Ikea Skubb Zippered Underbed Storage Case Great For Dolls!

Doll Friends!

Recently I went to a Rummage Sale at a local church... One thing I bought was a brand new Ikea Skubb Zippered Storage Box. It was only $2.00 even though it was still in the package! I actually bought it for it's intended purpose of, well, storing things under the bed. Namely in my daughters room, hoping to help her organize a bit better. Sadly, when I finally set about using it for that purpose the box didn't fit under her bed because it was too tall. So I set it aside thinking I'd just donate it to Goodwill since I don't have any other beds it would be appropriate for either. Then, when I was folding it down, I had a thought... "Hey, I wonder if dolls would fit in here?" Most under the bed boxes I've checked were small/short for dolls to fit. I know because I do have a shelf in my basement that fits standard cardboard underbed boxes perfectly and I store the dolls Christmas stuff in... They are too short for dolls to fit in any way except lengthwise. I know I've tried. Doll storage is one of my constant trains of thought when it comes to my doll hobby... For obvious reasons. LOL

However, this one seemed a lot larger than any underbed box I'd seen before...

So I gave it a try and.... They fit like a dream!!?!? Woot! I can fit eight or nine dolls in there very easily! There are 'hard' board inserts in all sides other than the zippered front and so they even stand very well. The case seems sturdy enough to even pick it up with the top handles (that are meant to be side handles if you had it under the bed) to move it. I found myself wishing I had like ten of them!! Because they could keep dust off the dolls but still give you easy access! How COOL!! So, off I skipped to the Google to see if I could buy some more on Ikea... Aaaaaand... 

They must be discontinued! 

NO!!!!! 

Why!?!?

I read that they used to be like $8.95 too and that's not bad for storage for nine or maybe even ten dolls if you tried! They can be found on Amazon Marketplace and on eBay but not for $9.00 each! And certainly not for $2 each!

So I guess I'll add them to my wish lists on eBay and Amazon and hope I find more someday for a good price. Meanwhile I'll be happy to have dust free storage for nine of my dolls. Here it is stowed behind a futon. Perfect! 

I also found this doll tent for $1.00! Woot! Just in time for upcoming Doll Camping Trips!

Better run! Where does the time go?

XXOO

Heather

Doll Rack From Gladiator Garage Storage Systems

Hello Doll Friends!

When it comes to dolls, I've found that some of the best ideas come from other doll collectors... Who else to glean them from than other people who love dolls!

Case in point? My doll rack. I got the idea from a Facebook Doll Group member about a year ago. I thought I'd written a blog post about it then but I can't seem to find one. Perhaps because it wasn't my idea, I felt I shouldn't share? I dunno. Wish I could find original idea sharing person and I would totally give them credit. Alas, I can't recall? So if it was you, holler and I'll totally shout to the world who you are! Meantime, the doll rack...

Here are my doll racks. They are mounted at top of stairs leading to my bedroom suite where one end is my doll space. They really are awesome. You can hold seven 18" dolls on each one if you put them pretty close together. The one who I got idea from did six but I think she had twelve dolls (at the time... They tend to miltiply!). I have so many dolls I need as many to fit as possible though! Haha!

Here are a couple of panorama photos of all seven of each doll. I re-dressed all of these particular dolls for upcoming blog posts. (Sneak peek!) The top rack has dolls all ready for a slumber party! 

The bottom rack had dolls all modeling my one penny eBay find dresses... Finally got them all on models, need to get photo shoot done! I need a clone to come do my real job so I can play dolls all day...! Haha. 

Anyway, so I posted the photo on top up there on a doll group on Facebook. Had someone ask me about how to make it... Realized this question might come again and instead of writing same thing on comments every time, figured I'd do a blog post. All you need are the following:

These Gladiator Slatwall strips are what you attach to the wall. At my Lowe's they were about $15 if I recall correctly...

Here is the trick! So clever of the original idea person! The hooks are NOT MADE FOR the hook strip. They are made for peg boards. They will work on the Gladiator thing... Mind you, they are REALLY tight when you first put them in but they loosen up as you put them on. Each package has four pegs so for a seven doll rack, you'll need four packages. Seems like they were $2/pkg or so. 

As you can see, the hooks go out enough to hold the dolls on well under their arms and have little rubber feet to protect them. 

Note: the last time I tried to make one, the pegs I bought didn't work as well... See how I have a Gladiator strip a little lower on stairs in first photo? Well, it's cos the little tail of the hook wouldn't fit this time and we compared the hooks to older ones and it looks like it was a factory manufacturing error. Just a caveat! My husband is gonna fix the pegs by grinding down the too long part but not everyone has a husband who has tools for such things. Perhaps try you pegs out in store to be sure they fit and then purchase them. 

So... That's it for now.

Chat soon!

XXOO

Heather