I was born in Ann Arbor, MI in 1954. My childhood dolls have always been precious possessions for me. I have kept my dolls for all of these years, because they offered me lovely memories of a cherished time in my life. I have lots of happy memories of playing with my dolls in the attic or basement play spaces of my family homes. Playing dolls was an activity that helped expand my imagination. My dolls went to pretend parties, overnights, the theater, tea parties, and endless fashion shows. It was a time to just make believe. Even after all these years, I remember each of my dolls and each of their many outfits. My daughter also played with many of my dolls and that delighted me too.

My Great Aunt Babe (Helen Mayer), my mother (Gretchen Ream Hess), and family friends (Madalyn Klotz and Winnie Martin) made clothes for my dolls to supplement the ones we purchased at the toy store. I adore looking at the handiwork and the vintage fabrics that were used to create these outfits. The store bought doll clothes came from a toy store that was located at the corner of Main and Madison called “Kiddie Korner.” https://aadl.org/taxonomy/term/125969 The shopping trips to the toy store felt magical.