. . . and that conclusion is that finding more than 2 matching plates is a PAIN IN THE NECK. Finding 4 is a miracle, but a full service of 8 is an impossibility.
Seriously, the current canon from Mattel states that there are four Roberts sisters, Barbie, Skipper, Stacie, and Chelsea. However, food and dishes only come in sets of two (with a playset). Most kids have more than two Barbies, so what are those dolls supposed to do for dinner? Wait until the other dolls are done and have washed their dishes to have something to eat off of? Or is this stuff for when Barbie shoos everyone out of the house for date night with Ken/Blaine/whoever Mattel says she's dating at the time? I can't be be the only one who'd snap up a proper, full set of 1:6 scale dishes if I had the chance.
Sorry for the mini rant. I'm trying to put together a set of dishes for my doll crew (a set being dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and cups), and considering there are a minimum of 10 of them who are canonically living in the same house, two plates won't cut it. It doesn't help that the cook of the crew is mad at me because not only is he still waiting for his reroot and faceup, but I'm dragging my feet finding him proper kitchen appliances and dishes . . . (Sorry, Seth . . . I promise I'll have your kitchen set up some day . . .)
I've decided the best solution to the problem is to just buy of lots/bundles of Barbie dishes and pots on eBay, pick out what I want, and spray paint them all the same color, then bundle up what I don't want and donate it to Goodwill. (Some kid would probably be very excited. Or maybe even some adult. I know I'd be happy to find a ziplock of Barbie dishes at Goodwill.)
Anybody happen to have any resources for 1:6 scale dishes before I pull my hair out sorting hundreds of tiny plates?