American Girl Doll Collector Q&A Part 1

Answering all your burning questions.
TikTok: tiktok.com/@idreamofjonny
Instagram: idreamofjonny

[@dadsbasecampnursery]

So glad I discovered your channel. So you are moving to my neck of the woods. I live in SC. I'm 59 year old male and collect dolls. My main doll now is American Girl. I started by collecting 1/6 scale first. Then got into AG. Then went to life-like baby dolls. Now I'm back into AG. To me I like to use my all boy doll collection to tell stories. They strike my imagination. I was doing filmmaking until my parents health went down. I had to put all that on hold to care for my folks. Dolls became my way of express myself as a artist. No I'm not gay. But I love all. I love your videos. I also follow you Instagram and TikTok accounts. Great video 👍👍

[@idreamofjonny]

So glad to have you here! One of my goals with this channel is to help clear up misconceptions about doll collecting, so I’m hoping more straight guys develop the confidence to share their love for dolls. Take care!

[@dadsbasecampnursery]

@@idreamofjonny you too👍❤️👍

[@ScarlettOcean92]

"Stop judging yourself first." What wonderful, sage advice. I think sometimes when people are afraid of other people judging them for something, it's because somewhere internally, THEY are judging their own selves for it. Learn to freely love what you love, without shame, and suddenly your hobby/passion will be about joy rather than shame.

[@stephaniesanchez6837]

So glad I found a adult collectors channel! I know this might sound silly but I’m 18 and have a son so it feels silly for me to want to get back into dolls. I had a small collection at 12-14 but I want to start again but it feels wrong being a mom and 18. Ik I’m still I guess a teenager but not sure what to do. I just admire my dolls in my closet lol.

[@joannewall5499]

Absolutely the same for me, my mum passed and wasn’t able to be with her because of covid, hit me so hard and her love of dolls was something I felt I could honour her with and in some way stay connected with her

[@idreamofjonny]

I’m so sorry to hear that. The dolls definitely help keep the connection ❤️

[@firecracker3911]

I am so sorry about your grandmother. I am happy to hear how supportive she was!!❤

[@idreamofjonny]

Thank you 🥹

[@Frankieclaw]

Your videos are actually so great! They actually inspired me to go and hunt for my Samantha Doll. I had wanted a Samantha for many years and I found a 1993 PC one for only $55 with her whole Meet in great condition! She was my first and is currently my only American Girl Doll, I just wanted to thank you for your good informative videos!

[@idreamofjonny]

Thanks so much, Frankie - I appreciate that! What a great score on Samantha - I’m glad you got her!

[@Bawdy420]

Oooh a video on your past design work would be amazing! Funny enough, I went to school for animation (focusing on character design and pre-production) and have been playing with the idea of getting into toy design.

[@idreamofjonny]

You should try toy design - it’s really fun!

[@nanasewdear]

Oregon will miss you, Jonathan!

[@idreamofjonny]

🥹 I’m going to miss so many things!

[@hannahleeAG420]

I collect because of my grandmas too🤗 but I NEED A SPREADSHEET VIDEO!! Give me all the organization videos before my collection gets crazy.

[@idreamofjonny]

I’ll make one!

[@hannahleeAG420]

@@idreamofjonny YAAAAS! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@clairejoanne123]

Before Claire passed away she was going through IUI which is donor sperm. Before she was accepted it had to go to a panel and they refused her because she was gay and single. The consultant she was seeing was not best pleased and challenged it, she then got a reply that funding was available for her and unfortunately as I have told you she passed away before the process started. All she ever wanted was her own child which breaks my heart.

[@idreamofjonny]

I’m so sorry to hear that. I’m sure the news of her approval still brought her an immense amount of joy ❤️

[@melaniem5971]

Oh Jonny! At 63 I took my granddaughter to AGP for her birthday and saw Melody! For me she was me in the mid 1960’s - the clothes, the hair, the glasses! Her story I do remember but wasn’t as apparent in my world , maybe because I was younger , but the doll just spoke to me. My daughter who was of age when AG first came out really wasn’t into dolls. Now I’m hooked! There is something about how this line of dolls were created , you can see Pleasant Rowland’s vision in the historical line. That’s why I enjoy your channel -you celebrate & appreciate this history! Thank you!

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

That spreadsheet sounds like a fantastic resource, and I'd love to see it! (Or even have a template available? 😉)

[@idreamofjonny]

I’m actually thinking about selling the template heh 😁

[@thee_junkdrawer]

I know nothing about American Girl but it was thoroughly enjoyable listening to you answer questions! 😁

[@idreamofjonny]

Aw thanks, I appreciate that!

[@LilouViviKiani]

I love how you display your dolls ❤. I really enjoyed your Q & A. I also started collecting dolls during the pandemic. I started with Cabbage Patch Kids, then reborns, and now American Girl. I never had dolls growing up. I absolutely love this hobby. Thank you for sharing.

[@SDjilliaRE]

Damn we have a lot in common just in the ASL part, haha. My collection story is pretty similar too. We're a few years apart so I didn't see the catalogue until about '98 and it stuck in my head but I didn't pull the trigger until last Christmas. I feel similar to group meetups as well. The idea of getting one of those dorky AG backpacks and going on an outing seems fun, but I don't think the themed tea parties or things like that speak to me on any level whatsoever, haha. You seem like the kind of guy that's into DIY and archival, so I can definitely see why you eventually landed on doll collecting. Just wait until you start getting into Barbie and learn about hair types, face molds, countries of origin, etc. Thankfully they're pretty similar to AG in terms of restoration. Lots of heat and elbow grease, lol.

[@dianaalmazan69]

Thank you for being so honest. I LOVE your channel. I love hearing that the first doll that you purchased was Molly. Purchasing my 35th Anniversary, Molly rekindled my love for American Girl. I enjoy having multiple Molly dolls to display more of her outfits. My goal is to have a Molly for every outfit that American Girl has produced for her and some shown in the books. I currently have 3 Molly dolls and an Emily doll. Overall, I have 17 dolls. Gymnastics is the only sport I care about during the Olympics, LOL.

[@idreamofjonny]

That sounds like a really fun goal! You’ll end up with more Molly’s than I have 🤣

[@tinmanlover1994]

I found American Girl by getting a catalog in the mail and my family just moved and got a po box so mom and dad checked the mail and they gave me the catalog and it had Kaya on the cover and I kept the catalog for a year. Then the next year i really wanted a American Girl doll and in 2003 I got a updated catalog and I saw kailey and on Christmas 2003 I got kailey Girl of the year 2003 2004. Then I got Samantha and Nellie the following Christmas in 2004 so that's how I started collocation American Girl dolls. I learned to read from the American Girl books that the dolls have been with me for the hard times of having chronic illness and being special needs

[@arielsgrotto822]

You worked for Disney ?! That is so coooooool❤❤ can you please do a video on your experience? 😊

[@alisonmcgregor2002]

yessss

[@idreamofjonny]

One day, maybe! My work was contracted so I wasn’t a direct employee. But it was really great to work the development teams there. I gained a lot of experience.

[@libbygober8126]

I really enjoyed getting to learn more about you beyond your collection! Man, if flipping through PC Catalogs and watching VHS tapes of recorded gymnastics competitions wasn’t my quintessential childhood, I don’t know what was. The gymnastics obsession never stopped, (highly recommend attending a USAG Championships as a fan) but the American Girl doll collecting is something I rediscovered in my late 30s. It has been so fun!

[@clairewatkins1720]

Congratulations on reaching 1000 subscribers! And welcome to NC! I live on the coast, love it! Thank you for sharing your journey with us. ❤ I’m 67, mom of 2 boys, so never had dolls in the house....until 5 years ago when I started my collection! Since I’m a 50’s child I started with Maryellen and have her entire collection. I have a total of 11 dolls now. I also struggle with when some people come over and see my collection, most are supportive and love it, and few think I’m a bit crazy! So I’m trying to come to terms with all that. You inspire me, and so many others I’m sure, to embrace that inner child inside and do what we love and makes us happy. I’m looking to more videos! Thank you Jonny! Let us know when you land in NC! 😊

[@DevotedScholar]

I relate to the sudden desire to buy the doll you always wanted as a child. I always loved dolls but American Girl was just too costly to justify for my family to justify. My birthday is coming up and I finally treated myself in my late night scrolling. I can’t wait to finally get hold one and dress her.

[@NomieDolls]

Loved the Q&A congrats on 1k!

[@idreamofjonny]

Thank you!!!

[@irishseadollies]

such a beautiful story about your grandma always supporting you. thank you for sharing ❤

[@Marielizbit]

Commented too soon, would love to see your collection notebook. I’ve been wanting to do this for my and my daughter’s PC/AG collections.

[@Lavender_Aura_AG]

Great video - so glad to “know” you better :) I am very sorry to hear about your grandmother. The way you described her reminded me a lot of my grams, who was hugely influential in my life, too, and taught me never to judge others, and that our job is simply to love people (she also bought me the Polly Pockets that I have to this day). Additionally, YES elite gymnastics! If you haven’t seen it, there was a great documentary on Peacock about a year or two ago that followed the 2020 / 2021 Olympic hopefuls. It was SO good! I was a gymnast, and I miss it so much! And when you mentioned Strugs landing - that made me thing that I totally want to make 90s gymnast and figure skating posters for the twins cause as a fellow 1984 baby, that’s what I was into! Also, can’t wait to see you open your 1988 Superstar Barbie. Looking forward to part 2!❤❤❤

[@idreamofjonny]

Omg yesssss! I watched that special the minute they released it. Jess from the Gymcastic podcast was on it. You should listen to that podcast if you don’t already! I wanna know if Gabby Douglas is actually making a comeback 🤔

[@Lavender_Aura_AG]

@@idreamofjonny I did not know about the podcast! Thank you thank you! Yes, I’ll have to check that out. That would be very interesting to see if she made a comeback…

[@buffmontana4203]

Great questions and answers. Nice to get to know you better. My small collection of PC dolls just grew because I just got Molly (finally). Nothing special about her but I love her anyway. (I steamed her hair that you recommended it helped a lot). She came in her school outfit with original shoes and socks. Had to buy her meet outfit and glasses. Her meet outfit tags said made in Hungary. Does this make sense? But anyway it would be great if you published a book with detailed photos and side by side comparisons. As far as I know you are the only AG channel that deals with the old stuff and I hope you never get tired of doing so. Thanks! Also it's wonderful to have a supportive partner!

[@idreamofjonny]

Thanks so much! I think Hungary tags are mid-90s but I’m not 100% sure. I do wanna finish work on the collectors guide i started. It’s so much work!

[@Sandy42800]

Sorry to hear about your Grandmother. Nice that you have your own business at such a young age. I just started collecting AG dolls. I have Corinne & MaryEllen. I want to buy Claudie soon. I do have a few porcelain dolls I bought years ago. I didn’t have many dolls as a kid so I’m making up for it now lol. Congrats on reaching 1,200 subscribers!

[@idreamofjonny]

Thank you! That’s so awesome that you’re growing your collection! I hope to get Claudie before long 💚

[@Lilith-cosplay-world]

when you said you were going to be in North Carolina in a few months I got really excited because I live in North Carolina lol

[@cindyeisenberg8367]

My sister lives in Oregon. Some people I used to work with, including my boss were living in North Carolina. I am almost 61 years old and have a collection of American Girl dolls. Most of my dolls are new. But, I have a lot of retired clothing. In my day, boys weren’t allowed to play with dolls. But, the boy across the street would play with my Barbies with me. He threatened to beat up the other boys if they bothered him about this. All of my family know about my doll collection. But, criticize me for spending money on them. I don’t care, I will do what I want. My nana was my best advocate. So, I understand how hard it is to lose someone like that. My mom used to buy me expensive things, like a porcelain Barbie. I used to collect Barbies. But, now collect American Girl dolls, clothing and books. I still have Barbies from the 90’s and 2 porcelain dolls my aunt had made. I love Molly. If I had money and room, I’d get Samantha.

[@Marielizbit]

Love this video, thanks for sharing with us! After begging and trying to save my own pennies my aunt bought be Felicity but I completely related to nostalgia just from flipping the catalogs bc that’s mostly what I did as a kid. I love doing that to this day 🙂 and elite gymnastics?! Uh YES!! Who could not be into gymnastics after the 96 Olympics ❤ that hooked me to the love of gymnastics for life.

[@SK-jy5gs]

Will you be happy once you complete your collection of Molly, Samantha and Kirsten?

[@idreamofjonny]

Prob no more happy than I am now lol. I think it’s the journey that’s making me happiest 😁

[@pr23487]

You look really good for your age, I thought you were like 26

[@interpolrox89]

Thank you for sharing! Very inspiring video!

[@lessaclayton1355]

I love your program. I thought I knew a lot about American Girl, apparently I was wrong! Can you tell me if Samantha's Birthday dress ever came with a West Germany tag? I have a 1986 made in China tag, but I wonder if there is another. thanks!

[@idreamofjonny]

Thanks so much! You have a first edition birthday dress from 1987. It was never made with a paper tag. The 1986 China tag is the very first from 1987. Lucky you!

[@lessaclayton1355]

@@idreamofjonny Thank you so much for replying! I appreciate. I have watched all of your episodes at least once and some two or three times. I feel like I am in American Girl School.

[@alisonmcgregor2002]

omg, no way!!!!! i’m in college right now, and my major is in digital media/digital art/graphic design!!!!! i don’t think i want to be a freelancer though. idk. but omg, that’s so cool!!! i use programs such as photoshop, illustrator, and indesign for the various classes that i’ve taken. right now i’m actually in an animation class where we are learning how to use adobe animate (it’s not as interesting as working in photoshop or illustrator. animation is alright) but wow i had no idea that both me and you have the same college major!!!🤯that’s amazing lol. i guess you continue working with graphic design for ur small company? i think that’s what you said in the video

[@idreamofjonny]

Awesome! Freelancing definitely requires a ton of discipline and it can be quite demanding. I’ve used photoshop every day for about 20 years lol

[@alisonmcgregor2002]

lol wow that’s interesting. it must’ve been crazy to see how photoshop evolved over the years as the program got updated

[@shannonm4273]

interested to hear about your design/toy design work!! i am currently looking at toy design as a path, haven’t heard of other collectors in the feild hahah

[@Lilith-cosplay-world]

I have sectoral heterochromia!!! It’s not very noticeable but in my right eye part of my eye is lighter color brown then the rest of my eye and it actually found out till a few ears ago 😅

[@merdollies8611]

It was fun to learn about you. You seem like such a nice person. I was born in 1984 as well and I’m a lesbian. I had Molly, Felicity, and AGOT #2 growing up. Not sure if you’re still taking questions but if you are, how do you store/display everything other than what’s behind you? I’m starting to run out of space 😂

[@officiallyashlen]

I have sectoral heterchromia as well! I’ve also never met anyone with it.