Dolly’s got one. So does Reba Macintyre and Loretta Lynn. The White House even has a couple on display. What are they? Peggy’s one-of-a-kind dolls.
The entrepreneur who’s business is located at 3336 Old Mill St. just off light 7 in Pigeon Forge across from Old Mill Restaurant has been making beautiful dolls for a number of years. “I’m been in business 27 years. First in Knoxville, then the Flea Market Traders on Hwy.66, and here in Pigeon Forge for six years” stated Peggy Cosey, owner of Peggy’s Dolls.
Cosey said when she first began making dolls she was going to keep every one of them. “I didn’t like the blank look that dolls from the factory came with so I wanted to make them look unique with their own personality. It took me about two years to develop the process for making my dolls,” said Cosey.
Though she began by making them for himself, she soon learned others were clamoring for one of Peggy’s reactions.
“I made them for myself but I couldn’t get enough of them. Before I knew it I was in business. People kept asking to buy them and even though I didn’t want to sell, I just couldn’t say no,” stated Cosey.
Cosey’s business began to grow rapidly which she admits put a scare into her. “For three months I didn’t do anything but cry,” said Cosey. “My dolls were going everywhere. The popularity scared me.” Her “look-a-likes” are where the popularity of her dolls really grew. By taking a picture of a person Cosey can make a doll in that person’s likeness. To date, she has produced over 1,000 porcelain look-a-like dolls.
Dolly Parton has a dolly doll. Reba McIntyre has a doll made in her likeness as does numerous other celebrities. But you don’t have to be famous to have a doll made in your likeness. Cosey will make a special reaction just for you in about 4-5 weeks. She also produces custom painted carousel horses. “They too, are in the White House,” states Cosey and she has a letter signed by Al Gore that is on display in her shop to prove it. In another corner, a letter from Dolly tells about how much she enjoys her doll. “And each of the celebrities that have one of my dolls also have one of my carousel horses.”
All of Cosey’s dolls are signed and numbered and run $249. For people who really enjoy dolls Cosey has a “frequent Buyer Program.” Buy 6 and the 7th is free. She also gives away a doll every month. “If you buy a doll or carousel you get in the drawing for a free doll” says Cosey.
If you don’t want to fight the tourist traffic to get in (She says that many times people are waiting out on the porch just to get it) you can check her work out on Peggy’s website at www.peggysdolls.com If you end up with one of her dolls, you’ll be one of many to own one. Her dolls have sold all over the world and her “babies” have been placed in homes in Australia, Germany, Holland, Sweden and Haiti just to name a few spots.
“I’m going to do this until the day I die” said Cosey. “I really enjoy doing it.”

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