Welcome to our DOLL & BEAR EXPO 2008 Celebrities page, a work in progress. Below you will find some information about our Guest Celebrities who will be presenting and hosting the Workshops, Seminars, Celebrity Breakfasts, Celebrity Luncheons, Doll Signings, Bear Signings, DOLL & BEAR EXPO Exclusives and all of the other great activities and events.

If you'd like to see which Workshops or Seminars some of these wonderful folks will be presenting, then please visit our DOLL & BEAR EXPO WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS page. To see what other Events they may be participating in, please visit our DOLL & BEAR EXPO 2008 EVENTS page.

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LINDA RICK

Linda Rick is known around the world as "The Doll Maker" and designs some of the most beautiful dolls. The facial expressions are so realistic and the clothes are a true work of art, and stunning. Linda has an amazing gift of creativity and she uses it, along with wonderful fabrics and accessories, to beautifully enhance the artist's original sculpt and give it a precious personality that collectors just love.

Have you ever dreamed of a far-a-way place ... where magical beauty and the enchanted whispers of darling little dolls that capture the desires of your heart?

... Then come and play in the fairy tale collection of dolls, created by master doll artist, Linda Rick. The visions and dreams of a little girl's imagination become a reality in her exquisite collection of dolls. Her little charmers will entice you to fall in love with them and make it a must to add them to your collection. From as far back as Linda can remember, she had a fascination with bringing her little creations to life. She gives them a distinctive look and special name to suit them as though they were her own children.

As always, each doll is that it has been brought to life, has been hand-crafted with the finest of detail. Linda oversees each step of design and manufacture, ensuring the highest quality of standards in the doll industry, making sure that each little creation is worthy to be part of your collection.

The Doll Maker expresses her appreciation to all for their continued interest and overwhelming response towards her creations. Her most sincere desire is to create a doll just for you. Whether you're a doll collector, first time doll buyer, or only purchase a one doll in your lifetime, Linda would be honored to know that you have recognized the doll that she has created just for you.

Join us as we celebrate the sweet little girl that lives in all of us ... spoil her with the finest things in life ... and give her a fairy tale she can claim as her own.

Fairy Tales Can Come True ... If You Only Believe ...

Linda designs several different lines of dolls, including for Precious Moments. All of the Precious Moments dolls used at the various DOLL & BEAR EXPO 2008 events were designed by Linda.

Linda is designing and manufacturing our DOLL & BEAR EXPO 2008 Exclusive Doll, "Mae Priscilla - A  Southern Lady" for us. We know that you will treasure this Limited Edition (250) Doll. Linda and Richard Hay will be Co-Hosting our Friday Night Banquet. Linda will also host one of our Luncheon's on Saturday. This Luncheon is "the bargain deal of EXPO 2008" so check out the details, register and spend some quality time with Linda. 

Linda has attended several of our Shows for Doll Signings and it is a joy to work with her. Linda's Dolls will be available in the Sales Room at the Biltmore Village Doll Shop booth. www.biltmorevillagedolls.com  Linda will be there to sign your dolls. www.dollmakerfriends.com


RICHARD HAY

Richard Hay is the President of The Precious Moments Doll Company, which has some of the cutest and most adorable little dolls. Richard began his career in the gift industry at an early age and has been at the helm of the Precious Moments Doll Company for more than sixteen years. During this time, Precious Moments has become a leader in the doll industry and was previously voted the #1 Collectible Doll Company by GiftBeat Magazine.

Richard will host one of our Saturday morning Breakfasts, where you will receive a signed Precious Moments Doll, "Boo Boo Blankie". He will share with you some "Insider" details, facts and figures, and stories about the Precious Moments Doll Company. We are using several different Precious Moments dolls for our Friday evening banquet centerpieces, designed by Linda Rick. Richard and Linda will host the Banquet..

Richard enjoys meeting with Collectors by traveling all over the country to retail store signings, doll shows, and events from Walt Disney World (FL) to Knott's Berry Farm (CA). He has become a trusted and respected professional in the doll industry and is frequently asked to give lectures and seminars about the success of the Precious Moments doll line.

Precious Moments Dolls will be available in the Sales Room at the Biltmore Village Doll Shop booth. www.biltmorevillagedolls.com  Richard will be there to sign your dolls. www.pmcdolls.com  Richard and Linda are Co-Hosting our Friday Night Banquet.

 
BERDINE CREEDY

Berdine Creedy makes some of the cutest doll series such as her famous Tea Cup Series of dolls. She was born and raised in South Africa where she was an elementary school teacher for ten years, until she quit to raise her four children. Never one to be idle, she took up pottery as a hobby. After trying her hand at several different types, she began sculpting dolls. Her very first doll won several awards, and she began to dream of coming to the United States to pursue a career in doll making.

In 1996, she and her family were fortunate enough to win the green card lottery in South Africa and moved to the United States. In November 2004, Berdine became an American citizen and felt she had a "home" again. Since arriving here, her family have all become involved in creating her dolls. Year after year, she continues to receive DOTY award nominations as well as other awards.

Berdine will be hosting our Saturday Morning Tea Time. You will want to sign up for this EVent. Her dolls will be available in the Sales Room. She will be happy to sign your purchase. www.berdinecreedy.com


DENISE McMILLAN

Denise McMillan is a Native American Indian and lifetime resident of North Carolina. She's been creative since early childhood, beginning with costumes for her dolls and winning a doll design contest with her very first entry. She taught herself to sculp in poreclain and soon her dolls were sought after by Collectors around the world. Her ethnic dolls are particularly beautiful, with enchanting sculpts and highly detailed authentic costumes.

Denise said: "This was a dream come true for me. I am so thankful for the talent that God has given me and I wish to share my love for dolls with you. I hope they will bring you as much joy as they have brought me."

You must see her dolls up close to truly appreciate the love and hard work that has gone into each creation. Her one of a kinds are just fabulous works of art and treasures to behold. This year Denise will be offering some of her creations in Limited Editions through the Doll Maker and Friends Network. You will want to be a Collector of Denise's dolls.

Denise will have her dolls available in the Sales Room where she will be happy to sign your purchase. 


KATHY FITZPATRICK

Kathy Fitzpatrick, a native New Englander, now residing near Hilton Head Island, SC, received her formal art education in Boston, MA.

As a commercial artist her portfolio contained samples of published work for various greeting card companies, art print publishers, children's book publishers and large direct mail companies.

Children and animals were her favorite subjects, so it was natural that pastel portraits became a side-line passion. She dabbled in creative writing and had several articles published for major magazines.

Doll making was unknown to Kathy and introduced itself as a doll magazine on a rack...a simple piece of reference showing a lovely child's face became one of many reference books for the process of porcelain doll making. That was 1994.

Today, after winning more than twenty-five prestigious awards and nominations, and designing for a plethora of manufacturers, she now creates her beautiful toddlers and babies in the collector vinyl medium. Kathy has been nominated for TWO of the "2008 DOLLS Awards of Excellance" by DOLLS Magazine, and for a 2008 "DOTY - Doll Of The Year - Industry's Choice" by Doll Reader Magazine.

Kathy will have her dolls available in the Sales Room and will be happy to sign your purchases. www.fitzpatrickoriginals.com  She will Host an Afternoon Tea for Mothers & Daughters of all ages.


LINDA VALENTINO MICHEL

Florida Doll Artist, Linda Valentino Michel has been creating dolls for more than twenty years, first in cloth, now in porcelain. She says of her dolls: "I love and believe in dolls because unlike anything else, they have human characteristics that we can identify with and love. We can see in dolls certain qualities that we see in people so that when we are attracted to certain dolls, it's because of a quality that we cherish in others, such as the sweet pout of a child or their innocence. These are the qualities I try to capture with my dolls."

During the past four years, Linda has significantly increased her name recognition as one of the most popular (and award-winning) doll artists in the U.S. and Europe while maintaining the integrity of her limited edition artist dolls. She is a member of the ever popular Linda Rick Doll Maker & Friends network. You can see some of her dolls at www.dollmakerfriends.com

Linda is from Weeki Wachee, Florida, home of one of Florida's oldest tourist attractions, where for decades you have been able to watch the Mermaids swim in the crystal clear waters, having entetained millions. When she isn't sculpting dolls, Linda is designing award-winning, museum quality jewelry. 

Some of Linda's dolls will be available in the Biltmore Village Doll Shop booth in the Sales Room. She will be available for Doll Signings.


A. GLENN MANDEVILLE

Glenn Mandeville is a noted author, columnist, speaker, collector and appraiser. He is regarded among doll collectors as an expert in identifying and appraising modern collectible dolls. He often lectures and presents slide programs on collectible and modern dolls. He has evaluated more than $6 million worth of collector dolls.

He currently writes for Doll Castle News, Doll Reader Magazine and several other publications from time to time. Glenn is currently involved with producing more "doll related" writing endeavors for the future, which, he predicts, is "a Collector's dream come true"!

His numerous books and price guides have been about dolls such as Ginny, Cissy, Madame Alexander, Celebrity Dolls, Collectible Dolls, Contemporary Doll Stars, 60's Dolls and the list goes on. He has held many offices with varying doll clubs, organizations and conventions.

Glenn is a native of the Philadelphia area but now resides in Gastonia, North Carolina. He is sharing his knowledge with doll clubs in the southeast, making presentations at their meetings and luncheons, and participating as a Dealer at doll shows in the area.

Glenn will have a large variety of dolls available in the Sales Room. Glenn will be Hosting a Ginny Luncheon, holding a Seminar on Fashion Dolls, and he and Richard will hold a Barbie Seminar.  


DORITA M. MORTENSEN

Dorita Mortensen is the Editor of DOLL CASTLE NEWS, our DOLL & BEAR EXPO 2008 Co-Sponsor. She is the daughter of the magazine's founder, Edwina L. Mueller. She enjoys editing, writing and meeting the talented and interesting doll artists and collectors in the industry. Dorita's upbringing, which consisted of sharing with hundreds of foster children and dolls, instilled a wonderful love of children, appreciation of dolls and natural desire to share with doll collectors.

Dorita is an accomplished doll evengelist who also contributes to the industry by setting up beautiful doll displays at libraries and museums, and by introducing new generations to doll collecting. She believes a doll is to be loved, played with and most of all enjoyed! One of her favorite pastimes is sewing for dolls. As Edwina's assistant seamstress she dressed a L.E. Steiff bear for Meyer's Dolls of New Jersey and is looking forward to dressing the Doll Castle News Luncheon Souvenir Doll for our DOLL & BEAR EXPO 2008.

Dorita's delightful personality is captured within each page of Doll Castle News as she has a keen talent for reviewing, rewriting, and editing. She also contributes with her own original writing. Her editorial interests also include planning the content of each issue, and reviewing story ideas proposed by writers to choose the material that will most appeal to readers. Her name has appeared in nearly every issue publishing, beginning in 1961, since "Dorita Alice Doll Fashion Patterns" were designed by Edwina as a dedication to Dorita.

Stop by and meet Dorita in the Sales Room at the Doll Castle News booth. www.dollcastlemagazine.com She will be Hosting the Doll Castle News Luncheon, and is involved in a Workshop.


RALPH PARR

Ralph started collecting Barbie soon after he bought his favorite niece Kayla a 1994 Snow Princess Barbie from the Enchanted Season Collection. He liked Kayla's Barbie so much that he purchased one for himself. After that he couldn't resist buying all of the Gone With The Wind Barbie and Ken dolls in the series. Now, he owns more than 3,000 Barbie's, Barbie's friends, and relatives. His two and a half car garage has been turned into a Barbie Wonderland, displaying Barbie Dolls (both vintage and new), Barbie Fashions and Barbie accessories.

Ralph was one of the lucky little boys growing up in the late 50's  and early 60's, who was allowed to play with his sister's Barbie as he played with his Ken, G.I. Joe and Captain American Dolls. He always liked Barbie best because she had the coolest clothes and accessories. Eventually he received one of his own Barbie Dolls, a Midge, a Skipper, an Alan, and so on.

Barbie's stylish fashions captivated him so much so that he wanted to be a Fashion Designer when he went into the work world. Unfortunately this dream career did not come to pass, so collecting Barbie and her wonderful fashions of today, is a good substitute to still be able to be involved with the fashion world of today, but in Barbie size. 

Ralph grew up in a very small coal field town in the mountains of Virginia. He graduated from the University of Virginia-Wise with a BA in business. He has been doing Doll Shows since 2002. The main reason he started to do Shows was to help fund his Barbie addiction. He still does Shows for this reason plus it helps him meet more Barbie Lover's like himself, and it continues to help him promote the Fashion Doll of all time, Barbie.

Due to his love of Barbie he started a local Fashion Doll Club in his the town where he lives, Johnson City, TN. and is serving his second term as President of the club. He carries a "Wall of Barbie's" to all of our Shows, extending forty eight feet long, and stacked five rows high. Every Barbie Collector in the Southeast, and elsewhere, knows Ralph, or has heard of him.

Ralph is a regular on the Barbie forums, blogs and chat rooms on the Internet, communicating with fellow Barbie Lovers across the country and around the world. He has been mentioned in articles in the leading doll magazines, where his "Wall of Barbie's" was the focus of discussion. Barbie fans will drive hundreds of miles to attend a Show in order to visit with, and shop with Ralph. He probably has the largest "mobile" selection and variety of Barbie's in the country. 

We call him "MR. BARBIE" as that is appears to be his favorite subject of all time. Ralph will have his awesome selection of older and new Barbie's set up in the Sales Room so you can find and buy that special Barbie you've been looking for. He will also be hosting our "Barbie Luncheon" on Saturday. 


DIANA EUFRASIO VINING

Diana Vining, Assistant-to-the-Editor at DOLL CASTLE NEWS enjoys researching, writing and presenting doll event programs. She is a proud member of the United Federation of Doll Clubs and the Original Paper Doll Artists Guild.

Diana is also a paper doll artist and doll designer. Diana's paper dolls have been published in Doll Castle News, Doll News, Doll Reader, Dolls and Contemporary Doll Collector. Diana's doll designs have been used to create limited edition dolls for Lee Middleton Doll Co., Vogue Dolls, Madame Alexander Co., and Diamond Doll Designs.

Diana creates naturally charming paper dolls and doll designs that capture the hearts of collectors. Diana will have her paper dolls available in the Sales Room. www.prettypix4u.com  She will be Co-Hosting the Doll Castle News Luncheon and holding two Workshops.


RICHARD M. CHAPMAN

Richard Chapman began seriously collecting dolls in 1997 after seeing a book on collecting Barbie dolls at a Barnes and Noble store where he was the assistant manager. Richard met and began helping Glenn Mandeville with his doll business, and writing in 2000.

He enjoys traveling far and wide to doll shows throughout the north and southeast. Richard, who has a BA in English from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, was happy to share his love of collecting through several articles that he has written for Barbie Bazaar and more recently Doll Reader Magazine.

Richard keeps up with the latest trends and releases of new product, as well as some very nice vintage dolls and accessories. He always has a nice selection available on eBay under the name richardmchapman so check out his listings. You're sure to find something that you may have been looking for. He and Glenn keep a good inventory so if they don't have something at a show, ask them about it, as they may have it at home, and can ship it to you.

Richard and Glenn will have an excellent variety of dolls available in the Sales Room. He and Gleen will be conducting a Barbie Seminar. 


ELIZABETH DYE

Elizabeth Dye (pictured with her daughter Destiny) is a member of, and the Membership Chairperson for the Professional Doll Makers Art Guild PDMAG), and a very talented sculptor.

Elizabeth has some of the most precious Fairies you'd want to see. She has been sculpting in polymer clay for more than fifteen years. She won First Place in the Professional Category 2006 ProSculpt Scholarship Contest with her doll "Draming Of A Prince."

She was featured on the cover of the August 2007 issue of Doll Crafter & Costuming Magazine, along with an article in the magazine on making polymer clay dolls. She has shown her creations at numerous industry events such as IDEX in Orlando, Florida. When you see her work, you can tell there is love in her heart and magic in her fingers. It shows through her intriguing and wonderful creations.

Elizabeth will teach a three part Workshop on "How To Make A Fine Art Doll" and will have her beautiful Fairies available in the Sales Room. www.destinysgarden.com


JUDITH EPPOLITO

Before giving full time to Ashenberry, Judy worked as a therapist for 20 years, offering advice and counsel. She began making bears and other critters in 1991, after one of many lunch-time visits to a local bear shop. She has been involved in both needle and the fine arts (sewing, quilting, needlework, knitting, stained glass, metal work) since a very young age. "Stuffed animals" have always been a favorite thing for her to collect.

The inspiration for her work comes from a myriad of life experiences, children's books and a varity of animal friends who have touched her life in so many ways. Over the years, her range of designs has grown and the focus has shifted primarily to the whimsical and humorous. She is well known for her attention to detail, and, as all of her work is solely done by her, you will rarely see her animals in shops. She prefers the personal contact afforded by attending trade shows, and has been fortunate to make many close and lasting friendships through this avenue.

In 2006 Judy moved from upstate New York to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. She lives in a fabulous mountain-top house, which is nestled in the woods and overlooks George Washington National Forest. It is very inspiring, and it is there that she has learned to slow down and enjoy life. Judy says: "I consider myself very lucky indeed, as my work is my play is my work is my joy."

You will enjoy seeing and collecting her critters, animals with attitudes. You can visit her in the Sales Room. You can also visit her website at www.ashenberry.com 

 
CONSTANCE "CONNIE" BLAIN

Connie Blain is a Collector and Dealer of quality Antique Dolls and accessories. She currently serves as President of the National Antique Doll Dealers Association (NADDA). 

Connie will have a good variety of Antique Dolls and accessories in the Sales Room. She will be conducting a Seminar about Antique Dolls.


JUDITH "BING" RUITER

Bing is a very talented Artist who makes African American cloth dolls. Each doll is very different, having its own character and personality.

Bing will have some of her wonderful dolls in our Sales Room so stop by and take a look, and then take your favorite home with you.


SALLY WINEY

Sally Winey is in love with Bears as is evidenced by the photo. She was a designer for TY Beanie Babies, has worked with Planet Plush, Cascade Toys and Knickerbocker.

You may have seen Sally on QVC, HSN or the Discovery Channel. She has been designing toys and plush animals for awhile.

Sally has written books and made videos on Bear Making. She also can switch hats, put on her Doctors smock and make Bear Repairs. She is so good at restoring antique Bears that Steiff has recommended her to some of their customers.

Sally now makes Winey Bears, which are a joy to see, hold and cuddle. She will have her Bears available in the Sales Room. www.sallywineybears.com  She will be Hosting a Bear Breakfast.


SANDI TUCKER

Sandi Tucker was born and raised in the west. She moved to New York City in 1966 where she worked as a commercial artist and fashion illustrator. In 1985 she formed her own company, PennDesign, Inc. located in Philadelphia, PA. Early in 1997 Sandi retired from her design studio and moved to South Carolina with her husband.

Now it was time to look for something fun to do besides designing toys and packaging for the major toy and licensing companies in the world. Her love of dolls came to the fore. Sandi had plenty of art equipment, but decided that the one thing she did not need to buy was a kiln. Sandi loves to sew so rather than work in porcelain she taught herself to do needle sculpture. Once she found a look she liked, it was just a matter of finding the type of dolls she would like to specialize in.

Sandi created Cherished Cherubs, 14" fabric dolls that look like real children. Her speciality is creating dolls on custom order. Using a photograph and occasionally the actual outfit or fabric, Sandi matches the eyes, hair and clothes so her dolls look like the children in the photos.

Sandi is a talented and gifted Artisan. She creates a variety of items including making and Needle Sculpting a Fabric Doll. The Workshop at our DOLL & BEAR EXPO 2008 will teach class members how to do needle sculpture and how to create a fabric doll all their own.

Sandi will have her items available in the Sales Room. 


CECE GOIN

Cece Goin, known as The Dolly Doctor, has more than twenty-five years experience in doll repair and restoration. A Chemist by profession, she has developed her own solutions for cleaning the different types of fabrics and doll medium. A lot of other "Doctors" buy and use Cece's products.

She can make instant repairs for minors things but when needed, she transports the Dolls to her Dolly Hospital for major TLC. Cece has loved, collected and "doctored" on dolls all of her life. As a child she made puppets and marionettes. She is truly an "artist" when it comes to the restoration of a Doll.

Cece has lots of parts, eyes, fabrics, shoes and all the necessities to properly restore your treasured Doll. She has her own "precious babies" and knows what its like when one needs a little stitch here or some minor surgery there. She is a jewel of a Lady, with a lot of talent in her hands. You can trust the Doctor. At our Shows, the sign always reads, "The Dolly Doctor is in and open for business."

The Dolly Doctor will be available in the Sales Room. www.thedollydoctor.com  She will conduct a Workshop about caring for dolls.


ELVIRA PEELE

Elvira Peele was born in Czechoslovakia where she got just one doll at Christmas, now at age 74 in Myrtle Beach, SC, her home is like a doll museum. Having no more than five dolls as a child, she now has hundreds.

Elvira makes regular dolls that sell for $250 to $650 each, while her miniatures sell for $25 to $97 each. She began making dolls in 1985 and has since won many National Doll Artists Competitons, as you can see by the ribbons and awards displayed in her home.

Her dolls' clothes and accessories are exquisite. Lace accents hems, rings adorn fingers, earrings dazzle ears, big-brim hats frame delicate faces, and feathers in hats add class. All of this elegance is created by Elvira's steady hands. You will want to visit Elvira in the Sales Room and brownse through her wonderful collection of dolls, choosing just the right one to add to your personal collection.


THELMA RESCH

Thelma Resch was born in New Kensington, a small town near Pittsburgh, PA. Her mother made all of their clothes and her grandmother made quilts from scraps of fabric. Thelma would spend hours cutting out little pieces of material for her grandmother to piece together. During the Depression, there was little money for toys, but Thelma managed to make toys out of everyday household items.

Thelma was sculpting her own dolls at the age of five. She would make dolls and animals for her dollhouse from cakes of soap. Thelma was recognized for her artistic talents as she won awards in school for her art and took as many elective courses as were available at the time. However, art was not a popular vocation in those days. Her talent would not fully manifest itself until many years later.

And, as they say, "the rest is history" for today, Thelma Resch is an accomplished Award-Winning Doll Artist. She has won more than a dozen top awards such as The International Doll Makers Association Silver Award, DOLLS Award of Excellance, DOTY and IDEX.

She says: "Naturally, I will always be making some sort of doll. It is like breathing." Thelma will be in the Sales Room with some of her dolls and some doll making supplies. 


MARY DOWD

Mary Dowd made her first mohair Bear in 1994 and she says "it was love at first cut" working with the mohair material. It was not long before she started creating her own designs for Bears. She loves making both modern, whimsical Bears and traditional old style Teddys. Mary wants each of her creations to look like it "has a story to tell."

She has Bears ranging in size from 4 to 26 inches. They are all original designs, fully jointed, and individually hand sewn. She uses English or German mohair and the Bears have either glass or antique boot button eyes. Each Bear comes with a sewn in tag and a signed hand tag. Most of her creations are one of a kind. Occasionally there may be a small edition of 2 - 3 pieces.

Mary lives on a farm in the foothills of the North Carolina within view of Pilot Mountain, an ancient guide to Indians and early settlers traveling the length and breath of the Appalachian Mountains. She had just as soon stay home. "Going out" to her means walking the dogs or feeding the horses.

Mary will have her Bears available in the Sales Room. www.yadtel.net/~mgdowd/


SANDRA CATOE
 
Sandra Catoe is a Doll Artist who specializes in Newborns and Reborns. Her babies are so precious, and realistic, that you have to take a second look to be sure they aren't real babies.

Sandra will be setup in the Sales Room so be sure you look at all of her wonderful babies.


MARGARET "MEG" JACKSON

When Margaret Jackson was a little cub her parents gave her a Teddy Bear for her third Christmas. It was love at first hug! From that day forward Meg had a special love in her heart for all bears, syarting a collection that fills the "Bear Room" in her North Carolina home. Somewhere in her past while moving, Meg's Teddy Bear, "Pinney" was put into storage and was later sold at auction without Meg's knowledge.

Meg search for "Pinney" for so many years, to no avail. She has so much love for "Pinney" she decided to remember his spirit by creating and making her own "Pinney Bears".

So many have been created through the love of Meg's hands, that she has decided to share her love of Pinney Bears through adoption. They are all hand designed and sewn in either German or English Mohair or synthetic fur. They come in many different colors and sizes. They are fully jointed and are filled with a combination of excelsior, polyester stuffing, cedar chips, steel shot and/or glass beads.

They are all one of a kind with their own wonderful personality and plenty of love to give. As pictured above, Meg took top honors at the 2005 Discover! competition in the Bears and Animals category, receiving a crystal award for her "Belle" Bear. www.pinneybears.com She will have her Bears available in the Sales Room.


MARGARET "MARGIE" ROSS-DRYDEN

Margie has been making Margie's Bears since 1997 and has won a few awards at local Doll and Bear Shows in Pennsylvania. She always tries to bring something new, and anything that catches her fancy, to her designs.

Most of her Bears don't take on their individual personality until they are almost complete. She puts a lot of love and effort into making her One-Of-A-Kind Bears. She uses a variety of materials to make them different, attractive, lovable, huggable and durable.

All of her Bears come with a signed hang tag with Bear Facts including name and materials. They also come with a blank Adoption Certificate so the Collector can fill it in. You can find Margie and her Bears in the Sales Room.
  

SARAH LYNN BABIK

Sarah is a sculptor and Doll Artist. She owns Diamond Doll Designs in Sealy, Texas, which not only sells her dolls but those of renowned Doll Artists Beverly Stoehr and Pat Moulton who have captivated collectors for nearly 20 years with their wonderfully detailed and charming creations.

At this time they are producing porcelain dolls in editions of 150 or less. The dolls range in size from 14" full body porcelain to 28" porcelain/cloth and babies 17" to 21". Each Diamond Doll comes with a signature ring charm which is representative of the company's motto: "Diamond's and Dolls are a girl's best friend."

Sarah will be setup in our Sales Room so be sure and stop by to take a peek at these brand new 2008 creations. Visit www.diamonddolldesigns.com for more details.


DEBRA DEFORTE
                                                                                                               
Debra DeForte from Wilde Imagination, Inc. will have Ellowyne Wilde (created and designed by Robert Tonner) and Evangeline Ghastly (created by Joe Petrollese and sculpted by Robert Tonner) dolls, fashions and accessories.

Debra will be setup in our Sales Room. You will definitely want to stop by and visit with Ellowyne and Evangeline. Visit www.wildeimagination.com, www.ellowynewilde.com and www.evangelineghastly.com for more details.