Amazing Annalee!: The History of Annalee Dolls and New Annalee Dolls In My Shop!

The name Annalee is an American classic of doll making. With their classic, crinkle eyes and sweet, sly, smiles Annalee dolls have emerged as a folksy favorite for generations. From their beginnings in the 1950s in Meredith, New Hampshire, these dolls have left an imprint on knick-knack and doll lovers alike.

History of Annalee Dolls

A chicken farmer's wife named Annalee Thorndike created her homespun treasures with felt, paint, and careful stitching. Beginning  in the 1950's, Annalee needed to get serious about making money for her family after their farm failed.

Her chicken coop became her studio and she lovingly began crafting the dolls for profit. The early Annalees were people, but soon the familiar animal figurines such as the mice line came on the scene. 

Annalee is still going strong! You can visit Annalee Gift Shop to buy a few of these lovelies from this famous New Hampshire staple.

To learn more about Annalee and see their newest collection, visit Annalee.com

Look at some of the Annalee Dolls that are available for purchase in Past Passions Vintage Store on Etsy!

You too can add a little bit of Americana to your doll collection with a few of these cutie pies!

Visit Past Passions Vintage Etsy Shop to see see these whimsical wonders!

It's In the Bag! Buying and Selling Vintage Purses

Purses have long been a fashion accessory for women. From early Victorian chatelaines to  today's mini backpacks, purses have held a woman's life on her shoulder, hand, person, or back for hundred of years.

A handbag is a very personal thing to the wearer. It provides a glimpse into a woman's likes, fashion sense, and style. For some, it is merely a vessel to throw their keys and wallet into, and for others, it carries every thing that they could possibly need during their day such as a lipstick to a first aid kit.

What does your purse say about you? Is it purely utilitarian in purpose or a representation of your style? Do you prefer a bucket bag or a wrislet? A shoulder bag or a backpack?

The styles and items you place inside may be endless, but one thing is for sure, a purse is an absolute must for the majority of women. Most would not dare leave their homes without it. Make sure to add your comments below pertaining to your favorite purse styles.

Their purse is their trusty side kick, purveyor of their possessions, and an extension of themselves.

I know that I am a lover of all vintage accessories, but vintage purses take the cake. I remember scouring garage and estate sales for these fashionable beauties of yesteryear, hoping to find the perfect one to stash all of my possessions.

One of the first and utmost things that I looked for in a bag was quality.

What I looked for in a vintage bag: 

Was the stitching tight and even?
Did the clasp close properly?
Did it have any rips, stains, or issues on the outside of the purse or it's inner lining?
Was the leather or other material cracking or fading?
Was the handle flimsy or torn?
Was all the beading and rhinestones in place?

This was a biggie: Was it a designer handbag or did it have a maker's mark? Oh course, I wouldn't let a perfectly fabulous, fashionable bag go if it didn't have a maker's mark. That was just an added extra plus. 😀

If the purse passed these qualifications and the price was right, I bought it, loved it, and wore it. The majority of my purses dated from the 1950's to 1960's.

Now, it's your turn to buy and use these purses yourselves! I have added some stunning and chic vintage purses to my Past Passion Vintage Shop on Etsy.

By the way, the cream purse is complete with a pair of white with blue stitching glove!

Past Passions Vintage Shop On Etsy

Just look at some of the lovelies I have added below!

Unmarked Brown Purse with Ruching 

Turquoise Snap Closure on Cream Purse by Harry Levine 

  

White Gloves Included with the Bag! 

Black, Gold Frame, Wrislet, Purse with Rhinestones by Guild Originals  

What a Doll! Madame Alexander Dolls

Madame Alexander. The name is synonymous for the classic beauty of a quintessentially, American doll. From think, luxurious hair to long-lashed doe-eyed stares, Madame Alexander dolls are the supermodels of the doll world. The brand is a hallmark of quality and handcrafted design. Each detail is painstakingly rendered with precision and grace for women, girls, and doll lovers everywhere to enjoy.

I will be adding several Madame Alexander dolls to my shop. The first doll I listed is "USA Sacajawea". She is a lovely copper-skilled beauty patterned after Lewis and Clark's guide, Sacajawea. Her dark braids cascade over her shoulders and her baby is lovingly carried on her back using a cradle board. This doll is a true piece of Americana.

Below you will find some more information about these spellbinding, resin dolls that have continued to fascinate us for the past ninety-five years.

History of Madame Alexander 

Beatrice Alexander,  was immersed in the doll business from an early age. In fact, it was in her blood. Her father, a Russian immigrant, owned a doll hospital.

 On March 9, 1895, Beatrice Alexander, was born in Brooklyn, New York. In 1923, Beatrice started her company. The company has it's headquarters in Manhattan.

To learn more about Madame Alexander and view current collections visit:

Madame Alexander

Do you collect Madame Alexander dolls? How many do you have? Which one is your favorite? Why do you have such a passion for these or other dolls in general? Please post your answers below. 

Madame Alexander Dolls are exquisite keepsakes and glorious treasures that will be loved by all for years to come.

Please Visit my Etsy Shop to see Sacajawea and the other fantastic Madame Alexander dolls I am selling. 

Past Passion Vintage

Past Passions Vintage Online Etsy Shop is Now Open!

Stop on by to make the past your present as you peruse the vintage and collectible items in my store, Past Passions Vintage. In stock now, were the ever-popular Just the Right Shoe by Raine Shoe Miniatures that were at the height of fashion (collectibles)  in the late 1990's and 2000's.

These marvelous and fanciful designs were created by Raine for Willits Designs. Inside a June 1999 catalog, you can feast your eyes upon some of the many historically-accurate shoes whose details were painstakingly rendered by her artistic genius. Just the Right Shoe had many collections for a shoe-a-holic to feast their eyes upon including...


 Shoes of the Twentieth Century Collection:  From the platform pumps of the 1930's to 1918 "Suffragette" Mary Janes every decade has a shoe to remember and envy.

The Heroes and Heartthrobs Collection feature men's motorcycle boots to quirky women's cowhide high-heels!


Unfortunately, this girl has enough shoes and would like to share these amazing items with you. Check out my Etsy store by clicking on the link below.

I may have a few items on the virtual shelves now, but check back often to find a large range of products including vintage jewelry, purses, Madame Alexander Dolls, vases, and much more.

But first, you have some sole searching to do by clicking on my Etsy Store link.

Enjoy!


Past Passions Vintage Etsy Shop:Past Passions Vintage


See Pictures below to see the styles in stock.



First Shoe: "Rose Court":  It is a style from 1912.

Second Shoe: "Lady Like": It is a style from 1948.

Third Shoe: "Class Act: It is a style from 1924.

Fourth Shoe: "New Heights" It is a style from 1930.