Introducing Bedford’s modern-day doll whisperer, Shannon Dillon. Otherwise known as the proprietor of Creative Images Boston, Dillon is equally talented in transforming a much-loved doll from grunge to glam as the primary care doctor of the Bedford Doll Hospital.
How long have you been a doll doctor?
Only since December 2020!
Did you have many dolls as a child?
No! I had exactly 3 Barbies, 1 Cabbage Patch Kid, and one special baby doll. Actually, I was never a huge fan of dolls.
Did you have a favorite then?
Yes! When I was about 6 or 7, a neighbor owned a salvage-type company and brought home items to resell, trash, or donate. While cleaning out a home, he found a life-sized antique baby doll. I immediately fell in love and begged him to let me keep it. He gave her to me and I carried her on my hip, everywhere I went like she was my actual baby. I loved that doll so much! My parents and I recently connected the fact that my daughter’s only favorite baby doll is an almost identical, miniature version of my childhood doll! I asked my mother if she remembered the doll’s name and it was Petunia. Even more of a coincidence because my daughter’s doll is Tunia!
Petunia currently lives at my parents’ house and I’ve recently asked them to find her and ship her to me.
How many dolls have you treated at the Bedford Doll Hospital?
I haven’t counted! I’d say at least 50 in the last 6 months.
Has your favorite doll changed over time?
My current favorite dolls to fix are American Girl Dolls. When they get to me, they’re usually second-hand or passed down from a family member, so they are in need of some major TLC. It’s interesting how the company has kept almost the exact same design over the years!
What prompted you to become a doll rescuer?
My sister-in-law was obsessed with Barbies as a child. My mother-in-law saved all of them and recently found them in her attic. They were disgusting, smelly, and dirty and my sister-in-law told her to throw them away. My mother-in-law was too attached to them and gave them to my daughter. I opened the box and immediately saw a sentimental and creative challenge. I restored some of them and had so much fun, I started asking people to send me their dolls to fix.
I am a doll doctor who is not really a fan of dolls! My friends and family think it’s hilarious that I’ve stumbled upon this new talent because I’ve always been known as someone who preferred humans to dolls…. But they’re growing on me!
How did you learn your craft?
Through YouTube, articles, Facebook groups, and fellow doll-doctors I’ve met through Instagram.
What doll do you treat most frequently?
RAPUNZEL!!! So—much—hair.
Does the doll owner have an idea/vision of how they would like the doll restored or do they leave the decision-making up to you?
I usually try to get the dolls back to their original hairstyle and condition if possible. If not, I work with the owners to figure something out. If a doll doesn’t have a home or the owner is up for it, I try fun new styles on them!
What is the most common doll ailment?
Tangled hair is definitely number one!
Do you treat the entire doll or are you a specialist?
I love to treat the entire doll, but it depends on the owner’s comfort level.
What has been your most challenging restoration?
A vintage, 4-foot Barbie Doll! She was so dirty and matted, with stains all over her. It was so much fun to fix her! She may be my favorite so far. Some dolls need everything – a bath, a new hairdo or hair replacement, eye surgery, scar removal, etc.
What do you consider the easiest restoration?
I recently had a very well taken care of American Girl Doll (Kanani) in the original box! The owner just needed her cleaned up and wanted her hair back to its original condition.
What would make a doll terminal for you?
MOLD! I tried to fix a few moldy Barbies and realized that there’s just no saving moldy dolls.
Are your patients local or do they travel from out of the area for your services?
Mostly local but I’ve gotten several people from other towns, and a few in the mail!
Do you return dolls to their owners after they have been treated or do you re-home them? Are they sold?
So far, I return the dolls or re-home them. I’m hoping to make some with crazy fun hair and repaint some faces. Those may be sold eventually but I’m not sure.
Are the doll owners children? Adults? Collectors?
Mostly children.
Do you take glam shots of all your restorations?
I try to! Many of their photos are on my Bedford Doll Hospital Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/247248230372351/about.
Is there an average amount of time you spend or are willing to spend on a restoration?
Nope! Each doll is different and I love a challenge. This is the end of my slow season for photography. The dolls have been very patient subjects!
What is your favorite aspect of being a doll doctor?
My absolute favorite part of restoring dolls is returning them to their children. Seeing their reactions and reading their thank you notes brings me so much joy! I post before and after images in my Facebook group, Bedford Doll Hospital. Sometimes, my posts are a bit darkly humorous and I call all of my patients “gross dolls.” I can’t help but laugh when a doll is in pieces, with no hair or a missing eyeball and their expression is still a peaceful, happy one. Maybe it puts life into perspective.
Gallery of Images from the Bedford Doll Doctor
A new hair-do, and a new attitude!
The Eyes Have It
Barbie and Rapunzel
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Shannon fixed the hair on my granddaughters Moana doll. Came out beautiful! She is a very caring and giving person 💗
My amazing friend Shannon can do anything she sets her mind to. Before this she made masks for people.
I was just gift an American Girl doll and gave it to her daughter Juliette for them to transform together.
Love it! I wish I had had such a doll whisperer when I and my own children were growing up! We had several doll catastrophes, with no hospital in sight.
You are the true doll whisperer!