Well, if I haven't mentioned before, I LOVE Ebay. Yes, it's quite true. I have found some most delightful treasures that otherwise would have slipped into someone else's hand. When my shop was open and I had a twee-bit of extra cash, I'd peruse.. browse my most favorite search words.. crafts, trims, antique paper, paper dolls, skeleton keys, linens, vintage, antique, toile, and the list goes on and on.. I had the shear delight of winning the bid on a vintage jewelry box FILLED with vintage and antique pieces.. some junk, some most definitely not. (At least not to me..) Each piece was wrapped individually and it took my mother and I quite a while to get through the entire box. It was like Christmas in July! The treasures just kept unfolding..
My most favorite find, and probably my most treasured, is a paper doll set from 1894. Her name is Sweet Abigail (Yes, my first name is actually Abigail) and she is absolutely gorgeous! I bid high on her in the last few seconds so nobody could snag her on me. She arrived in the mail just days later, in the original box with all of her outfits and hats intact. 
Lovely, rich ink colors, no unwanted folds and just perfect!! The most surprising thing that actually took my breathe away and I came very close to crying was her date of patent. Not only was it the year, 1894, but the day. February 20th. MY BIRTHDAY!!!! With my passion for antique paper, and the other similarities (I have slightly longer than shoulder length, wavy, blond hair) as far as I'm concerned she was, by far, the most amazing thing I have ever seen. I am going to make her into a new paper doll set for my shop when time allows (and Rhonda, you get the first one!) Her outfits are fabulous and full of wonderful Victorian Charm. Fancy and frilled, Sweet Abigail was most definitely, a young ladies doll.
Lovely, rich ink colors, no unwanted folds and just perfect!! The most surprising thing that actually took my breathe away and I came very close to crying was her date of patent. Not only was it the year, 1894, but the day. February 20th. MY BIRTHDAY!!!! With my passion for antique paper, and the other similarities (I have slightly longer than shoulder length, wavy, blond hair) as far as I'm concerned she was, by far, the most amazing thing I have ever seen. I am going to make her into a new paper doll set for my shop when time allows (and Rhonda, you get the first one!) Her outfits are fabulous and full of wonderful Victorian Charm. Fancy and frilled, Sweet Abigail was most definitely, a young ladies doll. 
So, when you are looking for that special gift, treasure, one of kind, and can't always get out of the house.. perhaps browse Ebay or some of the other websites out there. You never know when you might find that perfect missing piece! Has anyone else found something 'just too good to be true'?
8 comments:
What a fantastic story and I love the paper doll. My favorite search phrase on Ebay is - "vintage rhinestone brooch". I love, love, love old rhinestone brooches and I've gotten some doozies on Ebay. Just last night I wore my vintage Weiss brooch to our neighborhood progressive dinner. These pieces of jewelry never fail to get compliments and stories about how grandma had a brooch just like that. I love old jewelry and that jewelry box is a crazy-treasure!
Oh Abbie....you are such a romantic. I feel like such a tom boy. HA! I'd be so scared to own something that precious. I tend to be very rough on things....not on purpose....but if it's not indestructible or meant to be scuffed up with age, it doesn't last long with me! I will leave the cherishing of such delicate things to you :-) sigh.....
Oh wow that is sure an awesome coincident with the paper doll. Amazing! I can imagine how you and your mom went through that box of jewelery, like you said Christmas in Summer. Enjoy looking at once in a while....will stop by in your store now....
Oh how I wish Ebay worked that way for me :( I think I may be the one doing the "too good to be true" instead since I seem to muck it up LOL! Love your finds.
Hugs,
Dena
I so love ebay......I have found many embellishments for next to nothing on there....saved me LOTS of money and I have never been disappointed in what I have bought!!! I just cannot get enough!!
Winning a bid brings a sort of sense of accomplishment...lol
Your goodies are WONDERFUL!!! so awesome!!!
Thanks for sharing them!
Peace--Ellie
Hi, Abbie, I love Ebay too. I'm always on there looking things up. That's the first place I go to check prices. What a nice find in that vintage jewelry box & the paper dolls. Oh, how I loved paper dolls growing up! I have not gotten into paper crafting like so many of you creative girls have, but I admire you who do!
I enjoyed your pics of New England. I guess you live in New Hampshire, from what I gathered. Beautiful part of the country!
Rhoda
Too funny! I read this after I posted today...eBay rocks! there's nothing like cleaning out my yarn stash, and filling up someone else's!
Hey Abbie! Why do I have a feeling we have bid against one another on ebay. I just love all of your treasures and can't wait to get my hands on some of those paper dolls. I love your story about them!
I thought of you when I saw this site. You may already know about it, but if not it will give you some new things to drool for.
http://www.mantofev.com/index.html
Hope you are doing well and can't wait to hear more about your days!
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