The Madison Area Doll Club Brings Vendors and Collectors Together For One Day of Collectible and Vintage Dolls
Like many manufacturing sectors in our economy the doll industry was greatly impacted by the pandemic but not necessarily in the way you might expect. "In the last year, prices have been going crazy. I think those that still have jobs are buying like crazy," says Margie Schultz, president of the Queen City Beautiful Doll Club. Schultz and other doll collectors were utterly shocked by what the pandemic created. Countering the whole "supply chain" scare Generation X doll collectors are snapping up toys they are familiar with pushing prices up as they sought the refuge of online commerce. If you have Barbie dolls manufactured from the 1970s or 80s you are in good place. Remember Cabbage Patch Dolls? Or My Little Pony? The BBC recently reported these American toys are finding a popularity in the UK as well. The antique dolls with porcelain faces and empty expressions are still a must have but for a much smaller group of collectors than in previous years.
In a 2021 interview with Doll magazine, Artist April Norton said that online shopping has continued its' strong growth, even after the unofficial declarations across the country that the pandemic has ended. “It has been super gratifying that the collectible market seems to be on the rise and collectors appreciate a handmade item like my dolls,' says Norton.
Ahead their 26th event, the Madison Area Doll Club's "Easter Parade of Dolls" presser announced that show will feature, "antique, vintage, artist, reborn and modern dolls." Will the insanely popular, LOL Surprise! dolls launched by MGA Entertainment be there? The big-headed, millennial-inspired fashion dolls which rose to prominence on a zero dollar marketing campaign fueled solely by social media "influencers." You will just have to go the 51st Madison Area Doll Club Annual Doll Show & Sale and find out. For doll collectors and the doll curious there are national vendors, appraisals, repair consultations, and educational displays. There is also a Grand Prize & Silent Auction.
DETAILS:
The Madison Area Doll Club' annual event the "Easter Parade of Dolls" Show & Sale takes place Saturday, March 26th from 9 am-3 pm at the Alliant Energy Center-Exhibition Hall n Madison.
Admission is $6 for people entering that show after 9 am and $15 for the hardcore collectors entering at 8 am.
The Alliant Energy Center is located at 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way Madison.
