Kelly notes home

"REcipitant of the Barbie Best friend Award for 2005"

Kelly doll was introduced as Barbie's baby sister in 1995. The first doll had a bottle mouth and came with a crib and two outfits: pink footed pajamas and a black party dress. She was available in Caucasian and African- American. Since then, Kelly has been sold in many forms: single-boxed dolls, sets with accessories, gift sets with Barbie and her other sisters, special holiday editions, and gift sets with her friends. She has grown from a toddler to a little girl.

Kelly notes

kelly's features

Until 2003, Kelly's body remained the same size, despite her maturing face and wardrobe and accessories geared more to a five-year-old than a toddler. In late, 2003, Mattel changed Kelly's head and body, making her taller, thinner, and with an oversized head. Many collectors dubbed these restyled Kellys" lemon heads" because of the odd shape of their noggins. They look fine displayed with My Scene Barbies, but are out of proportion with "classic Kellys" and regular Barbies.

Like her big sister,

Kelly has had friends of many ethnicities: Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic, and Asian. But while Barbies' friends Christie, Teresa, and Kira were always African-American, Hispanic, and Asian. Kelly's often changed hair color, eye color and ethnicity. For example, Jenny began as a brunette Asian friend, but in recent years has been a redheaded Caucasian.

K e l l y 's f r i e n d s

Included: Becky, Melody, Chelsie, Deidre, Marisa, Keeya, Tamika, Kayla, Nia, Maria, Belinda, Liana, Lorena, Desiree, Nikki, and Kerstie. Note: Outside the U.S. , some of the dolls have different names. Even Kelly herself is known as Shelly in some countries!

more family appeal

Ken's little brother Tommy is the same size as Kelly. He has been available in sets with Ken, Kelly, and by himself, in Caucasian and African-American versions. SO far, there have been two male name used for Tommy's friends: Ryan and Duke de Sucre. The lack of different boys has led many collectors and customizers to make their own friends for Tommy. Among the favorites in my collection is Pip, a OOAK by Loanne Ostile.

o n e of a kind dolls

Customizing and body switching is very common with Kelly collectors. Many like to pose and photograph their dolls and prefer the bodies with bendable legs. Others like to repaint the faces or restyle the hair to resemble friends or family members. Custom Lucy doll by Maria see link

To ask your Kelly or kiddle questions or to share your Kelly scene pictures for this web site. We'd love to see your dolls and hear any good tips! email

To share your Kelly scene pictures for this web site, just drop us a note. We will credit your photos to the owner's collection if we use them. Enjoy these pictures! More to come!

Kelly web site There is an entire list of Kelly dolls on Karin Roberts web site!

k e l l y n o t e s

new kelly sets
kelly site/lots of info

custom kelly/tommy

For "kelly collectors" Kelly / notes by Margie Schultz email author

Kelly notes | contact info

Note from web owner: Lucy doll belongs to web owner-Dolls shown in header- 1st, 3rd and 6th pictured belong to Margie. 2nd doll by Loanne in owner's collection-kelly ooak shown by Rob's dolls, owner's colelction. photos belong to collector Margie Schultz. I have only a few selected Kelly/family dolls in my collection. Buy what you like in the Barbie family series. This is a great series! Askmargie@aol.com. Margie's wonderful with Kelly, Kiddies and more Mattel dolls. We are not affiliated with Mattel. This is an independent collector web site of some of my private collection.. The collectors who write for this web site are experienced Barbie and family doll collectors. Their knowledge we hope can be helpful.