Since 1989, Contemporary Artist Dolls has been offering dolls from the finest artists from the U.S. and around the world. We hope that you enjoy your visit to our site.

Every cent of profit left over from business expenses made from this web site goes to the support of several rescue horses. Horses have been my passion since a child and I have been very lucky to always have them in my life. Ten years ago I (a few years before hitting the 50 age mark) with the support of my husband I gave up my day job, put the doll business to the side for a while and apprenticed for a year with national clinician and trainer Charles Wilhelm.

I now split my time between the dolls and his ranch where every year we seem to take in more and more rescue horses. These are usually horses abused and thought to be un-trainable or not worth the effort by most horse owners and other trainers.

My personal herd has now grown to five. Here they are and a short story of each.

Sundance-Quarter Horse- as of June 2009 now 25 years young. He came from a ranch at the age of 10, no one would ride him as he would run away with even the best cowboy. This is him now with his personal teenager-Rebecca.

 

Julian has left us. He is free now from the terrible pain of laminitis that just could not be stopped no matter what we tried, it just got worse daily. He will be terribly missed by his dog Lily, best friend Ike and me. I did not write the piece below but Julian was "just my horse"
From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a horse". Or, "that's a lot of money for just a horse". They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a horse." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a horse." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a horse," but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a horse," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a horse" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you, too, think it's "just a horse," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a horse" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a horse" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "just a horse" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a horse" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a horse" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a horse" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a woman" or "just a man." So the next time you hear the phrase "just a horse" just smile, because they "just" don't understand.

 

Ike-Quarter Horse, now 11. He came to use because he bucked, kicked and was overall pretty nasty. Now a real sweetheart, kind and friendly. My buddy.

 

Apollo-Arab/Quarter Horse-OK, not a rescue! My 4 year old baby from my Arabian mare lost to colic. Tall and handsome, will be my horse I can ride when everyone else retires.

 

Mr. Peaches National Show Horse- a year old now, came to use with a group of 6 rescues last year. Currently just growing and eating.

 

Lily-not a rescue but this is her herd too and with me 24/7.

If interested, I have contact info for those that would like to help out a horse rescue organization. There are many, many abandoned and abused horses in need of help. It takes all I have to support the ones I have and I consider it a lifetime commitment.

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Design your own layaway plan. Pay monthly payments within a specific time plan decided on at the time of purchase. Pay equal payments monthly or vary the payment amount to fit your needs within a specific time frame. The time frame for your layaway will depend on the cost of the doll and doll availability.

As you know many (most) artist dolls are not available early in the year. Small editions sell out quickly from the artists at the IDEX and Toy Fair shows during January and February. When these dolls are purchased by Contemporary Artist Dolls they are available but may not be shipped until later in the year.

A 10% deposit will hold your doll. You then have the option to start making monthly payments based on the scheduled arrival time of the doll or make no payments at all until the doll actually arrives. Upon receipt of the doll at Contemporary Artist Dolls payment must start within the time frame of your custom plan.

Failure to make payments at this time will result in a forfeit of your deposit.

Many dolls are still available form the various artists and companies. If you know of a doll that you would like or see one by browsing through the links to the artists and it is not listed here, please contact us for availability. Special orders will be made with a deposit of 10% to 20% depending on the doll. The custom layaway plan can be arranged at time of ordering.

You must be happy with your doll purchase; dolls are special to us and made to be enjoyed. If you are not happy with your purchase or it is damaged in any way, you may call for a return authorization within 5 days after receiving your purchase. You will be issued a refund or store credit less the original shipping cost and any finance charges incurred when the doll is received in it’s original condition.

A 10 % re-stocking fee may apply. No returns, refunds or exchanges on sale, special order items or on purchases made by extended layaway.

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