WATERLOO -- Intrepid doll collector Cindy Blow has taken a few risks on the quest to build her collection.

She's even been thrown in jail.

"It was 20 years ago and I was in China. I left my tour group when I wasn't supposed to, but I'd seen dolls at an exhibition that were made in Beijing and I set out to find the factory. The taxi I was riding in had an accident and I was taken to jail. … They tried to take my passport away. The Chinese couldn't understand what I was saying and I couldn't understand them, and no one knew where I was. Finally I was released after four hours -- and I got the dolls, too," Blow recalls, laughing.

With more than 1,000 pieces in her collection, it's obvious Blow is passionate about dolls.

Some of her collection will be displayed at 14th annual Antique and Collectibles Show, Friday through next Sunday, at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. "Around the World With Dolls" will feature ethnic and international dolls, including Oriental, African, South American, European and American. Blow has an extensive collection of Native American dolls from tribes throughout the United States.

Like may girls, Blow fell in love with dolls as a child. She still owns her first doll, a No. 4 Barbie -- the brunette with the ponytail and black-and-white striped swimsuit -- given to her as a gift from her grandmother. "Barbie was my constant companion. I had a box with my Barbies and their outfits and I took it everywhere. I played with Barbie until I was 13," says Blow, owner of Country Cottage Antiques, 433 E. Airline Highway.

The Barbie is in good condition, too, except for a missing piece of the ponytail. "I was 5 when a girlfriend cut off the bottom roll of her ponytail. She was older than I was, what was I going to do? Her dad give me a quarter."

She also has her original Thumbalina, Chatty Cathy and other favorite vinyl dolls. Blow began collecting international and ethnic dolls when she was 8 years old. A veteran world traveler, the collector always makes a point of leaving luggage space for toting home a doll or two.

Pieces from her extensive collection were featured in last fall's popular "Friends of Childhood: Antique and Vintage Dolls" exhibition at the Cedar Falls Historical Society's Carriage House Museum. The display was presented by Prairie Rapids Doll Club of Iowa, and Blow is the president.

"I was asked by the Iowa Show Production promoters if the dolls could be on display at the UNI-Dome show, but the logistics were impossible. I have enough dolls that I said I'd be happy to set up my own. That's part of our doll club creed -- to share and let others enjoy the things we love."

Approximately 30 feet of dolls will be displayed, as well as antiques from Blow's store. This is her 14th year participating in the UNI-Dome show.

Over the centuries, dolls have been made from fabric, natural fibers such as cornhusks, clay, fur, wood, ivory tusks, papier mache, composition, porcelain (china and bisque), leather, rubber, celluloid, plastic, vinyl and even wax. Rag dolls were often a child's first toy, made by their mother.

Traditionally, dolls depicted grown women, until the popularity of French bebes in the 1880s, which raised interest in dolls with younger features. One of the first baby dolls was made in England from wax.

Among Blow's oldest dolls is one that dates from pre-Civil War times. Many dolls -- particularly French bebes -- have lifelike expressions. She devotes an entire room in her home to displaying antique dolls, and arranges vignettes to mark holidays. Her collection includes doll costumes, knick-knacks and furniture, children's miniatures, and doll and children's tea sets and china.

"One thing leads to another … dolls have to have their necessities, too," she notes, laughing. "I don't believe in locking my dolls away in glass cases. I protect them from the sun and give them thorough cleanings, and I try to be careful with them because some have been around a long time, but dolls are meant to be enjoyed. They're delicate, but not as delicate as you might think."

Starting a doll collection is easy, Blow says. "Start with your childhood dolls, if you have those, and get them restored if they're in poor condition. Your mother or grandmother may have her old dolls, dig those out and see what condition they're in. See if those are worth saving for sentimental reasons. Then start looking at doll shows and antique shows. Anyone in our doll club is happy to answer questions."

Contact Melody Parker at 291-1429 or melody.parker@wcfcourier.com.

Go & do

Nearly 400 booths and 1,000 tables displaying thousands of antiques, collectibles and memorabilia will be featured at the 14th annual Antique and Collectibles Show, Friday through next Sunday.

The event takes place at the UNI-Dome. More than 150 dealers from 11 states will be represented.

Hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Sunday. Admission is $6 for Friday (includes three-day pass), $5 for Saturday (includes two-day pass) and $4 for Sunday. Youth under 13 are free.

"It's like walking through a historical museum," says show coordinator Rita Smith. "People spend the weekend searching for their favorite antique or collectible, a missing piece or bargain."

Displays will include furniture, glassware, toys, books, jewelry, vintage clothing, hats, linens, military and political items, china, tools, kitchenware, pottery, crocks, relics and more. Sports-minded collectors will find dealers specializing in trading cards for all sports, sports equipment and memorabilia, sporting goods, toys, pictures, advertising, fishing tackle, decoys, matchbox cars, golf clubs and hunting gear.

Toys will displayed and sold, including cars, trucks, trains, airplanes, fire engines, baby clothes, dolls and doll furniture, doll houses, cast iron banks, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price toys, games, puzzles, children's books, Disney toys and marbles.

Switch lamps, hand lanterns and other railroad collectibles will be displayed, and there will be numerous booths devoted to furniture, including primitives, Mission and European-style pieces.

For more information, visit www.iowashows.com.