Tiny Tears!

Just last week I found this little

girl in a thrift store.

She is a Tiny Tears Doll from the 1950s.

She was made by the 

American Character Doll Company.

She not only drank and wet, but

she cried little tears!

The American Character Doll Company was

located in Massachusetts. They

sold their dolls mostly through mail order in

stores like Sears and Montgomery Ward.

They peaked in popularity in the 1950s with 

dolls like Tiny Tears and Toodles.

Eventually the company went bankrupt and

was acquired by the Ideal Toy Company.

Who made the Crissy Doll line.

My Sally Ann was made by American Character.

And also my 10.5" Toni was made by

American Character.

Tiny Tears was not the only crying baby 

American Character made.

This is the "I Love Lucy" baby.

When I found my Tiny Tears, she was 

naked and SO dirty! 

She had marks on her face and

her eyes were a bit sunken in.

Getting ready for her bath, I saw

even more marks and dirt!

Yikes, this baby needs a bath!

I am using my "Heads Up" shampoo and 

conditioner. I washed her hair twice.

The magic eraser took off all the dirt and marks.

After her bath I worked this conditioner 

into her hair and combed it through.

This works really well on dry stiff hair.

You can see a little more shine already.

I was considering fixing her eyes, but when

she sits up they are fine, so I decided

to leave her eyes alone.

I use this finishing spray for synthetic hair.

It is like hair spray, but really adds shine.

When it dries it is not sticky.

I spray it on and comb it through.

You can see how much shine it adds.

Next she needs some more color on her lips and cheeks.

I use a melon color and a flesh tone.

I use a small brush and paint her lips with the melon.

For cheeks the 2 colors are mixed half and half.

Then I use a makeup sponge tapped dry on a paper towel.

Then I lightly pat her cheeks with the sponge.

I also repainted her eyebrows and gave her

some lower lashes.

I was fortunate enough to find this dress

online, the very next day! 

And now she's ready for her photo shoot.

Very sweet!

I am SO pleased with how she came out.

Oh! And her little bracelet says, "Lara".

Lara, Before and After