My love for beautiful things started when I was growing up in France and later, in Spain. My father was stationed on the USS Springfield in the south of France when I was nine years old. A meteorologist officer in the Navy, we followed the ship to his many ports of call. I had an immediate love of antiques and items from the era of Napoleon and Josephine forward.  I was exposed to antique dolls early on in those years. We settled back in the US when I was fourteen. It wasn’t until later in life, after marriage and children, I found myself and true passions, and was able to collect antique dolls. I threw myself into it headlong! The rest is history. After many years of collecting I began my career as a seller of antique dolls in 2002 known as Valerie Fogel's Beautiful Bébés Antique Dolls.  I have an amazing life on the Snoqualmie River in Washington state with my life partner and as a grandmother to my two sons six children (all Boys!). We are blessed by the love of our wonderful dogs, friends and family.