Guide to Toy Collecting: Where to Find Antique Dolls

If our guide to antique toys sparked your interest--and you liked the suggestion about finding a niche--it may be that you've chosen collecting antique dolls as one of your new hobbies. It's true what they say: one person's trash is another person's treasure--and the same seems to be true in regards to collecting antique dolls. While some may find them boring or even a tad frightening (think of the horror movie...the antique doll coming to life) many people find them to be the complete opposite of boring and frightening. Yes, antique dolls may be scary to some, but they can also be reminders of a childhood, fascinating relics, and yes, even worthwhile investments. But even if antique dolls are your sort of thing, there are still a few things you'll need to know before beginning your collection. Like, for instance:  

Where to Find Antique Dolls

Antique dolls aren't always easy to find. They seem to be hiding in the most unusual corners. The good news is that they can be found at some reliable places. Like the following: 

Auctions -

Auctions are one of the best places to find antique dolls. In general, there are two sorts of auctions: online or live. For a live auction, you may need to travel to get there--but hey, it's often (or perhaps always) worth the trip. Live auctions are exciting. Plus, they allow you to connect with other doll collecting hobbyists.

Online auctions, like Ebay, can be great for beginning doll collectors. You don't have to travel, for instance. However, you want to be cautious about buying dolls online because you won't be able to look the doll over in person before buying it. Most Ebay sellers are honest, but there are the occasional bad eggs. Use caution.

One of the premier doll auctioning companies is called Theriault's, so visit their site to learn more about both live and online auctions.

Specialty Dealers -

Check around your town to find out whether or not there are any specialty doll dealers located near you. You may get lucky and find a dealer ready to sell, or you may simply make a few other doll-crazy friends. Either way, it can't hurt. Also check out online sites, such as http://www.dollfinder.com/.

Antique Stores, Garage Sales, and Grandma's Attic 

These aren't always the first places to look, but it certainly can't hurt! If you're lucky enough to find an antique doll at a garage sale, then you'll have bragging rights for a long, long time. Plus, grandma needs her attic cleaned out anyway, right? You can't go wrong when it comes to hunting down antique dolls.

Now that you know where to find dolls, you're probably wondering how to tell if you're getting a good deal, or how to know what all the lingo used in the doll world actually means. If this is the case, stay tuned for our upcoming articles in our series on antique dolls.

Action Figure Collecting

If antique toys aren't really your thing, my friends, do not despair! Action figure collecting can be just as fun and rewarding as collecting all those old toys--especially if you know what you're looking for! Before you begin collecting action figures, however, it's good to know a few of the basics first, such as the different kinds of action figures to look for during your hunt. Here are some of the most popular categories:

Limited Edition

Limited edition action figures come into being when toy companies decide to reduce the production of a certain action figure. This form of marketing makes the action figure valuable to collectors. There are only a certain number of them available, so naturally  it's great to get your hands on one.

Exclusive Figures

The bigger toy companies will sometimes request products not available at other stores in order to get you to shop at their store. And hey, it works! These exclusive figures are typically great sellers.

Semi-Exclusive

This is similar to the exclusive figures, only multiple stores will offer the product, making it "semi-exclusive." Still, they're great action figures for the collector.

Prototypes

These are rare. Prototypes are the test molds for action figures that will eventually be sold, meaning they're rarely available for the public to purchase. Occasionally, one may slip out of the manufacturing company. If so, and you're in the position to buy one, it's pretty much automatic bragging rights for you.

Short Packs

This is when a package with, say, 2 or 3 action figures in it is reduced to include only 1 figure.

These are some of the main categories of action figures--the stuff that collectors live for! (Okay, that may be a slight exaggeration, but still...) If you're looking to collect action figures, antiques, or any other kind of toys, stay tuned for the next articles in the series. Happy hobbies!

Guide to Toy Collecting: Getting Started with Antiques

Everyone loves toys--they're shiny (well at least some of them are!), fun to play with, and they almost always have that aura of nostalgia surrounding them, inevitably reminding you of the good old days of your childhood.

Yes, as a child, it's hard not to be tempted by the shiny, fun toys in the toy store. Funny thing is, many adults are just as fascinated by toys--and with good reason. Antique toy collecting is one of those hobbies that brings out the kid in you.  If you're going to start an antique toy collection, here are a few things to consider:

Research is Key

Make sure you research and are knowledgeable about the value of your toys, or of the toys you're considering purchasing. Get to know your local dealers, browse internet sites, read the newspaper ads, and look at books about antiques. The more you know about your hobby, the better!

Find your Niche

Do you love trains, or are dolls more your thing? While it's great to have a wide variety of toys, it can be both fun and beneficial to specialize in a category of toys that you're most interested in.

Condition, Year, and Price

Probably the 3 most important factors to consider when purchasing an antique toy. If the toy is, for instance, quite old, in great shape, and being sold for a reasonable price (though of course any good dealer will know the value of their toy) then you've hit the jackpot! Always, always remember: condition, year, price.

Have fun & Don't stress

This is really important. Toy collecting is all about having fun! Do not focus your energy solely on getting a good deal and do not spend your children's college funds on that coveted antique bank you've had your eye on! Be reasonable about your purchases, and most of all--have fun collecting your antique toys.

Guide to Travel, Part 4: Top 5 Tips for Packing

You're almost prepared for your trip--you've decided where to go, how to get there, and even where to stay. You've dreamt of the sandy beaches, the bustling city streets, or the magnificent mountain peaks for far too long, and there's only one thing left standing in your way: packing.

Packing is the little--and yet absolutely necessary--annoyance of nearly every traveler I've ever met. It seems however prepared you want to be, there's never enough time to pack properly, and you're left with questions like, "Did I pack enough?" "Did I forget something?" And of course, low and behold, it seems you arrive at your destination only to discover you've forgotten to pack your underwear.

Tips for Packing 

Rule 1: Necessities first -

While it may seem like a good idea to consider bringing road games, music and reading material, these luxuries are far less fun when you're without shampoo, underwear, or toothpaste. A good way to make sure you've packed the necessities is to pretend like you're waking up in the morning and walk yourself through your day, checking off the things you use regularly--toothpaste, shampoo, underwear? Check, check, aaand check.

Rule 2: Coordinate clothes & shoes- 

You may be a fashionista, but most happy travelers find that the less they pack, the better off they are in the long (or even the short) run. Pack solid, basic colors that you can mix and match. And of course, pack for the weather, checking the forecasts online before deciding what to bring.

Rule 3: Don't pack valuables -

Carry valuables--like passports, tickest, and money--on you. Never ever pack them in your luggage where they could easily get lost or stolen. You'll only regret it later.  

Rule 4: Pack a day or two ahead -

This is a good rule for several reasons. 1) It means you're not packing last minute, so you'll be less likely to forget things and 2) You can have time to carry your bag around a bit to see whether or not it's too heavy.

Rule 5: Less is more -

As with clothing, packing less of everything is, in general, a really really good idea. Go through your list to see whether or not you can eliminate unecessary items. If, for instance, there's something you can buy when you get there, you'll be much happier walking around beforehand. Pack the necessities and maybe a few extras, but don't overdo it. Trust me, you'll thank me later!

While packing may not be one of our most beloved hobbies, it is a necessary part of every traveler's trip. The better prepared you are, the more likely it is you'll enjoy your trip. Happy traveling!

Guide to Travel, Part 3: Couch Surfing

Okay, so maybe you've already made travel arrangements. Perhaps you've even made reservations for that luxury hotel you've always dreamed of staying at. If, however, you aren't staying in a hotel and if you're interested in saving some money (and who isn't?) you might want to consider some alternatives. One is staying in a hostel. Another is known as couch surfing.

What is CouchSurfing?

Couch surfing is exactly like it sounds--well, almost. Couch surfing typically means staying on other people's couches, for free. There are tons of benefits to couch surfing. For one--well obviously the free thing doesn't hurt. But for another, couch surfing allows you to get to know the locals, the people who actually live, breathe, and work at your dream destination.

Is it safe?

In a word, yes. But be smart about it! CouchSurfing.com is probably the best website on the web for couch surfing. It seems that they do whatever they can to ensure that you have a safe and positive experience. One of the best things about couchsurfing.com is that other users can leave comments and recommendations on host profiles. You can get to know your host, corresponding with them through the site and getting a feel for them prior to meeting. Check out Couch Surfing's safety page for more information on staying safe while couch surfing.

Some Tips

Yes, some hosts have whole bedrooms to offer, some will be willing to show you around or to treat you to dinner, but this should not be expected. The best thing to do is to offer your host some sort of token in exchange for their kindness. Make sure you treat your host and their home with respect, cleaning up after yourself and, in general, being a good guest.

Also, afterward, make sure to leave comments on their page to let other users know how your experience went. Last but not least, open up your home to other couch surfers and repay the kindness that was shown to you!

Is couch surfing one of your favorite hobbies? Do you have any wild couch surfing stories? Positive or negative experiences? Let us know in the comments!