Like many people, Brandy Naugle grew up around Barbies.
I originally had barbies when I was a child. My grandmother and aunt were barbie collectors.
But her love for the dolls really grew when the world shut down.
I started collecting seriously since pandemic time, Naugle told me during a tour of her impressive Barbie display. “And I started to fall in love with the barbies again.
And as impressive as this display is, it’s just a fraction of her entire collection. From the classics, to the newest editionsNaugle has it all.
Barbie is ubiquitous with our culture. She is every person, she is everyone, says Naugle. “Anyone can find a Barbie for them.”
But Barbie isn’t Naugle’s only collection: She’s also found a way to merge her passion for Barbie with her other passion, Tucson’s Gem and Mineral Show.
My husband and I have been involved in the gem and mineral business for 20 years, says Naugle. At the Tucson Gem Show I was inspired to do a Barbie diorama, the Barbie Reiki Healing Center.
We have the Barbie explain various things about the minerals, and she has tiny miniature versions of the minerals that we have large versions of.
Naugle tells me she hopes combining Barbie with minerals will help her grow her business, all while spending time with the dolls she loves.
Heidi Alagha: I have a really important questionare you going to see the new Barbie movie? Brandy Naugle: “Oh yeah, absolutely going to go see the new barbie movie.
…That makes the two of us.
currently my favorite barbie is this one, shes brand new.
take a deep breath in, they help you breath, this is meditation barbie.
AND THIS DISPLAY IS JUST A FRACTION OF HER ENTIRE COLLECTION
this is the very first they called her a supersized barbie, shes 17 inches and came out in 1976.
this is the most modern 17 inch barbie.
FROM THE CLASSICS
these are classic old school fashions, 81 and 83 my first barbie wearing my first barbie fashions.
TO THE NEWEST EDITION
this was a new release they did this year in June to coincide with pride.
BRANDY HAS IT ALL
these four show the four main body types that barbie comes in.
BUT BARBIE DOLLS ISNT HER ONLY COLLECTION
SHES FOUND A WAY TO ENCORPORATE HER TWO PASSIONS TOGETHER
IN HOPES OF GROWING HER BUSINESS
ALL WHILE BEING AROUND THE DOLLS SHE LOVES SO MUCH
THAT MAKES TWO OF US
barbie is great. I love barbie.