This is a brief guide to buying and collecting art dolls, made by contemporary doll artists, by Sandra Sparks, a dollmaker and collector with thirty-five years of experience.

 Hera, first in a series of Madwomen and Goddesses by Sandra Sparks

Art Dolls by Sandra Sparks - current auctions on ebay

Art Dolls on ebay - a listing of all that is currently available on ebay

While it is a fascinating past time to collect vintage dolls that remind us of the past, it is far more interesting and rewarding, to me, to create and collect the dolls of the present and future. Doll art is one of humanity's most ancient forms of self expression, not only serving to provide toys for children, but as a way of expressing our diverse humanity - and our spirituality. It is an art form that we can not only look at but hold in our hands, to contact, to touch, to really feel our connection to it, and its connection to us. Dolls, in their smallness and fragility, remind us of who and what we really are: When we care for dolls, we are truly caring for ourselves.

Doll making, using many different materials from fabric to found objects, is currently having an impressive surge as an art form, and the collector is an important part of the art's growth. Collectors help determine not just the value of the work of any artist, but the future of that artist's work. Without the collectors, the work stops. So collecting is not just a hobby: it helps the creativity keep going strong.

Here are some things to look for when collecting art dolls:

1. Originality - Look for a dollmaker who has a unique style and vision, one that really "gets" to you. You'll know it when you see it: you get that little zing! "I only collect what I love" is any collector's rule and is the one you should follow, but the collector that goes for the truly vibrant and unique dolls also expresses his or her own individuality.

2. Fine craft - Pick dolls that are well made. It may look great, but you don't want it falling apart on you! Even paper dolls need to be well crafted and durable. Also look for consistency in craft and style from a dollmaker, so that you can trust that your future purchases will be of the same or better quality than the purchase you have just made.

3. Identity - Make sure that the maker's identity is a part of the doll: buy dolls that have a signature or hallmark of some kind that readily identifies the maker. Certificates are great things to have, but I like the idea of passing on more provenance than that: my new dolls come with cards or letters of provenance, explaining just why they came to be, and a little about the process of making them.

4. When you find it, stick to it -This is a given for any collector: don't buy just one! Return to the same maker again and again. Make sure you know how to stay in contact with the maker, so you can keep growing your collection. This is more difficult than if you are collecting manufactured dolls: individual artists are far more mobile than established companies, and can appear and disappear in a moment. I have had past collectors track me down after many, many years! Once you start collecting a dollmaker's work, make sure you keep on their mailing list, or that any contact information you have is current.

5. Take a chance now, and build for the future. Don't just buy what everyone else likes. If you love someone's work, buy it, display it, and tell others about it. Word of mouth, more than anything else in history, is what establishes an artist's reputation and the value of his or her work. Don't worry whether someone else has noticed - you have. Starting early on collecting a particular maker's work also guarantees that you will get some bargains, and, as your collection and word of mouth both help to build the reputation of the dollmaker, you also build the value of the collection you have started. Think ahead.

6. Want to know more? Check by your local bookstore and ask for Art Doll Quarterly. It is the best periodical currently available on the making and collecting of art dolls.

- Sandra Sparks