Collecting Dolls And Why It's So Popular

Doll collecting is a hobby that is widely misunderstood by many people. One may assume that doll collectors are just old ladies with nothing else better to do. They picture bizarre looking dolls with plastic bodies, and old crocheted hand made clothing smelling of moth balls, that are tucked neatly away into old stale closets. Also, many people just presume that only young girls are fascinated with such a hobby. These are common erroneous beliefs, and may not be entirely false. The fact is that many different people collect many different kind of dolls. Don't be fooled; the reason for this is not because they have no alternative to entertaining themselves. Doll collecting can actually be quite a rewarding experience.

Your average collector today has a myriad of choices, from vintage to up to date, small and large. Robert Tonner's 8-inch Tiny Betsy McCall captures the real meaning of McCall's paper dolls of the 1960s with in depth fashions and the wide-eyed purity and innocence of a little girl playing grownup. More in recent times, Wilde Imagination introduced the moody Ellowyne Wilde, a beautifully rendered 16-inch doll with fashions any woman would welcome to her closet.

And then Barbie, the Queen of all Fashion Dolls, comes along! Introduced at Toy Fair in 1959, Barbie has remained an iconic symbol of twentieth century play time even in this new millennium. Her ponytail and handsomely accessorized outfits allowed little girls to let their imaginations run wild and even imitate what they might be someday. Barbie was a lot of things; a flight attendant, a nurse and a sorority sister in her early years and she went on to become an astronaut, a doctor and a presidential candidate. And so, it is this imagination and imitation that adult collectors are drawn to today.

Many collectors are drawn to antique dolls like the German and French dolls that usually cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Still others try to find the little girl dolls like Vogue's Ginny or American Character's Tiny Tears because with those, they are reminded of another time, when life was simpler. There is pretty much one word for all of this; nostalgia.

Adult life is very difficult and complicated under the best of circumstances and the doll's world is quite simply fun. When a collector is hindered in a moment of play, he or she is in their own little world. But, that's okay. Their little dollies know them.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls at these sites for kids toys, stuffed animals, and collectible dolls.

Should Dolls Be Role Models?

Children have to learn off something or someone. Whether it is from school, or from their classmates, they gain new knowledge wherever they go. You know how kids are; they imitate just about everything they see and hear. It would be normal for a little girl to want to have a little sister named Kelly and drive a pink car some day if Barbie was their favorite doll.

Should dolls be role models? Many people think not, especially not Barbie. If anything, American Girl dolls would be great for your daughter. American Girl is part Disney, part Barbie, part Nancy Drew and part Tipper Gore. Its great cause, other than making money, is the defense of girlish innocence. It presents its characters as wholesome alternatives to the trash-talking, navel-baring role models who tower over television and pop music.

Then again, dolls are just another form of toys. We all know toys are made to make a child's day. Dolls are not really role models. They are toys, and toys are just tools for our children to express themselves creatively. The children who play with Barbie dolls and show signs of the behaviors associated with Barbie are not modeling Barbie, but rather what they are being shown in other areas of their lives.

Dolls should be just toys. They help promote the imagination of young minds. The same thing goes for action figures, no matter what anyone says, they are just toys to be played with. They are not going to affect a child's life nor are the going to affect their future. The only true role models in their lives are their elders. They look to their elders to see what is right and what is wrong. They imitate the actions of individuals older than themselves because, well, that is just their nature.

Let's face it, dolls are not going to get kids through school or find a good paying job later on in life. The only thing dolls are good for is entertainment for kids. We can't count on plastic and fabric to show kids what to do and what not to do. That would be like counting on a so-called psychic to tell you your future with a crystal ball and some cards. We should take responsibility for what goes into the minds of young children. Protect them from the filth that is the world of pop music today. Be a good role model to your kids.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls at these sites for kids toys, stuffed animals, and Barbie dolls.

collectible barbie dolls

Barbie is a best-selling fashion doll launched in 1959. The doll is produced by Mattel, Inc., and is a major source of revenue for the company. The American businesswoman Ruth Handler (1916-2002) is regarded as the creator of Barbie, and the doll's design was inspired by a German doll called Bild Lilli.

Barbie has been an important part of the toy fashion doll market for nearly fifty years, and has been the subject of numerous controversies and lawsuits, often involving parody of the doll and her lifestyle.

Collecting:

Mattel estimates that there are well over 100,000 avid Barbie collectors. Ninety percent are women, at an average age of 40, purchasing more than twenty Barbie dolls each year. Forty-five percent of them spend upwards of $1000 a year.

Vintage Barbie dolls from the early years are the most valuable at auction, and while the original Barbie was sold for $3.00 in 1959, a mint boxed Barbie from 1959 sold for $3552.50 on ebay in October 2004. On September 26, 2006, a Barbie doll set a world record at auction of £9,000 sterling (US $17,000) at Christie's in London. The doll was a Barbie in Midnight Red from 1965 and was part of a private collection of 4,000 Barbie dolls being sold by two Dutch women, Ietje Raebel and her daughter Marina

In recent years Mattel has sold a wide range of Barbie dolls aimed specifically at collectors, including porcelain versions and depictions of Barbie as a range of characters from television series such as The Munsters and Star Trek There are also collector's edition dolls depicting Barbie dolls with a range of different ethnic identities. In 2004 Mattel introduced the Color Tier system for its collector's edition Barbie dolls, ranging through pink, silver, gold and platinum depending on how many of the dolls are produced.

collectible barbie dolls - retro barbie - vintage mattel dolls at

Toys of the 1950s - How to Enjoy Them With Your Children and Grandchildren

There's something about 1950s toys that just makes us smile. Though they lack the batteries, blinking lights, and loud noises of modern day toys, they have a way of transporting us back to simpler times. What's great about these toys is that they can still be enjoyed today and for less money than all the high tech toys that are being sold. With just a few creative touches, you can make these toys just as appealing to your children, if not more so, than any of their modern equivalents.

Here are some ways you can make these 1950s toys more enjoyable starting today.

Mr. Potato Head

You can't mention 1950s toys without acknowledging Mr. Potato Head. While we're all familiar with this fun little guy with changeable eyes, mouth, ears, it may be less known that this was the first toy to ever be advertised on television. To enjoy this toy with your children, try to boost their creativity by having them write or tell stories about the different personalities they can make by changing the facial features of Mr. Potato Head. Or you could create different looks for Mr. Potato Head and have your children act them out for helping them with their imagination.

Hula Hoop

When thinking of 1950s toys, one of the things that might come to mind is the Hula Hoop. This toy has become so popular the new hit video game, Wii Fit, includes a mini-game where you use your own body to make a character on the screen swing a Hula Hoop around their body. Can't shell out the money for the nintendo wii? No problem. Try holding a Hula Hoop competition with your children and record their results over time. They'll have fun and get exercise at the same time. To make this even better, use several Hula Hoops and see who can spin the most around their waist at the same time.

Barbie Doll

In 1959, young girls got a toy that would become their new best friend. At long last, Barbie made her entrance into the 1950s toys scene. Any trip to a toy store today shows that she's just as popular today as she was then. To enjoy Barbie with your children today, you can purchase video games like Barbie Fashion Designer and help them imagine life in the fashion world. Or you could also award points for chores your children complete that they can use towards purchasing new items for their Barbie dolls. If you look at popular online games like Neopets and Webkinz, you'll see that this system really works for motivating your children.

1950s toys can be a great alternative to the loud and obnoxious toys that are available today. While it might be easier to entertain your children with expensive products, often it's best to use tried and true products in new ways to help them boost their creativity, get them exercising, and help them get their chores done.

Visit Toys of the 1950s for a selection of games, dolls, trains, and other toys from your favorite era.

Insider's Guide to Successful Barbecue Cooking on a Gas Grill - Part One, Methods

Grilling is grilling, Right? Er, no, wrong! In order to get the most out of your gas grill, you need to be master of the different techniques. The trouble is that the instructions that come with the grill seldom tutor you in the real arts of grilling so here is the Grilling Coach's advice on outdoor cookery methods ...

Indirect Method

The indirect method works much the same way as a convection oven. You operate one burner and place the food over the other. The operating burner provides the heat, surrounding and cooking the food on the other side of the grill allowing you to cook slowly without the food coming in contact with the flames.

Since the heat is circulating, it is not necessary to turn the food. All preheating and cooking is done with the lid down.

Surface Broiling with Lid Raised

This method of broiling exposes only the bottom side of the meat or food to cooking temperatures. It is the slowest method of cooking on a gas grill and is, therefore, suitable only for foods that cook quickly.

Surface Broiling with Lid Lowered or Closed

Foods cook more quickly when the lid is lowered because heat is confined in the grill and both the top and bottom surfaces of the food are exposed to cooking temperatures.

You will also get smokier flavor when you cook with the lid lowered, as there is more flaming and more smoke. Be careful not to overcook the food, though. When broiling steaks or hamburgers, use a High setting to sear the surface. This will help keep the meat inside moist and juicy without overcooking the center of the meat.

Roasting or Baking

You can make your gas grill an oven by closing the cover. Using burner adjustments and the heat indicator, you can control the temperature inside the grill and use it to bake, roast, or barbecue an incredible variety of foods.

Rotisserie Broiling

Rotisserie broiling has several advantages. The meat browns and cooks evenly on all surfaces and does not require constant attention. Whole turkeys, chickens, hams, and large roasts can be barbecued with delicious results. Exact degrees of doneness can be easily determined by the use of a meat thermometer.

Insert the spit rod lengthwise through the center of the meat, balancing it carefully. Secure with holding forks. Roll the spit in the palms of your hands to see if it is balanced. If the weight is not evenly distributed, the spit rod will stop turning once the heavier side of the meat rotates to the down side.

Flare-ups

Reasonable amounts of flaming and smoking are desired in broiling or cooking most kinds of meat because that is what produces the barbecue flavor, the essence of outdoor cooking. Of course, too much will cause burning and charring of the meat and should be avoided.

To reduce or eliminate flare-ups:

Trim surplus fat off meat or fowl before cooking.

Purchase lean cuts of meat and ground chuck or round for hamburgers.

Avoid pre-basted turkeys, as they are filled with oil and need careful watching for excessive flare-ups.

Cook with grids at top level and, if necessary, burner at lower setting.

Have a squirt bottle of apple juice handy to douse minor flare-ups. Use baking soda for grease fires.

Flaming can be controlled, in some cases, by adjusting the lid slightly open.

Smoking

Covered grills give wonderful added smoke flavor to meat, poultry, and fish. Smoking woods are available in chips or chunks. Chunks burn longer than chips and are better for foods with longer cooking times. Soak wood chips and chunks in water for about one hour before using. Use a handful or two of chips or two or three chunks at a time placing them evenly over the lava rocks, being careful not to smother the fire. The more wood used, the stronger the flavor.

Do not use wood that has been commercially treated with chemicals. Softwoods such as pine are not recommended, as they give the food a bitter flavor.

HICKORY has a definite "smoked" flavor -- robust and western.

MESQUITE has a lighter "smoked" flavor -- more southern in taste.

APPLE AND CHERRY WOODS have a more delicate flavor and are excellent with poultry.

NUT WOODS have a milder smoke flavor.

GRAPEVINE CUTTINGS have a subtle sweet flavor.

For additional flavoring, throw some garlic cloves, fresh or dried herbs, or fruit rinds on the rocks.

Cooking Times

A cooking time chart is not an exact guide for cooking with a gas grill because you will be cooking outdoors where temperatures and wind can influence the rate of cooking. Different grills, size of the meat, and how often the lid is raised also have an effect on the cooking times.

There is no better way to ensure good cooking results than careful attention to the food on the grill. If you are cooking thick cuts of meat or whole fowl, a meat thermometer is your best insurance of exact cooking results, but be careful as some meat thermometers, left in while cooking, can give false readings. Your best guide is your own experience in the use of your gas grill. You will soon become an expert in gauging the amount of time needed to cook various foods and meats to the desired degree of doneness.

High Setting (Approximately 550°F/290°C)

Use this setting for searing steaks and chops, for a fast warm-up or for burning food residue from the grills after you are finished cooking. You seldom use this setting for extended cooking.

Medium Setting (Approximately 450°F/230°C)

Use this setting for most grilling, roasting and baking as well as for hamburgers and vegetables.

Low Setting (Approximately 350°F/180°C)

Use this setting for rotisserie cooking and smoking. (Given temperatures will vary with the outside temperature and the amount of wind.)

Cleaning

Once you are finished cooking, burn off any food residue by setting the control to High, closing the lid and heating for 5 to 10 minutes or until the smoking stops. After turning the heat off, use a long-handled wire brush to clean the grills. Protect your hands with oven mitts. You do not have to clean your barbecue after every use, but if you wish to give it an occasional scrubbing, use a mild solution of soap and water and rinse thoroughly. Never use a commercial oven cleaner.

For a more thorough cleaning of the grill and briquettes, place a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil, shiny side down, on top of the cooking grill. Leave gaps on the sides of the grill open so you are covering only three-quarters of the cooking surface. Ignite the grill with the burners on High, close the lid and let heat for 10 minutes. Turn all burners off and let cool. Remove the foil.

In part 2 the Grilling Coach deals with preventive maintenance and safety.

Want the best barbecue tips and advice? Want to impress friends and family with your grilling skills? Then visit the Grilling Coach now.

English Independence Day BBQ Cooking

It all started over two hundred years ago with oppression and taxation by the British crown and ended up with a war. I am not sure why the American nation chooses to celebrate its separation from the British on July 4th but as a barbecue enthusiast I can really see the benefits.

Being a native of the country that lost the war of independence I look at our national holidays and wonder what I have done to deserve the dates we have. I guess the closest we come is St Georges day and that is in April. Have you ever been to England in April? Well if not, let me tell you that it is wet, overcast and usually blowing a gale so in general an all round misery and not conducive to a barbecue. Maybe that's the reason why we do not celebrate our national saints day the same way that other countries do. Then let's look at the other big celebrations:-

Easter – in March or April so generally the same weather as St Georges Day

Christmas – December can actually be a very peaceful month but still pretty cold for a BBQ

I hear so much about the Independence Day BBQ and what a great event it is that I am really jealous, it seems completely logical to me to have a national holiday at the height of summer and make an excellent opportunity for a party. So just needing any excuse to light the barbecue why not celebrate the fact that we lost the war in 1776? After that of course the only dilemma left to settle is what to cook?

In England we have the added confusion of the terminology because an American will call an English barbecue, a grill, and what an Englishman calls a meat smoker in America is called a barbecue pit. This makes some traditional barbecue smoker recipes difficult for an Englishman to do albeit I have got around this by investing in a Kamado ceramic barbecue but if an Englishman really wants a low cost method to indirectly cook then it's got to be a large gas bbq grill that has at least two burners. I this way the food can be cooked over a drip tray on one side of the barbie whilst on the other side the heat is applied to the coals.

So what do I cook? It is only right that an Independence Day BBQ should be packed with the all American taste so for me it has to be a pulled pork recipe and / or a barbecue ribs recipe. Long slow cooking basted by a sugary viscous mop and a few soaked wood chips to complete the flavour – fantastic! It is always important to let the meat rest after the cooking process as this seals in the juices and during this time it makes perfect sense to be grilling that bbq appetizers. I go for some barbecue fish recipes because generally they are really quick to cook and offer a completely different flavour to the main course.

For dessert it has to be a blueberry pie but at the moment I have not been able to work out how I can do this on the barbie. I'll keep trying and in the meantime I continue to send my thanks across the pond for a great summer party feast.

Independence Day BBQ - Barbecue Grill and Smoker Recipes for July 4th.

Barbecue Ribs Recipes - Easy ribs recipes for the smoker.

Homemade Barbecue Sauce - Great easy recipes.

Insiders Guide to Grilling - 10 Great Tips for a Successful Barbecue

Running a successful barbecue is largely a matter of common sense, planning and organisation. The two main fuels used to grill outdoors are charcoal and gas; each requires a different technique. In this article, the Grilling Coach offers you 10 valuable gas grilling tips ...

Always place your grill on a solid, level surface away from fences, shrubs, grass, and overhangs. Grill in a well-ventilated area and always open the grill lid before igniting.

Allow more cooking time on cold or windy days or at higher altitudes. On extremely hot days allow less time.

Spray the food grate with non-stick cooking spray before starting the grill. Never spray directly over the fire (gas) as you can cause a fire. To grease a hot grate, fold a paper towel into a small pad. Hold the pad with long-handled tongs, dip it in vegetable oil and rub over the grate.

To forestall flare-ups during cooking, trim excess fat from meats or use lean ground meats or place a drip pan directly under meats.

Have two pairs of long-handled tongs -- one for moving the coals and one to turn food.

Bring foods up to a cool room temperature before placing on the grill. Cold foods straight from the refrigerator may burn on the outside before the interior is cooked.

Don't crowd food on the grill. Allow some space around each piece for even cooking and clean the food grate with a stiff wire brush after cooking.

Don't allow raw meat and fish to come into contact with other food. Use separate cutting boards and utensils. Thoroughly wash your hands and surfaces with hot soapy water after handling uncooked foods. Don't carve cooked meat on the same board used to handle raw meat. The professionals don't so why should you!

Protect yourself from the heat with long barbecue mitts and long-handled tools. Instead of a fork, use tongs to turn to avoid piercing the food and losing juices. Spatulas should be used for hamburgers.

Use a meat or instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of meat and poultry before the recommended cooking time is up. Do not leave an instant thermometer in the food while grilling.

So there you have it, top advice for success straight from the Grilling Coach. Grill smart not hard to really enjoy your barbecue!

Want the best barbecue tips and advice? Want to impress friends and family with your grilling recipes? Then visit the Grilling Coach now.