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Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Waldorf Doll Underwear Indicator

Ever heard of Alan Greenspan's Underwear Indicator theory? I was listening to NPR marketplace the other day, where, for the umptieth time, it was discussed whether the economy is improving or not.

I had never heard of Mr. Greenspan's (Chairmen of the Federal Bank) interesting theory about male underwear buying patterns and how they explain what is going on with the economy. It made me laugh when I looked it up:
Mr. Greenspan argues that:" if you think about all the garments in the household, the garment that is most private is the male underpant, because nobody sees it except people in the locker room, but who cares," Krulwich told NPR. "Your children need clothes, your wife needs clothes that have to change, your children grow, you need clothes on the outside. But the last purchase that you don't have to make is underpants.... [men wear them until they are in] total tatters."
Sorry, Mr. Greenspan! But I think you are wrong. At least when taking into account my guy's buying pattern for underwear. He just doesn't buy any undies. Ever!


But then I started thinking about my dolly underwear sales and how this theory made perfect sense. Yes, I have actual proof that Mr. Greenspan is right. Sales of doll underwear have been down dramatically this past year. I sold only very few pairs of shorts and bloomers over the last 12 months. Despite the fact that doll bloomers and shorts are one of the cheapest items in my Etsyshop they don't sell much at all. It seems that in these hard economic times people don't want to spend money on an item you don't see much anyways. Not that dolls ever destroy their undies and manage to turn them into these unmentionable tatters guys call underwear. Is that why the are called unmentionables?


Well, I decided to be optimistic about the whole thing anyways. I recently sold a set of shorts, and I am working on some new sets for Christmas. Hope your dolls will find some underwear under the Christmas tree this year!

My husband will for sure. Pst! Don't tell him! LOL

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Blank Canvas

I think my favorite stage in making a doll is when I have finished the body. I like to look at the sweet figure that has no face, hair, or any clothes. It's like a big blank canvas before the artist gets to paint it.


I like to imagine what the doll will look like finished. Will she be a redhead? Brunette or blonde baby? What eye color shall I put? What clothes will this little one wear?

I guess I miss having little babies around so through the process of making dolls I get to be a "new mommy" over and over. Giving birth to a new doll is oodles of fun.


Today I got this little brown haired fuzzy baby on my workbench. She will go to a little girl's house this Christmas...Fun!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Friends and Fairy Tales

Being German I grew up around fairy tales. My mother read them to us all the time. I get a little frustrated when the family drags me to the movies and I have to watch the Disney versions of my old time faves. What happened to the Rapunzel story? They changed the plot so much it made me sick to the stomach. I really hated it. Sorry, Disney people, but next time could you please consult with a German?

Are you excited about seeing Puss in Boots? Well, at least it's bound to be very funny. I have two good friends who make the most amazing fairy tale creatures out of wool and bits of fabric. First there is Kelley. She is also known as Elfie or little Elf. How befitting.
She recently created this amazing Puss in boots you see in this picture. Now that is exactly how I remember the Puss in Boots. Feisty and cute.


Next there is my friend Cynthia. Another dollmaker whose name is just perfect. Did I mention that her last name is "Toy". It really is. My German heart sings when I look at her delightful fairy tale characters. They are too amazing for words. But see for yourself and visit my friends dreamy shops, sites, FB pages. They are really creators of little miracles not just toymakers...

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Yes, it IS!

Fall that is. Or did we skip fall and went straight to Winter? It's snowing in the mountains in Colorado. There wasn't much of a transition it seems. We went from temperatures in the 90s straight to the 40s in the blink of an eye.

Where is my winter coat? Got to go look for it in the basement today.



With the cold came much needed rain. Now it really looks like Germany outside. I feel like basking in the rain. Is that weird or what? I love watching the rain come down in sheets. Jumping in the puddles.

I brought in all the tomatoes. Must have picked 20 pounds of them...
The basil is drying in the oven.


What next? Waiting for the husband to turn the heat on. You know he says it's too early. Not until November 1. Used to be October 1. Since it's been so hot lately that seemed fine. But really pushing it back by a whole month? Better find that coat, a hat, and my mittens. Now that should make for a good picture...Sewing with mittens on? LOL

Cutest little pumpkin Dress for Bambolettas


beige pumpkin dress 2 copy, originally uploaded by germandolls.

Just finished this cute little doll and dress. I love the dark orange and beige together. I wish I could find more of this cute fabric. I'll cry when I run out of this one...

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Is it really Fall?

As I am bringing in red tomatoes from the garden every day I am wondering where fall is. Sure the leaves are falling off that big old oaktree in front of the house. But really, we are well into the first week of October and sweating in Colorado. Every day temperatures have been in high 80s I believe there even was a day when my car thermostat claimed 90s.

How can people still deny that global warming is a fact? It boggles the mind.

I really miss fall in Germany. The rain, the foggy cold days, and picking grapes.
I think I have shared some pictures of childhood fall memories from Germany with you.



We have a grape arbor in our backyard. The children love to go outside and sneak some of the delicious grapes. Very different childhood memories...

Now I have to close my eyes and leave it up to the imagination. Maybe if I keep sewing fall dollclothes fall will actually come? Longing for the cold I put together this cute set for my shop.

Like it?

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

My new postcards arrived!


GermanDolls postcards 2, originally uploaded by germandolls.

I just received my new postcards in the mail yesterday. They will be available in my shop for sale. They come as a set of 6 different images of my dolls and doll clothing.

Hope you enjoy them!