How many BJD collectors have looked everywhere for that elusive item necessary to achieve the perfect look for their doll? In 2004 Kim Lambert went through a frustrating search for the perfect shoes which eventually led her to a open a shop for others looking for similar items. A fan of period fashion, Kim was determined to dress her third BJD, a Dollshe Bermann, in an 18th century costume.  She purchased a Cheerydoll ivory and gold aristocrat costume, and discovered that she couldn’t complete the look.  There were simply no 18th century shoes in Bermann size to be found.

Months of searching and dead-ends eventually led her to a shoe maker in New Zealand. Joyce Nicholson learned to make shoes from her mother who made sandals for children at a shoe factory.  Many years later, this information became useful when Joyce began to design footwear for dolls. For 30 years, Joyce made shoes for doll artists and antique doll collectors under her company name Dollshoes International.  By the time Kim found her, Joyce was contemplating retiring from the doll shoe business. Kim explained what she needed.  ” She accepted my request and made me two pairs of gorgeous 18th century court shoes to match my outfit.” Kim was able to finally complete her Bermann and also  a Dollshe Husky that she dressed in a period outfit created by the talented costumer  Brian Earl.

Kim’s husband, a military man, had been stationed overseas.  When he was being re-stationed back to the US in late 2006, the couple stopped off in France, and Kim was able to visit the Palace of Versailles.  The visit inspired her to eventually open Court and Castle Dolls which would offer period footwear to other collectors. The main types of footwear that the shop carries are 18th century men’s and women’s court heels and mules, medieval poulaine boots, and a few styles of high leather boots. Kim states,”We started off with the 18th century and medieval periods since those are the most popular.” Footwear can be ordered from the site or a specific style and size can be requested at pre-order periods. According to Kim, “I try to run pre-orders for JN shoes and boots approximately every two months.  I do try to keep some of Joyce’s shoes in stock when possible too, and those, along with all other items on my site are orderable at any time.”

Recently some adjustments have been made to the shoes. The sizes are more varied.  Originally the shoes were made in only two sizes.  Now there are four sizes. Kim explains “The first two sizes we did were specifically sized to fit a Dollshe Hound v1 foot and a Volks SD-FO-03 optional foot (split-toe sandal foot; no longer available), because Joyce prefers to construct new patterns using a doll’s actual foot when possible; once she has the base pattern she can then adjust it as needed.  I’d originally labeled these first two sizes as “SD10″ and “SD13+”, but there was such a big size gap between them, that I quickly realized we really needed to make a size in between the two, which logically followed with a fourth size for MSD.  They still more or less follow the standard BJD sizes (i.e. MSD, SD, SD13, SD17), but I decided to size them primarily by centimeters since there are now so many different models of BJD feet on the market today.  A number of other BJD companies have adopted similar sizing scales for their shoes too.”  In addition, a small design change has been made to the elf boots. Kim suggested that the pointed toes could be wired so the long toe could be curled. The change has proven to be very popular.

Court and Castle Dolls offers other items besides shoes. Kim states, “I’ve built my home-based business from the ground up, and run my website and eBay store all on my own (though my husband does take packages to the Post Office for me a couple times a week). Two major moves in as many years have been difficult on my business (and my sanity! ), but I keep at it. Though it’s been slow going, I’ve tried to gradually expand my stock selection as time and money allow.”  Currently the site offers jewelry and some fantasy items and props. Kim explains,”I make most (but not all) of the necklaces I sell.  Nothing too fancy yet, mainly rosaries.  I’ve also started making some other misc. props like the “antique” glass potion bottles, and some spellbooks to go with the wizard’s prop sets that I’m putting together for Halloween.  For now, I make little things here and there as time allows, but hope to get into some bigger projects soon.”

Kim and Joyce plan to expand the shoe selections into some new styles and periods and offer period style hats in the future. Ideas for new shop items come from customers requests and past commissions.  ” Or”, Kim adds “sometimes Joyce will simply make up prototypes and see if I’m interested.  Many of the items that Joyce makes for BJDs are inspired by designs she’s done in the past for other types of dolls.  Joyce does not collect BJDs herself and is therefore not very familiar with them, so I’ve sort of become her ‘ambassador’ for the BJD community. In the next few months we plan to expand into OOAK 18th Century shoe and hat sets, ballet slippers, and possibly another new style or two.”  Joyce has made a number of women’s hats and they hope to begin to offer them for sale in October or November.  They will come in a smaller size for 1/4 size dolls and larger for 1/3 size dolls.  Prices will vary based on materials used and complexity.  They also hope to offer tricorn hats.

Kim and Joyce can also take custom requests. “Custom shoes in existing styles can either be ordered during pre-order periods from the menu options found on each style’s page, or in between pre-order periods by email.  Unique styles can also be commissioned by emailing me.”  Kim is happy to help a collector on a quest for the right shoe to finish the look of their doll.  After all, she understands exactly how they feel!

Above: Leather Poulaine boots, riding boots made by Joyce Nicholson for Court & Castle Dolls

Court & Castle Dolls and Gifts – Kim Lambert’s Company Website

Shoes and Hat set

Dollshe Bermann & Husky is 18th C. Costume

Assortment of court mules

Court Shoes

Court Shoes

Poulaine Boots

Hat and shoe combinations