Debbie Garrett's Doll Journey

Debbie Garrett has been very instrumental in assisting me with the Detroit Doll Show. Her expertise is undeniably untouchable when it comes to Black Dolls. I am in Awe and inspired by her. She is our 2015 Doll Legacy Recipient. Read a little about her Doll Journey:

Debbie Garrett's interest in collecting black dolls commenced after the 1991 catalogue purchase of a 'collectible' porcelain doll intended as a gift for her daughter. After the doll's arrival, the decision to keep the doll and to begin a collection ensued. Her avid interest in black-doll history prompted research on dolls made during and before her childhood. She began freelance writing in 1998 for Black Doll-E-Gram. Prior to writing her first black-doll reference book, The Definitive Guide to Collecting Black Dolls, Hobby House Press, Inc., 2003, Ms. Garrett's efforts to connect with other like-minded collectors culminated in founding the WeLoveBlackDolls Yahoo! Group, in January 2001. In February, 2002, as cofounder and editor of The Black Doll-E-Zine, 'the first and only e-zine (now group) devoted to collecting black dolls,' her doll research, writing, and networking with doll collectors and artists continued.

In 2008, Garrett self-published Black Dolls: A Comprehensive Guide to Celebrating, Collecting, and Experiencing the Passion, a full color book which references and values over 1000 black dolls. Her most recent work, The Doll Blogs: When Dolls Speak I Listen, first introduced as an eBook and sold through the Google eBookstore, became available as an ultra-limited edition paperback in April 2011. The Doll Blogs is the first book featuring dolls that blog.

As a member-at-large of the United Federation of Doll Clubs, Ms. Garrett has contributed to their Doll News quarterly publication. Garrett's articles have also been published in Doll Castle News, Contemporary Doll Collector, British Doll Showcase, DOLLS Magazine, DollReader, and Fashion Doll Quarterly.

Ms. Garrett, a native Texan, is the married mother of two adult children, and doting granny of two precocious boys. Her non-doll-researching/collecting time is spent working as a CMT-credentialed, home-based, QIS for a leading global provider of clinical documentation.

http://blackdollcollecting.blogspot.com/

Georgette Taylor Doll Designer

Ms. Taylor is the Detroit Doll Show 2015 Doll Legacy Award Receipent. She was the Co-Founder of Big Beautiful Dolls, Inc. the first full-figured 12 inch Fashion Dolls. The Dolls included Dasia (African American), Dawn (Caucasion) and Dena (Latina).

 

Georgette Taylor is the founder of the I AM Beautiful Doll Company... dolls that inspire you to love you. I AM Beautiful is an offshoot of Big Beautiful Dolls, formed in 1999 with Audrey Bell-Kearney.

Her love for dolls started many years ago when her father bought her a collection of four International dolls. It was exciting for her to see how differently they were dressed to reflect the cultures they represented. She was inspired to learn more about where they came from and started her belief that although we are different, we are basically the same people, regardless of our origins. This little collection, albeit at a later time, spurred her into collecting other dolls, beginning with the Byron Lars Dolls.

From her love of dolls came the partnership with Audrey Bell-Kearney that created the Big Beautiful Doll Company, adding a missing dimension to the fashion doll world.

The plus sized dolls they developed “were created to represent a previously missing part of the fashion doll world, that of full figured girls and women” stated Ms. Taylor.

This new doll company opened many doors and started many conversations about body size, acceptance, and love of self for young girls and women, who had never seen an image that depicted them favorably. Women were proud to share this new image with their daughters.

Ms. Taylor’s role in Big Beautiful Dolls has given her the opportunity to speak to many women about the importance of seeing a truly representative image of themselves through a medium that was (and is) an important part of the lives of young girls and women…dolls! She believes that it is important to see yourself represented positively in all aspects of your world. Deep inside, it is unavoidable to feel that you are not seen as important when you do not see positive images of self; this can have a profound effect on how you see and love yourself.

Ms. Taylor has been featured in various magazines such as Heart and Soul; Doll World; and Contemporary Doll Collector. She has also appeared on television on Good Morning Texas, Insights, and Positively Texas. She was included in panel discussions such as Barbara Whiteman’s Black Doll History Lecture (at the African-American Museum in Dallas, Texas) and many more expos and showcases.

Ms. Taylor continues to remain true to her passion for helping women to love who they are, as they are, through her connection to her Big Beautiful Dolls; and now, the I AM Beautiful Doll Company. She plans to keep the conversation about loving oneself, and being empowered. The new line of dolls will help stress personal empowerment, and love of one’s body, mind, and soul.

When she is not creating new dolls, she is also Director of Content Management for Hertube TV, the #1 Digital Lifestyle TV Network for Women; focusing on women’s strengths and passions by providing a platform  for the distribution of tv shows, films, and video tutorials through the Hertube network.

Tara Michener - Guest Blogger

Tara Michener is an author and Counselor who works tirelessly to educate the public about bullying and to eradicate it. She's an advocate of Self Love and a woman who inspires others to live happy and healthy lives. These are her words:

Snuggles, Wendy & Tashanda Rhonda all have something in common…me. They were my first examples of beauty, my best friends and they each shared many sleepovers with me. They also were my favorite dolls. I learned how valuable Wendy was when I lost her at the playground one day. My dad and brother scoured our neighborhood and knocked on many doors trying to find her. I cried thinking that I would lose the tall dark skinned depiction of a little girl. She had two braids and a beautiful face. She made me feel pretty just by being in my arms and as a short four year old we were about the same size. When they brought Wendy home I gave her a big hug and a middle name. I decided that she should be named after the nice receptionist in the doctor’s office. Her name became Wendy Nancy. I had a middle name why shouldn’t she?

As an author of children’s books I realize that my imagination, creativity and love for telling stories began in my childhood play with dolls. As a therapist I also realize that they set a foundation for my self-esteem, my ability to nurture and practice empathy. I got to practice my social skills with my dolls and model the example that I saw around me using them as props. Knowing what I know now dolls are priceless tools to young people.      

I was excited last year to be able to be on the panel with so many wonderful women at the Detroit Doll Show. The event was a wonderland for imagination, beauty and esteem. When we think about the role that dolls have played in the lives of our young people we cannot discount the role that they played in history.  Every child should have an opportunity to see themselves reflected in the face of a doll. Everyone should know that they too are capable of being a model for a beautiful playmate for a small child. Every child should know that they are worthy.

www.taramichener.com

Words from Jendayi Iyi

I have admired Mama Jendayi for many years because she always looked like African Royalty. She possess a personal radiance that immediately brightens every room she enters.  Her natural long locks wrapped beautifully under her Gele (African Head Wrap) is her trademark, however. When I discovered that she redressed dolls to reflect her image that's when my admiration for her tripled.

 

(Mama is a word of endearment used as form of respect ...) 

 

Words from Mama Jendayi:

 

Dolls have always had an important role in our lives. Many of us were emotionally attached to our dolls and their play value served as a source of pure joy. Self love is nurtured when we learn through doll play to nurture that which reflect ourselves. Our imaginations soared as we imagined all the possibilities life had to offer. Dolls have a long rich history and within them tell a story according to the times they existed in. As adults, the inner child still remains and fond memories are tapped into.

 

We now can appreciate the artistry in dolls and the different nuances they express.

I am looking forward to this year's 2015 Detroit Doll Show. I know it will be an uplifting fun experience with dolls and doll artists having a wide appeal to everyone. It's a fun family event sure to leave you smiling. Hope to see you there!

 

 Redressed Doll by Mama Jendayi

 

Mama Jendayi's Granddaughter holding her Doll

Photo by David Young and Effects by Steve Novak

The 4th Annual Detroit Doll Show will take place on Saturday, November 14, 2015 from 1 pm - 7pm at the Dr. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American Histor, 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit MI 48201. To find out more visit www.detroitdollshow2015.eventbrite.com

 

2015 Detroit Doll Show

Sandy's Land present

2015 Detroit Doll Show

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Dr. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

315 E. Warren, Detroit MI 48201

1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

$5 Admission

for ages 3 and up

THEME: Fairytale, Sororities and Pretty Brown Bombshells

(come dressed as your favorite Fairytale character or doll)

Speakers, Hands-on Doll Workshops for Children and Adults, Vendors, Arts & Craft, Doll Look-A-Like Contest (1st, 2nd and 3rd place - doll must be present); Doll Award Presentation, Delicious Food, and Fun Surprises.

Workshop prices are separate from admission
 

Stay Tuned for Workshops and Vendors

 

We will be collecting new unwrapped dolls for underpriviledged Girls for the Holiday

 

Doll Artist/Vendors

Michelle Sapp

Tanya Montegut

LaJeana Kennedy

Jaqueline Cole

April Anue

Natasha Gates

Patricia Coleman-Cobb

Aniqua Janee Wilkerson

Deana Williams

Doll Award Honorees

*Dr. Margaret Betts, Doll Collector

*Debbie Garrett, Black Doll Expert

*Georgette Taylor, Co-Founder of Big Beautiful Dolls, Inc

 

2014 Doll Participant

 Swan Barbie

 

To purchase tickets visit www.detroitdollshow2015.eventbrite.com

for additional questions email sandysland@gmail.com or

call 313-492-6953

Our Motto is "Love the Skin You're In!"

 

 

 

 

Photographs from the 2014 Detroit Doll Show

Arts & Crafts Table Sponsored by Natalie Creative Mom Durham

Color Me Beautiful Doll Workshop hosted by Ms. Sandy aka Sandra Epps the Founder of the Detroit Doll Show

Three participants with the Color Me Beautiful Doll Workshop

Two Winners from the Doll Look-ALike Contest won Positively Perfect Dolls from our sponsor World of EPI

2014 Detroit Doll Show

 

Detroit Doll Show

Saturday, November 1, 2014
1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Dr. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

315 E. Warren, Detroit MI
$5 Admission

For tickets or register for hands on doll workshops visit www.detroitdollshow2014.eventbrite.com

 

Doll VENDORS Only (new and used dolls, hand made dolls; clothing and accessories for Dolls. Inquiries call 313-492-6953 

 

Fantasy is our 2014 Theme

Speakers, Hands-on Doll Workshops, Vendors, Arts & Craft, Doll Look-A-Like Contest, Panel Discussion, Doll Artist Award, Short Film, Delicious Food, and Fun Surprises.

Workshop prices are seperate from admission

PROGRAM:

Color Me Beautiful (14 Inch Doll) Workshop 3:00 p.m.

Zumba sponsored by Penny Love Fitness at 4:00 p.m.

Paper Dolls sponored by Natalie Creative Mom Durham
Natural Girls United Founder Karen Byrd is a sponsor

STAY TUNED FOR PROGRAM UPDATES

Doll Artist Award - You must be a vendor to participate. Criteria for judging will be based on originality, creativity, concept and presentation. The Doll Must be PRESENT.

DOLL VENDORS ONLY!!! Handmade dolls, accessories (furniture & clothing)

Vendor Tables are $60. For more information call 313-492-6953

Fantasy, Goddess, Baby Dolls OH MY! What's your favorite Fantasy Doll?



A words from the Detroit Doll Show host, Sandra Epps:

I believe it is important for Women and Children to see themselves in the products that they use. Dolls teach children about themselves and the world around them. Playing with dolls help children develop cognitive, fine motor and self-help skills. Most importantly, Dolls can teach self love. Often times then not brown women and children struggle to love themselves because of the negative stereotype protrayed in the media, in addition to society's depiction of "beauty." It is true that image is everything and to see ones reflection in their dolls, magazines, television, etc. is most healthy. We as aunts, uncles, mothers, fathers, friends must not only defined our own beauty but encourage our children to love the skin that their in.

YES YOU are Beautiful no matter what

SHADE of SKIN You're IN!

The Detroit Doll Show is about celebrating diversity, culture, fashion, YOUR BEAUTY and having FUN

'Love the Skin You're In'