Marlie

Marlie is now in my virtural shop

Annette Himstedt’s Marlie (1996) — My Restoration Work

When Marlie came to me she was in a very sorry state. She still had her original underwear, socks, and boots, but her acrylic eyes were discoloured and shot, something that is sadly a common problem for certain years of these dolls. Her eyelashes had detached, and her wig had been cut into a fringe with the curls brushed out. The delicate paint on her face and hands had also faded with time, leaving her a shadow of the beautiful doll she once was.

I felt she deserved a second chance, so I set about bringing her back to life while honouring her history. I gave her beautiful Italian green glass eyes that now shine with depth and light. I restyled her hair, repainted her face and hands, and cleaned and refreshed her original boots, which still proudly carry Annette Himstedt’s stamped signature. I adjusted and redressed her clothes so they now fit her perfectly, making her once again look like the doll Annette envisioned back in 1996.

While working on her, I took inspiration from Bill’s Journey Around the World, Annette Himstedt’s own book about her dolls and their stories. That sense of travel, discovery, and care inspired me to see Marlie’s restoration not just as repair, but as the next chapter in her journey.

To finish, I kept her original year bracelet as a mark of her history and crocheted her a small teddy and matching bag to give her a touch of warmth and individuality. Today, Marlie stands proudly in my collection once more, her spirit restored and her beauty renewed, ready to tell her story for many more years to come.