I started with 120 dolls, with a stretch goal to downsize by 50% (60 dolls), and a realistic goal of 25% (30 dolls). Well, as expected, I did not make the stretch goal. These 32 dolls (26%) are going to be sold or gifted.
Many are dolls I’d saved for customizing. But realistically, I’m not going to get around to all the projects I imagine — better that they go to a new home.
RH Carmen I’m sad to let go of. I was SO excited for her, and so glad to get her when she first released. I loved her clown hair and many of her outfit pieces. But I find it difficult to style and photograph her and thus I never really gravitate to her, neither for just playing nor art. Similarly, the Barbie Extra with multicolored hair — she’s fun, but not particularly inspiring.
OMG Sunshine: I kept all her pieces, but since all the OMGs have basically the same face and body, I just didn’t feel as attached to her. I don’t particularly like her hair texture (though I love the color).
Here are some restyles I did, while I tried to decide if the “maybes” were going to stay or go.
Jr high Jade, wearing RH Daphne’s top,RH Jett’s shoes, an OMG necklace, and an octopus armband from…Descendants, I think? She’s staying. I like her compact size and her hair is so soft. I kind of want to give it some highlights, or different colored pieces…it’s a very flat, easter-grass green that I don’t love.
This troll gal a friend thrifed for me, wearing some other brands jewelry, Ghoulia’s arm (hers are missing), and Hairmazing pants. This is so not her final look, but I’m lacking many clothes options for MH; they don’t trade well with my other fashion dolls. I really love her huge ears and hair. She stays, for now.
Nanana Melanie, wearing a Loopsy dress and Nanana Mimi’s panda shoes. She’s staying for now. I like her soft body; much like Jr high Jade, she’s just a nice size to hold. The hat is a drawback for restyling. I wonder if it’s possible to remove the hat and root hair, or maybe make a wig?
Operetta, another staying-for-now. Wearing EAH shoes, custom pants, bratz tops, OMG jacket and earrings. I LOVE her face sculpt and tattoos. I do NOT love the red hair and purple body. Maybe I’ll try dyeing her hair all black.
Cave Club Bashley, wearing Roller Maze Lagoona’s dress, some necklace as a belt, barbie bracelets, and OMG glasses. I also redid her hair a bit. She’s staying. Much like the MH dolls, she’s difficult for me to restyle; I just don’t have a lot of clothing options in her size. But I love her big feet and her makeup.
Here’s the pile of maybes that are now keeps.
Not pictured is a duplicate Gamma Babe (I just really, really love her). Bottom row is customizing-fodder/parts: Coffee Break Frankie, in case my custom Frankie needs new pieces; Ghoulias that both need hair reroots; 3 mtm barbie bodies; Daria for doing RH experiments on (I already carved out her hip joints, and I want to practice eye swapping and hair dying); and a 3rd Gooliope for parts and maybe customizing.
The top row is restyles and maybes-turned-keeps. Several are just different to the rest of my collection, and I like having that variety. My main takeaway at this point is I want more clothes that fit MH dolls. Restyling is a big way I play and bond with my dolls, so not having many options is quite limiting.
I may do another pass at culling several months in the future, once I’ve had a chance to restyle/customize/play with the current dolls. Specifically, I feel like I have a few too many RH girls to fully bond with all of them (I have 20), but I’m going to play with them for a while and see how I feel.
xo,
Rose
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I love this saga! I’m looking to downsize as well so I might follow your example. Thank you for showing us your process, it’s actually very interesting! We often get caught up in the whole “need more dolls” and end up not paying attention to the dolls we already have. Very cool to watch your selection!
Thanks for reading! I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Good luck in your own downsizing!
I love seeing the process! It’s nice to see how different collectors deal with their collection! And also congrats, it’s so hard to even get rid of one single doll 😭
I’m really interested in other collections, too! I’d love it if other users made similar posts, either about downsizing or rotating or organizing. It is soooo hard to let go of the dolls! but it’s already made me more creative and less overwhelmed, so i’m glad i’m doing it!