We recently enjoyed hosting Altyn, a passionate 12-year-old collector, at our doll shop. Little did he know that we had a surprise in store for him—a "doll show" where he could choose anything his heart desired.
Happy Mother's Day
A Doll Shop Easter Story
Hi there! My name is Holland Diane, and I have a very special Easter egg hunt story to share with you all. You see, my mom owns a doll shop, it is the one that my Grandma Diane had, and it's filled with the most magical dolls you've ever seen! They come from all over the world, each with their own unique story to tell.
Rooting for You and Your Joy
When Mom first started with her Alzheimer’s and then during the rocky years until she passed, it was the scariest and most uncertain time of my life.
In the beginning, the dolls really confused me, and I remember once calling my dad and bawling as I was driving down the road, having just picked up a doll collection that I knew Mom wouldn’t be able to help with. I was overwhelmed and honestly thought there was no way I would make it. This was all too grown up for me.
I never knew a doll shop without my Mom in charge. It didn’t matter what mistakes I made because Mom was there, and everything would be figured out.
It’s been six years since I took over here and almost three since she went to Heaven. I miss her terribly and so grateful she left us this place to make our own.
I still make mistakes with dolls. And some days, I struggle a lot emotionally.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that you don’t have to be all the things. You just have to be. Do the best you can with what you’ve been given, and that’s enough. Extend kindness and grace to you, too.
I often need this reminder and thought maybe you did, too.
Teddy Bear and Toy Tour with John Port
Do you remember two years ago when we built a Teddy bear Den for John Port right inside the entrance of the doll shop? It was a blast! Here is the video in case you missed it. I have such wonderful memories of this day! It felt like a great time to release our latest video with John Port inside the newly renovated doll shop. You will see all kinds of new critters and creatures in this “shop-along” style video.
John Port has been an incredible friend to us over the years. We are so grateful for him!
We hope you enjoy it.
XOXO,
Rachel
Filming Teddy Bear Repair in 2021 with John Port
Robert Tonner Visited MY Doll Shop!
I think in every career, you have special “moments to remember,” Can I share a recent one with you?
It was when Robert Tonner and his husband Harris visited my doll shop this year. We toured the shop, played doll collector bingo, and hung out. It was magical and memorable, and we filmed it all for you!
Robert’s latest release of Ellowyne Wilde and Neema sold out in a matter of hours. While they are undisputedly gorgeous dolls (even the most die-hard antique collectors have said so), they also come from a special person. It is important also to like the maker, and anyone that knows Robert knows what an open, caring, approachable, and generous person he is. He is eager to share his knowledge and love of all kinds of dolls, making doll collecting so much more interesting.
At 70, he is running races, baking up a storm, and has so much work to do in future dolls that he can barely leave his studio. (I know I am ready for the next adventure, are you?!)
Thank you for visiting Denver, Robert and Harris. We can not WAIT to have you back and maybe pack the doll joint for an in-person event, too!
Also, scroll to the next video so you can see Robert work his magic in a new hairstyling tutorial on a vintage Miss Revlon doll, you can buy the products at DollsPart!
Stanley
My Mom hired Stanley for the doll shop when he was 19.
He picked me up from school, helped with all my school assignments (I had the coolest science projects, thanks to him), and took my friends and me on summer adventures.
I had been running the shop for a while once my Mom got Alzheimer’s, but it wasn’t until she passed that I asked Stanley what felt like every other minute, “Hey, Stan, how do we do this, where do we order this, who do we call for this.”
Stanley’s wife Pam worked here for almost 20 years, and she was one of the best things to happen to our company.
When she passed in January of 2020, we were at her bedside together. It was devastating to us all, and shortly after, we lost Mom.
I didn’t see Stanley smile again until Holland Diane. Now, he smiles every day. They enjoy lunch, she refuses to nap anywhere else but his chest, and they have their little routines.
He sacrifices what he used to enjoy watching over lunch for her favorite cartoons on his lap while they eat lunch.
They are the best thing to happen to each other, and I’ll never get tired of seeing this smile.
We've been through a lot. Stanley is part of the reason I care about keeping this shop so much, and we will be working together until the very last day.
Rare Mystery Madame Alexander Ladies of Fashion Dolls
My mother, Diane Hoffman, loved two things most - her family and dolls.
She spent her life chasing after her dream dolls and the result is a collection that we love to share with the world at the doll shop.
Her Madame Alexander Mystery Ladies of Fashion dolls are among the prizes of her lifetime, and it is with great joy that I continue to share. We hope you enjoy this video that we made special for the Virtual Doll Convention.
If you haven’t seen it, take a peek. I hope you enjoy.
Love,
Rachel
Her Grandma Diane Would Have Loved Yesterday in the Doll Shop
Her Grandma Diane would have loved yesterday in the doll shop.
We laughed, fixed dolls, discovered new ones coming through the door, filmed videos where we ended saying, "that was fun!" and ordered a fancier-than-usual lunch because we had a coupon.
I walked around her shop with her grandbaby strapped to my chest, and she grabbed at everything, which made work more complicated and so much more wonderful at the same time.
Through the hard, I am living proof that Dreams DO Come True.
So many of you found me broken from losing my mother to Alzheimer's and Covid, and you carried me more than you'll ever know. You lifted me up by reaffirming my words and letting me support you on your journey.
Now we walk together, we've been together for so long that it feels like we are good friends - and we are.
So, Sweet One, if you are walking through the mud right now and the steps feel impossible, just focus on pulling out of that one and taking ONE more step and then do it again. You are stronger than you even know.
And your story is still being written, and you have a community here willing to listen to that story unfolding.
Love you,
Rachel and Holland Diane
