grandma gets real creates relatable quarantine barbie starter packs

known as grandma gets real, tonya ruiz has gathered a large following on social media with her realistic versions of barbies. the former model has been collecting dolls and miniature props to recreate different real life situations in a 1:6 scale. during the COVID-19 lockdowns, she began the quarantine barbies project with the aim of creating a barbie doll everyone could relate to while at home.

images courtesy of tonya ruiz

‘I had always wanted to make spoof barbies like I had seen on the ellen show,’ comments tonya ruiz on a youtube post where she shares behind-the-scenes footage of the project. ‘when the quarantine started and I saw a couple of funny pandemic barbies – I thought that I should make a barbie that everyone could relate to. I created the quarantine starter pack – curvy doll in stretchy pants. she was so well liked that I continued creating spoof / parody barbies.’

the dolls are presented inside a transparent ‘starter pack’ box, accompanied by a collection of miniature objects that reinforce the personality of the character. for example, the quarantine break baking barbie includes a mixer, flour, sourdough starter, eggs, bananas, butter, and milk; and a doll that is probably making a flour disaster around the kitchen. or the zoom ken that’s dressed from the waist up while wearing only red-hearted boxer shorts.

‘the what time is it? quarantine edition barbie went viral on facebook – and it’s been funny hearing all the reactions to my dolls,’ ruiz concludes. ‘there is a proverb that says – a merry heart does good like medicine. I’m happy to hear that my one-of-a-kind quarantine barbies have amused you and made you smile. I wish you good health.’

project info:

name: quarantine barbie

designer: tonya ruiz / grandma gets real