Showing posts with label IDEX 2013. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IDEX 2013. Show all posts

5/12/2013

DollObservers.Com Interviews Me

The owner of DollObservers.com, Simon Farnsworth, interviewed me and the results were published today. Here is the interview:

Interview With a Fashion Doll Lover: Terri Gold, Blogger Extraordinaire

For most of you, our latest member to be featured in an interview needs little introduction. For Terri is possibly one of the most prolific and well known fashion doll bloggers on the Internet, with her blog Collecting Fashion Dolls by Terri Gold. I'm sure all of us at one time have read one of Teri's insightful reviews or been in adoration over her stunning photography. So it was a special treat to see that Terri become a DollObservers member and even start a group dedicated to her blogging pursuits.
Recently Terri also kindly agreed to an interview, giving us a real insight into her creative process, collection and life in general. I hope you enjoy it!


DollObservers: What made you join Doll Observers?
TG: I had seen it on Facebook and I think a specific doll was featured that interested me.

DollObservers: When did you start collecting/playing dolls?
TG: I began playing with dolls as a child. My first dolls were Toni, Little Miss Revlon and Ginny. By the time Barbie hit the scene I was outgrowing dolls and I never got involved with them. Many, many years passed during which I did not play with or collect dolls but I never got tired of little things. I built scale model furniture and created rooms - which I still have - although some of my dolls have now stolen items from those miniature rooms.
My first experience with a Barbie doll ended badly. She was a skier. (Ski Fun Barbie?) My young son got a hold of her and brushed her hair. She looked awful after that and I threw her away.
One Halloween weekend a bunch of years ago, my husband and I were in Manhattan for a photography convention at the Javits Center. While wandering around Toys-R-Us in Times Square and I saw the Bratz dolls. I don’t know why they appealed to me so much. I started collecting them. I discovered a Bratz group on Yahoo. From there I found other doll groups and doll boards, one of which led me to the Tonner Doll Company. The wild coincidence is that I lived only 11 miles from Tonner’s offices. I went to what they called a Trunk Sale and bought my first Tyler dolls. I had already been buying Tiny Kitty dolls. The doll doctor, Noreen, predicted that there would be no going back. Who knew she was right?

DollObservers: The dolls in my collection:
TG: The most numerous dolls in my collection are from the Tonner Doll Company. I have a very large collection of Tiny Kitty dolls, their furniture, cases and props. My other Tonner dolls are the 16-inch Tyler types and Antoinette dolls. I love Tonner’s fashions and often buy back items that I sold years ago. I can gaze at my showcases every day and not get tired of the dolls inside. The next largest group of dolls are those manufactured by Integrity Toys. I had at least 100 of them at one time but in the last three years, I’ve whittled them down to my very favorites.
I got into Gene for a while and currently have a nice selection.
I love props and the Tonner Doll Company and Ashton Drake have made wonderful furniture for the 16 inch dolls. It takes up a lot of room but it’s worth it.
 I have a lovely collection of Silkstones and Madame Alexander Cissettes. The Monster High populates a big shelf and there are several boxed vinyl Barbies. I have a few big Cissy dolls and a collection of Somers and Fields Daisy and Willow dolls.
Rounding out the collection are my resin BJDs. They range in size from 4.5 inches to 17 inches and are from different manufacturers namely Soom, Fairyland, Jamieshow, Ficon and Superdoll.

DollObservers: You write an incredibly successful fashion doll blog. What made you start the blog and what is it that you most enjoy about owning a blog?
TG: I just looked back at my first post, which was 10/20/06. It shows two pictures of the first re-root I ever did and was written during the Fashion Royalty convention, which was held in Baltimore. I suppose I needed to connect to the doll world in a more complex way than just being involved on doll boards.
Two years later I moved the blog from Yahoo to Google Blogger so there are two dates on those early posts. Approximately a year ago, I changed photo servers and many of the images on the blog are blank. Other than the work involved in ‘housekeeping’ a blog I like being able to do research and give background information on dolls. For a few years I did a popular weekly “Photo of the Week Award” in which I featured a great picture and the collector who created it.
One of the best things about writing a blog is the people who write to me - usually off the blog - about all sorts of issues. It’s amazing who’s out there and the feedback I get is really great. I love it. According to many people I am the only blogger who is willing to tell the truth about certain products. This has also created a group of haters. Do you know what they say about how to start an argument? Post an opinion.
Having written for so many years has created a wonderful diary. I do recommend it.

DollObservers:  Any tips for members who might want to start their own blog?
TG: Make it personal but create boundaries; it is the Internet and your personal family issues, economic situation and very personal problems do not belong in a blog.
Put yourself into the blog with your opinions and feelings. Give people a reason to keep coming back. Develop a style uniquely yours. Be a reporter and develop a certain distancing diplomacy because if you are honest and post opinions the haters will come out of the woodwork. Don’t slander people and don’t break the law. Post great photos and edit your own to show only one or two of the same doll. It is unnecessary to post 10 pictures of the same doll in slightly different posts. Pick the best and store the rest.

DollObservers: Your doll photography is phenomenal. What top tip do you have for budding doll photographers?

TG: Read your camera manual. Put your camera on a tripod if your pictures are out of focus. Comb your dolls’ hair. Simplify the settings. There are many how-to pages on the Internet. Read a few.

What does your family make of your love of dolls?
TG: My husband is very supportive. He attends conventions and other doll events with me. The young children in my family love the dolls. The rest don’t care. The only questions I’ve ever been asked by a family member is, “How many dolls do you have?”

DollObservers: Other than playing with dolls what else do you do to relax?
TG: Yoga, gardening, reading, cooking and TV. We’re a few months into a new home so there is a load of stuff to do. It’s not exactly relaxing but it’s necessary.

DollObservers: Lastly how would you describe yourself in 3 words?
TG: Irreverent, hungry and fun-loving.

Terri and Robert Tonner at IDEX 2013

4/16/2013

Not Doll Related Orlando Stuff

I was obsessively careful in arranging our trip: limo to airport, flight, pay for luggage, pre-check-in online, tickets to parks, car rental, hotel reservation. It seemed endless but finally came together. The limo arrived exactly on time. We got to the airport with plenty of time for coffee and for the long walk to the gate. Why is it that every flight I take is ALWAYS the last gate in the terminal? So we're  We get through the full body scans without a problem and get to the gate. We were told that the gate on the ticket was still the same gate. Well it wasn't and we didn't realize that until 15 minutes before boarding. Then when we got there, the overhead bins were already filled so they had to take our carry-on luggage in which things I didn't want to be checked had to be checked. Ugh. You can be sure I will not be at the wrong gate on the way home because two Gene dolls will be in my carry-on and no one is going to come between me and those dolls.
The flight was fine. The luggage arrived quickly in un-tampered-with condition. We go to the car rental desk and they can't find my name or Bob's name. I never remember whose name I use for these things. But it didn't matter because we were at the wrong rental company anyway. Embarrassing but pretty funny. Got a car at the right desk. Drove to the hotel picking up our Universal tickets on the way.
Check-in at the hotel was a little delayed as our room wasn't quite ready. The lady at the desk gave me a big spiel about how our room was upgraded and that we were getting free bottles of water because I'm a Hilton Honors member. The room has a very nice view overlooking Universal but other than that, the hotel needs a major upgrade. They are about 10 years overdue for a face lift. It's kind of dark in the bathroom. The bed, however, is very comfortable and clean.
View From Our Room
I can sum up Universal Studios in a few words: go to Disney World instead.  Universal doesn't hold a candle to the professionalism and operation of Disney. We enjoyed a few rides yesterday but otherwise, it's a mess of disjointed buildings and lame employee scripts. Our favorite ride was had to do with the Minion characters from the movie, Despicable Me. I love those little creatures and this ride is a 4D event that is lots of fun. We went twice. The second time I had my eyes open. Ha ha.
The Mummy ride was dumb and not scary at all. Terminator was OK. The disaster thing had an awful narrator who made the wait to get to the real thing interminable. Skip it. The one at Disney is 100% better. The Men In Black 'ride' was cute. No great shakes.
Don't eat at Mel's diner. Ugh.
The patisserie was lovely but all we had there was cappuccino and gigantic oatmeal (delicious) raisin cookies.
Every ride exits through a related gift shop and there's very little that worth buying. They do, however, have several Hot Toy's character figures for sale. But they are just worth looking at for their perfection.
I did buy this little Minion and a Mr. Potato Head type toy that has a Minion body instead of a potato.
Today we're going over to the Universal park that is Harry Potter themed. It should be interesting just for the character of the buildings.

The best thing about Universal is their City Walk. The Disney equivalent (I forget the name) is very tame by comparison.

Disney World is beautiful and big and the rides are memorable, from the spinning tea cups to the haunted house. Universal is a mess - an expensive mess, at that.
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Monday, April 15, 2013  at Islands of Adventure, Universal

This part of Universal is much newer. It's divided into several areas each of which has it's own theme structures and rides. It's much more attractive and a little more interesting. The Spider Man ride was pretty good. My expectations were lower so I wasn't disappointed.

I focused on trying to take pretty postcard pictures.




I will post more pictures on Face book.

When I return home, the doll related posts will go up.  Last night Sandra Stillwell and I played with the new Gene,  dressed and photographed her and an IT doll in Sandra's fashions. I also shot nude pictures of three versions of the Gene body. The major difference I see is that the new Gene seems slightly shorter. Everything fits the new body including shoes.

4/14/2013

The New Gene: Phoenix

Here is her picture courtesy of Angelic Dreamz. She comes with two rooted wig caps and a plain cap for using with your own wigs. I haven't had a minute alone with my own doll to take pictures.
It is really Gene! A dream come true for Gene collectors although the price point may be a nightmare for some. It's better to have one gorgeous, high quality doll than 4 or five who will yellow. (At least that's what I tell myself.)
Phoenix Gene will be able to wear all earlier Gene clothes.

The price pre-ordered was $525. The on-line price for May delivery was $550. I was told that the entire edition of 150 sold out shortly after the additional 50, not reserved for event attendees, were posted for sale.

4/13/2013

IDEX Friday, April 12, 2013

Written on Saturday morning.

Friday was a fun, busy day. In the morning we toured the IDEX showroom and spent time chatting with Robert Tonner, Jack Kralik, The Angelic Dreamz Guyz and Michelle of Wilde Imagination and others.
IDEX has changed dramatically from the last one I attended. It's about 1/3 the size. Major companies such as Madame Alexander are not here. Attendance was sparse and many of the booths seemed underpopulated. However, some of the booths were fantastic and beautifully designed.

Because the hotel internet connection is crawling, I had to upload yesterday's pictures to my Facebook page. Clicking on the image below will take you there.  When I return home, I will post the images on this blog for those who cannot see Facebook. 


I have edited the pictures down to my favorites. You will see a fire engine outside the hotel. At one point an announcement came over the PA system ordering everyone to exit the building. Apparently it was a false alarm.

In the late afternoon, Bob and I went to see Olympus Has Fallen. It is not a movie for the faint of heart and definitely not for children. Holy Crap! It was exhausting just watching it. I do recommend it for the action and excitement and it is very timely. However I hope that it's an impossible scenario because it is very frightening.
From the hotel we walked (yes, walked) to Universal Studio's City Walk. This is their nightclub, bar, movie, restaurant, entertainment area. Talk about assaulting the senses! The lights, noise, activity and smells were Manhattan on steroids minus the buses and taxis. There is stuff going on everywhere. It was amazing. We played it safe and ate dinner at Bubba Gumps - not bad at all.



Walking back to the hotel after dark was very peaceful. The landscaping around the parks is gorgeous. The weather last night was delightful and calm compared to Thursday night when it was very windy and rainy. 
Back at the hotel we passed the bar on the way to our elevator and we spied Mel among a few others. I was happy to say hello to him and glad that he arrived safely. In a few hours we will get to see and hear him introduce the new doll. I'm excited!

IDEX Tonner Event Lizette Doll

I was not there but here is the event Lizette.


Very cute!

4/11/2013

Blogging from Orlando

We arrived safely and that's the most important thing. But traveling is so difficult and tiring these days.
I ran into a few doll people today but nothing else is happening. The artists and dealers were busy setting up their booths and that was a closed affair.
The weather was beautiful today - sunny, warm and breezy. It felt so good after the extraordinarily long winter we had in Pennsylvania.
Since there were no dolls to photograph, I photographed a chair. Made sense to me.


4/10/2013

Parting Shot

We're leaving for IDEX in the wee hours tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to the Mel Odom event and seeing other doll buddies without a computer between us.
The spousal unit and I will also play at Universal for a few days. It's going to be so much fun.

Here is a quick picture I took of Inro the other day. I've been trying out different wigs. I like her in the darker shades.  I did get a wonderful new wig from Ilaria yesterday and it will make it's appearance in FDQ soon.


TTYS

4/04/2013

TWO Proxy Spots Available for Tonner IDEX Events





My husband and I will be attending IDEX and will attend one or both Tonner events for you. You will get the event doll mailed to you afterward. You pay the cost of the event up front and then the cost of shipping once it is determined how much that is.

EVENT ONE:

2013 Tonner Doll Breakfast Event at IDEX 

Sunday, April 14, 2013  8-10am
Join Robert Tonner and company for a Breakfast of Champions! See the new line up close over eggs and toast, and rub elbows with fellow doll lovers and Robert Tonner himself. Your event fee will include breakfast, a presentation by Robert Tonner, and for the first time ever, get YOUR CHOICE of souvenir at the IDEX Breakfast of Champions!  You’ll use Tonner Bucks that will be provided to you to “shop” for your choice of souvenir at the event.  Choose from the following 5 amazing selections:
 Basic Houston + Cape Town Fashion Pack
Color Block Astor
Taxi! Billy
Golden Swirl Deluxe Astor
Maudlynne Macabre

Here at Tonner, we give you the freedom to choose!  Exercise your rights and come to the Tonner Breakfast of Champions - You won't want to miss it! 

$50 per person. You get your choice of listed dolls. (No bacon, no eggs, no jelly.)

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES

~______________________________________~

EVENT TWO:

2013 Wilde Imagination Afternoon Tea

Friday, April 12, 1pm
You're Invited!  It's an afternoon of tea and ennui with Wilde Imagination! A light dessert, a unique program, and just a hint of boredom and woe will greet you at this always fun event. Featuring a special program by Robert Tonner and Debra DeForte of Wilde Imagination, a fun table gift, and a special Lizette for each attendee.

$159.  per person. You will get the special event Lizette. (No whipped cream or woe.)




***
Pre-payment for the event is required. There is only 1 week to go. 
Postage will be extra and determined after the event. I will need your phone number to get that information to you at the shipping desk.
Paypal will be the method of payment.

3/16/2013

Proxy available for two IDEX events.



1. Ellowyne Wilde     Friday, April 12, 2013

Invites IDEX attendees to an Afternoon of Tea and (sigh...) Ennui
Join Ellowyne Wilde for an afternoon of tea and ennui. A light dessert will be served, along with a hint of boredom and woe. Robert Tonner and Debra DeForte of Wilde Imagination will present a unique program, along with a special Lizette for each attendee.

Price: $159
Plus postage. 
I will ship only the Lizette doll from Florida. Postage is payable in advance and will be estimated according to your address.

2.Tonner Breakfast Event  
Sunday, April 14, 2013
 
Join Robert Tonner and company for a Breakfast of Champions! See the new line up close over eggs and toast, and rub elbows with fellow doll lovers and Robert Tonner himself. Your event fee will include breakfast, a presentation by Robert Tonner, and for the first time ever, you get YOUR CHOICE of souvenir at the IDEX Breakfast of Champions! You'll use Tonner Bucks that will be provided to you to "shop" for your choice of souvenir at the event. Choose from 5 amazing selections:
Basic Houston + Cape Town Fashion Pack
Color Block Astor
Taxi! Billy
Golden Swirl Deluxe Astor
Maudlynne Macabre

Price: $50 Plus postage.
You may specify which item you would like. The choices are on my blog in a post made several days ago.
 

Only your choice of souvenir will be shipped. Postage is payable in advance and will be estimated according to your address.
 

Both my husband and I are available as proxies so if you want two of anything, just ask.

3/04/2013

Inro Gets Her Man

I've been so busy with the house that all I've had time for is trying a few wigs on Inro. Handling her  is a delight. I wish all of my non-Sybarite resin dolls posed like this one. I don't want to make a detailed comparison between her and the Sybarite body except for the hands.  Inro's hands are far superior and were easy to change out. I do have sets of expressive hands for my Sybs but when I attempted to see how difficult it would be to pull out a hand to get to the stringing, I decided to pass.


In this image, Inro is wearing a Cheryl Wood wig. Although it was made for Sybarites, it is resting on her head nicely. It would fall right off if I tilted her.

I did have time to get a man for this lady. Tonner's basic Hogyo arrived today. I don't know why I didn't like this doll at first. He is my second Hogyo and I really think he's great-looking. I love the pony tail!


These are Instagrammed pictures shot with my iPad. One day soon, these dolls will make it into my studio for a proper photo shoot.

Several "older" couples inhabit my showcases. Here's one Gene and Trent. I like the chiseled look of Trent but the Trent bodies are stiff and can barely pose at all. Even the Trents that Integrity Toys made for the last Gene convention are stiff as they used the same design for the body. I love Gene more now than I did when I first met her. I can't wait to see what Mel has up his sleeve at IDEX.


2/10/2013

Mel Odom: A New Doll?

Very exciting news just out: Mel Odom has teamed up with Jamieshow Dolls and FDQ in a new venture. It will be a doll. Jamieshow dolls are resin. Mel does Gene. So will this be a resin Gene? One can only hope. Gene collectors are just now reviving from fainting at the news.

If you want to be one of the first to see the doll and hear more about the future line (?), you will have to go to Orlando, Florida in April. Perhaps I'll see you there.

When:

Saturday April 13, 2013 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT

Where:

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at Universal
5780 Major Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32819


Lunch with Mel Odom 

Come celebrate Gene's 18th Birthday with Mel Odom. Hosted by JAMIEshow Dolls and FDQ Magazine.  Join us for a two hour luncheon featuring guest of honor Mel Odom, as he talks about Gene Marshall and announces a new collaborative effort with JAMIEshow Dolls.  This is Mel's first public appearance since the retirement of Gene Marshall in 2010. Meet and greet Mel in person, and watch a history of the Gene through the eyes of Mr. Odom. We will be presenting a special new Ltd. Edition doll at the event, which will be available for purchase and to take home!

Mel Odom’s art first attained prominence in the mid-1970s with a series of exotic illustrations done for glossy magazines.  These pencil and watercolor drawings soon attracted assignments from art directors of other magazines, leading to a seventeen year, free-lance relationship with Playboy magazine, and covers for Time and Omni magazines as well as countless books. During this period, a successful line of posters and greeting cards using Mel’s iconic images was published by paper Moon Graphics.
In 1995 Mel retired from illustration and focused on a three-dimensional project, a fashion doll for adults named Gene Marshall.   Gene’s story of being a movie star during the 1940s and 50s was irresistible to collectors, and within a year of her 1995 launch at Toy Fair, Gene was in fact a star.  Bits of her story came with each doll and costume and in 2000 her lavishly illustrated biography: “Gene Marshall, Girl Star” was published by Hyperion Press.  Gene has been voted in Doll Reader the most influential doll since Barbie.

Note: A full sit down luncheon will be served with three meal options. Choose meal options at registration.  Click below to register.

Event Cost is $65.00
Event is limited to a Maximum 150 people.
We are sorry absentee packages are not available.