Doll collections are fun to begin, especially when you share the experience with a loved one. To help potential doll collectors make the right choices for them, Paradise Galleries has assembled five simple steps onhow to begin your collection:

When you decide to begin a doll collection, it is helpful that you know how to care for your dolls.

• When you purchase a doll, be certain to save all packaging, certificates and inserts. This adds to the value of the doll, if you ever want to sell your doll on the secondary market. Dolls without their original packaging have a lower resale value, with the exception of antiques.
  
  
• For long term storage of dolls, put a layer of acid free tissue between the doll and the fabric of the clothes to help keep colors and dyes from bleeding. Make sure to check your stored dolls on a regular basis to make sure there are no issues with insects, dampness or crushing.
  
  
• Regular cleaning of porcelain and vinyl dolls can be done with a soft cloth and distilled water-no soap, bleach or chlorine products.
  
  
• If you have a cloth doll, you can vacuum it through a layer of netting, but never vacuum silk.
  
  
• Not everyone chooses to display their doll collection in a glass case because decorating with dolls is so much fun. A glass case display is the best way to limit dust exposure for the doll, but for those whose doll collections are not in a glass display, keep them clean and fresh by dusting them on a regular basis. Just as you dust your home, use a large brush works well on porcelain, vinyl and even hair.
  
  
• One of the biggest causes of damage to dolls is sunlight and smoke. Be sure to keep your dolls out of direct sunlight and even avoid long exposure to fluorescent light. Even if there are no smokers in your home, consider the effect of smoke from a fireplace on you dolls.

Porcelain doll collections require less up-keep than most dolls as they are not generally played with as much. Still, porcelain dolls can get dirty and need to be freshened up every so often.

• Using a hair dryer on the lowest setting, blow dry the porcelain doll to remove any accumulated dust. A can of compressed air can be used to dust the smaller crevices in the doll's features.
  
  
• Marks and smudges can be gently removed using a wet eraser tip. Be very careful not to remove any paint that typically makes up the dolls detailed features like lips, blushing cheeks and eyes.
  
  
• To clean the porcelain surfaces of the doll, mix a solution of water and mild natural detergent (used for delicate clothes) or dish soap. Dampen a Q-tip or cotton ball with the solution. Slowly and gently move over the surface of the porcelain in small circular movements to remove any obviously dirty or dusty areas.
  
  
• Avoid the hair line when cleaning the doll. The glue holding the hair in place could come loose, damaging the hair/ wig permanently.
  
  
• Do not use any cleaners containing any kind of bleach as the chemicals could potentially harm the doll's finish.

Vinyl doll collections are typically more durable for wear and tear than other materials. These dolls usually require frequent dusting if they aren't in a protective case.

• Using a large brush, dust the doll from top to bottom. A can of compressed air can be used to dust the smaller crevices in the doll's features.
  
  
• Marks and smudges can be gently wiped with a damp towel. Take caution with the features of the doll, as all dolls have small, fragile parts.
  
  
• A solution of water and a small amount of natural dish soap or natural mild detergent can be used to clean the vinyl surfaces of the doll as well. Take care not to use cleaning agents containing any kind of bleach, as the chemicals may damage the vinyl.
  
  
• Hand-wash in cold water or better yet, dry clean all doll clothes. Lay flat to air dry completely before putting them back on the doll, as damp clothing could potentially bleed dye onto the doll leaving a mark.
  
  
• Do not store dolls in a plastic bag after cleaning due to the risks of condensation and mold. Always store the dolls in containers with fair ventilation. If you need to store the doll after cleaning immediately, store the doll unclothed to avoid the transfer of dyes from the clothing.
  
  
• Take extra care to avoid the hair line of a doll with a wig when using water. The water could weaken the adhesive and loosen the wig from the doll's head.

The most important thing to keep in mind about caring for your doll collection is that there are different kinds of dolls, made in different ways. There are a couple different kinds of doll hair to know about. Doll hair can be rooted into the head of the doll, or a doll can have a wig attached with an adhesive. Most doll hair is made from synthetic materials, natural mohair and a very few highly collectible doll wigs are made from real human hair. You should be aware one you clean and restyle your dolls hair it may not look as it did when it was new. Never try to brush or comb natural mohair wigs typically found on high end collector dolls. For synthetic wigs following are a few ways to clean and care for your doll hair.

• Dampen the doll's hair with water. Gently spray the doll's hair with spray cleaner (such as Windex) and work the cleaner through the doll's hair as shampoo. Rinse the hair with warm water and towel dry, taking caution not to loosen any of the glue with the water. In the event that glued areas loosen, hot glue those places with a hot glue gun after drying.
  
  
• Spray the hair thoroughly with a hair-detangling spray. Comb through the hair to eliminate tangles and to promote a beautiful shine on the hair.
  
  
• For severely frizzy or damaged hair, try applying an automotive vinyl protectant spray to the hair. After the spray is applied, cover the doll's head with a plastic bag and seal the bag onto the doll using a rubber band around the neck of the doll. Allow the spray to set on the doll's hair for approximately 48 hours, then removed the bag, allowing the hair to completely dry. When the hair is dry, rinse the hair in warm water.
  
  
• When the doll hair is still wet, regardless of the treatment method used, place a knee-high nylon over the doll's hair and let it dry completely to help set the shape of the hair. For dolls with curly hair, roll small curlers into the hair to set the shape of the curl, then apply the nylon over the doll head.
  
  
• When the hair is dry, comb through the doll's hair to determine your satisfaction. These steps can be repeated if results are not satisfactory on the first attempt.
  
  
• Never use heated products such as blow dryers, curling irons or flat irons. Always air dry.

Crazing - Small fractures to the doll's finish that usually happen with age; mostly in porcelain bisque dolls.

Dolls- Originally meant as toys for children, a doll is a small figure representing a baby or human being.

A/O- Abbreviation meaning "all original"; often found on auction sites.

Ball jointed- Joints of the doll are fastened with a round ball mechanism that allows the doll full range of motion making its movements more realistic.

Bisque Porcelain- Unglazed porcelain; molded into shape then baked in a kiln at high temperatures to cast the porcelain and set it.

China- Glazed porcelain; features a shiny finish over the porcelain.

Celluloid- Plastic that was used first to make dolls; thin plastic in nature; highly flammable; used from the 1920s to the 1940s until hard plastic dolls were introduced.

Collectible Play Doll- Dolls that are slightly more expensive than the typical vinyl doll meant for play and has collectible value.

UFDC- United Federation of Doll Clubs is a collection of doll clubs sharing the love of doll collecting. There are currently more than 700 clubs in 17 countries, and the Headquarters is located in Kansas City, Kansas.

Character Doll- Dolls made to look like a living child, adult or is life-like. This term became more popular in the early 1900s when German doll making companies began to produce character dolls.

Caressalyn TM Vinyl- Emulates fine bisque porcelain with a petal smooth finish, but with proper care, resists the fragility of porcelain for a lifetime of enjoyment.

Gentle Touch Vinyl- Is a soft cuddly vinyl made to emulate softer pliable skin like touch.

Resin- Many artists sculpt in poly resin to capture the most delicate details. The most common poly resin is hard, heat-resistant, and chemical resistant.