Today we’d like to introduce you to Janice McIntyre.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Doll collecting is something I’ve done for many years. As a child I loved dolls and that stayed with me. Antique/Vintage dolls are what I collect. My eye, and budget, always steered me in the direction of dolls that needed some love and care. Over the years I taught myself some techniques but really wanted to learn it as a profession. I found G&M Doll Restoration in Virginia Beach, VA, and signed up for their seminar. After completing the seminar and becoming certified, I joined the Doll Doctors Association, which is a nationwide program. Doll Doctors from all over the country, and beyond, can be located on their web site.
After completing the course I started doing craft shows and getting my word out. I developed a web site and got licensed. Slowly, the word got out and I started getting emails and phone calls at a steady pace. My web site is now nationwide, and I do dolls from all over the country. I work with my lifelong friend who has been learning the craft for about three years now. We work with dolls dating back to the 1800’s up to the modern American Girl Doll.
I also conduct seminars for local senior centers, nursing homes and sewing clubs. Dolls from the 1800’s up to the present are displayed and we discuss when the dolls were made, where they were made and a bit about the manufacturers and clothing. I always find that my love for dolls is shared by many people. Bringing back treasured childhood memories that had been forgotten for some time never gets old. You see a twinkle in people’s eyes.
Most of our clientele are investing to have their dolls restored/repaired to hand down to a loved one in the family. They all have their own stories that go back sometimes for more than 100 years. The bond we make with people and the love for their dolls feels incredible. When a doll owner comes to pick up their restored doll, and they have tears in their eyes, it makes the job extremely gratifying. I am not only doing what I love but making people very happy and hearing wonderful stories from the past.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The path has not been without its challenges. In a business like this you want to be able to fix everything for everyone. It took me a long time to learn how to say “no, it can’t be done” when someone is really hoping to have it completed. Taking someone’s cherished family item always needs to be taken seriously and I learned not to take on anything that I have doubt about completing. That is where I will make recommendations for repair with someone who may specialize in just that area. Lots of people thought it was a fluke and I would never get any business. A bit of a joke to call myself a doll doctor with a doll hospital. I can say now that because I loved what I was doing, and stayed with it, I’ve shown the value and seen the interest in this business. Staying with something you feel compassionate about and believing in yourself is always worth the battle. Never give up when you feel that way about something.
Please tell us about Jenny Baby’s Doll Hospital.
At Jenny Baby’s Doll Hospital we repair and restore dolls of all kinds. We will give free estimates at the time of a visit or on line. The services we specialize in are replacing missing parts, fixing broken parts, replacement of limbs, eyes, wigs (mohair, human, acrylic) and repair/replacement of doll clothing including dresses, shoes, socks, panties, etc. Some dolls require more restoration and we have the equipment to take care of that. Filling, sanding and painting with an air brush are some of the more detailed jobs we do on composition dolls. Because we are a small business we can be very flexible with scheduling for people with busy lives. Finding antique replacement parts for antique dolls can be a challenge, but we continue the search if it takes to complete the job and make our customers happy.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Well, that’s a tough one. There are many to choose from. I grew up in Hopkinton, MA and, at the time, it was a small town that not many people even knew existed. We lived in a neighborhood with friendly neighbors who all new each other. There was a town beach within walking distance that froze over in the winter. So, swimming and ice skating were always in the plans. This was a time when penny candy was a penny, and we had a tiny five dime to buy it from and a drug store with a soda fountain.
Waking up one Christmas and going out to find, under the silver Christmas tree, a baby doll in a bassinet still makes me smile. I loved that doll.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1 B Street, Hopkinton, MA
- Website: Jennybabysdollhospital.com
- Phone: 617-980-6642
- Email: Jennybabys26@yahoo.com
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