September 27, 2023 • 36 mins
A journey into the heart of the doll industry with our enthralling guest, Diana Jones, the dynamic owner of Dolls Magazine. www.inthedollworld.com
As a child, Diana enjoyed altering her dolls' hair, creating unique looks for each of them, Diana has since navigated through life's turns, acquiring a microbiology degree, raising seven children, and eventually taking the reins of Dolls Magazine. Her tale is a testament to the power of passion she has for what she does.
As we converse with Diana, we delve into the captivating transition of Dolls Magazine from print to digital media and navigating through the tumultuous waters of the doll industry in 2020-2021. She shares her insights on exclusive collaborations with doll artists, creating unique dolls for the magazine's ardent audience, and the thrill of interacting with industry icons like Jack Johnston.
In the concluding segments, we go under the hood of Dolls Magazine, discussing innovation, marketing, and the magazine's future trajectory. Diana imparts insightful anecdotes about the continuous evolution of doll artistry and the role marketing plays in the magazine's success. From her early days at the company to her heartwarming fangirl moments and awards, Diana's narrative is a gripping saga of aspiration and determination. Join us on this fascinating journey in the world of dolls.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Hello everybody and welcome to In the Dawn World, a
show spotlighting the passionand the people of the Dawn
community With your host,georgia Taylor, former vice
president and co-founder of BigBeautiful Dolls.
Join her as she talks tofascinating Dawn artists,
customizers, avid collectors,redesigners, authors and all the
people in between, as theyshare their journeys, give us
(00:27):
glimpses into their processesand will propel their passion
and drive that help to keep theDawn world moving and shaking.
Welcome to the show, helloeverybody and welcome to In the
Dawn World.
I'm your host, georgia Taylor,and, as always, I'm so excited
to just bring you amazing gueststo the show.
And today we have anotheramazing guest.
(00:49):
My name is Diana Jones.
She is the owner of DollsMagazine.
Thank you so much, diana, forjoining us today in the Dawn
world.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
I'm so excited to be here with you, so thank you for
having me.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Yeah, so welcome.
I'm so excited to talk to youabout Dolls Magazine and also
your journey with that.
So can you share a little bitabout who you are, where you
come from.
You know what was your journeywith Dolls before you even
started becoming the owner ofDolls Magazine.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Sure, I have quite the varied background.
This is not where I thought Iwould be.
So as a kid I collect, you know.
I wouldn't say I collecteddolls.
Okay, I cut their hair.
I, you know.
You change their outfits, youmake them look the you know the
way you want them to be and youput the outfits on that you want
(01:38):
and you create little vignettes.
At that time I would never havecalled it a vignette, but you
know they have their house.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
I'm sorry, I didn't know what that was.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
No, and.
But you know, we had anextensive collection of blocks
and I loved building homes formy dolls, and so and you know,
over time, you know, as I grewup and went to college, you know
, dolls stayed back at my house.
The interesting thing, though,is my mom.
(02:06):
She started actually makingdolls when I at the end of my
high school career and intocollege.
So I was as, when you contactedme, I was like, oh my gosh, my
mom did this and I had, and it'slike I had forgotten.
So I called her.
She actually sent me somepictures of the dolls she had
she had done and she goes.
(02:27):
Diana, don't be impressed, shegoes.
I bought the bodies, I boughtthe heads and I bought wigs, and
I put them all together and Iwas like don't worry, bob.
And then she said to me shegoes, and I think your your
grandmother, she, she was a.
My grandmother was a ceramicsteacher, because I'm pretty sure
(02:47):
she did porcelain dolls, and Iwas like oh my gosh, so I had no
idea.
So you know it was so.
Just by you contacting me aboutthis, it kind of brought some
stuff out of the woodwork.
And then went to college, Iactually got my degree in
microbiology.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
That I am not using Okay.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Yes, exactly, and you know, and then I had seven kids
, and then you know, life justokay, let's back up.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
let's back up Microbiology and seven children.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
Yes, okay, well, you were busy.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Yeah, I had.
I had no time for much ofanything, which is fine, yes.
So I had this.
You know my, my goal was to bea microbiologist and working in
a lab, and you know, createthings that way and then, as
life takes you on differentjourneys, you end up not where
(03:38):
you think you will.
And I, actually I, we moved upto this small town, iola,
wisconsin, which is where Icurrently reside, and my
father-in-law actually ownedDolls Magazine and actually he,
we started off.
We had, over the course of many, many years I should have
looked back when we, when hestarted, but we have we had Doll
(04:01):
Reader, doll Crafter andCostuming, doll Artisan, and,
and over time, all of thosetitles ended up, you know, kind
of melding into another one,just as kind of as the market
had changed and we, we actuallyused to run the um.
I think it's the Dolls Expothat was out in DC and out on
(04:24):
the East Coast.
I think our last one was 2010.
I joined the company in 2011.
I worked my way through indifferent areas, but I started
as an editor of a totallydifferent publication.
Then, by 2014, I was theoperations manager.
That's when I realized I reallylove the company.
My father-in-law wanted toretire.
I approached him in 2016.
(04:48):
I said, hey, what do you think?
There was a different familymember I'll just say it's a
little tricky and complicatedthat was going to take over the
company, but they really didn'twant to do it.
I was like, oh, I love what Ido, that's.
When I approached him about hey, what do you think?
(05:09):
He was like this idea has merit.
He said go ahead and push itforward.
The other person was like thisis a win-win-win for everybody.
Go for it, diana.
Year later I acquired thecompany.
Before that time, though, asoperations manager, I was
involved in all of theproduction of the magazines,
(05:29):
just everything that went alongwith it, not as much content.
When I knew I was buying thecompany, I was like I need to
get in.
There were other people thathad been doing the different
things.
That's when I started reallygetting involved.
I have a passion for almostanything I do.
There's different things withdolls that we've done where I
(05:51):
get so excited Different bookprojects we've done.
The exclusive dolls we've doneEvery time I meet.
We just got back from ModernDoll Collector's.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
Convention.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Just meeting collectors and the artist.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
It's such a treat.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Yes, it is.
These are the best people inthe world because they're just
so kind and generous and justlovely, I got to say.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
I really.
They just want to show theirwork.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
They just want their work to be appreciated.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
I have a really soft spot for Dolls Magazine because
when me and my friend Audreycreated the Big, beautiful Dolls
back in 1999, good, that waslike forever ago we really
wanted to get into DollsMagazine because that was like a
prominent magazine back then,even amongst all the other doll
(06:44):
magazines that were out.
We actually wanted to get anarticle written about us in
Dolls Magazine.
It was just like we won thelottery.
It was just amazing because wewere so excited that they
actually acknowledged what wewere doing to women trying to
break into the doll industrywith a plus-sized fashion doll.
What is that about?
(07:06):
I really have a soft spot forthem.
They just always had such greatcontent in there too.
Plus, they were the ones thatwas doing the Dolls.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Magazine Thousands of words of excellence.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Yes, we were nominated and we got to see our
picture in the magazine.
It was just great, I mean.
So I really have a soft spotfor Dolls Magazine because you
guys, I think you've always donea really wonderful job at
featuring artists and givingthem a platform.
I want to thank you for that.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
Gosh.
Yes, you know what the big ourgoal as a brand is to bring the
collector together with theartist.
You need each other, youabsolutely need each other.
That just brings me joy whenyou see oh gosh, when you saw
the people at the show and theyget the doll that they've been
(07:54):
like I was coming to the showfor this and the joy that it
brings them, it's probably thebest feeling in the world.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
Yeah, I was going to ask you to share some memorable
stories or experiences you hadwhile working with Dolls
Magazine, but before that, Iwanted to ask you a question,
because you mentioned that youjust enjoyed the job that you
did.
Were you always working withjust Dolls Magazine or you're
working with the otherpublications?
And if you were, why did youenjoy that, especially since
(08:23):
your career path was?
Speaker 2 (08:24):
so different.
Oh gosh, I think you know what.
You could stick me in a sewerand tell me to clean it, and I'd
be like, okay.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
Oh, that's so great.
So you just have a great, greatethic for working and
participating and giving.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Right and I'm very task-oriented.
So if you give me tasks to do,I just feel like I accomplished
something, and I think that'swhy so I've always I've been
working on every title, onlybecause we have six brands.
And the nice thing about havingsix you know, six brands in
different industries is thatwhen one is, when the economy is
down in one, you can usuallycompensate with another.
(09:00):
So it allows us to keep keepwhat we have and keep doing it
well, even if you know, like,like, in a 2020, 2021, you're
not able to manufacture in Chinathe way you were With the for
the dolls.
And so then people, they're likeI don't have any inventory, I
can't get them made.
(09:21):
And so then it, you know, itdid it put a wrench in the
industry of what we're able todo.
And so then you know, andthat's when people are like gosh
, I can't advertise, I don'thave any inventory, I have
nothing to sell, right, andwe're like we understand we, but
we're gonna be here, we're herefor the long haul.
But, yes, I think, anything Iset my, anything that's put in
(09:41):
front of me, I, I love to dothings well, probably, hopefully
, be the first to say I don't doeverything well, but I, I do my
best and I'm I'm just gratefulfor what I have you know I'm so
much to be grateful for yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
I love that.
So what I wanted to know iswhen did dolls magazine
transition over to digital?
Were you involved in thatconversation as to like why you
guys would do that?
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Okay, so that was way before my time.
I started in 2011.
I know it was before that.
I'm guessing it was mid 2000s,maybe it might have been later
than you know, then maybe itshould have been at that point.
I do know that when I started,I, like when I bought the
company, I was looking at all ofour brands and I'm like, okay,
(10:27):
where do we want to be in twoyears, five years, ten years?
And I can tell you that thingsare changing quicker than I ever
thought they would.
Digitally, you know, like, youlook at, like with the
artificial intelligence now, yes, like, and I'm gonna be very
honest, I'm not ready, I'm notjumping on that bandwagon.
I want to provide a place forwriters, photographers and
(10:48):
everyone to be able to showcasetheir skills and not have to
worry about, you know, thatartificial intelligence factor.
When it comes to dolls magazine, I, I'm, I'm old school, but
also I'm looking forward to thefuture.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
So right, so how has the subscription you know,
because obviously you know you alot of your, a lot of income
and stuff comes fromSubscription and ads and things
like that you know did itdecrease a lot when you went
digital opposed to you know themgetting a printed magazine?
Speaker 2 (11:21):
So we still have the print and we won't get rid of
the print, not for any time soon.
No, and I'm the kind of persontoo, and actually Statistics
have shown that if the price isthe same between a print and
digital item, even the youngergenerations would rather have
print, and I think there's somuch value to it.
(11:42):
You get the you get to.
You know it's in your, it's inyour head yes, you feel like you
can set it down.
You can come back to it whenit's in an email.
I hate to say it, but how manyemails do we get a day now?
Thousands, it can be hundredsto thousands.
I, yes, I if I told you howmany unread emails I have, be
(12:02):
like Helper, somebody help her.
It's almost 10,000 emails thatI have not that are unread.
Well, thank you for my mind.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
I appreciate that yes .
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Well, and so if it's a real person, like spam, you
know most of that is spam, just.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
But I haven't taken the.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
I haven't taken the time to delete it either, the
spam.
But yes, that's probably mybiggest downfall is if people
see my, my unread emails in myinbox, they freak out for me but
I do read the email.
I make sure every day that I'veI've gone through every email
that is a person that.
Persistence pays off, but yeah.
(12:42):
But I would say, like, as faras print goes, we're strong.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
I'm very.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
I'm very happy with you know where we're at.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
So so, so you subscribe this kind of stay
because you do still have print.
Yes how do you got, how do youcollaborate with, with, you know
, with the doll artists and thecollectors and the industry
professionals like to bringunique and engaging content to
the magazine.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
So we work a lot with artists, obviously, because in
order to feature them, they haveto have to share their, their
photos, their right of genius,so to speak, with us.
So, and one of the things thatI'm really proud that we've done
is our doll exclusives.
So we work with that.
(13:30):
We partner with them to promotean exclusive doll just for our
audience, and it's usually asmaller run, but we've done
quite a few now.
So that's that's one greatpartnership and it's great for
the collector too, because youget.
You get a, you know, one of agood, not a one of a kind, maybe
(13:50):
a one of 30 of a kind.
Yeah yeah, and and then theother thing we've done is we've
done a few books.
I think my favorite book rightnow this was working with Anne
Monday she she did the JeanMarshall yes book.
She has every I think she hasevery single doll in outfit.
(14:11):
That is I.
That book is like one of myfavorites.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
It is.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
It's beautiful and it tells such a great story about
Jean and her friends and.
Yeah, so that I have to say thatthat's one of the favorite, my
favorite projects that we'vedone here.
So that's, that's been exciting.
And, as far as the artist, oneof the things that we kind of
(14:39):
pride ourselves in is Share yourcollection with us, share it
with our readers.
So that's one of the thingswe've been doing.
We also like to ask our ourcollector survey and we like to
send out surveys, askingquestions.
You know what you want to seeas far as articles, or okay, how
do you do this?
And some of our future plansare working with collectors and
(15:01):
Artists who have skills thatthey want to teach.
And bringing some of those yeahyeah, bringing some of those
Digitally digital like trainingand yeah like that.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
Yeah, they do videos and that kind of a thing.
Okay, that's really cool,that's cool.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
Now how do?
Speaker 1 (15:16):
you.
How do you get your art?
I like in the beginning I'msure it was different, right,
but how do you get your artists?
Do you or do you have a poolthat you just draw from, or do
you also?
Do some of your artists alsocome from people referring them
to you, or or you findingsomebody on you know some Social
media and say, hey, we mightwant to feature that person.
How does that work?
Or is it a combination of allthree?
Speaker 2 (15:38):
I think it's a combination of all three.
So sometimes people contact us,other times will be at a show.
So at this last, at modern dollit was we met.
Anomalies is the name of thecompany.
Okay, oh my gosh, I have to sayit.
They're fun and we did a videowith them.
(15:58):
It's on our Facebook page,which is Facebookcom backslash
dolls magazine.
It's really cool what she'sdoing and, yeah, I would suggest
you check them out.
Yeah, and it's a little uniquethrough a little.
I guess the word odd is in thename for a reason, but but
they're ball jointed and they'rejust.
(16:19):
It's really neat what she'sdoing, she's and she's, she's a.
Well, I guess we're all young.
Yes, we are.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
She's younger than I am?
Speaker 2 (16:29):
Yes, she's younger than I am.
She's all young.
Yes, we are, yes, but so we'realways looking.
We're always looking for youknow what's the latest?
Who's got a great story, agreat product, something they've
created that they're proud ofand that we can share.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
That's pretty cool, though.
So they just emit stuff to you,right?
They just find out who tosubmit stuff to.
Okay, so you guys doing anymore like?
Do you do any more events thatare hosted by Dolls Magazine?
Speaker 2 (17:00):
We have not not since 2010.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
We haven't done a show.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
Okay, yeah, it's been a long time and I wasn't even
around for that, I don't, so Iwas like I should ask my
father-in-law why, why that wentdown.
It was a lot of work, yes it is.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
I know that I guess that it is, that it is.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
I have.
I have such a high level ofrespect for those who are
putting on, you know like.
Debbie Hood, you know of Austin, bjd and UFDC and Modern Doll
and all the Doll shows that areout there.
Like you go, you guys rock itand we.
Just one of the things we liketo do is partner with the shows
(17:40):
as well.
So, in depending on where theshow is at in time of year, we
will actually like we went toModern Doll a few years ago our
editor went to UFDC.
We definitely we want to be apart of what other people are
doing in the Doll industry tosupport them.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
So I know, I know you've had a lot of amazing
experiences and stories andstuff like that while you've
been working not just well forthe company, I'm sure, because,
like you said, they have suchdiverse magazines too, it gives
you opportunity to see all thesedifferent genres, right.
But when you're working withDolls Magazine, what was like?
Was there an artist that you'vereally, really, really just
(18:16):
wanted to meet and connect withand highlight that you got a
chance to do that, and who wasthat?
I'm not trying to call anybodyout, I'm just saying I have.
You know I love a lot of Dollartists.
My favorite Doll artist wasByron Lars, because he really
helped me start collecting Dolls.
You know so.
But you know you always havethose fangirl moments.
(18:37):
So what were your fangirlmoments, I guess I should ask,
from you, you know, working onworking in Dolls Magazine?
Speaker 2 (18:45):
It's like I mean Jack Johnston, oh yes, oh my gosh,
yes.
So, Joe, my father-in-law was areally him and Jack have been
good friends for forever.
And Jack came to us and askedif we could publish one of his
books and I was like I'm like,yeah, so we published his book
(19:06):
and I helped with that, you know, with the editing.
And then I obviously I am nodesigner, I'll tell you that
right now so designer put ittogether.
But I had talked to him so muchover the phone and was very
excited when I found out he wascoming to.
(19:29):
It was the International Dolland Teddy Bear Show and I think
we were in.
It was either in North Carolinaor Orlando, I can't remember
when it was, but he said he wasgoing to come and he would stand
in our booth with us and workthe booth.
And I was like, oh.
So I would have to say that wasone of those where I was so
(19:51):
excited to meet him, justbecause of his history and the
industry.
Thank you he.
Also he won our lifetimeachievement award.
I don't remember what year thatwas, but and anytime I get to
meet a lifetime achievementaward winner in person.
So like for Dean creedy.
Oh my gosh Met her at theinternational Valentine's show.
(20:12):
That was I.
I gave her her award and thenshe actually had a giveaway at
the show and I won one of herdolls and I was just like I, I,
yes, I think that was.
That was a really cool moment,to just be like, wow, I, I have
a pretty creedy original andthat was, I think, her last show
(20:36):
and then retired.
So that made me feel evenbetter.
No, you got you got to see her.
Right, yeah, so I think those, Ithink those two people are
probably the ones that I wasmost.
I mean, I'm excited when I meetanybody.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
Yeah, I understand that, yeah, but I mean, but it's
, it is those fangirl moments,it is those moments where you
just like overwhelmed but andexcited at the same time.
But, yes, I can't believe thisis happening to me.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
So yeah, yeah, exactly, exactly.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
Yeah, I remember we first started, when I first
started the in the doll worldshow, I mean I had a list, of
course.
We had a list of who we wantedto be, you know, on the show and
I cannot tell you how Excited Iwas when Mel Odom came on.
I mean, like all the peoplethat you like, you said a Maya
and just loved their dolls.
And when he said yes, I wasjust like I just couldn't
(21:32):
believe it.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
I was like oh, this is so amazing, you know and then
I have to say that's one of myfavorite interviews you've done.
Oh yes, and I've talked to hima few times and I would love to
meet him.
Especially now that we, sincewe've done that book, yeah, oh
yeah, it's.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
Yeah, the book is fabulous.
How do you guys keep up withall the you know the trends and
innovations, stuff in the dollindustry?
Like, how does that, how doesthat work, for you guys is as a
publisher of a doll magazine.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
One of the things I always look at is Facebook.
To be honest, Maybe that's cooljust because you can like a lot
of the artists, so our ourdolls Facebook page follows you
know, if a dollar just comes toour attention, we will follow
them.
And so if you are a doll artistout there, like our page,
because then we can follow youback.
(22:25):
But to me, like that's wherethe innovation is happening is
and you know it's not alwayseasy to find, but that's why
that's to me that's really agood resource is just seeing
what other people are doing outthere, and you know, everybody
is so unique in what they create.
I just like the uniqueness ofeverybody's creation and I think
(22:48):
they deserve to have a voiceand a place to share.
Yeah, what they're doing, youknow, as opposed to you're not
trending, so sorry.
Speaker 1 (22:56):
Feel good about that.
You know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
I understand that, yes but and I think every doll,
well I would say every dollartist I know, is always looking
at how they can, you know,change their product, make it
better.
What's the next thing they cando?
I have, I Met a few people whoyou know they're, they're
creating one of the kinds andthen they're like, oh my gosh,
you know what I bet I could do.
(23:19):
You know a large run of my dollnow, and so it's neat to see
how they progress, you know,over time, right with even how
their business is working.
So it's very exciting.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
Yeah, how do you Look at marketing for what you do?
You know, I mean, how does, howdoes marketing play?
I know marketing plays a bigrole in that because you, you,
you're bringing in artists andyou're saying, let us feature
you, but then you still have tomarket them because they're in
your magazine, right?
So what, what type of marketingdo you guys do as a magazine?
Speaker 2 (23:51):
so a lot of what we do is we reach out to the the
doll shops so that arethroughout the United States,
but also so if there's a dollshop out there that watches this
, please contact us aboutgetting set up to get magazine
shipped to your store.
And Then the other thing isworking with doll clubs.
Speaker 1 (24:10):
And doll in the different doll shows.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
Just because there, that's where you know if you're
a doll collector your audienceis right yeah.
Yes, you go where people arelike-minded you know, and it's.
It's a very Targeted market inall honesty, like me putting an
ad for dolls magazine into USnews in a world report.
I don't even are any of thosemagazines still out there, but
(24:35):
you do, you know what I mean.
Like yeah, that was useless,you know.
But so the goal is to to getthe word out just by reaching
out to people who, who we know,are part of that community.
So yeah, that's what it lookslike for us.
Speaker 1 (24:49):
Yeah, that definitely makes sense because, like you
said, it's the market, themarket is there.
So, whether you, even thoughyou have doll artists that
you're featuring, you still haveto be in the doll space right
to tell other artists aboutthese dolls but also give the
other art, is that you'retalking to an opportunity to be
part of your magazine?
Speaker 2 (25:07):
Yeah, and then we also like, if an artist is
featured, one of the things thatthey just need to ask.
Let us know if you want, if youwould like a copy of your
article digitally that you canpost on you know, post on your
website, put out on Facebookthat you can send out to the
world.
Please just ask and we'llprovide you, you know, with
whatever you need to help marketyou.
Speaker 1 (25:28):
Now on you, when you have you have outside writers
that write for, for the magazine.
Yeah, two questions how big ishow big is the staff?
And then, how are those?
Are those writers Divided intodifferent categories to write
for, or do they just bringeverything to the table and then
you guys sort it out?
It's a really good question.
Speaker 2 (25:48):
so we have some just regular contributors that have
their own column like GlennMandeville has his own column
and and I'm trying to think wehave and then we just have set
writers that write for us allthe time, I would say, and we
probably have gosh.
There's probably a pool of 10writers that we will pick from
(26:11):
each issue.
Sometimes we write in-house,you know, depending on what time
looks like, Because sometimesif we get an article idea that
comes in really close todeadline, it's really hard.
Most writers are going to belike I need more time.
So, then we'll just be like youknow what, we will write it
in-house and we'll do theinterviews and talk to people.
(26:32):
It's kind of rare, but it doeshappen, do?
Speaker 1 (26:36):
you have writers for each particular area.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
Well, and the thing I can tell you is we kind of know
what the writers are good at.
I think that's probably the wayto say it, but I'm really
grateful for the writers we have, just because they have that
knowledge.
And, oh my gosh, I got to tellyou so at Modern Doll, when it
was their last banquet.
We were at this table ofamazing women whose doll history
(27:06):
was so extensive, the storiesthey shared, that Betsy was
sitting, that was sitting nextto me.
Oh my gosh, I was like we needto connect afterwards because I
honestly think these are thepeople who have like this she
does research on dolls, onvarious historical dolls, and I
(27:27):
was like, oh my gosh, we needyou know.
I would love you to write anarticle for us.
So there's always those momentsas well, like as we're, you know
, meeting people at variousevents, where we're like holy
cow, how do you know so much?
Right, you should be writing amessage or something right, yeah
, yeah, and so here at JP MediaI've got about 20 people on
(27:49):
staff for our six differentbrands.
And then everybody pretty muchknows Andrea.
She does our advertising sales,but at least maybe the
collectors don't put the artistsdo.
And then we have a new editor,hannah.
She's actually been with thecompany for over a year, but she
trained with our last editor,joyce.
Joyce was the editor for gosh,I think, since 2011.
(28:12):
Oh, wow, okay, I know, and shejust retired.
She was kind of sad, it wasbittersweet, you know, but
Hannah, hannah has some bigshoes to fill, but she's filling
them great.
Speaker 1 (28:26):
No, that's wonderful.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
There's probably throughout the company.
I bet there's eight to 10people who work on dolls in
various facets, be it from allthe way from editorial to
graphics to digital, and then,of course, accounting, because
they're important too.
Speaker 1 (28:42):
Yes, it kind of lets you know, just being a float of
things.
Speaker 2 (28:46):
And my employees appreciate getting paid, so
that's important.
Speaker 1 (28:50):
That's useful.
That's useful.
Yes, I think really goodwriters that way.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
But oh gosh, yes.
Speaker 1 (28:56):
Yes, you do.
Yes.
Let me ask you this Is there atleast one future plan you could
tell me about?
We?
Speaker 2 (29:02):
have some exclusive plans for the next year, for
2024.
So I'm not going to go into whothey are yet, and I'm hoping to
do more book projects.
Oh, okay, nice, everything isstill in the works, so I can't
say anything.
You know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (29:18):
That's why I said do you have like one?
Maybe you could share with us.
Just one, okay, so you havesome future things coming up.
Yeah, yes, you're going to bedoing some more books, so that's
great.
I love that.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
Yes, yes.
Speaker 1 (29:30):
I just do believe that Doll Magazine has to like
shape the future for a lot ofthings in the doll industry
because they are connected withso many artists and people
within that community.
How do you envision this rolenow in shaping new artists and
people within the doll community?
Speaker 2 (29:48):
Well, my hope is that we can reach the younger
generations and give them a lovefor collecting dolls.
And I do think with a lot ofthe new like there's some new
innovations that artists arecoming up with that I think
makes it a little easier maybefor somebody to get in
collecting.
Okay, For example, if I'm a newcollector, I'm at a doll show
(30:13):
and a doll cost $1,000.
And I'm a new collector and I'mlike I didn't realize dolls
were $1,000.
I need a price point I can getin on, especially if I'm younger
.
And so I think, just providingan avenue for the younger
collectors to move in where it'sa feasible hobby and passion
(30:35):
and love that they can have.
And as we get older and we workand make money and decide how
we're going to spend it, thenyou can start making decisions
like.
the $1,000 doll is in my budgetbecause I put it there, but I do
think a lot of.
I really do want to see youngerpeople coming in, the people
(31:00):
who have been doing this for awhile, people like maybe us and
older who are still young.
Yes, age is just the number,that's true.
There is so much history and somuch passion that they can
share with that youngergeneration that I would love to
see that bridge built.
(31:20):
So that's something I'mpassionate about.
Speaker 1 (31:24):
And how do you think that is for the artists too in
general?
I mean like seeing youngerartists create things, because
there's so many different newways to create dolls nowadays.
Is that something that youthink would be envision your
role, I think, in being amagazine?
You know, helping shaping thatrole too for artists, for
(31:45):
younger artists to come in andalso more diverse artists, Sure.
Speaker 2 (31:47):
Yes, well, and I think where we can really play a
role is being able to showcasethe younger generations as they
come up in their artistry.
I do think that's part of thegoal is, you know, I like to
think that we can be all thingsto all people.
You know what I mean, like inthe collecting world you can't
(32:09):
please everybody all of the time, and I know there are times
where why is it ball jointed andwhy aren't there fashion dolls
and why are the reborns, and youknow, and there's this whole
like yeah, I want this, so Iwe're not going to be able to
please everybody you know, butwe do.
We do want no-transcript, youknow.
Provide an opportunity forartists to be seen by the
(32:32):
collectors.
Speaker 1 (32:33):
That's how they get started, yeah that is the truth,
and then you do that well, so Iwant to thank you so well.
Speaker 2 (32:39):
Thank you, I appreciate that.
Speaker 1 (32:40):
Yeah, yeah, you really do, Okay.
So if anybody has never heardof Dolls magazine, I know who
that would be.
But if they have not, how canthey find out about your amazing
publication?
Speaker 2 (32:53):
Sure, so best, best places to start is our website,
dolls magazine calm, and if youare not a subscriber, you should
just go there and subscribe.
It's Fairly inexpensive in myopinion, so I'll leave that
there, but please, please, visitthere and then also on our
Facebook page.
If you go to Facebook com,backslash dolls magazine.
(33:13):
We are.
I've I've got quite a fewinterviews on there from the
modern doll collectorsConvention, and then there's a
few videos that I put together.
So, and I did a really, I haveto say I'm I'm proud of it, but
it's.
It was Diana Eppner dolls, so Iinterviewed Casey and it was.
(33:36):
It was a fun interview, nice,heard a little bit about what
they're doing, but they have oneof the convention dolls, and
somebody else shared a hilariousstory of Making the convention
doll that you probably don'twant to miss.
Okay, so Facebook is the placeto find that one.
Yeah, and I think that one isactually on our website as well,
but I, I have to say, likeeverybody was roaring, laughing
(33:59):
from from the story.
So, and they, I think they saidthey would never do a
convention doll like that one.
Speaker 1 (34:08):
Well, I think it's probably a story Everybody would
love to hear about.
So they yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (34:13):
Yeah, and I plan.
My goal is with our team.
I have to say I love our teamis great.
So Hannah and Andrea, likethey're kind of the Hub of it
all and they're amazing and wecould.
I can't do what what I dowithout them.
But we plan on doing more videointerviews and just to get the
(34:33):
artists out there.
Speaker 1 (34:34):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
In front of the collectors.
I understand that cool.
Speaker 1 (34:38):
Well, thank you so much, diana, for being with us
on a doll wall and sharing yourexperience and and and and
everything that goes into Makingand sustaining a doll magazine,
because I'm sure it is not easyto do that.
But we really appreciate howlong Dolls magazine has been
around and we really appreciatethe fact that you are at the
helm and you're Making sure theycontinue to stay around in
(35:01):
digital form and in print form,because I do love print.
Honestly, I'm not a big readeron digital as far as magazines
or anything like that.
I like to have it in my handand you know, curl up on a bear
with one.
So I appreciate that that isstill something that you will
continue to do.
So, again, thank you so muchfor your time.
I really appreciate you being aguest in the doll world with us
(35:23):
.
Speaker 2 (35:24):
You're so sweet.
Thank you, it's always apleasure to talk to you.
Speaker 1 (35:27):
Oh, thank you so much , diana.
Bye, guys, bye, hello everybody.
Thank you so much for listeningto in the Doll World.
I hope you enjoyed the show.
Please don't forget to sharethe podcast with other doll
enthusiasts, such as yourself.
They can find us at Facebook,instagram and Twitter at in the
Doll World.
The show can also be downloadedon all apps with podcasts or
(35:48):
streamed To see videos of ourinterview.
Please visit our in the DollWorld YouTube channel and don't
forget, in the Doll World isalso on Alexa.
Just ask Alexa to open DollWorld.
Did you know that you can nowleave a voicemail or give us a
review?
We would love to hear from youor suggest a guest for the show.
You can do all that by visitingwwwinthedollworldcom and, until
(36:13):
next week, add a little playinto your life by collecting a
doll, sharing a doll or giving adoll a home.
And again, thank you forlistening to in the Doll World.
Hello everybody and welcome to In the Dawn World, a
show spotlighting the passionand the people of the Dawn
community With your host,georgia Taylor, former vice
president and co-founder of BigBeautiful Dolls.
Join her as she talks tofascinating Dawn artists,
customizers, avid collectors,redesigners, authors and all the
people in between, as theyshare their journeys, give us
(00:27):
glimpses into their processesand will propel their passion
and drive that help to keep theDawn world moving and shaking.
Welcome to the show, helloeverybody and welcome to In the
Dawn World.
I'm your host, georgia Taylor,and, as always, I'm so excited
to just bring you amazing gueststo the show.
And today we have anotheramazing guest.
(00:49):
My name is Diana Jones.
She is the owner of DollsMagazine.
Thank you so much, diana, forjoining us today in the Dawn
world.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
I'm so excited to be here with you, so thank you for
having me.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Yeah, so welcome.
I'm so excited to talk to youabout Dolls Magazine and also
your journey with that.
So can you share a little bitabout who you are, where you
come from.
You know what was your journeywith Dolls before you even
started becoming the owner ofDolls Magazine.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Sure, I have quite the varied background.
This is not where I thought Iwould be.
So as a kid I collect, you know.
I wouldn't say I collecteddolls.
Okay, I cut their hair.
I, you know.
You change their outfits, youmake them look the you know the
way you want them to be and youput the outfits on that you want
(01:38):
and you create little vignettes.
At that time I would never havecalled it a vignette, but you
know they have their house.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
I'm sorry, I didn't know what that was.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
No, and.
But you know, we had anextensive collection of blocks
and I loved building homes formy dolls, and so and you know,
over time, you know, as I grewup and went to college, you know
, dolls stayed back at my house.
The interesting thing, though,is my mom.
(02:06):
She started actually makingdolls when I at the end of my
high school career and intocollege.
So I was as, when you contactedme, I was like, oh my gosh, my
mom did this and I had, and it'slike I had forgotten.
So I called her.
She actually sent me somepictures of the dolls she had
she had done and she goes.
(02:27):
Diana, don't be impressed, shegoes.
I bought the bodies, I boughtthe heads and I bought wigs, and
I put them all together and Iwas like don't worry, bob.
And then she said to me shegoes, and I think your your
grandmother, she, she was a.
My grandmother was a ceramicsteacher, because I'm pretty sure
(02:47):
she did porcelain dolls, and Iwas like oh my gosh, so I had no
idea.
So you know it was so.
Just by you contacting me aboutthis, it kind of brought some
stuff out of the woodwork.
And then went to college, Iactually got my degree in
microbiology.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
That I am not using Okay.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Yes, exactly, and you know, and then I had seven kids
, and then you know, life justokay, let's back up.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
let's back up Microbiology and seven children.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
Yes, okay, well, you were busy.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Yeah, I had.
I had no time for much ofanything, which is fine, yes.
So I had this.
You know my, my goal was to bea microbiologist and working in
a lab, and you know, createthings that way and then, as
life takes you on differentjourneys, you end up not where
(03:38):
you think you will.
And I, actually I, we moved upto this small town, iola,
wisconsin, which is where Icurrently reside, and my
father-in-law actually ownedDolls Magazine and actually he,
we started off.
We had, over the course of many, many years I should have
looked back when we, when hestarted, but we have we had Doll
(04:01):
Reader, doll Crafter andCostuming, doll Artisan, and,
and over time, all of thosetitles ended up, you know, kind
of melding into another one,just as kind of as the market
had changed and we, we actuallyused to run the um.
I think it's the Dolls Expothat was out in DC and out on
(04:24):
the East Coast.
I think our last one was 2010.
I joined the company in 2011.
I worked my way through indifferent areas, but I started
as an editor of a totallydifferent publication.
Then, by 2014, I was theoperations manager.
That's when I realized I reallylove the company.
My father-in-law wanted toretire.
I approached him in 2016.
(04:48):
I said, hey, what do you think?
There was a different familymember I'll just say it's a
little tricky and complicatedthat was going to take over the
company, but they really didn'twant to do it.
I was like, oh, I love what Ido, that's.
When I approached him about hey, what do you think?
(05:09):
He was like this idea has merit.
He said go ahead and push itforward.
The other person was like thisis a win-win-win for everybody.
Go for it, diana.
Year later I acquired thecompany.
Before that time, though, asoperations manager, I was
involved in all of theproduction of the magazines,
(05:29):
just everything that went alongwith it, not as much content.
When I knew I was buying thecompany, I was like I need to
get in.
There were other people thathad been doing the different
things.
That's when I started reallygetting involved.
I have a passion for almostanything I do.
There's different things withdolls that we've done where I
(05:51):
get so excited Different bookprojects we've done.
The exclusive dolls we've doneEvery time I meet.
We just got back from ModernDoll Collector's.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
Convention.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Just meeting collectors and the artist.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
It's such a treat.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Yes, it is.
These are the best people inthe world because they're just
so kind and generous and justlovely, I got to say.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
I really.
They just want to show theirwork.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
They just want their work to be appreciated.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
I have a really soft spot for Dolls Magazine because
when me and my friend Audreycreated the Big, beautiful Dolls
back in 1999, good, that waslike forever ago we really
wanted to get into DollsMagazine because that was like a
prominent magazine back then,even amongst all the other doll
(06:44):
magazines that were out.
We actually wanted to get anarticle written about us in
Dolls Magazine.
It was just like we won thelottery.
It was just amazing because wewere so excited that they
actually acknowledged what wewere doing to women trying to
break into the doll industrywith a plus-sized fashion doll.
What is that about?
(07:06):
I really have a soft spot forthem.
They just always had such greatcontent in there too.
Plus, they were the ones thatwas doing the Dolls.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Magazine Thousands of words of excellence.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Yes, we were nominated and we got to see our
picture in the magazine.
It was just great, I mean.
So I really have a soft spotfor Dolls Magazine because you
guys, I think you've always donea really wonderful job at
featuring artists and givingthem a platform.
I want to thank you for that.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
Gosh.
Yes, you know what the big ourgoal as a brand is to bring the
collector together with theartist.
You need each other, youabsolutely need each other.
That just brings me joy whenyou see oh gosh, when you saw
the people at the show and theyget the doll that they've been
(07:54):
like I was coming to the showfor this and the joy that it
brings them, it's probably thebest feeling in the world.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
Yeah, I was going to ask you to share some memorable
stories or experiences you hadwhile working with Dolls
Magazine, but before that, Iwanted to ask you a question,
because you mentioned that youjust enjoyed the job that you
did.
Were you always working withjust Dolls Magazine or you're
working with the otherpublications?
And if you were, why did youenjoy that, especially since
(08:23):
your career path was?
Speaker 2 (08:24):
so different.
Oh gosh, I think you know what.
You could stick me in a sewerand tell me to clean it, and I'd
be like, okay.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
Oh, that's so great.
So you just have a great, greatethic for working and
participating and giving.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Right and I'm very task-oriented.
So if you give me tasks to do,I just feel like I accomplished
something, and I think that'swhy so I've always I've been
working on every title, onlybecause we have six brands.
And the nice thing about havingsix you know, six brands in
different industries is thatwhen one is, when the economy is
down in one, you can usuallycompensate with another.
(09:00):
So it allows us to keep keepwhat we have and keep doing it
well, even if you know, like,like, in a 2020, 2021, you're
not able to manufacture in Chinathe way you were With the for
the dolls.
And so then people, they're likeI don't have any inventory, I
can't get them made.
(09:21):
And so then it, you know, itdid it put a wrench in the
industry of what we're able todo.
And so then you know, andthat's when people are like gosh
, I can't advertise, I don'thave any inventory, I have
nothing to sell, right, andwe're like we understand we, but
we're gonna be here, we're herefor the long haul.
But, yes, I think, anything Iset my, anything that's put in
(09:41):
front of me, I, I love to dothings well, probably, hopefully
, be the first to say I don't doeverything well, but I, I do my
best and I'm I'm just gratefulfor what I have you know I'm so
much to be grateful for yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
I love that.
So what I wanted to know iswhen did dolls magazine
transition over to digital?
Were you involved in thatconversation as to like why you
guys would do that?
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Okay, so that was way before my time.
I started in 2011.
I know it was before that.
I'm guessing it was mid 2000s,maybe it might have been later
than you know, then maybe itshould have been at that point.
I do know that when I started,I, like when I bought the
company, I was looking at all ofour brands and I'm like, okay,
(10:27):
where do we want to be in twoyears, five years, ten years?
And I can tell you that thingsare changing quicker than I ever
thought they would.
Digitally, you know, like, youlook at, like with the
artificial intelligence now, yes, like, and I'm gonna be very
honest, I'm not ready, I'm notjumping on that bandwagon.
I want to provide a place forwriters, photographers and
(10:48):
everyone to be able to showcasetheir skills and not have to
worry about, you know, thatartificial intelligence factor.
When it comes to dolls magazine, I, I'm, I'm old school, but
also I'm looking forward to thefuture.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
So right, so how has the subscription you know,
because obviously you know you alot of your, a lot of income
and stuff comes fromSubscription and ads and things
like that you know did itdecrease a lot when you went
digital opposed to you know themgetting a printed magazine?
Speaker 2 (11:21):
So we still have the print and we won't get rid of
the print, not for any time soon.
No, and I'm the kind of persontoo, and actually Statistics
have shown that if the price isthe same between a print and
digital item, even the youngergenerations would rather have
print, and I think there's somuch value to it.
(11:42):
You get the you get to.
You know it's in your, it's inyour head yes, you feel like you
can set it down.
You can come back to it whenit's in an email.
I hate to say it, but how manyemails do we get a day now?
Thousands, it can be hundredsto thousands.
I, yes, I if I told you howmany unread emails I have, be
(12:02):
like Helper, somebody help her.
It's almost 10,000 emails thatI have not that are unread.
Well, thank you for my mind.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
I appreciate that yes .
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Well, and so if it's a real person, like spam, you
know most of that is spam, just.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
But I haven't taken the.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
I haven't taken the time to delete it either, the
spam.
But yes, that's probably mybiggest downfall is if people
see my, my unread emails in myinbox, they freak out for me but
I do read the email.
I make sure every day that I'veI've gone through every email
that is a person that.
Persistence pays off, but yeah.
(12:42):
But I would say, like, as faras print goes, we're strong.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
I'm very.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
I'm very happy with you know where we're at.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
So so, so you subscribe this kind of stay
because you do still have print.
Yes how do you got, how do youcollaborate with, with, you know
, with the doll artists and thecollectors and the industry
professionals like to bringunique and engaging content to
the magazine.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
So we work a lot with artists, obviously, because in
order to feature them, they haveto have to share their, their
photos, their right of genius,so to speak, with us.
So, and one of the things thatI'm really proud that we've done
is our doll exclusives.
So we work with that.
(13:30):
We partner with them to promotean exclusive doll just for our
audience, and it's usually asmaller run, but we've done
quite a few now.
So that's that's one greatpartnership and it's great for
the collector too, because youget.
You get a, you know, one of agood, not a one of a kind, maybe
(13:50):
a one of 30 of a kind.
Yeah yeah, and and then theother thing we've done is we've
done a few books.
I think my favorite book rightnow this was working with Anne
Monday she she did the JeanMarshall yes book.
She has every I think she hasevery single doll in outfit.
(14:11):
That is I.
That book is like one of myfavorites.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
It is.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
It's beautiful and it tells such a great story about
Jean and her friends and.
Yeah, so that I have to say thatthat's one of the favorite, my
favorite projects that we'vedone here.
So that's, that's been exciting.
And, as far as the artist, oneof the things that we kind of
(14:39):
pride ourselves in is Share yourcollection with us, share it
with our readers.
So that's one of the thingswe've been doing.
We also like to ask our ourcollector survey and we like to
send out surveys, askingquestions.
You know what you want to seeas far as articles, or okay, how
do you do this?
And some of our future plansare working with collectors and
(15:01):
Artists who have skills thatthey want to teach.
And bringing some of those yeahyeah, bringing some of those
Digitally digital like trainingand yeah like that.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
Yeah, they do videos and that kind of a thing.
Okay, that's really cool,that's cool.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
Now how do?
Speaker 1 (15:16):
you.
How do you get your art?
I like in the beginning I'msure it was different, right,
but how do you get your artists?
Do you or do you have a poolthat you just draw from, or do
you also?
Do some of your artists alsocome from people referring them
to you, or or you findingsomebody on you know some Social
media and say, hey, we mightwant to feature that person.
How does that work?
Or is it a combination of allthree?
Speaker 2 (15:38):
I think it's a combination of all three.
So sometimes people contact us,other times will be at a show.
So at this last, at modern dollit was we met.
Anomalies is the name of thecompany.
Okay, oh my gosh, I have to sayit.
They're fun and we did a videowith them.
(15:58):
It's on our Facebook page,which is Facebookcom backslash
dolls magazine.
It's really cool what she'sdoing and, yeah, I would suggest
you check them out.
Yeah, and it's a little uniquethrough a little.
I guess the word odd is in thename for a reason, but but
they're ball jointed and they'rejust.
(16:19):
It's really neat what she'sdoing, she's and she's, she's a.
Well, I guess we're all young.
Yes, we are.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
She's younger than I am?
Speaker 2 (16:29):
Yes, she's younger than I am.
She's all young.
Yes, we are, yes, but so we'realways looking.
We're always looking for youknow what's the latest?
Who's got a great story, agreat product, something they've
created that they're proud ofand that we can share.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
That's pretty cool, though.
So they just emit stuff to you,right?
They just find out who tosubmit stuff to.
Okay, so you guys doing anymore like?
Do you do any more events thatare hosted by Dolls Magazine?
Speaker 2 (17:00):
We have not not since 2010.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
We haven't done a show.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
Okay, yeah, it's been a long time and I wasn't even
around for that, I don't, so Iwas like I should ask my
father-in-law why, why that wentdown.
It was a lot of work, yes it is.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
I know that I guess that it is, that it is.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
I have.
I have such a high level ofrespect for those who are
putting on, you know like.
Debbie Hood, you know of Austin, bjd and UFDC and Modern Doll
and all the Doll shows that areout there.
Like you go, you guys rock itand we.
Just one of the things we liketo do is partner with the shows
(17:40):
as well.
So, in depending on where theshow is at in time of year, we
will actually like we went toModern Doll a few years ago our
editor went to UFDC.
We definitely we want to be apart of what other people are
doing in the Doll industry tosupport them.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
So I know, I know you've had a lot of amazing
experiences and stories andstuff like that while you've
been working not just well forthe company, I'm sure, because,
like you said, they have suchdiverse magazines too, it gives
you opportunity to see all thesedifferent genres, right.
But when you're working withDolls Magazine, what was like?
Was there an artist that you'vereally, really, really just
(18:16):
wanted to meet and connect withand highlight that you got a
chance to do that, and who wasthat?
I'm not trying to call anybodyout, I'm just saying I have.
You know I love a lot of Dollartists.
My favorite Doll artist wasByron Lars, because he really
helped me start collecting Dolls.
You know so.
But you know you always havethose fangirl moments.
(18:37):
So what were your fangirlmoments, I guess I should ask,
from you, you know, working onworking in Dolls Magazine?
Speaker 2 (18:45):
It's like I mean Jack Johnston, oh yes, oh my gosh,
yes.
So, Joe, my father-in-law was areally him and Jack have been
good friends for forever.
And Jack came to us and askedif we could publish one of his
books and I was like I'm like,yeah, so we published his book
(19:06):
and I helped with that, you know, with the editing.
And then I obviously I am nodesigner, I'll tell you that
right now so designer put ittogether.
But I had talked to him so muchover the phone and was very
excited when I found out he wascoming to.
(19:29):
It was the International Dolland Teddy Bear Show and I think
we were in.
It was either in North Carolinaor Orlando, I can't remember
when it was, but he said he wasgoing to come and he would stand
in our booth with us and workthe booth.
And I was like, oh.
So I would have to say that wasone of those where I was so
(19:51):
excited to meet him, justbecause of his history and the
industry.
Thank you he.
Also he won our lifetimeachievement award.
I don't remember what year thatwas, but and anytime I get to
meet a lifetime achievementaward winner in person.
So like for Dean creedy.
Oh my gosh Met her at theinternational Valentine's show.
(20:12):
That was I.
I gave her her award and thenshe actually had a giveaway at
the show and I won one of herdolls and I was just like I, I,
yes, I think that was.
That was a really cool moment,to just be like, wow, I, I have
a pretty creedy original andthat was, I think, her last show
(20:36):
and then retired.
So that made me feel evenbetter.
No, you got you got to see her.
Right, yeah, so I think those, Ithink those two people are
probably the ones that I wasmost.
I mean, I'm excited when I meetanybody.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
Yeah, I understand that, yeah, but I mean, but it's
, it is those fangirl moments,it is those moments where you
just like overwhelmed but andexcited at the same time.
But, yes, I can't believe thisis happening to me.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
So yeah, yeah, exactly, exactly.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
Yeah, I remember we first started, when I first
started the in the doll worldshow, I mean I had a list, of
course.
We had a list of who we wantedto be, you know, on the show and
I cannot tell you how Excited Iwas when Mel Odom came on.
I mean, like all the peoplethat you like, you said a Maya
and just loved their dolls.
And when he said yes, I wasjust like I just couldn't
(21:32):
believe it.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
I was like oh, this is so amazing, you know and then
I have to say that's one of myfavorite interviews you've done.
Oh yes, and I've talked to hima few times and I would love to
meet him.
Especially now that we, sincewe've done that book, yeah, oh
yeah, it's.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
Yeah, the book is fabulous.
How do you guys keep up withall the you know the trends and
innovations, stuff in the dollindustry?
Like, how does that, how doesthat work, for you guys is as a
publisher of a doll magazine.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
One of the things I always look at is Facebook.
To be honest, Maybe that's cooljust because you can like a lot
of the artists, so our ourdolls Facebook page follows you
know, if a dollar just comes toour attention, we will follow
them.
And so if you are a doll artistout there, like our page,
because then we can follow youback.
(22:25):
But to me, like that's wherethe innovation is happening is
and you know it's not alwayseasy to find, but that's why
that's to me that's really agood resource is just seeing
what other people are doing outthere, and you know, everybody
is so unique in what they create.
I just like the uniqueness ofeverybody's creation and I think
(22:48):
they deserve to have a voiceand a place to share.
Yeah, what they're doing, youknow, as opposed to you're not
trending, so sorry.
Speaker 1 (22:56):
Feel good about that.
You know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
I understand that, yes but and I think every doll,
well I would say every dollartist I know, is always looking
at how they can, you know,change their product, make it
better.
What's the next thing they cando?
I have, I Met a few people whoyou know they're, they're
creating one of the kinds andthen they're like, oh my gosh,
you know what I bet I could do.
(23:19):
You know a large run of my dollnow, and so it's neat to see
how they progress, you know,over time, right with even how
their business is working.
So it's very exciting.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
Yeah, how do you Look at marketing for what you do?
You know, I mean, how does, howdoes marketing play?
I know marketing plays a bigrole in that because you, you,
you're bringing in artists andyou're saying, let us feature
you, but then you still have tomarket them because they're in
your magazine, right?
So what, what type of marketingdo you guys do as a magazine?
Speaker 2 (23:51):
so a lot of what we do is we reach out to the the
doll shops so that arethroughout the United States,
but also so if there's a dollshop out there that watches this
, please contact us aboutgetting set up to get magazine
shipped to your store.
And Then the other thing isworking with doll clubs.
Speaker 1 (24:10):
And doll in the different doll shows.
Speaker 2 (24:12):
Just because there, that's where you know if you're
a doll collector your audienceis right yeah.
Yes, you go where people arelike-minded you know, and it's.
It's a very Targeted market inall honesty, like me putting an
ad for dolls magazine into USnews in a world report.
I don't even are any of thosemagazines still out there, but
(24:35):
you do, you know what I mean.
Like yeah, that was useless,you know.
But so the goal is to to getthe word out just by reaching
out to people who, who we know,are part of that community.
So yeah, that's what it lookslike for us.
Speaker 1 (24:49):
Yeah, that definitely makes sense because, like you
said, it's the market, themarket is there.
So, whether you, even thoughyou have doll artists that
you're featuring, you still haveto be in the doll space right
to tell other artists aboutthese dolls but also give the
other art, is that you'retalking to an opportunity to be
part of your magazine?
Speaker 2 (25:07):
Yeah, and then we also like, if an artist is
featured, one of the things thatthey just need to ask.
Let us know if you want, if youwould like a copy of your
article digitally that you canpost on you know, post on your
website, put out on Facebookthat you can send out to the
world.
Please just ask and we'llprovide you, you know, with
whatever you need to help marketyou.
Speaker 1 (25:28):
Now on you, when you have you have outside writers
that write for, for the magazine.
Yeah, two questions how big ishow big is the staff?
And then, how are those?
Are those writers Divided intodifferent categories to write
for, or do they just bringeverything to the table and then
you guys sort it out?
It's a really good question.
Speaker 2 (25:48):
so we have some just regular contributors that have
their own column like GlennMandeville has his own column
and and I'm trying to think wehave and then we just have set
writers that write for us allthe time, I would say, and we
probably have gosh.
There's probably a pool of 10writers that we will pick from
(26:11):
each issue.
Sometimes we write in-house,you know, depending on what time
looks like, Because sometimesif we get an article idea that
comes in really close todeadline, it's really hard.
Most writers are going to belike I need more time.
So, then we'll just be like youknow what, we will write it
in-house and we'll do theinterviews and talk to people.
(26:32):
It's kind of rare, but it doeshappen, do?
Speaker 1 (26:36):
you have writers for each particular area.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
Well, and the thing I can tell you is we kind of know
what the writers are good at.
I think that's probably the wayto say it, but I'm really
grateful for the writers we have, just because they have that
knowledge.
And, oh my gosh, I got to tellyou so at Modern Doll, when it
was their last banquet.
We were at this table ofamazing women whose doll history
(27:06):
was so extensive, the storiesthey shared, that Betsy was
sitting, that was sitting nextto me.
Oh my gosh, I was like we needto connect afterwards because I
honestly think these are thepeople who have like this she
does research on dolls, onvarious historical dolls, and I
(27:27):
was like, oh my gosh, we needyou know.
I would love you to write anarticle for us.
So there's always those momentsas well, like as we're, you know
, meeting people at variousevents, where we're like holy
cow, how do you know so much?
Right, you should be writing amessage or something right, yeah
, yeah, and so here at JP MediaI've got about 20 people on
(27:49):
staff for our six differentbrands.
And then everybody pretty muchknows Andrea.
She does our advertising sales,but at least maybe the
collectors don't put the artistsdo.
And then we have a new editor,hannah.
She's actually been with thecompany for over a year, but she
trained with our last editor,joyce.
Joyce was the editor for gosh,I think, since 2011.
(28:12):
Oh, wow, okay, I know, and shejust retired.
She was kind of sad, it wasbittersweet, you know, but
Hannah, hannah has some bigshoes to fill, but she's filling
them great.
Speaker 1 (28:26):
No, that's wonderful.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
There's probably throughout the company.
I bet there's eight to 10people who work on dolls in
various facets, be it from allthe way from editorial to
graphics to digital, and then,of course, accounting, because
they're important too.
Speaker 1 (28:42):
Yes, it kind of lets you know, just being a float of
things.
Speaker 2 (28:46):
And my employees appreciate getting paid, so
that's important.
Speaker 1 (28:50):
That's useful.
That's useful.
Yes, I think really goodwriters that way.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
But oh gosh, yes.
Speaker 1 (28:56):
Yes, you do.
Yes.
Let me ask you this Is there atleast one future plan you could
tell me about?
We?
Speaker 2 (29:02):
have some exclusive plans for the next year, for
2024.
So I'm not going to go into whothey are yet, and I'm hoping to
do more book projects.
Oh, okay, nice, everything isstill in the works, so I can't
say anything.
You know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (29:18):
That's why I said do you have like one?
Maybe you could share with us.
Just one, okay, so you havesome future things coming up.
Yeah, yes, you're going to bedoing some more books, so that's
great.
I love that.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
Yes, yes.
Speaker 1 (29:30):
I just do believe that Doll Magazine has to like
shape the future for a lot ofthings in the doll industry
because they are connected withso many artists and people
within that community.
How do you envision this rolenow in shaping new artists and
people within the doll community?
Speaker 2 (29:48):
Well, my hope is that we can reach the younger
generations and give them a lovefor collecting dolls.
And I do think with a lot ofthe new like there's some new
innovations that artists arecoming up with that I think
makes it a little easier maybefor somebody to get in
collecting.
Okay, For example, if I'm a newcollector, I'm at a doll show
(30:13):
and a doll cost $1,000.
And I'm a new collector and I'mlike I didn't realize dolls
were $1,000.
I need a price point I can getin on, especially if I'm younger
.
And so I think, just providingan avenue for the younger
collectors to move in where it'sa feasible hobby and passion
(30:35):
and love that they can have.
And as we get older and we workand make money and decide how
we're going to spend it, thenyou can start making decisions
like.
the $1,000 doll is in my budgetbecause I put it there, but I do
think a lot of.
I really do want to see youngerpeople coming in, the people
(31:00):
who have been doing this for awhile, people like maybe us and
older who are still young.
Yes, age is just the number,that's true.
There is so much history and somuch passion that they can
share with that youngergeneration that I would love to
see that bridge built.
(31:20):
So that's something I'mpassionate about.
Speaker 1 (31:24):
And how do you think that is for the artists too in
general?
I mean like seeing youngerartists create things, because
there's so many different newways to create dolls nowadays.
Is that something that youthink would be envision your
role, I think, in being amagazine?
You know, helping shaping thatrole too for artists, for
(31:45):
younger artists to come in andalso more diverse artists, Sure.
Speaker 2 (31:47):
Yes, well, and I think where we can really play a
role is being able to showcasethe younger generations as they
come up in their artistry.
I do think that's part of thegoal is, you know, I like to
think that we can be all thingsto all people.
You know what I mean, like inthe collecting world you can't
(32:09):
please everybody all of the time, and I know there are times
where why is it ball jointed andwhy aren't there fashion dolls
and why are the reborns, and youknow, and there's this whole
like yeah, I want this, so Iwe're not going to be able to
please everybody you know, butwe do.
We do want no-transcript, youknow.
Provide an opportunity forartists to be seen by the
(32:32):
collectors.
Speaker 1 (32:33):
That's how they get started, yeah that is the truth,
and then you do that well, so Iwant to thank you so well.
Speaker 2 (32:39):
Thank you, I appreciate that.
Speaker 1 (32:40):
Yeah, yeah, you really do, Okay.
So if anybody has never heardof Dolls magazine, I know who
that would be.
But if they have not, how canthey find out about your amazing
publication?
Speaker 2 (32:53):
Sure, so best, best places to start is our website,
dolls magazine calm, and if youare not a subscriber, you should
just go there and subscribe.
It's Fairly inexpensive in myopinion, so I'll leave that
there, but please, please, visitthere and then also on our
Facebook page.
If you go to Facebook com,backslash dolls magazine.
(33:13):
We are.
I've I've got quite a fewinterviews on there from the
modern doll collectorsConvention, and then there's a
few videos that I put together.
So, and I did a really, I haveto say I'm I'm proud of it, but
it's.
It was Diana Eppner dolls, so Iinterviewed Casey and it was.
(33:36):
It was a fun interview, nice,heard a little bit about what
they're doing, but they have oneof the convention dolls, and
somebody else shared a hilariousstory of Making the convention
doll that you probably don'twant to miss.
Okay, so Facebook is the placeto find that one.
Yeah, and I think that one isactually on our website as well,
but I, I have to say, likeeverybody was roaring, laughing
(33:59):
from from the story.
So, and they, I think they saidthey would never do a
convention doll like that one.
Speaker 1 (34:08):
Well, I think it's probably a story Everybody would
love to hear about.
So they yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (34:13):
Yeah, and I plan.
My goal is with our team.
I have to say I love our teamis great.
So Hannah and Andrea, likethey're kind of the Hub of it
all and they're amazing and wecould.
I can't do what what I dowithout them.
But we plan on doing more videointerviews and just to get the
(34:33):
artists out there.
Speaker 1 (34:34):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
In front of the collectors.
I understand that cool.
Speaker 1 (34:38):
Well, thank you so much, diana, for being with us
on a doll wall and sharing yourexperience and and and and
everything that goes into Makingand sustaining a doll magazine,
because I'm sure it is not easyto do that.
But we really appreciate howlong Dolls magazine has been
around and we really appreciatethe fact that you are at the
helm and you're Making sure theycontinue to stay around in
(35:01):
digital form and in print form,because I do love print.
Honestly, I'm not a big readeron digital as far as magazines
or anything like that.
I like to have it in my handand you know, curl up on a bear
with one.
So I appreciate that that isstill something that you will
continue to do.
So, again, thank you so muchfor your time.
I really appreciate you being aguest in the doll world with us
(35:23):
.
Speaker 2 (35:24):
You're so sweet.
Thank you, it's always apleasure to talk to you.
Speaker 1 (35:27):
Oh, thank you so much , diana.
Bye, guys, bye, hello everybody.
Thank you so much for listeningto in the Doll World.
I hope you enjoyed the show.
Please don't forget to sharethe podcast with other doll
enthusiasts, such as yourself.
They can find us at Facebook,instagram and Twitter at in the
Doll World.
The show can also be downloadedon all apps with podcasts or
(35:48):
streamed To see videos of ourinterview.
Please visit our in the DollWorld YouTube channel and don't
forget, in the Doll World isalso on Alexa.
Just ask Alexa to open DollWorld.
Did you know that you can nowleave a voicemail or give us a
review?
We would love to hear from youor suggest a guest for the show.
You can do all that by visitingwwwinthedollworldcom and, until
(36:13):
next week, add a little playinto your life by collecting a
doll, sharing a doll or giving adoll a home.
And again, thank you forlistening to in the Doll World.
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