Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Storing your Barbies



I thought I would talk about displaying and storing your dolls. If you want to display a Barbie that is not in it's original box, then ideally it would be best to be kept in a case or curio cabinet.

It's important to keep your dolls out of direct sunlight because it can fade her clothes and sometimes fade Barbie's hair. Also, please display them standing up rather than in a sitting position. Sitting them will stretch out their clothing. I have several dolls that have trouble keeping their shorts up! : )

I don't have a case to store mine so I try to make sure to clean and dust my dolls regularly and only sit them down for short periods.




Vintage dolls came with great wire stands. I am lucky enough to have found one for Ken and Skipper. But you can find reproduction stands on ebay. These are three repro stands pictured above.




If you wish to store opened dolls, I would recommend wrapping them in acid free tissue paper and storing them in plastic tubs. Then store them in a climate controlled room. Extreme heat would melt your dolls and a damp area would mildew your dolls.




Our good friend Deb was invited to a Barbie themed party recently and I just had to show you how cute she looked!



Happy Barbie Wednesday, Lindsey

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the hints, Lindsey. I didn't know about not leaving Barbies in a seated position.
Twyla, I didn't get to comment on your post, but I loved it all and that blue bird creamer is to DIE for!Jordan did a great arrangement for you. How sweet!
Blessings, Sarita

marble rose said...

The party looks wonderful! We are off thrifty shopping today for WOOz gear - it's a frenzy here! What have you started?


Fleur
xxx

Anonymous said...

Woo-hoo! Look at Deb! ☺

Hope you can get a wonderful display case Lindsey! ♥

Lindsay-ann said...

Hi Lindsey
This post is so interesting and would apply to my Sindys also. I have mine wrapped in bubble wrap but maybe I should get some acid free tissue now after reading this. I wish I had room for a lovely big display case like that. Maybe one day?
Lindsay
x

Betsey said...

Thanks so much for these tips. I never thought about the clothes stretching. :)

Heidi Ann said...

Great advice, Lindsey. I wish I had enough vintage Barbies that worrying about how to store and display them was a problem! Maybe when I win the Lottery - oh, that's right, you have to play in order to win. Oh, well.

Unknown said...

Lindsey, I wanted to let you know that I had set aside a particular card to use in your block for my Block Party, and then completly forgot to make it! I am soooo embarrassed! It will be in the mail Friday! I am beyond excited to get yours, you truly have been an inspiration for me as I have been making mine. Can you please tell me how to find your new blog. Truly, you are magical with paper! Elizabeth

Madison said...

Well I didn't teach myself how to crochet my sister taught me. But I watched a video online about how to make a hat! But I am making scarfs, hats, and headbands now!!! Hope you have a great day!!

Love, Madison

Stacy said...

Love that picture of Deb! She makes a great Barbie :o)

Sweetina said...

What great and helpful ideas! I adore vintage Barbies~especially the one shown here in your post. It's the eye makeup that's so fun!
How big is your collection?
Love visiting your blog, it always puts a big smile on my face!
hugs to you both~
Tina

Anonymous said...

Great tips...Thanks!

I just love the smell of that black case she is holding...brings back great memories!☺

lori vliegen said...

great storage tips (i didn't know that barbie's hair could fade)!! and that barbie party looks like a LOT of fun!!

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Hi Lindsey,
I also didn't know about the proper storing of Barbie...the case is the only Barbie item that I have. My Mom sold my stuff YEARS ago...
Warmly,
Deb :)

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Great advice! I have stored dolls in the past but now I have them all displayed to enjoy them...finally!

Unknown said...

Live and learn. Thanks for all the tips! I was just thinking about all of this the other day. I have my Barbies from 1959 and they are well loved but I want them to last more than my life time. I'm so happy to know you! Your a blast! Keep bloggin' for the world to see! Smiling!

Anonymous said...

Hi Lindsey, I also didn't know leaving barbie sitting could lead to baggy clothing...Thanks for the info. I wish I had a cabinet that big, then I would take some barbies out of the boxes. I hope your having a nice week, I missed barbie Wednesday again :( but I'll try to be back next week, been in a bit of a slump lately. Tell your mom I said hi, Hugs to you both and thank you both for all your wonderful comments, they mean the world to me!!

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

Wow! Great Barbie post! My daughters had many Barbies and equipment when they were young girls. What fun they had playing storytime with their dolls! Thanks for the memories!

Sally Annie Magundy said...

Hi Lindsey!

I look forward to going backwards and reading all of your Barbie columns.

I'm as old as dirt and I had the original Barbie doll with the pony tail - I found my Barbie's recently at my parents house, so much fun. (My pony tailed Barbie seems to have gone poof - the one I found was the "bubble cut" one.)

Alas mine weren't lovingly taken care of by me - I'm shocked at how hard I played with them.

Love the photo of the Barbie party!

Winter said...

Oh,this brought back a happy memory.I was nine and for my birthday I got the cardboard suitcase house,with the cardboard furniture,it was awesome.They just don't make the cool things like that now,it's all plastic.My girls have tons of Barbies and such,but those old things and the clothes were the best.Thanks for the memories. :)

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Great tips!

Victoria xx

Unknown said...

great tips, Lindsey! I don't display barbies, but if I ever do, I will keep this in mind! :)

Unknown said...

I stumbled upon this blog and LOVE it! I've loved Barbies for a long time, and here's another tip (from one of my Collector's books):
Some Barbies (particularly first models from the 50s & 60s) can develop an oily film or finish on their bodies, a result of the chemical combinations used to create the plastic. It can be aggravated by direct sun exposure or improper packaging.