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View Full Version : Let's talk about Waldrof style dolls



peanut520
10-18-2010, 04:04 PM
DD is super attached to my brother's old cabbage patch doll (it is 25 yrs old), but has a few bumps and bruises from the hard plastic head. i am hoping to get her very one doll for the holidays or her 2nd birthday. i like the bamboletta dolls, but doubt i will be able to get one. are there other quality handmade dolls out there? are there companies that are willing to customize? i would love to get her a doll with asian features since she is of mixed asian decent.

Melaine
10-18-2010, 04:11 PM
Oh me me me! I want to talk. LOL.
Here are some other Etsy sellers who make custom Waldorf-inspired doll similar to Bamboletta.
http://www.windsorpeak.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=372560&highlight=bamboletta

My DDs are getting custom dolls from Chimi & Changa as a late birthday gift. They should actually go out in the mail today. Can't wait. I LOVE that she does custom designed dresses for the girl WITH matching dress for the doll. I think her prices are really reasonable for all that you get (custom doll, custom doll dress and child's dress). She can incorporate your DDs' favorite things/colors, etc. into her design. I have definitely seen Asian waldorf-inspired babies, so I'm sure you could ask about it. I will be sure to report back on our dolls when they arrive.

Here's the link to Chimi & Changa: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CHIMIandCHANGA?ga_search_query=chimi+and+changa&ga_search_type=seller_usernames
Click on "262 sales" to find examples of her work.

peanut520
10-18-2010, 04:39 PM
Oh me me me! I want to talk. LOL.
My DDs are getting custom dolls from Chimi & Changa as a late birthday gift. They should actually go out in the mail today. Can't wait. I LOVE that she does custom designed dresses for the girl WITH matching dress for the doll. I think her prices are really reasonable for all that you get (custom doll, custom doll dress and child's dress). She can incorporate your DDs' favorite things/colors, etc. into her design. I have definitely seen Asian waldorf-inspired babies, so I'm sure you could ask about it. I will be sure to report back on our dolls when they arrive.



how cute! let me know how they turned out. i would love to hear about your experience.

Melaine
10-19-2010, 12:46 PM
Here is a photo of our dolls. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/photo.php?fbid=485085960519&set=a.314732650519.193066.287830825519

Can't wait to see them in person.

MommyofAmaya
10-19-2010, 02:19 PM
Here is a photo of our dolls. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/photo.php?fbid=485085960519&set=a.314732650519.193066.287830825519

Can't wait to see them in person.

:heartbeat::heartbeat::heartbeat::heartbeat:

peanut520
10-19-2010, 03:28 PM
Melaine- i cant wait to look at the pic, but i'm on a work pc so no facebook for me.

to all the momma/daddas that have bought waldorf/steiner dolls, are they worth the price?

LaCostaMom
10-20-2010, 12:48 PM
Melaine - those are TDF! Adorable! I'm sure your girls will love them (LOL - I do!).

MommyAllison
10-20-2010, 01:33 PM
I made one for my DD, and am finishing up one for my DS. I use kits from www.dancingraindolls.com - definitely a cheaper way to go. If you want to buy one though, I have heard lots of great things about www.hyenacart.com/hillcountrydollmaker and she does custom dolls.

My DD does love her waldorf doll! I make her a new doll outfit every year for Christmas or her birthday, and she loves having a wardrobe to choose from. She does have a Bitty Baby that she really likes too, and a collectable doll MIL got for her which gets the least play. If she wants to sleep with a doll, she usually chooses the Waldorf - she is the softest, snuggliest one. I am looking forward to giving DS his, since it will be his only doll I think it will get a lot of love (DS is a snuggler).

ETA: Looks like Dancing Rain Dolls is closed (and had some customer service problems before closing anyway). Sorry! Here are some others that look great too:
http://hyenacart.com/lolaandleo/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Veelana
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Dragonflyshollow (closed for customs right now though)

peanut520
10-21-2010, 09:58 AM
Here is a photo of our dolls. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/photo.php?fbid=485085960519&set=a.314732650519.193066.287830825519

Can't wait to see them in person.

:heartbeat::heartbeat::heartbeat: They are too adorable!:heartbeat::heartbeat::heartbeat:

MommyAllison - all i can sew is a button! so unfortunately i'm going to have to go the purchase route!

peanut520
11-03-2010, 10:29 AM
Bump for additional ideas... i've checked out the sights (thanks Melaine) and the ones i like most likely will not have dolls ready for christmas. i am still trying for the bamboletta dolls, but have not had too much luck. any other idea or suggestions?

ahisma
11-03-2010, 12:24 PM
www.hyenacart.com/hillcountrydollmaker


We have one from Hill Country Dollmaker and LOVE it! She was fantastic to work with and had great custom options. I'm trying to decide between ordering another from her for DS2 or making him one.

I have also been very impressed with http://www.woolcreations.com/catalog.php?category=2 I haven't ordered a doll from her, but have friends who have and were very happy. We ordered one of the awesome hobby horses (custom) and were thrilled.

Both have great communication and are fantastic artisans.

Melaine
11-03-2010, 12:29 PM
Ok, I kind of forgot to update. Here is our blog with some photos of the dolls. They are so sweet; the girls just love them. There is just something warm and cuddly and special about these dolls. I've had fun making a few outfits for them, too. The only issue I'm a bit concerned about is them getting dirty as the girls have wanted to carry them everywhere!
http://sweettwinsdream.blogspot.com/

peanut520
11-03-2010, 12:42 PM
Ok, I kind of forgot to update. Here is our blog with some photos of the dolls. They are so sweet; the girls just love them. There is just something warm and cuddly and special about these dolls. I've had fun making a few outfits for them, too. The only issue I'm a bit concerned about is them getting dirty as the girls have wanted to carry them everywhere!
http://sweettwinsdream.blogspot.com/

the dolls and your girls are too adorable!! how long did it take you to order and get the dolls?

peanut520
11-03-2010, 12:45 PM
I have also been very impressed with http://www.woolcreations.com/catalog.php?category=2 I haven't ordered a doll from her, but have friends who have and were very happy. We ordered one of the awesome hobby horses (custom) and were thrilled.

Both have great communication and are fantastic artisans.

very cute, i'll have to contact them too!

Melaine
11-03-2010, 12:46 PM
the dolls and your girls are too adorable!! how long did it take you to order and get the dolls?

I'll PM you!

katydid1971
11-03-2010, 12:47 PM
Ok, I kind of forgot to update. Here is our blog with some photos of the dolls. They are so sweet; the girls just love them. There is just something warm and cuddly and special about these dolls. I've had fun making a few outfits for them, too. The only issue I'm a bit concerned about is them getting dirty as the girls have wanted to carry them everywhere!
http://sweettwinsdream.blogspot.com/
Your girls are so beautiful, just had to tell you (like you didn't know already)

Melaine
11-03-2010, 12:58 PM
Your girls are so beautiful, just had to tell you (like you didn't know already)

Awww thanks!:shy:

Melanie
11-03-2010, 01:04 PM
Melaine those dolls are super cute! It looks like your girls are having lots of fun with them.

I'm always wary of customs, even from dollmakers that I'd buy an RTG from, b/c dolls can look so differently, it really is an art. Those turned out great.

calv
01-21-2011, 05:39 PM
mel, are the chimi dolls easy to get? and if so roughly how much does each one cost?

Melaine
01-21-2011, 05:51 PM
mel, are the chimi dolls easy to get? and if so roughly how much does each one cost?

Now that Christmas is over I think you could easily get on her customs list (not sure the time frame that would give you)

As far as pricing, here are some of her packages and prices she has done in the past: http://www.chimiandchanga.bigcartel.com/

I would contact her through Facebook or etsy to ask about a custom.

calv
01-21-2011, 06:05 PM
I knew you'd be awesome about replying right away. thank you. the girls loving their babies or what?

so are they washable? how tall are they? tell me more. persuade me. tell me all that you love and don't love about the dolls. by quickly checking out cartel, it looks like a doll alone is anywhere between $60-$85? depending on the detail/fanciness of the doll?

Melaine
01-21-2011, 06:08 PM
I'm on the ipad so I will come back after dinner on my real keyboard and give you all the details.:waving4:

calv
01-21-2011, 06:09 PM
great thanks again. No rush! Not like I'm deciding to purchase one tonight or anything ;)

Melaine
01-21-2011, 07:31 PM
Ok, here is the deal. I just want to be clear that I bartered for the C&C dolls by writing the blog. So I am somewhat biased about this, but of course I will always be honest in my reviews and I'd be glad to answer any questions. I have also not owned any other Waldorf style dolls so I'm not the one to ask about comparisons. I'm really not 100% sure about her prices because I didn't actually purchase them. But I think that her prices for a doll and matching child and doll dresses are closer to $130-$140 so if you saw lower prices it might have been a payment plan, people seem to do that a lot on Etsy.
We have not washed the dolls. I would have to ask Sofia, but I think spot-cleaning is recommended. I have just used a wet wash cloth and that was gotten stuff off so far. Our dolls are 16" from toe to head. Like my children, their hair makes them much taller. :ROTFLMAO:I know for a fact that C&C dolls vary in size somewhat so I guess YMMV. I would not want them to be any bigger. Their chunkiness and full head of hair make them a handful for my girls! Their skin is super soft and I think they are the perfect stuffy-ness, not too stiff but don't have too much give either. Their hair is kind of like my daughters', super fun but a bit hard to style. I think it's the kind of yarn, it's more like dreads, which I love. If you want your young daughter to be able to style it, I might request a different gauge of yarn. I love their little faces, they are so sweet with a little turned up nose and smile. I think the quality is great on these. Like a lot of artists, Sofia's work is very unique. An example is that the two doll dresses are very different sizes. Both fit fine, but in different ways. No big deal and I love that they are totally one-of-a-kind.
I absolutely love the dresses for the girls that came with the dolls. They are great quality, super soft and have worn very well. They are very comfy, and definitely get picked often from the closet, almost, but not quite as often, as HA.

I really want to buy more clothes from Sofia, she makes some absolutely ADORABLE designs. Like these!!! http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150120195985520&set=a.314732650519.193066.287830825519
Acckk look at this Christmas dress: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150097044520520&set=a.314732650519.193066.287830825519
Oh this one too: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=474722024376&set=o.287830825519

Look at her facebook page for more examples of her stuff. If you do order a doll she is really creative and asks for lots input about what you want. You can be really specific. You can tell she really has a lot of fun with her work and that makes a big difference in the outcome.

Anyway, all that to say I am a huge fan and will definitely be buying more from Chimi & Changa in the future. :wink2: I'd be glad to answer any more questions.

ETA: Oh, just wanted to add that we have been able to put most of our doll clothes on them, like the 18" AG knock-off clothes, Polly & Friends, and stuff like that. I was glad about that since we had a bunch already.

calv
01-21-2011, 08:17 PM
great, thanks for your help. maybe i'll send her a message and see what she says. ugggh, just dropped 4 on the AG doll and a bunch of outfits, etc. now this? better than bratz & barbie though. enough' said, LOL!!!

AnnieW625
01-22-2011, 02:47 AM
Melaine, so glad that the dolls turned out so nicely! The blog is too cute.

Calv, please let me know what you find out. DD1 would love one of these dolls, and she is definitely getting a doll (most likely a single Bitty Twin, but will look at other options) for her birthday so now I just need to find the right one.

willow33
08-23-2011, 08:23 AM
I know this is an old thread, but I just bought DD a beautiful Waldorf doll from http://www.dragonflyshollow.com/ and can't wait to get it! This was one of the websites mentioned by a PP. Check out her stuff...the dolls are beyond beautiful!! If you like her on facebook you can see when she uploads her dolls. They go super quick, but I was lucky on my first try. Expensive, but something I know DD will love for a long time!!