I can still remember when I first discovered Monster High dolls: I was around 10 years old visiting a friend, when she revealed the most gorgeous dolls I have ever laid my eyes on. My obsession quickly exploded. All I wanted were these dolls! I had the original ghouls: black, gold, white elastics and intricate detailing unlike anything I’ve seen before. My favorites were Lagoona, no, Abbey, no, Spectra! Each new release captivated me and drew me in further. 

Unfortunately, a few short years later, my dolls were no longer that safe space for me. They were damaged, abused. Hair cut, faces drawn on. My angsty phase in life was kicked off. Friend drama driven by boys and girls turned me against myself and had me hyper-focused on how to become the it-girl at too young of an age. What remained of my dolls were packaged and sent off to family that would hopefully appreciate the value. My life went seemingly downhill.

10 years after the fact, and lots of therapy and medicine to keep my head on right, I am finding my way back. It started slowly, back around 2019 or so. I found myself gravitating towards the toy sections in thrift stores, silently hoping to find one of these dolls again. I began going back on online forums, searching up these dolls and their more dedicated collectors. I didn’t see at the time that I was finding my way back to my safe space; a place where everyone is welcome and accepted. 

Early 2022 was announced the first line of “creeproductions”, signature reproductions of the very first four ghouls: Frankie, Clawdeen, Lagoona, and Draculaura. At 22 years old, I instantly felt the same feeling I would have when I was 12. I needed these dolls. I finally got the courage to tell my boyfriend of 5 years, and to my surprise, he wasn’t bothered! When it came time to their release, he helped me get all of them before they sold out, and my new collection began. 

A day or so later, I made one of my regular trips to a thrift store, where I finally found one of these dolls! A single Catty Noir, no clothes or accessories (well, she had one earring in) and missing both hands. Regardless of the state, I excitedly bought her and rushed to the nearest Walmart to grab fabric and other supplies to try and re-imagine her 13 Wishes dress. Fortunately, I have a 3D printer at home, so I was able to give her back her hands, and bonus shoes!

A couple weeks later my creeproductions arrived and I couldn’t have been happier. 5 months later, my collection is at almost 30 ghouls, and I still feel that child-like excitement every day.