 Author and photographer J. Michael Augustyniak has spent most of his adult life collecting, photographing, and writing about Barbie dolls. After graduating from Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in English and social studies, Michael joined the staff of Barbie Bazaar magazine in 1995 and accepted the position of price guide editor for the magazine in 2002. His magazine work also includes contributions to Dolls In Print and Barbie Collector. His first book, The Barbie Doll Boom, was published in 1996, and he has worked every year since then producing new books or updating existing books about Barbie. His list of titles include The Barbie Doll Boom (1996), Collector's Encyclopedia of Barbie Doll Exclusives and More (1997, 2000, 2001, 2004), Thirty Years of Mattel Fashion Dolls (1998), Collector's Encyclopedia of Barbie Doll Collector's Editions (2005, 2008), Barbie Doll Around the World (2007), and Barbie Doll Photo Album (2010). Augustyniak is most proud of his Barbie Doll Photo Album, a tremendous compilation of Barbie and friends through all fifty years of Barbie doll's history; Michael hopes that this book will prove indispensable to collectors for decades to come. He has attended sixteen national Barbie Collectors' Conventions since 1991, and he is very grateful for the friendships, encouragement, and support of the Barbie doll collecting community. He welcomes comments at his website, www.michaelaugustyniak.com . Michael was honored by veteran Mattel designer Carol Spencer with the prestigious 2009 Barbie's Best Friend Award for "sharing with us his enthusiasm and love of documenting the Barbie family of dolls within his informative books that offer a view of Barbie dolls both past and present."
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Ronna Lee Aikins has collected costume jewelry for over 15 years and her book, Brilliant Rhinestones, is based on her personal collection. She owned a unique boutique offering vintage costume jewelry and clothing as well as new jewelry and couture. Pieces of her collection were also sold at an upscale Nashville, TN, clothing shop.
