Adora Dolls "Sandy's Adora-ble Friends"

Ever notice how thrift store shopping is either feast or famine?  Lately, it has been the latter for me, at least in terms of dolls.  Funny, because nearly every time I pull up to the Goodwill there is a line of cars waiting to drop off donations, yet I keep coming up empty on scoring good doll finds in the toy aisle!  Either little girls aren't playing much with dolls anymore, or people just aren't donating them right now.  Or, other thrifters have gotten to them before me! 

 

Well, today I stopped in at one of the Goodwills in my area, completely expecting to walk out empty-handed.  But I also always have hope as I walk through the front doors.  You just never know what you're going to find at a thrift store!  I made my way over to the toy aisle and quickly rummaged through the dismally stocked shelves.  Hmmm, some naked Barbies, a few Cabbage Patch Kids, and several LaLaLoopsies.  Slightly disappointed, I walked back towards the area where Goodwill keeps the breakable dolls.  I always look over these dolls because many times there will be a vinyl doll thrown in the mix, because the workers can't always tell the difference.  And BINGO!  I found this little sweetie, smiling down at me from way up high on the top shelf:

 

As soon as I picked her up, I knew she was hard vinyl.  I could also tell that she was a quality doll from her detailed, well-made clothing and her darling face sculpt.

 

She even had this little tag around her wrist, helping to identify her.  I still wasn't familiar with her though, so I figured I would do some research on her once I got home.

 

The back of her neck is also inscribed with "ADORA".

 

For the price of only $3.99, I couldn't help NOT taking her home!

She stands a hair over 8" tall. 

 

She is jointed in the usual places: hips, shoulders, and neck.

 

After doing a bit of research, I discovered that she is part of the Adora Doll line.  Here is a description I found on Samantha's Dolls website: 

 

Thanks to Adora Doll Company, you no longer need a passport or a plane ticket to travel the world.   You only have to meet a globe hopping, pig-tailed girl named Sandy.   She the star of Sandy's ADORA-ble Friends, a 12-piece set of travel-happy eight inch dolls that bring the world to your fingertips!  This collection revolves around Sandy, who's trying to learn about the world's different cultures.  So she visits her varied friends, who hail from Brazil to Norway to Vermont, and their adventures unfold in an accompanying storybook that highlights each region.

 

While initially in 2006 there were only 12 dolls, I found another web page that listed 18 dolls for 2008.

 

.   This link, http://www.amazing-dolls-gallery.com/category-collectible_dolls-adora_dolls-sandys_friends_1.html shows them all.   I'm not sure how long these dolls were in production, but I don't think it was very long, based on the fact that I've never seen any before, and a quick look on Ebay didn't reveal many, either.

 

I did discover that my little sweetie is Molly O'Malley from Ireland.

 

I think her face is adorable.  Her red hair is a nice wig.

 

Her clothing is very nicely made, with quality fabrics.  The apron is lined, the ruffles have the tiniest of hems, and the dress closes in backs with snaps.  There is even tiny piping around her collar, sleeve cuffs, and dress hem.  And just look at her darling shoes:

 

The shamrocks are actually embossed into the leather and the ankle straps close with a buckle.  So cute!

 

The dolls all came with a book and look like they originally retailed for around $49.95.  The Samantha's Doll website even shows that there were extra outfits available that could be purchased separately.

 

It appears that all of the dolls were girls, except for one:  Hans from Germany.  I would love to find this doll!  Take a look:

 

 

Here's another one I thought was really cute, Rachel from California:

 

And while we're at it, here are the rest from the line up:

Carmen from Brazil

 

Gloria from Wisconsin

 

Jennifer from Wyoming

 

Katrina from Australia

 

Maggie from New York

 

Mary (no country listed in description)

 

2006 Sandy from the USA

 

Taylor from Colorado

 

Erika from Norway

 

Jade from China

 

Kanosak from Alaska

 

Lily from the Jamestown settlement in Virginia

Lucy from New Jersey

 

Mackenzie from Mississippi

 

2008 Sandy

 

Back view of my little Molly O'Malley

 

She is just the right height to play with this little, wicker baby buggy from my doll buggy collection

 

I am so pleased to have found this doll today.  It restored my faith in thrift stores, that's for sure!  So never give up hope on what you may find...you never know what's waiting out there for you until you look.  And sometimes, you might have to look for a long time before you find that treasure.  Just be patient!

 

Tomorrow I'm off to my doll club meeting.  We don't have a program, but are doing a "show and tell" instead.  So I will bring little Miss Molly with me.  Especially since St. Patrick's day was just week ago, I think she'll be the perfect dolly to bring along, don't you?