My wife says "Stop talking about it and DO IT!"

Some time ago, my kids and I came up with the idea for a doll. That "doll" idea led to a better "doll" idea ... to create a doll that would, well, I can't tell you that yet but, suffice it to say we all kind of looked at each other and thought "That would be sooo cool! Why didn't we think of that before?!" Since then, (about 4 months ago), we've said "we should do that!" 100 times. Finally, last night my wife (tired of hearing about it) said "Stop talking about it and just DO IT!!" So I told my kids I would start TODAY so we could make our "prototype/sample"! Thought this would be a good forum to drop in and mention it because of all the interesting info I've read here in the past. So far this morn I've searched "doll making" in my "Copernic" search engine (which, if you don't have you might want, I have the paid version but even the FREE version is an excellent search tool) and come up with lots of info on "doll making" which I've just started going through. So far, in scanning, I've seen nothing on the "talking device" we'll need to make the doll "speak". Also, nothing on "marketing a new doll" or suggestions on "how to protect the idea" although I saw info here recently on that subject (and will be re-reading). Any suggestions, recommendations, past experiences that might relate to this subject? Thanks folks

If you're looking at a doll that you'll have to replicate, use Sculpey material for your prototypes (unless it's a soft cloth doll.) Craft stores also have molds that you can "press and bake" to get body parts looking right (and faces) without spending years on sculpting.

> through. So far, in scanning, I've seen
> nothing on the "talking device"
> we'll need to make the doll
> "speak".

I've done this. Basically, what you need is a sound chip. I've gotten one at Radio Shack (get one to play with. Once you experiment, you can then go for the cheaper stuff.)

Here's a page on sounds for robots (this is what you'll basically look for): http://www.finitesite.com/robasic/sound.htm

(this one will cross your eyes):
http://zeppelin.tzo.cc/coco/features/speechsound.html

Here's some types of voice record and playback chips:
http://www.winbond-usa.com/products/isd_products/chipcorder/datasheets/

I beleive the Radio Shack chip is called the ISD1000A Voice record/play chip -- but I wouldn't stake my paycheck on it.

There's cheaper chips available, but as I said, you'll want one to experiment with and the Radio Shack ones are just dead simple to install. I did a soft dinosaur sculpture with a sound chip in its tummy. Great fun to do!

You'll need to look at the size of the board and encase it in a "project box." Batteries are a factor, too, so be sure you can easily swap them out.


The 5 Minute Mentor

....it's ONE THING to create the "product" and it's another to MARKET IT!

Years ago, when my kids were toddlers and feeding time was a ZOO with food all over the place...I designed a plastic BIB...with a trough at the bottom to catch the debris.

My wife and I kept "talking" about it until, one day, she told me to also..."Do Something About This or Forget it!"

So...I went to a plastic company and paid them $5,000 for a mold (it's $25,000 now)....had 100 made and went off to the world of retail stores.

After getting knocked around and bloodied I sold the mold and rights for $10,000 to a small company who had a few baby products in their line.

These people went on to sell over 100,000 of "my" Bibs the first year and a few hundred thousand after that. It became known as "The Pelican Bib".

BUT...THEY had the "marketing moxey".

If I had ONLY....! Ah well. Chalk it up to experience and hindsite.

With your "doll" be careful of those who will tell you "they" can get your doll into the hands of X Retailers....or other dribble. Be carefull of what Agreements you sign. There MANY shysters out there.

Don Alm




$800 A Day Removing Oil Stains

So far, in scanning, I've seen
> nothing on the "talking device"
> we'll need to make the doll
> "speak". Also, nothing on
> "marketing a new doll" or
> suggestions on "how to protect the
> idea" although I saw info here recently
> on that subject (and will be re-reading).
> Any suggestions, recommendations, past
> experiences that might relate to this
> subject? Thanks folks

Mike,
I think a good avenue to go would be licensing. You should pick up a copy of a cheap book loaded with great info called "How to License your Million Dollar Idea" by Harvey Reese from Amazon or his site is www.money4ideas.com

Licensing is a good way for you to profit from other people who are already set-up to do the marketing and distribution for you.

Best,
Yanik




Make money online with your hobby or interest...