Ashton Drake Archives - Collectibles
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Ashton Drake

Fine collectible dolls in San Francisco or anywhere else depend on your personal collecting choice.

For collectible dolls in San Francisco CA, a great choice might be an Ashton Drake doll.  The Ashton Drake doll manufacturer has a long history of making some of the most beautiful and collectible dolls you will find anywhere.  So, for anyone searching for high quality, meaningful collectible dolls in San Francisco CA and elsewhere, one of the Ashton Drake dolls is a good choice.

In your search for collectible dolls in San Francisco CA, you might like one of the Ashton Drake dolls by artist Dianna Effner.  As a child, Dianna created dolls from old socks and paper mache.  So, it seemed only natural she would study painting, sculpting and ceramics, graduating in 1967 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Bradley University.  She began making dolls in the early 1970s as a stay-at-home mom.  With her unique porcelain (and later vinyl) dolls depicting emotion and sensitivity, within a decade, the professional world took notice.  In the late 1980s, she began designing for Ashton Drake and other doll manufacturers.  In 1990, she moved into a studio in Missouri, began teaching doll making and related crafts, then founded the Doll Dreamers Guild for the purpose of training instructors to teach the realistic painting techniques developed in her studio.

For Ashton Drake, Dianna’s Storybook Dolls are the first fully poseable, ball-jointed collector-quality vinyl dolls inspired by beloved children’s book characters.  The first in the storybook series was Little Red Riding Hood.  Her modern look, with hand painted features, silky auburn ringlets, and contemporary twist on traditional European clothing carries a basket of goodies and flowers for Grandma.  Twenty-five years later, what a way to celebrate master doll artist Dianna Effner than to find a first in an Ashton Drake gallery.

And just in time for the movie to be released March 11.  Here at Better Everything, we have to recommend the perfect virtual store for collectible dolls in San Francisco CA, especially when we can direct you to this collectible doll – Ashton Drake’s Little Red Riding Hood by Dianna Effner.  Stella’s Treasures is a great place to get started on Dianna Effner’s storybook dolls and other collectible dolls.

With spiking gas prices, don’t drive around looking for doll shops in San Francisco, CA

There might be a handful of doll shops in San Francisco CA, but it is difficult to tell what kind of dolls they might carry.  That’s why the Internet is so handy.  Before you start maneuvering around those streets finding the doll shops in San Francisco CA , using up gasoline, you can see what collectible dolls are available online.  In fact, when you are shopping for collectible doll shops in San Francisco CA, you really don’t even have to start up your engine.

Better Everything has found a wonderful substitute for doll shops in San Francisco for those who are looking for a great selection of collectible dolls.  Stella’s Treasures has many satisfied customers who keep coming back, so you know your doll shop is worth a visit.  Stella keeps up on the latest trends and has some of those older, discontinued and miscellaneous collectible dolls.  Her expertise is invaluable and she loves to share it, so she is a treasure herself.

With parts, clothes, patterns, restoration and repair resources, accessories, furniture, some books and catalogs … this is a great doll shop for San Francisco CA.  Major doll manufacturers that include Aston Drake, Alexander, Eden, Gotz, Lawson, R&D, Tai … and doll artists like Effner, Nygren and others … from baby dolls to ball jointed … this is a great place to shop!  It’s no wonder we here at Better Everything recommend this collectible doll shop when you are looking for doll shops in San Francisco CA.

Stella's Treasures - the recommended virtual doll shop for San Francisco CA

Things to consider when looking for collectible dolls in San Francisco, CA

For those who are looking for collectible dolls in San Francisco CA, getting familiar with doll manufacturers and their types of dolls through the years is important.  But, also important is identifying why you are looking for collectible dolls in San Francisco.  Knowing whether your collectible dolls will be played with or pristinely set aside, purchased to relive a childhood memory of your own or to create a childhood memory for someone else, or purchased as an investment, then determining your budget is the best way to start when looking for collectible dolls in San Francisco CA.

Once your interests and budget is clear, getting to know doll manufacturers and their history is next.  Take for instance The Alexander Doll Company and Madame Alexander Dolls.  The company was founded by Madame Beatrice Alexander Behrman eighty years ago.  Her love for dolls started as a youth watching her father repair dolls in America’s first doll hospital.  As she later created her own line of fine quality, handcrafted dolls, she became known for her many innovations in the doll industry.  Those “firsts” include making dolls based on movie characters, living persons, baby dolls, and full figures.

Any Madame Alexander doll made before the 1930s in considered to be an ‘antique Madame Alexander doll’.  A ‘collectible Madame Alexander doll’ are those made more than 25 years ago, but less than 75 years ago.  A “modern Madame Alexander doll’ has been made within the last 25 years and a ‘contemporary Madame Alexander doll’ is any doll in current production.

In the 1930s, Madame Alexander began making cloth dolls—one of the earliest is the Alice in Wonderland doll.  Composition Madame Alexander dolls were then introduced.  These are made of a mixture of several compounds (sawdust, paper, glue, and plaster of Paris)—examples are the Sonja Henie, Dionne Quintuplets, and Princess Elizabeth dolls.  In 1948, hard plastic Madame Alexander dolls were created.  The first of these had painted skin tones with later dolls being made of rose-colored plastic which were more durable and eliminated the fine cracking (or crazing) of the finish.  These had sharper features.  Examples include Cissy, Lissy, and Elise.  There are many excellent doll manufacturers.  The Alexander Doll Company is just one of them.

And choosing the right collectible doll, whether it’s a Madame Alexander doll or another one like Aston Drake, the usage, the era, the value, and even accessories are all important factors when looking for collectible dolls in San Francisco, CA.  We, here at Better Everything, can recommend Stella’s Treasures for a little more Madame Alexander Doll history, a great selection of doll manufacturers and dolls, accessories, books, and great advice.

If you’re looking for Gene Marshall doll shops in Sacramento, CA you may choose to shop online instead

If you are looking in doll shops in Sacramento CA or elsewhere for the 25th anniversary Mel Odom Gene Marshall line, then Better Everything has the virtual doll shop for you.  And, if you are looking for a different collectible doll investment, virtual doll shops for Sacramento CA doll collectors can be trouble-free when you find the shop that offers a wide selection.

Take the Mel Odom dolls for the Gene Marshall line.  There’s the old and the new, so when you can find a doll shop that has both and has been at the Gene Marshall convention, you know you are in trusted hands.  That’s why we, here at Better Everything, recommend Stella’s Treasures for your doll shop in Sacramento CA and beyond.  Stella has quite the doll collection and much more for you.

Mel Odom's first Gene Marshall doll - Gene Marshall collectible dolls at doll shops for Sacramento CA

For doll shops in Sacramento CA, our choice is the virtual doll shop, Stella’s Treasures, where they have Mel Odom’s Gene Marshall dolls as well as other Aston Drake dolls.  And there are other notable doll manufacturers and artists, clothing, accessories, restoration and repair resources, and catalogs, books and doll ornaments.

Don’t get frustrated with local collectible dolls in Sacramento, CA – just expand your horizons and visit an online shop that treats you like a walk in customer!

It’s exciting when you find just what you are looking for – like collectible dolls in Sacramento CA.  There are dolls all right, but collectible dolls in Sacramento, well, that can be more of a challenge to find.

When you are having trouble finding those perfect collectible dolls in Sacramento CA, it helps to get a recommendation.  It’s a sure bet that you will find collectible dolls for Sacramento when you do your virtual shopping at Stella’s Treasures.  There is such a selection of collectible dolls and doll-related items that you are bound to find just what you are looking for at Stella’s.  And, if she doesn’t have it, she is sure to know where to find it.  Being in the business for years, she has developed an extensive knowledge of collectible dolls both old and new, doll manufacturers, resources and experts in related fields.

With so many doll manufacturers and artists’ dolls available in one place, you are sure to find just what you are looking for your doll collection.  If the collectible doll for Sacramento CA isn’t on this virtual shop recommended by Better Everything, or Stella can’t help you, well, we will be surprised.

Exquisite collectible dolls in Sacramento a virtual reality at your service!

Looking for collectible dolls in Sacramento CA, you know, exquisitely done, high quality dolls to start or add to your collection?  More and more often, you find the best selection by going ‘virtual’ when shopping for collectible dolls in Sacramento CA and elsewhere.  Virtual shopping can be a delight, especially when you get suggestions on which online site to go to.  That’s where we come in.  Better Everything can recommend Stella’s Treasures for your shopping for collectible doll in Sacramento.

Being able to look in one place at a multitude of doll manufacturers gives you a better idea of what’s available.  The types of collectible dolls is extensive, so having a wide selection available at one site is pretty handy.  And it’s even better when that one place is expert at what they do and friendly to boot.

You want to be able to ask questions, share stories, and get expert advice when you want to add that special doll to your collection whether it’s a baby, fantasy, theme, paper, ball jointed, vintage or new, exclusive or not.  Your special doll could be an Aston Drake, Gene Marshall, Vogue, or Madame Alexander.  It could be from one of he most sought after artists.  It could be a Barbie or a Wizard of Oz, Twilight, Brides of Dracula, Hannah Montana, or other doll.  These are just a small sample of what is available in this one place recommended for collectible dolls in Sacramento CA.

So, when you are shopping for collectible dolls in Sacramento CA opportunities are best when your virtual shop is one that has a variety, is knowledgeable, prompt, professional and friendly.

Ashton Drake makes a lasting impression . . .

Ashton Drake, one of the major doll manufacturers, is carried by Stella’s Treasures.  Why Ashton Drake?  Well, there are many reasons.  Variety, high quality, artistry are just a few.

At Stella’s Treasures, while you can a wide variety of excellent doll manufacturer’s, Ashton Drake is a favorite.  Each collectible doll is made with infallible technique and style.  An Ashton Drake doll is sure to become a valued addition to any doll collector’s treasures.

From baby dolls to Brides of Dracula and Dark Hunter dolls, from Emily the Strange dolls to Hannah Montana dolls, from quirky Wizard of Oz dolls to the ball-jointed Delilah Noir dolls, by a variety of artisans like Dianna Effner, Ashton Drake is one doll manufacturer to include in your collectible dolls.

Make a lasting impression, add Ashton Drake to your collectible dolls!  And Stella, at Stella’s Treasures, will help you with your doll collecting questions.

Ashton Drake doll expert Stella at Stella’s Treasures

Ashton Drake has been carried by Stella’s Treasures for quite some time.  As a result, Stella is an expert in Ashton Drake and has a wide variety of Ashton Drake dolls.

Stella’s Treasures has had a special on the very popular Aston Drake Delilah Noir dolls.  Ball-jointed and 16-inch tall, this Aston Drake doll is like getting two dolls in one.  The Delilah Noir doll is versatile and lovely.  “Voted a Doll Reader Magazine’s Doll of the Year for 2009, Delilah Noir is one of the most innovative ball-jointed dolls on the market. Delilah is entirely hand painted and beautifully sculpted in lifelike vinyl for exceptional realism….”

Along with the Aston Drake ball-jointed dolls, Stella’s Treasures carries other quality dolls, including others that are ball-jointed.  There are also those adorable Aston Drake miniature baby and interactive baby dolls.  Doll supplies, accessories, patterns, older and miscellaneous dolls, paper dolls, and expertise Stella loves to share so you are happy with your choices.

Why not check out Stella’s Treasures for Ashton Drake—along with other quality popular doll manufacturers?

Ashton Drake – Dolls that appeal to a wide variety of people looking for collectible dolls

Ashton Drake is a popular doll manufacturer, no doubt about it.  That’s why Stella’s Treasures has been a long time carrier of Ashton Drake dolls.  Since Stella has been going to doll shows, Ashton Drake has been among Stella’s Treasures selection of quality collectible dolls and other items.

That’s the great thing about Stella’s Treasures.  Being a long time doll enthusiast, Stella is knowledgeable in collectible dolls from many different doll manufacturers—including, of course, Aston Drake.

When you visit other sites, like Grandmother’s Attic, you may find Ashton Drake, but the selection and expertise may not be as extensive as Stella’s Treasures.  With a wide selection of collectible dolls from Aston Drake and other manufacturer’s, Stella’s Treasures can assist you with the perfect purchase.

That special collectible doll that will tug at your heart strings, whether it ends up being Aston Drake or one of the other many doll manufacturers, will no doubt be found at Stella’s Treasures when you hunt around on that site filled with Aston Drake and other collectible dolls and other items—hunting for that perfect treasure within your budget is exciting.  Check out Stella’s Treasures.

Aston Drake at Stella’s Treasures, where the experts and monthly specials are

Just in time for Christmas, it’s great to know Stella’s Treasures has Aston Drake included in her seven pages of “monthly specials.”  From Aston Drake to Alexander to Wish to Barbie and more, the “monthly specials” section is a great place to start your shopping for collectible dolls, clothes, and even some accessories.

Of course, you could just go to the “Aston Drake” section.  Filled with a variety of Ashton Drake collectible dolls, the “Aston Drake” section has dolls from baby to television character to exquisite traditional to contemporary.

At Stella’s Treasures, Aston Drake is just one doll manufacturer.  Stella’s selection is extensive and, if you have questions, Stella is knowledgeable and available.  Long time connoisseur of collectible dolls and treasures, Stella also shares “recommended links” to the finest craftswomen associated with collectible dolls restoration and clothing and patterns.  One such resource is even featured on Stella’s Treasures, La Petite Femme Salon Fashion Doll Clothing Patterns, where JoAnn Morgan offers patterns for doll dresses for fashion dolls such as Kitty Collier, Tyler Wentworth, Gene Marshall, Cissy and more.  When you visit JoAnn’s site, not only will you find patterns, but dresses, outfits and more.  Check out the “Christmas and Special Occasion” dresses available in a variety of sizes, too.

Christmas is all around.  With experts like Stella and JoAnn or those listed in Stella’s “Recommended Links” section, available for your every question, you will surely find that perfect dress or Aston Drake or other doll manufacturer’s treasure.

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