Showing posts with label Paris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paris. Show all posts

5/05/2023

Meet My Smart Dolls

 I have three now. There is only one more that I want but I can wait. I love looking at these gals. It's so different for me. 

For a few years, I owned several 21" Madame Alexander Cissy dolls. I loved them because the MA company made their fashions so beautifully and so detailed. I came to feel that they weren't fun. There was very little flexibility and posing was limited. They passed on to other collectors. 

These Smart Dolls are very flexible and pose beautifully. A huge benefit is that I don't have to handle them with gloves (literally.) They're not going to get shiny from being dressed by clean, bare hands. Not that I wanted to, don't be ridiculous, but I accidentally dropped London this morning. Her hair got messy. That's it. What freedom! 

I adore my other dolls but I have room in my life for these girls, too.


London, Brooklyn and Paris 


Originally Chitose Multiverse Semi-Real, Future (Semi-Real ver. Mirai) and Prowess Cocoa.
Chitose was purchased as a head only. 

Here is Paris in Chitose's wig. Meh.




Brooklyn's wig is not on correctly. Oops. It is a lace wig. I know that many human wigs are made this way. This photo was taken in my bedroom, lit by a lamp at night. I had just put the wig on her for the first time. The next day, I removed it and carefully cut the lace to the hairline. I've never done that before.




All their clothes, except for Brooklyn's hoodie, are Mirai labeled. London and Paris are wearing wigs from the Dallas Doll Co. Brooklyn's wig is from Sophie's Toy Paradise. 

This is the first time in over 20 years that I felt certain dolls needed names. Just calling them by their sculpt name didn't make sense to me.  London is a city I love. Brooklyn is where I was born and grew up. Paris reminds me of someone I knew in Woodstock. I may have decided upon the name of my next one but I'm not telling yet.


11/04/2017

SINFUL: Kingdom Doll 2017 Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana

The Kingdom Doll Convention was held this past weekend at a beautiful hotel in the Warehouse Arts District of New Orleans. My roommate, Juli Reidl, and I went out on two pre-reserved tours. One was a visit to the Mardi Gras Warehouse which was incredible and the other was a culinary tasting tour in the French Quarter. We also made sure to eat beignets at the Cafe du Monde

I'd go back to NOLA just for that alone. OMG. I could get addicted to those and the frozen coffee I had to go with them. Delicious!


On Friday evening, the event began.


We were treated to this amazing diorama at the cocktail party. Helen, on the right is wearing "Sloth," the second event outfit. Duchess (not a convention doll) is wearing and surrounded by items from "Lazy Poodles," an optional fashion/accessory set. The diorama wardrobe created by http://filmideco.com/ and the upholstered furniture was created by Julia Gartung.
The handmade felted poodles were the creation of Nancy Arnold of the House of Raifere.


The cloche server (a tableware cover) contained a selection of cakes and pastries. Yummy
Check out the poodle shoes!

I've been home for nearly one week and I'm still digesting the wonderful experience of the Kingdom Doll Convention.  Many photos of my city experience have already been posted on Facebook. This post will cover the dolls I took home, the event OOAK, the Limited Edition twins, the auction doll and a bit more.

I pre-ordered the companion doll, Helen, and was able to take her back to my room on Friday evening. Helen features the Carvetii head sculpt. What a beauty she is.






This is the Kinsman Doll crest. 


At the cocktail party on Friday evening we viewed the OOAK Auction Doll who ultimately went for  $15,750. Her name is Hera. The dolls were displayed in acrylic cases and better photos were not an option. I'm sure the winner will produce beautiful photos.



The first convention outfit was Lust. I photographed it on Chaucer. The black poodle shoes were not part of the ensemble. They came with the pink negligee. Lust came with other beautiful shoes.



Two lucky collectors got golden apples, (the rest of us got red apples,) and won the opportunity to purchase one of an edition of two Aphrodites.



Helen and Paris, an LE15 Kinsman, were displayed together.



At brunch on Saturday we received several table gifts including Sloth. I photographed the outfit on Draig.




Travel dolls were displayed and we voted for our favorites in three categories. Steven Prokop swept two categories with his creative entries and Monique Kordasiewicz won the third.
I believe their prizes were pink versions of the Bumble Bee outfit from a few months ago.

There was a quiz called Pride which tested attendees knowledge of all things Kingdom Doll. I didn't even submit an entry. (Don't ask.) Patrick Paul Gerhardt won a OOAK doll with Dauphine's sculpt.



On Saturday at the Gala Dinner we received Avarice, the event doll. She features a new head sculpt called Belgae.



Golden gloved hands were her additional set. 

The centerpiece on each of 6 tables was Envy. I am more than a little grateful that my roommate, whose name was one of those chosen, allowed me to purchase her.  Envy uses the Demetae sculpt. Her fashion and shoes have many Swarovski crystals which were hand applied by Alexandra herself. She came with a set of pink gloved hands, dragon lady nail hands and her standard hands. She is truly unique amongst prior Kingdom Dolls with her showgirl costume and her darker shade of resin which has not been used on this sculpt previously.





My table mates and other attendees were very generous with their table gifts. When I got to my table in the dining room, I couldn't make out the table or chairs as they were covered in boxes and packages! I'm not kidding. Back at the room, I had to leave behind my souvenir hurricane glasses from the cocktail party as I had no room at all in my carry-on or suitcase. I'm sad not to have them now.

Several of us traveling northeast left the hotel at the break of dawn. We had a little gathering at the airport. That was a special way to end a beautiful weekend.

I arrived to Philadelphia in rainy, bleak weather but I felt great as soon as I got out of the airport.  Once home I unpacked but didn't open my treasures because I went to sleep. Heavenly.
It was a joy meeting those "Sinners" I had been chatting with all year. After knowing him for so many years, I finally met Jose´ Luis Vasquez from Puerto Rico. Hola, Jose´.

Alexandra Forbes and Amanda Arnold along with their team of elves did a wonderful job creating and organizing this convention.

Next year, Sasenachs, Scotland!



PS: I won't be able to answer questions about next year's event as the information hasn't been released as of this writing. There will be a general release soon. 

6/13/2014

Jamieshow Violet ReStyled

I bought this Madame Alexander fashion (on a doll) specifically because I knew it would be beautiful on my new Violet. The shoes do not fit but the dress fits beautifully. The Ilaria wig was made for Sybarites. I am very happy that it fits the Jamieshow head.
Violet is stunning as a blonde!




J'Adore Gene got Violet's lavender gown.

6/05/2014

JAMIEshow Violet Waters "Satin Doll"

Hardcore Gene Marshall fans and even dabblers like me are over the moon with the release of two new resin characters added to the JAMIEshow Gene Marshall line. I purchased Violet Waters "Satin Doll" who arrived today. This doll is a limited edition of only 50 and was $525.

Someone at the factory was a little confused about the names of the dolls.

The new Madra is called "Spotted in Manhattan."  On the box is a label attributing Violet with both names. I suppose the label person had a GENINUE moment. Long term Silkstone collectors will get the joke.

First - the requisite box shots:

I am glad I didn't have to put these shoes on. What I usually do is tape the extra ribbon to the back of the doll's calf with Scotch 3M Magic Tape. It leaves no residue on the fabric or the doll.

Violet is as beautiful as all the promo pictures we've seen. Her eyes are brown. Her eye shadow is violet with a metallic gold highlight. Her lips are coral which matches her perfect manicure and pedicure. She's got the prettiest mouth of any Violet I've seen to date. All in all, she has a truly beautiful face.
The gown fabric has a quality feel and it is well constructed and fitted. The wig cap is well-suited to the era and the hair accessory (what we would call a fascinator now) has a pearl-tipped hat pin that slides right in to her hair and stays on securely. The earrings are aurora borealis crystals set in silver colored metal like the ornament on the ribbon neckpiece.



For the high price of this doll I would have liked a beautiful necklace to have been included instead of the neck ribbon. I removed it as it does nothing for her and looks a little chintzy. A purse and pantyhose are 'missing' as well.  Although I like this doll very much, if this trend continues - high prices with no accessories, I won't buy another.

 Violet comes with a JAMIEshow adjustable doll stand. They are the best stands out there.

Link to JAMIEshow Doll USA: http://www.jamieshow.us/
 _________________

A wonderful Madame Alexander fashion is on it's way to me and I think it will be perfect for Violet. 
"Festiva Paris," whose fashion has been an elusive commodity, is coming. I've been trying to find just the fashion for years to no avail. I finally broke down and ordered the NRFB doll from Matilda Dolls.  Hers was the best price around for the complete doll plus if your purchase is over $50., shipping is free. Works for me. Unfortunately, this version of Paris was released prior to the line's dolls being fully articulated. But no matter, I just want the outfit anyway.
 Madame Alexander fashions are exquisitely well made and stand the test of time...at least they were. I haven't bought anything from this line since Jason got in there and ruined Alex. Sigh.
 _______________________



3/01/2014

Montaigne Market Doll: The Sky's The Limit

Two eBay auctions offering the new Montaigne Market Elise ended at more than $1000.

This is the fastest and most extreme price inflation I've ever seen in all my years of doll collecting. 

Both sellers are Paris based so they have the doll already. Another one of these is listed on the Show and Sell pages right now with a starting price of $1000.

If you didn't catch my prior post, the doll retailed for $206. Shipping to the US is strangely expensive at 50 Euros or $69.12. I suppose there was tax in Paris for those that purchased her directly. At any rate, it would have almost been worth it to fly to Paris, buy a few dolls and resell them.
Looks like I will have to make a decision.


8/03/2011

Clearance Sale at Two Daydreamers

I wanted to follow up the last blog post because I started hunting MA dolls on sale and I found a bevy of them at  better prices at Two Daydreamers. Going Platinum Paris, mentioned in the last post sells at $79.95 here as do all the other Jason Wu designed 16" Alex line dolls. She also has Tonner Dolls and a selection from other manufacturers - not all on sale but why not browse anyway. What else do you have to do besides look at dolls?

Madame Alexander "Envy Cissy" - LE 200 $149.95 (This is a killer price for Cissy.)
The 10th Doctor aka Doctor Who $107.99

Not Made in China!

Take A Look Inside New York's Iconic Madame Alexander Doll Factory by Robert Johnson

Altagracia Villa, seamstress, at Madame Alexander's 
I thought they had ended the tours but it seems they're still going on. I am aching to go visit! A real factory in New York City that still operates is unusual. Check out this article which has lots of good pictures. Click on the picture below.
 
And while we're talking about Madame Alexander, I thought I'd show you a few Jason Wu styled items that are on sale directly from the Madame Alexander website. As always, do your research before making a purchase because prices can vary widely and you may find less expensive options on eBay and on dealers' sites.
Bon Bon by Jason Wu - Neo Cissy 16 Inch Doll LE200. Originally $159.95 now $79.95.
Lust by Jason Wu - Cissy 21 Inch Doll LE 200. Originally $349.95 now $174.95
Going Platinum Paris 16 Inch Doll Styled by Jason Wu. Originally $149.95 now $99.95