Dollieh Sanctuary

Help my addiction is getting worse...

So I was doing a charity shop run hoping to find some old dolls to practice repaints/customising on when I found a girl called a Dollikin. She was in next to a vintage Barbie, which I was originally tempted to get, but A wasn't sure if I'd be able to get the staining off her legs and B wasn't sure if she'd be a fake or not (they had them in a case so I couldn't check anything) I was intrigued by her jointing (articulated dolls have become a bit of an obsession)

She came completely naked I had plans to fix her up a bit even if it was just a reroot (she may still do but we'll see after a wash), but she seems in better condition than I thought there just seems to be a bit of staining/dirt on her face and her hair is a bit tatty. The only thing I think I dislike about her is the orangey fleshtone colour.


I'l admit I am beginning to get a soft spot for these vintage dolls faces now I might need to go back for that Barbie...

Anyone know any more about her? She was an impulse buy and nothing on her back except 'Dollikin US patent' no year or anything

EDIT: Might consider trying to change her elastic, but even that seems in pretty good nick

This would be your best place for a full explanation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dollikins.

A nice vintage find that will do well with a bit of TLC

I have two actually and I do quite enjoy their expressions heh.
Dollikin Dressed by kd_230692, on Flickr

They can actually squeeze in older Barbie pants quite easily but I prefer them wearing things that covers their hips since they have a bit of a wide stance. I find stuff that's sorta bigger than modern barbie but slightly smaller than vintage Barbie fits well and Liv doll shoes tend to fit them the best.

What you have is actually an Action Girl which is the US release. They're different from Dollikins cuz they have a side glancing expression and a lack of a ponytail thingy instead of dollikins who have a tiny tied up hairstyle and forward glancing eyes.

EDIT: Also clones of Barbie tend to be pretty unique finds (they're not usually too expensive but they can be harder to track down)....

She does look nice in clothes after looking on Flickr. Her hips and legs did shock me a little at first her lower legs seem far to short, unless I'm too used to unrealistic long legged dolls now), but coincidentally they don't look to dissimilar to a Bratzillaz mod I once attempted I only have 90s-2000 Barbie clothes from my childhood collection, but I'm sure they'll be something to fit her temporarily.

After undoing her ribbon there isn't even any missing plugs, I think Magic Eraser will get rid of the grubbiness on her face yes? Kinda thinking I may end up Obitsuing her depending how things go. I don't want to sound like a doll snob, but the plastic feels cheap and that's niggling at me some reason.

EDIT: Currently giving her a hair wash, I can't tell if the pony tail shape is going to come out or not.

I have yet to locate my doll wig spray which I was hoping could solve the problem I just gave it a quick go with some 2 in 1 I had lying around hoping that it would be similar enough to conditioner. I think I've gotten some of the ponytail style out I just don't want to toy with the idea of boiling it straight it seems scary.

Still got that frizziness akin to my Barbies back in the day though I don't know if just caking it in conditioner and combing it will do anything.

To be honest there's frizzy flyaways all over her hair I don't know if there's some kind of doll hair gel you can get to keep those down?


If nothing the grubbiness on her face seems to have gone the more I look at her eyes it seems like she'd rock rooted eyelashes. Think I've figured out an outfit for her, but the thigh gap is probably going to be a problem I feel like I need another one or a damaged one to experiment with how it would look if you closed the gap.

Arkinlae wrote:I have yet to locate my doll wig spray which I was hoping could solve the problem I just gave it a quick go with some 2 in 1 I had lying around hoping that it would be similar enough to conditioner. I think I've gotten some of the ponytail style out I just don't want to toy with the idea of boiling it straight it seems scary.

Still got that frizziness akin to my Barbies back in the day though I don't know if just caking it in conditioner and combing it will do anything.
To be honest there's frizzy flyaways all over her hair I don't know if there's some kind of doll hair gel you can get to keep those down?

Honestly just running it under hot water will manage the hair much better since heating the hair gently will make it go straighter than just leaving it cold lol. I definitely recommend boiling water for it though... Conditioner does make the hair be a bit less dry and brittle since older doll hair does dry out and it'll be easier to manage I find...

I use this mohawk hair product (on the left) since it dries clear and it's stiff as heck but still can be washed out:

Ugh her hair is takes so long to dry. It seems to have improved though just the ends still seem frizzy. I may do another boil wash to see if I can get the last bits out, but if not I might just have to stay with what I've got.


I have an idea for her too she'll probably end up being Laurie Juspeczyk AKA Silk Spectre II the hair just made me think of her (either that or Mara Jade Skywalker, but I prefer the former). I'm just not sure how to do her costume around her thigh gap yet. I was thinking her graphic novel costume as I think it will fit with the dolls vintage aesthetic better, but that has to be see through which do people think? I personally don't mind either as I love the movie anyway. She' may end up needing a Silk Spectre I companion if she turns out okay... yeah I've just figured what I can do with the Vintage Barbie

Halp! I only just noticed this. I'm not sure if it's because of the boil washing or just from age. I hope it's the latter.


She has it on the opposite side too. Is there a chance it could get worse/break or can it be fixed?