collected Barbies's when you were young, the chances are good that you enjoy it now.

Many people still have their original dolls from their childhood and it almost has become an obsession to collect each and every Barbie doll there is.

Barbie Is Not A Fad

You know that when you buy a Barbie doll that you will always be able to buy new clothes and accessories for her. She is not here today, gone tomorrow. No other doll can say that.

The Internet Has Fueled Barbie Doll Collecting

That's right, the online world has helped promote Barbie doll collecting to the next level. You can find all sorts of Barbie doll forums as well as websites to purchase Barbie's. Ebay is a great example of this. Both advertisers and collectors alike can get together and discuss anything and everything to do with Barbie, as well as buy and sell.

What does the future hold in store for Barbie doll collecting? No one can say for sure, but if it is anything like the past, you can expect some really great things to take place.

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All About Barbie Doll Collecting – Why is Barbie so Popular?