Collectible Dolls: Love ’em or Hate ’em?

We offer a lot of collectible dolls for sale, and you can check them out here: Browse Dolls at Backroadpicking.

When I’m out shopping for items to sell, dolls often end up on my radar. Why? Because they usually come as part of a collection. Last year, I bought a larger group of porcelain dolls, and earlier this year, a big collection of Precious Moments dolls. Those are just a couple of examples, but it happens fairly often.

Once they come in, we inspect, research, and decide where they belong. Not all of them make it online to be listed—some get pilfered by my granddaughter, some end up in our booth at the Peddlers Mall, some are reserved for crafting, and the rest go up on eBay, Etsy, Backroadpicking.com, and a few other platforms.

And if they’re not perfect but still sought after? We’ll sometimes sell them “as-is” for parts.

Dolls for Crafting: A New Life

Did you catch the mention of crafting? It’s a big deal in the doll world. Artists and hobbyists love to repaint dolls—giving them completely new looks. That’s why damaged dolls aren’t trash to me; they’re an opportunity.

I’ve seen dolls get fresh paint on their faces, new hair dyed or wigs replaced, updated clothing, and even full makeovers that turn them into something totally different. It’s a whole creative niche, and one I’d like to try for myself one day. It seems like so much fun to take a doll that’s lost its shine and give it a brand-new life instead of sending it to a landfill.

The Joy of Collecting

Collecting dolls can be both fun and meaningful. Many collectors display their dolls in seasonal setups, changing their outfits or positions to match the time of year. Others collect them for nostalgia—maybe it’s the same doll they had as a child or one they always admired in a store window.

It’s not just about owning a doll; it’s about the memories, the creativity, and the artistry that come with displaying and caring for them.

Cute or Creepy? You Decide

So how is it that some dolls look adorable while others seem downright creepy? Well, beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.

Some dolls have exquisite features—shiny hair, detailed eyes, elaborate costumes—and are works of art. Others… well, let’s just say they missed the mark. Maybe they’ve faded with age, maybe they were cheaply made, or maybe they were designed with features that are more unsettling than sweet (yes, Chucky comes to mind!).

The truth is, no doll is perfect for everyone. What one person finds charming, another might find nightmare fuel. And that’s okay.

Finding Your Perfect Fit

Whether you love dolls or avoid them, there’s no denying their variety. New, old, pretty, plain, talking, porcelain, or plastic—the list goes on and on. Somewhere out there is a doll that fits your taste, style, or collection.

So, love ’em or hate ’em, collectible dolls are here to stay. The real question is: which one is perfect for you?

👉 Explore our current collection here: Backroadpicking Doll Collection.