There is so much happening in the doll making and collecting world that it is hard to keep with it all!  Reading magazines and checking the doll collectors’ and manufacturers’ sites take time and sometimes we,  or should I say I, fall behind.  So for my first blog under this category I am going to try to summarize some of the more noteworthy doll news items so far this 2012 year!

• Two major doll magazines, DOLLS and DOLL READER merged in Februrary of this year under the parent company Jones Publishing.  The new magazine will be published monthly with a special focus  issue every quarter appearing as DOLLS Presents: Haute Doll, entirely devoted to high-fashion and ball-jointed dolls . An FAQ is posted on the DOLLS website, www.dollsmagazine.com  to answer questions about the merger.
• Mattel has decided to respond to a successful Facebook campaign which called for the production of a “bald Barbie.”   This “Barbie Friend” will be manufactured and distributed to children who have lost their hair because of cancer or other illnesses. Planned for 2013, the dolls will not be sold in retail stores, but distributed directly to hospitals and alopecia foundations.   Hats, scarves and other fashion accessories will be provided to provide girls with a traditional fashion play experience.

• Robert Tonner introduced his City Girls at the 2012 Toy Fair in New York City.  The City Girls™ characters are college grads who are just starting out…”all ready to take on the world and follow their dreams.”  Dolls are 16” and apparently will be priced for younger and more frugal collectors.