Collectible vintage dolls are more than just a hobby for some people. Collectible dolls can also be a very profitable business if you stay ahead of the curve and pay close attention to collectible dolls and doll houses news and trends. Because there are so many different lines of collectible dolls, it may benefit you to specialize in just one type of collectible dolls or doll houses.

Finding dolls for sale can be hard sometimes, especially when certain dolls are manufactured in limited numbers. But to find information on collectible doll manufacturers and where they sell their items, you can check out resources such as:

1. Blogs that highlight specific brands of collectible play dolls.

2. Magazines where manufacturers advertise their products.

3. Forums where you can discuss news with other collectors.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search blogs to find news on collectible dolls and doll houses

You can find collectible dolls for sale in many places, from antique stores to online auction sites. But if you are looking for a specific line, it may not be as easy to search for the dolls you need. Collectible doll blogs keep fans up to date on the latest releases from different doll and doll house lines, plus resources where you can shop for them.

I recommend: Lane's Gifts & Collectibles can keep you up to date on all the newest releases of collectible dolls on the market. WeLoveCollectibles.com is another blog where you can get the latest release dates for new collectible dolls, tips on how to find rare dolls, and how to preserve your collectibles in mint condition.

Search forums for news and trends on collectible porcelain dolls

No matter what type of doll you are looking for, you can find a forum that is specific to the type of doll. There are also many general collectible doll forums where people share news and trends about all types of collectible dolls and doll houses.

I recommend: Doll Talk hosts a forum where you can read about the latest news items related to collectible dolls. Miniworld Dolls offers forums where you can find news and information on any type of collectible dolls, from collectible vinyl dolls to porcelain collectible dolls.

Read trade publications to find out the latest on collectible ceramic dolls and other doll types

Trade publications are your best source for industry trends and profiles on specific doll lines that may interest you. Trade publications are also another source where you can find information about buying those rare and hard to find dolls to complete a collection.

I recommend: Dolls is one of the top magazine titles for doll collectors who want the latest news on all different types of collectibles. Contemporary Doll Collector is another magazine read by thousands of doll collectors. It covers news and trends, and carries a listing of dolls for sale.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are looking for information on collectible doll accessories, you will find that many doll publications also include sections on collectible doll houses and doll clothing.

Collectible dolls and doll houses are products that never go out of fashion, even in the modern age of the Internet. Their value can be measured both in dollars and sentimental worth. Investing in dolls and doll houses can be lucrative. Collecting and selling dolls and doll houses is a business that is not exclusive to gender, nationality, income level or age.

As in any business of collectibles, determining both what you like personally, and what might be popular or desirable to others, is a crucial factor in a successful business. Loving what you do and what you sell can help you survive what might be slow times in the business market. Certain dolls might not be valuable currently; but their expected value in another 10 years or more might be worth the wait.

Consider all types of dolls, including porcelain dolls, vinyl dolls, vintage dolls, cloth dolls, folk art dolls and specialty collectible dolls, such as collectible porcelain dolls or collectible ceramic dolls. Doll houses, too, can have value that is not always immediately recognized; but they could increase in price over time. Handcrafted wooden dollhouses that are custom built to suit an individual will need no time for its value to increase. It is in the beauty of such objects, or even the play value, that can determine how such an item might sell, or drive your business.

Determine whether you would be able to pull products from a local market and offer something exclusive to buyers. Do know your sources for these products, whether local or global? Ask yourself the following questions as you build your collection for your business:

1. Is the doll and doll house market already saturated in this locale—and would it be worth specializing in a particular manufacturer or brand of doll or doll house (such as personalized doll houses)?

2. How much space, and what kind of environmentally-friendly (to the products) building and storage will be necessary to maintain a reasonable amount of product?

3. What products, such as doll house furniture or doll clothing and other accessories, would be worth keeping in stock?

4. Would a web-based business only be more suitable to my style—or should I provide for both ends of the business? People looking for certain dolls and reasonable prices are likely to search the world to find what they want.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know the worth of your collectible dolls for sale

Determine the value of your doll collection--for purposes of buying and selling. For instance, that 1950s fashion doll you have in mint condition might not be worth what you think it is. Use professional evaluation methods.

I recommend: Kovels.com is the site for an authoritative publisher on antiques and collectibles. In addition to dozens of published book price guides, there's an newsletter and online collectors' price guide, and other valuable resources in the business of dealing with such items as collectible dolls and collectible doll houses. Collectible Doll also offers good resources for finding out the worth of certain collectible baby dolls.

Be current on the latest preservation or repair methods for collectible vintage dolls

Take precautions in preserving antique or vintage dolls, and in determining what resources might be helpful to your clients. The Internet provides dozens of resources--but if you don't know exactly what you're looking for, valuable hours can be consumed by web searches. Follow the guidelines of those who have done the work for you.

I recommend: The Smithsonian Institution's website offers a selected list of book resources, such as encyclopedias, that will assist in identifying dolls, sewing for and repairing them, and help also to determine a value. In addition, the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works offers assistance and guidelines for preservation of antique collectibles such as dolls and doll houses.

Look for unique collectible doll manufacturers to find one-of-a-kind items

Shop online, at toy and doll shows, and in stores to examine the quality of merchandise you might want to stock and sell. Dealerships available for licensing to sell specialty dolls might offer an opportunity to provide your locale with items not offered by other businesses. The Internet is full of listings of doll and doll house manufacturers.

I recommend: The Tonner Doll Company established by Robert Tonner to sell his own collection of specialty dolls, as well as continue the line of the Effanbee Doll Company (established in 1908) which he purchased in 2002, offers such opportunities. Another online source of dolls and doll information is the Doll Guide, which specializes in vintage Barbie dolls. Alibaba.com is a good guide for the international marketplace when you are going to buy collectible dolls.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Prepare to stay in the doll and doll house business long enough to see collectible dolls valued at the prices that will earn you money and keep your business viable.
• •  Find a business location that enjoys the traffic you think will be attractive to such a specialized business as collectible play dolls and doll houses.
• •  Prepare to put up a website that makes your inventory available, and offer shipping anywhere. The doll and doll house market enjoys a wide range of interested people who will search diligently for the item they want.

If you don't know much about collectible dolls and doll houses, education and training will help you enter the collectible ceramic dolls arena. Guide books and price guides abound, many online, but there's more to the doll business than pricing alone. You need to know what's hot with collectors and why, what to look for in condition and age and how to effectively market your collectible dolls for sale.

Many of these resources are easily available online or at your local library. Seek out:

1. Collectible dolls and doll houses associations that teach you what to look for in collectible doll collections.

2. Instructional videos that help you learn how to buy collectible dolls, and how appraisers value them.

3. Local and national seminars and classes on how to create your own collectible doll houses and collectible play dolls.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Discover online lessons to learn more about how to collect and create collectible dolls and houses

You not only need to learn what to look for when you collect dolls, you need to understand how to value them, store them and make sure they are ready for sale. You also need to learn how to create your own miniatures if you're interested in building doll houses and the miniature furniture to fill them.

I recommend: The National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts offers tutorials on scaling projects, electrifying them, and much more. Let's Build a Dollhouse offers a wealth of plans, instructions, tutorials and ideas about creating your own custom doll houses. The National Antique Doll Dealers Association offers educational pages with information and instructions on how to collect many different types of dolls.

Watch instructional videos that teach you what to look for before you buy

Like most antique markets, the collectible porcelain dolls market is changing all the time. Values increase and decrease, some dolls become difficult to find, and different dolls require different research and marketing techniques. Online videos offer an excellent way to really see what to look for and learn exactly what each type of collection requires to be financially successful.

I recommend: Expert Village offers numerous "how-to" doll videos including how to collect specific dolls, what to look for in doll attributes, and much more. The Smithsonian Channel offers videos on doll appraisal and collecting.

Attend classes and seminars to learn how to create your own line of collectible baby dolls a

Find classes in your local area that specialize in instruction on how to create your own collectible dolls and doll houses. If you can't find classes, look for training videos that give you tips on creating personalized doll houses and dolls.

I recommend: Johnston Original Art Dolls offers classes and seminars around the country, from beginning to specialized one-on-one seminars. MindStorm Productions offers numerous DVDs on porcelain doll manufacturers processes to learn how to create collectible dolls yourself.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Generally, it's better to collect and sell one or two types of specific collectible dolls, rather than trying to sell dolls from a lot of different collectible doll manufacturers. You'll learn to specialize and discover the many different traits of your specialized collection, and you'll become an expert in your particular field, whether it's vintage Barbie dolls, Victorian baby dolls, or the fantastically popular American Girl dolls. Specialize, and you'll have a ready-made market waiting for your wares.

Doll house collectors are very knowledgeable about the many kinds of dolls, doll houses and accessories available. They expect dealers to be knowledgeable about the key terms for these items as well. The ability to use the correct key terms for the many kinds of dolls and doll houses will give your customers a sense of security that they are dealing with a reputable and reliable dealer. Take the time to learn the key terms for collectible dolls and doll houses to ensure business success.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Wax dolls

First manufactured in Germany during the 17th and 18th centuries, wax dolls are still popular among collectors today. Wax dolls are rare to find in good condition and are highly sought after items for doll collectors. Today, many doll artists are using wax again.

I recommend: Gather information about wax collectibles at Debra's Dolls and Just Imagine Dolls.

Porcelain dolls

Porcelain dolls were first created in France and Germany during the 1800s and are some of the most common types of collectible dolls. Since porcelain dolls are breakable, it is rare to find them in good condition. The most popular porcelain dolls include baby dolls for children as well as fashion dolls for adults.

I recommend: Read the information about porcelain collectible dolls at Anything Goes.

Fashion dolls

In the past, fashion dolls displayed the latest fashions to women. Due to the popularity of Barbie and other dolls, fashion dolls continue to be highly collectible items for both dealers and customers.

I recommend: Learn about the many kinds of fashion collectible dolls at The Doll Market.

Doll house scale

Knowing the differences in scale of doll houses is essential for dealers. Everything from furniture, accessories and doll house dolls are made according to certain scale sizes that range from 1/12th scale to 1/24th scale.

I recommend: Read more information about doll house scale at Laura Anne Doll Houses.

Doll house furnishings and accessories

There are many types and styles of doll house furnishings and accessories in many price ranges. Serious collectors will opt for high quality furniture designed to resemble well-known furniture types such as Biedermeier and Stickley. Accessories can include everything from rugs and bedding to tooth brushes.

I recommend: Visit Sondra Krueger to view doll house furnishings and accessories.

Building supplies

Some collectors also build or restore doll houses. To satisfy their needs, be sure to have doll house building supplies available. Doll house building supplies include items such as door knobs and windows, and can also include electrical kits and siding.

I recommend: Learn about the many kinds of building supplies used for collectible doll houses at Doll House Elora.