Greetings from the 'Jerzy' shore!! Although I am originally from Trenton, NJ, I now reside in South Jersey with my husband, George and my daughter, Jessica. I am currently working in a Pathology Laboratory in a South Jersey hospital. I started collecting Barbies for my daughter in l988 but didn't start customizing the until l997. I have always loved drawing and painting. Customizing a doll gives my a 3-dimensional canvas to work with! I was always fascinated with the fantasy realm so my dolls usually have a magical appearance~~lots of glitter and wings!! My daughter usually has some creative ideas and will occasionally sketch them for me but most of my work is just sheer imagination! My creations include fairies, mermaids, butterflies and any other kind of fantasy doll! The more glitter and glitz, the better!! -Barb @ the 'Jerzy' shore

Hey, I'm Natalie of NT's Originals. I'm 23, living in Brunswick, Ohio, but I'm really a Wyoming gal at heart. I used to love Barbie, but I put her up on the shelf when I was 9 or 10. My best friend, Amanda, bought me the Jewel Hair Mermaid Midge about 4 years ago, because I love mermaids and all that red hair! That really got me started again. I write, as well, and I started out by making my Barbies look like the characters in my stories! My favorite faces have to be the Steffie mold, the Teen Skipper mold, and the Mackie mold, but those super stars do have their uses! Many of my dolls are fantasy oriented and I love to swap! I live with my husband, Roger, and our many birds, the loudest of whom is a spoiled boy named Buddy. Besides customizing, I enjoy reading, scrapbooking, playing with Polymer clay (FIMO) and general crafty stuff, but I'll never turn down a walk! ^_^

Hi, I am Brenda Anderson, I am 34 years old and live in Minnesota with my husband Doug, and our two young sons, Chris and Ethan. I have been customizing fashion dolls for nearly two years. I have always loved dolls since the age of 8 when I recieved Ballerina Barbie for christmas that year. I enjoy rerooting dolls hair, designing and sewing my own fashions and patterns for fashion dolls. I enjoy a wide range of dolls from Barbie to Tiffany Taylor, and Action Figures too! I enjoy being a CustomDolls member, and being able to share information as well as learn new techniques.

Hi all! I'm Samantha! I've had an ongoing affair with Barbie for the last 30 years (I got my first one when I was 6)! I've been collecting on and off for the last 10 years, and customizing for the last 2! Besides my beloved dolls, I also own 2 small boys (11 and 4), one beefy husband, and one orange tabby cat! I love being a part of this great group!!

Hi all! My name is Donna Brown. I'm 28 (almost 29) years old and I live in South Carolina. I am married to the sweetest man I could ever know, Danny Brown. He is a sheriff's deputy (formally MP for the Army) and I'm so proud of him. We don't have any children yet. I guess our cat, Maggie, and dog, Ginger, are enough for now. I've been collecting Barbie for about 10 years, but just started customizing in the last year. My favorite Barbies are my porcelains and mackies. I have one absolute favorite, which I made called Platinum Princess. I also collect vintage and I have a wonderful MIB #6 ponytail that is also one of my favorites. I work as a systems analyst at a computer consulting company. It gives me time and ability to maintain my own webpage and doll organizing software (http://www.donnas-dolls.com) not to mention the ability to email all day long. LOL....I love being part of the email family and look forward to sharing and reading many more posts. HUGS ... Donna B

Hi! My name is Stephanie Brown, I'm from Indiana, and I too have become addicted to fashion doll makeovers! I have been collecting Barbie for almost 3 yrs. I got started doing makeovers about 6 months ago after I had been to eBay and seen some of the most beautiful dolls that I had ever seen. That was all it took to get me hooked. I really like using the PIP dolls and the Mackie face mold is the greatest. I am 35 yrs. old, single, and the mother of a daughter from a previous marriage who is starting to get into collecting Barbie also. I also have a great guy that I have been with for a while now, who supports my habit from time to time, and a cat and a dog. I love getting tips and advice from the "seasoned pros" and I look forward to talking to everyone.

Hi, my name is Stacy Swenson, I was born at a very early age...oh, not that much info, eh? (grin!) I grew up near Seattle, Washington, and have lived in Oregon, Michigan and Pennsylvania -- I currently live in Monroe, NY -- I'm the adventurous one in the family, so you never know where I'll land next, though my favorite aunt, parents and siblings are hoping I'll land back in Seattle! LOL! I'm 37 (gasp!), and single -- alas, no man in my life at the moment, but I'm sure that will change eventually! (grin!) My 'kids' are my awesome dog, Elvis, along with my little menagerie consisting of 2 doves, 2 chinchillas and 3 cats (and yes they all, amazingly enough, get along!!). I've been collecting Barbie since 1989, and only 'discovered' the world of Custom Creations during the last year when I joined (and became addicted to) eBay...I started looking at my Barbies in a different light...and then started recreating them in that light! (grin!) I'm lucky as I come from an artistic family, but of course none of us ever thought of being 'creative' with dolls! I love seeing my imagination come to life with each one, and if my pesky 'day job' didn't get in the way so much, I'd probably be lost forever in a pile of craft materials...LOL! I'm the Marketing Coordinator for a large battery manufacturer out of Germany (working in their U.S. office in New York), introducing and implementing diverse avenues of marketing for them here in the States. Along with Barbie, I also collect deer items, vintage Coca Cola items, and once in awhile various antiques that catch my eye... As far as the Barbies go, I like to collect the 'Special Edition' Barbie and friends, always looking for that one unique one that will add so much to my current collection -- that's why I love the custom designs so much, they're ALL unique! (grin!) I joined the list not too long ago and am LOVING it! :-) The diverse talents of everyone amazes me every day -- each and every person that has made a creation certainly has something to be proud of! I've learned a lot in the short time I've been with this list, that's for sure! I want to thank everyone for being so NICE! (grin!)

Hi , I'm Leslie.I am 54 and I live with my husband Bill and Ruby the Aristocat in Daytona Beach, Florida. We have two grown children and five grandchildren. I formerly owned Razzmatazz Ceramic Studio but I retired in 1995 due to a heart condition. I have only been collecting Barbie for about 3 years and became fascinated with customizing about a year ago. I mostly lurk and listen. I have done a few swaps but so far I'm too chicken to send pics. I love the list and am soaking up the tips and friendship and basking in it. If I never become a customizer, I've still had the time of my life.

Hi Ya'll! I'm Bobbie. I live in Connecticut with my hubby of 14 years (I got married when I was...like....a child!) We just had twins on January 14th (boy and girl...Jaymie and Brandon) they are by far my greatest creation yet! I have two stepdaughters and the older of the two is just as twisted as me! I'm hoping Jaymie (or Brandon if he's so inclined) likes dolls cuz I need someone to pass all this neat stuff down to. I'm lucky, my hubby likes dolls too...it's kinda cute to see a 6' 2" linebacker-kinda-guy running down the Barbie aisle with me in the stores! Well, my real job is as a scientist (boooor--innng) and I have my own jewelry/floral/home decor business. I got started customizing Barbie when I got on the 'net and have met some terrific life-long friends through doll collecting. My favorite dolls are vintage Skipper and her fashions. Fav to customize are the new Teen Skipper, Mackie-faces too. Nuf said for now...glad to be part of this.

Hi, I'm Rebecca! I'm 23 years old and I currently live in Austin, Texas. My favorite Barbie faces are Steffie and Mackie. I like fantasy inspired dolls and dolls with cool beadwork (haute couture type). My favorite color is purple, but I like other jewel tones too, and I like yellow. I love our list! It keeps me going every day, and you are all a riot. Besides Barbie, I collect Glamour Gals, Strawberry Shortcakes, metal lunchboxes, picture sleeve 45s, and snowglobes from around the world. Probably more too, I am a packrat.

Hi, Im Melinda, I live in Massachusetts. Im 23 and married to my babe, Todd. We have been married for 4 years now. I have no children, but i do have a dog, 2 cats and three goldfish. I like all kinds of dolls, fancy, wild, suited. I love molded hair dolls and dolls with long beautiful hair as well. My fave colors are Emerald green and Dark Purple. But i really like most colors too, not pea green or pee yellow. I am disabled for the time being so i do not work. Well i work but not at a paying type job. I just work on myself mostly. And some dolls too. Thats me

Hi to all, I'm Dorothy Fannin. I'm a grandmother of two, and an expecting great grandmother. I'm a widow, retired, and live in Tucson, Arizona with my two dogs, Lulu, a Bicheon, and Boomer, a Lapsa. They are the joy of my life. I've been collecting Barbies since 1980, and have several hundred dolls in my collection. I also collect Candi dolls. I've enjoyed swaping with members on the list.

I'm Lynn, 39 years old, married for 6 years to husband number 2, and living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I have 2 cats, 2 dogs, and 2 teenage step-children. This past December, I quit my job to manufacture doll furniture, garden furniture, stained glass, and teach craft classes. While researching Barbie on the internet I discovered doll customizing. I'm hooked! My collection of dolls consists of my childhood dolls, mostly mod, and a few dolls I have purchased more recently. I am mainly buying dolls for customizing now (a few collectibles if they are on sale). I have also recently purchased 2 Simply Gene dolls to customize. I like dolls of all styles and colors. The same goes with doll clothing. I look at how it's all put together.

Hi Ladies and Guys, My name is Russell, and I am from the great southern state of Arkansas ( the recent home of the President up until he embarrassed us now he must find another state) anyway enough of that - I got into to collecting with my then former girlfriendback in 1991 - I will admit I was not too hip on it until about 1994 when the 35th anniversary stuff was out and I got hooked on vintage since then well as they say it was history I now have around 200 vintage Barbies and who knows how many modern dolls - my favorite dolls are the american girls, Bob Mackies, and artist dolls of whick my favorite artist is Mark Middendorf. I got into customizes at the request of the president of the barbie club I belong to and have been hooked ever since. my favorite dolls to customize are the mackie faced ones and teresa's - I also love finding old ponytails and making them look stunning again. I live alone at home with my 2 dogs - Rosie - my taco bell chihuahua look alike and whitey my poodle. I own my own business so I have to play barbie in between my busy times but I will admit it is a nice stress reliever. wells thats me in a nut shell and I can relate to being a 6'2 lineback built guy running down the barbie ailes at the local toys-r-me store.

Hi: I'm Phyliss...I live with my best friend and hubby of 28 years on a small ranch in Phoenix, Arizona. I have been collecting Barbie, Jem and Celebrity Dolls since 1993. I have only been customizing for around a year..just recently seriously. I just finished my "Pink Fairy" (it's not a "RENEE C")....she's the first that I've re-rooted. I used curly bright red hair, gave her a cute flower hat, dressed her in a pink petal dress and accented with red shoes, red wings and red raffia belt. She looks like a teenage fairy so....no make-up altho' I did a complete face re-paint on my "Synergy Purple Fairy Godmother" I attended a doll show today..thanks to Dorothy for the info and I had a BALL!! I'm not good at sewing yet...so I picked up lots of GREAT clothes to put on some..hopefully..up-coming swap dolls. I'm going to attemp a Centaur (I think thats what they are called) with a Breyer headless horse and a Barbie.....I'll let you all know how it turns out. I'm a Registered Nurse but disabled from an elevator fall 2 1/2 years ago....developed Fibromyalgia from the trauma..so now I work (play) at home when I'm able. Since I joined this list..I have learned soooo...much from all of you....I can't begin to tell you how appreciative I am!! Oh..yea...I also make some weird doll stuff once in awhile like.."Bar-B-Que Barbie" and "Bat Barbie"...my favorite is the Star Trek Diorama of the BIG BLACK GREASY MONSTER with a Barbie head..killing Tasha Yar..it sits on top of my computer...Talk Later..Phyliss

Hi Everybody! Looks like I got to the party late! I am a 41 year old retired (early!) grandmother of one, mother of two boys and several foster sons. I started collecting dolls because the testosterone level at my house was unbearable! I Have been married over 20 years, actually to the same man. He is very supportive of my dollies. I've been collecting a couple of years, and I have Barbie, Candi, Madame Alexander and Ginny dolls in my collection. In the past year have gotten into customizing. Current projects for my dolls include vintage look Easter dresses and hats, jewelry for evening and daywear, a stack of girls that need rooted eyelashes, and several more that need haircuts and perms. My favorite Barbie face mold is the Mackie, my favorite Candi face mold is the Hispanic, my favorite haircolor is red, titian, rust, strawberry blonde. My favorite colors is peach, but I like them all. I'm very happy to have found the Custom Dolls list, it has encouraged me to try some new things with my dolls! DebG in Oh

Hi all, I am Jenn Miller. I 28 and divorced with a soon to be 6 yr old boy and a 2yr old girl. My SO is Kevin. I also have a jack russel named Tip and 2 horses Cody and Tully(he is my best bud). I love and collect Mod era dolls. My favs are TNT hair fairs and hair happeings. I also love Francie. I also love color magic and the swirls. I like doing fantasy dolls and redoing vintage repros with wild color hair. well thats alittle about me. Jenn M.

My name is Meredith Tanzer, I live in San Francisco Ca. I am 28 years old (which is a little disappointing cuz I kept telling people I was only 27...so I lost a whole year about a month ago when I figured out I was really 28). I live with my partner Dawn (an Artist) of 5 years and our adorable doggie Tekka. For the most part, I am a bit crazy, can be flamboyant, independant thinker and hate to be told what to do. Love to laugh and I truly enjoy my life. I collect Barbies...mostly current issue...Love DOTW! and Carrer Girls. Buying Customized Dolls are my current passion. I have been learning to customize for about the last 6 months. I think this is the one hobby that totally stretches my imagination. I am pretty obsessed about it. I race home from work and work on my Dolls. My dolls are usually more than the Prom Queen look...I like them to look funky and different. (maybe cuz I can't sew those Prom Dresses...LOL) I run the marketing & promotions dept. for an internet start-up company and have a side business doing mktg/promos and design for growing businesses. I love rich jewel tone colors, blacks and retro colors bright oranges and greens. I adore texture...I love to have something that feels good to the touch...In terms of favorite faces, I really like them all ...even the superstar face. One of the things I love most about all of this barbie madness..is the Customdoll list. It is one of the the most fun lists I'm on. Well, that's me in a camper shell (I couldn't really fit in a nutshell.)

Hello everyone. I'm glad to join this list and hope to read interesting messages from people sharing the same interest on customizing dolls. I'm a Barbie collector since 1994, I love vintage dolls and I'm not involved on modern dolls. The only contemporary dolls in my collection are the repros on "nostalgic" line. I think Mattel is doing wonderful repros with the Silken Flame and Smasheroo. The previous ones, in my opinion, aren't so good. I prefer to remake vintage dolls (when available) or the new repros. Also found a good mix on the "Candi" body with a "Living Barbie"('70's) head. The Living Barbie head has the same mold of the TnT but a neck hole larger that fits on the new swivel neck knob. Although it's not easy to find both these "components" here, since Candi dolls are not imported in Italy and vintage heads aren't sold everywere... I have one Candi body and a couple of Living heads and can't wait to experiment. I tried to make something different, but at the end i realize every doll is almost the same "vintage-looking", (or at least it looks to me that way) probably because I love that "innocent" look of the early Mattel dolls I love to reproduce the same on the dolls I repaint and reroot. (on "high-color scheme of course..) Hope to read interesting messages on sewing too. I'm not so clever. I did learn by myself and every tips and tricks would be great. This customizing activity is not a job for me. Though I would like to have such this job as a primary job (mean the job you do for living), I work as graphic designer free-lance and the spare time is not so much. I could work on the dolls just a few hours every week, depending how much busy I am. I wouldn't enjoy barbie collecting without this customizing activity. I wouldn't like to ammass dolls on a cabinet only to see. I need to "make" something and also most of the dolls needs some touch-ups. That's probably why I love to restore and remake my dolls. Happy customizing to everyone. Mauro

Well, do you believe I started customizing when I was 5? ;) I always loved Barbie and I since when I was a kid I liked doing dresses for her, obviously you can imagine what kind of dresses at that time ;) Anyway when about 6-7 months ago I starded collecting Barbies I have surfed the Net looking for information and I read a lot of things about customizing and so I thought it would have been nice to try myself.... Till now there are pics of 3 customized dolls in my web site, but my favourite is the last one I made (last week) and I still haven't her pics on-line. I love her becouse I have repainted her face ad done her eyelashes, I think she's nice for being the first one :) Bye, Taty

Hello!I'm Becky, I live in East Texas and I'm new to customizing. I've rerooted a Barbie clone and Iced Coffee Gene. Gene will also be my first repaint. I have alot of ideas in the works, but not enough hours in the day to do them all.. LOL! I sew doll clothes, and other things... Sometimes even making time to sew for myself.. Althought It's much more fun to sew for dolls! LOL!

Hi to my fellow doll fans!!! And THANK YOU Rebecca for the list invite!! My name is Suzy Sease, Ive collected barbie for 16yrs, recently dabbled in Candi & Gene & collect Dawn dolls from late 60's early 70s & also collect teddy bears & lady and tramp items!! Ive been featured in Jim Faraone's make over book #1, am a part time writer at times for Millers Magazine & millers market report. Im very active in both helping & working at barbie conventions. Besides the artist dolls, I also do hand painted barbie jackets & totebags & am starting to attempt my first candi jacket for a customer!! Besides dolls my other interest are vintage cars!! I have two mustangs, one which I drive everyday!! OH and I live in PA, am dare I say 36. Im proof God has a sense of humor, he stuck a 10yr old in a 36yr old body!! haha Ive been married for 14yrs & my kids are a spoiled cocker spaniel & a furball maine coone!! Hope to meet everyone & learn some things too!! Hugs Suzy

Hello! my name is MERY ANGELO DAVID Iīm a 28 years old Venezuelan girl, but I live in Germany since I was 21. I have qualifications in Pattern Cutting and Design Sketching. I got my first barbie as a Christmas present, she was the Barbie "Superstar", in 1977. Was love at first sight!!!... From this one on , I had own many others Barbies but she is still my favorite... Actually, my mother and my husband Michele are the principals "responsable" to make my Barbie colletion to grow up. They are so sweet!!!... ((I collect Coca Cola pieces too)).I have discover the dollīs customize Art recently, but I hope to become a good one with the help of the advices and tips from other artists!!.. Mery.

Hello Everyone! I'm Roxanne (Roxanne Maxwell Holloway), I'll be 49 in June. My husband and I have the same birthday, we're just two years apart, and have been married over 25 years. We have two Children. Our Daughter Damian is studying architecture, and our Son Zed is studying multi-media, illustrations, animation and all that stuff. We have Six Chihua-wha-cha-macallits, which are part chihuahua and part UFJ (unidentified fence jumper). My husband prefers to classify them as land piranhas. I've made my own dolls and doll clothes and accessories since childhood. Of course I loved my Barbie and played Barbies longer than I'll admit. Actually I guess I'm still playing, and my mother is still aggravated with me about it. I've enjoyed making cloth and soft sculpture dolls, and in my teens I got interested in making paper mache dolls. I then graduated to making porcelain dolls and worked with porcelain dolls for many years. I had a porcelain doll shop which I closed about seven years ago. I've worked as an illustrator and freelance artist, and had the wonderful privilege of being an artist for Hallmark. I reluctantly left Hallmark when my son became ill. He was three at the time, and the experience made me feel like I really needed to be a full time mom. Though I continued to do freelance art on a limited basis and when my children were teenagers I had the doll shop, I've pretty much spent most of my time being the best mom I could be. Now they are young adults and I have much more time to call my own. So I began doing dolls again, sculpting in polymer clays and just experimenting. The internet doll community introduced me to customizing vinyl dolls, from the first time I experimented I was hooked! So though I've worked with many other kinds of dolls for most of my life, I have only been customizing vinyl dolls for about two years. Debbie Martin saw one of my dolls on eBay and wrote me and got me on the CustomDolls onelist. I'll be eternally grateful to Debbie and Rebecca. I've learned so much and enjoyed the community of fellow doll artists and collectors and the lovely, caring relationships the list encourages. I've never thought of myself as a collector, but I suppose I am. I collect what I really love, so I don't know if that counts. There is a big population of all sorts of dolls that share our home, Barbie, friends & family, Gene, Coco, Cissy, Cisette, Ginny, Original (larger) liddle kiddles, lots of porcelain dolls, some Enfambee, recently GI JOE...soon Tyler Wentworth and Daisey and Willow...well I've never really catalogued them. My husband collects Starwars and Star Trek dolls, figures and toys. Bears and other warm fuzzies roost here too.

I'm Angela, I'm 33, and I have no husband or kids. Just a spoiled cat and an adored nephew. I started collecting Barbies about eight years ago - I was going through a rough period in my life, and I was doing what is called "inner child" work. Part of that meant pulling out the few dolls and clothes left over from my childhood. I had fun playing with them again, and wanted to buy more. Initially I just drooled over them in the aisles - it didn't seem right as an adult to *buy* a Barbie. Eventually I started buying them secretly, but I found that when I was open about my collection, and treated it like a collection, people were very accepting of my addiction. Now I freely admit to the clerks at Wal-mart that I am not buying all those Fashion Avenue outfits for a little girl, I am buying them for me! My favourite kinds are mod and vintage. I don't care for a lot of the dolls from the Superstar face era - they don't seem to have as much personality. I do enjoy having many of the modern dolls with the Mackie faces and modern face paint. While I have all sorts of issues with Mattel at the moment, I think they are producing some fabulous collector dolls now. Next to finding treasures at the flea market (like the vintage clothes I stumbled upon), my favourite aspect of collecting is customizing. I really like being able to combine my skills and my interests in one area. Since joining the CustomDolls list, I feel that I've grown as an artist. I recently took part in my first swap - it was very very hard to mail away one of my creations, but I got a beauty in return. The best tip I have for a collector is to educate yourself! Buy books and buy magazines, and get on the Internet and talk! With a lot of knowledge, you can spot the treasures at the flea market and you can save yourself from being ripped off.

Hi! My name is Stephanie and I've been collecting new & vintage Barbie for going on three years now. I started customizing recently, but have always been painting or sketching on canvas or paper. I'm 28 years old and am a General Manager for a satellite service company. I have two beautiful Scotty dogs, Angus & Willie, three very cool cats and one lovely horse. I'm married and my husband, Jake, gets a big kick out of my Barbie obsession. My favorite face molds are vintage, especially the fuller american girl/swirl ponytail faces and, of course, I love Steffie. This is a great hobby, a large part due to the friendly and very talented people involved.

Hi, I'm Sharon Lawson, I am almost 50 yrs. old and have been married to the same guy for 32 years this Sept. I have three children and six grandchildren that I think are the greatest. I used to be Market cordinator for ToysRUs and I bought Barbie dolls for my daughter-in-law. About a year ago after collecting porcalin dolls for years and running out of space to put them, I finally bought my first Barbie for me. It was Billions of Dreams. After looking at her and wanting desperately to de-box her I instead decided to make my own and she turned out so well the kids started bugging me to make more. So that is how I got into customizing. I am old fashioned and partial to fancy gowns. I watch old movies and get ideas from them. From there I decided to give them rooted lashes and from there on to reroots. I have not had the courage to attempt facial repaints yet. I have met lots of new people and have several internet friendships thanks to my customizing and onelist. I have about 200 boxed Boxed Barbies and probably 30 porcalin dolls ranging from 18 inches to 42 inches and my husband has built me curio cabinets in our walls for me to display them. Dusting day around here can be fun. Thanks Sharon

Hi, I'm Lauren. :-) I am 22 years old and just recently moved to Boise , Idaho from Hawaii. I've been collecting Barbie for 3 years and Disney dolls since 1991. I just got into customizing in the past year or so and now all my money (after food and bills) goes to dolls and swaps! I love repainting faces...lol my poor childhood barbies, half of them have blank faces now so I can repaint them! I also enjoy making..er...interesting outfits for my dolls...like my Florida Midge in a black vinyl catsuit...lol she's my spy girl Midge now! I live here in Boise, with my Cousin Lana (she collects newer Barbies) and her 5 year old daughter Tiffany (another BIG Doll fan). I just started working at the Portrait Studio in Walmart..woohoo employee discount! My favorite dolls to customized are mackie faved, and I am always on the search for ANY Steffie faced doll. Well I've babbled enough I guess :-) Thanks - Lauren

Hi all, I'm Kathrin but please call me Jule - like all others I do as long as I can remember! Mhm, what to say about me, I'm 23 and a Graphic Design Assistant by profession but studying now History of Art. I have a very patient boyfriend (he has to be patient - he caused my newborn desire for dolls:-) ). Have 3 cats and about 100 dolls. Mostly newer Barbie dolls and some Candi Girls. I hope to get some vintage dolls - but before I'm able to afford them I help myself with creating bubblcuts and flip styled dolls, and 'Nearly Vintage' selfsewed fashions. ...and not to forget...I really enjoy this mailing list also when I have not always the time to do more than to lurk- but I'm here:-)!

My name is Erin Smith. I live in Dallas, TX and I've only been here a short time also. In that time, I've done a bunch of face repaints, boiled hair perms, easter egg hair dyes, rerooted hair and lots of sewing, all thanks to the inspiration and guidance I've gotten from the group. And I was a total newbie to customizing!

Hi, I'm Bonnie, I just started doll collecting recently, I think I'm trying to recover my childhood in some way! I've always enjoyed artistic endeavors like painting and sculpting, and I thought I would try customizing! I love all the funky things artists are doing with the new dolls and am trying my hand at it also. I love the Barbie repros, the Mackie and Steffie face molds (even a Superstar occasionally!) and Gene dolls, I like Candi but don't own her yet. The list is a great way to meet people with the same talents/interests and get excellent tips on how to turn out some fantastic dolls! I really like the dolls that stand out, like punk rockers or sixties mod dolls, with multi-colored or micro-braided hair. Also like the high-fashion dolls too! Guess I like alot! Seriously, the list is a great way to get started, I highly recommend it, people are very helpful!

Hello! I am Linda Leake-Beard aka..Sewbarbie. I live in York, NY, which is between Rochester and Buffalo. I am a Bridal and Formal seamstress (and also have a BS in Criminal Justice and Psychology). I have been a Barbie fan since I was 8 years old when I got my first Barbie, a color magic, from my grandparents for my birthday. My love for sewing and for Barbie came together with my designing outfits for her and selling them to teachers and friends while in school. My love for these fashions, gowns especially led me to open my own Bridal and Formal sewing business called "First Of May" (my birthday) in 1989 when I was a single mom. This allowed me to stay home with my son Jeremiah who is now 15. In 1994 I made my first "customized Barbie" as a baby shower gift for my niece Caroline. I enjoy customizing Barbies very much. I have been selling them locally as well as on eBay auction site. I made a Ken and Barbie set that looks like myself and my Husband Terry on our wedding day. (We were married on April 5th of 1998). Terry is very supportive of my Barbie collecting and customizing. My collection has tripled since we got together! My neatest Barbie is the Blossom Beautiful Barbie, which was a one time high end Barbie put out by Sears just before thy closed up their catalog sales division. I am the weirdo in this group also in that sewing new outfits is my favorite part of customizing and the superstar face is my favorite. My web site is just being constructed but if you would like to see us and a sample of my work, click on the "Me" icon on one of my auctions on eBay. (I am sewbarbie@aol.com)

Howdy.....Bonnie here. I'm a 20 somethin' livin' in Ohio. I started out with sewing and would like to do a lil more with my dolls, so here I am! My fav dolls are Teresa and the redheads....not to mention the Lucy dolls and the "Wizard of Oz" dolls. I have a wide variety of interests otherwise that include NYPD Blue, Seinfeld, music, Sanrio and many more! I work with kids and I hope to one day be able to teach them some of this!

Name: Loanne Ostlie B-day: 7/6/70 I have just discovered customizing fashion dolls and look forward to expressing my creative talents. I am a stay-at-home mom and married to a wonderful, handsome, and supportive husband named Chuck for the past 5 years. We have a beautiful 2 1/2 year old little girl named Tabbatha and most of my energy goes to her. When she is asleep or over at Grandma's, that is when I take the time to customize dolls. Other than that, I am looking forward to sharing (through trial and error) and hearing all the tips in our group. My lifetime quote: "My kid's number one role model...me!"

Hi my name is Patrice Krems Walcoff and I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. My birthday is May 2, 1955. I have a busy and multi-faceted life! I will have been married to my husband Wayne, 5 years in August. I have two step-children, Forest -age 26 and Mercy - age 22, who do not live at home. I have always loved fashion dolls and been designing clothes for Barbie since I was a child. I got back into Barbies when they came up with the porcelain reproduction of Enchanted Evening in the late eighties. My Barbie lived in that dress when I was a child! Of course that led to Mackie dolls with the contemporary face and then I helped put together what was then the San Francisco Barbie Club and before I knew it I was hooked! I am now the President of San Francisco Fashion Doll Club and I also put together our monthly club newsletter. I love to do vintage ribbon work and vintage ribbon flowers and have fun incorporating the designs into my Barbie doll fashions. My passion are bridal and wedding party dolls and accessories but I collect and make all sorts including vintage and contemporary dolls and clothing. In addition to a very time consuming job as a Senior Account Executive for an insurance brokerage, I also perform with a local community theatre that only does musical productions. As I love to sing ˆ it is perfect although my husband always complains that he does not see enough of me and that the house is a disaster. His love is playing the piano and it is fun when we can perform in the musicals together. At least we get to see each other then! LOL I have enclosed a picture of me in one of my favorite roles, as Glinda the Good Witch in the Wizard of Oz. I made the dress, crown and wand. I even had holographic sequins on my shoes so I sparkled from head to toe!

Zena

Sharon (Barby823)

Chrissy and Joseph Powers live in Modesto, California. Besides Barbie, their other interests include computers and Doctor Who memorabilia. They started customizing by signing up for a list swap, and have since caught custom-itis! Their dolls are often very elegant and have a cool, funky attitude.

Debbie Martin lives in Vero Beach, Florida. She is a former Connecticut native who relocated searching for warmer temperatures. Debbie has belonged to the UFDC since 1993, and is the newly appointed V.P. of the Treasure Coast Doll Club. She has been collecting dolls for over twelve years. Here's what Debbie had to say about how she started customizing: "I had done some custom work due to the fact that I was tired of the Super Star face from the early '80s. To me Barbie just lost that pizzazz of her earlier days. So I create different looks for my collection. I have always been interested in art in any form. And Barbie is the perfect canvas to create MY rendition of her. Now that Gene has entered the market place she too is a wonderful specimen to repaint. I like the coy and alluring looks that I can put forth on a doll. The chiseled features are an artist's heaven!" Debbie does not sew but is willing to learn. Besides fashion dolls, Debbie has dabbled in other artistic endeavors such as pottery, sculpting, watercolors and oils. About painting, Debbie says that "right now my passion is water colours, I take classes in this frequently always to learn more. This way I can put it to good use on a doll and add to her demure."

Hmmm...My name is Amy Nardone and I live in Westminster Maryland (or I will as of June). I have been collecting dolls for 5 years and have about 200+ dolls in my collection. I collect Mackies and high end dolls, plus designer dolls as well...Ninimomo, Joshuard, My Girl Originals...just to name a few. I also have my own doll business customizing fashion dolls. Actually I have to, one working with Janet Rodriguez called AJ Originals, and one for myself called All Dolled Up. I will be featured in Jim Faraone's 3rd Fashion Doll Makeover Book and also have an entry in the 1999 Barbie Bazaar BMAA awards. I have a wonderful husband Jay who supports my obsession, a ten year old son named Jason and 6 cats (4 Maine Coons, 1 Scottish Fold, and 1 Himilyan).

Hi everyone This is my first e-mail to you all!!! I just started in the doll business a couple of months ago. I am sewing clothes for Barbie dolls, Gene dolls and any other kind of doll. I met Debbie Martin a couple of weeks ago in the Melbourne Doll Show we seemed to have bonded immediately (HI Deb!), she had a big interest in my Lush Leopard outfit for Barbie and I am now making the same outfit for her Gene dolls but only in a Zebra print! (it looks great so far Deb). Well that is what I am working on now. If any one wants to see the Lush Leopard outfit you can see it on Debbie's website. I do not have a website as of yet. Hopefully I will be getting one soon. Have a great night everyone!!!!!! Mare

Kim Miller lives in Kansas City, Missouri and loves to not only customize, but also do vintage restoration. Kim loves to create fun dolls and lately has been working on beaded formals. Her favorite face molds to use as a canvas are the Mackie, nostalgic, Teresa, and Teen Skipper dolls. She says that she started doing customizing and restoration because she realized that the Barbie hobby could get very expensive, "so I tried to figure out a creative way to generate income to buy whatever I wanted!!!!!!" In her spare time, Kim loves four part harmony.

Here's my bio and I enjoyed reading the others! I am a mother of 4 and am very happily married to a wonderful man who tolerates my collecting and is encouraging with my customizing(when I have time). I love to sew for Barbie dolls and it gives me a chance to get very creative which I need having 4 kids! I also love to garden and I have been collecting Barbies since late 1994. I am a stay at home mother and love every minute of it. Margo Lauer

Crystal

Darla (darla60)

Hey everyone ! Im Molly and I'm new here, i'm 17 (Ill be 18 july 3rd) and I'm from Brooklyn, NYC. I just started out with customizing, i've done a few Jem dolls, I basically just reroot/repaint hair and repaint the makeup. i still need to find someone who can help me out with the outfits, especially since i do not even own a sewing machine :*( I have a huge collection of Jem dolls on display in my room and i customize my extras to make characters from the cartoon series that were supposed to come out before the toy line was cancelled. It got cancelled before many of the characters were released.. I think i might have a few pix up on my website, if you would like to check them out, here is the address: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Makeup/7887 there is a section called custom dolls that is where they are pictured. please let me know what you think, although they are nothing compared to some work that i have seen from people from this list ! i also draw, some of my artwerk is displayed in the fan art section of my site. Thank you for your time in reading this ! Molly

Hello Fellow designers, my name is Kim Cantwell. I've been a Barbie lover and collector since I was a little girl and am still collecting today at the age of 33! I didn't actually get into designing until recently after seeing a doll that my mother had purchased from another designer and then picking up a copy of Jim Faraones "Fashion Doll Makeovers" book. I admit I was pretty intimidated at first by all the magnificent designers out there but then I realized that with a little creativity and imagination I could be a designer too. Also with the love and support of my terrific hubby of three years, Philip, along with my mom and sister. They all have given me so much support and praise. I started out with doing my first reroot (which I couldn't part with once I finished her) then moved on to makeup, curling hair and finally on to designing the perfect attire for my creations. Once I completed my first doll I was hooked! It was such a joy to sell her, I was ecstatic! Of course it was pretty hard boxing her up and shipping her out since she had been my first creation, I even got a bit teary eyed. ::chuckle:: I've recently had the pleasure of participating in a swap with the talented Amy Nardone and hope to do many more in the future. I'm also hoping to have my very own Website soon so that I can share my designs. Hopefully I can learn more here about custom designing from all of you and maybe even share some of my tips with you as well. Kim

Philip and Margo