Wonderful Photo

I keep going back to this photo created by Gerri aka aquabluerose so I wanted to share it with my readers.
Visit Gerri's blog  ~ infidel  for many photographic treasures.
I just recently realized that she has a second blog called "A Fashion Doll Place ~ Photo Blog"

Not Doll Related At All

FR2 Strict Elegance Luchia: Better Than Expected

A few days ago another collector listed Lucia FR2 for less than retail. Someone had posted a picture of her long hair which looked beautiful and I thought that her outfit could be useful. The price was right...I sprung. I thought I might sell her head.

She arrived today and while I still do not like the way her open mouth was painted, I think she's a rather attractive doll if you don't look at her teeth.

I folded under about 1/2" of her skirt as I prefer a shorter length for this style dress.
She comes with they type of shoes I love. They close with velcro making them easy on and off with no chance of tiny straps breaking off and no magnifying lenses required. Her dress is one piece which was a surprise. I like her curly, faux fur white coat which I do not show here because it totally does not belong with this outfit.

Her handbag, shoes and jewelry are pewter colored. 

In the second picture I lit the doll from above which cast a shadow and made her teeth less visible. Unfortunately her high cheekbones are also subdued.

 I think she's a keeper but those teeth have to go.

I'm hoping that the underarm stands which are used for these dolls gets retired.

MONSTER HIGH ROLLER MAZE

Angelic Dreamz has the Monster High Roller Maze dolls. Set of four $80. How cute are they???

 Skultimate Roller Maze™ is a ferocious game that requires monster skills. Unfortunately, the star players of the sport have all gotten injured, and the ghouls of Monster High® have been asked to 'skate' in and save the day! Dolls cannot stand alone. Ages 6 and older.

Monster High Skultimate Roller Maze Set of 4 Dolls Lagoona, Operetta, Frankie and Ghoulia

Expected in July, a beauty called Robecca Steam:

And another expected July arrival Venus McFlytrap:

ANGELIC DREAMZ

Jem and the Holograms

Hasbro, Inc. and Integrity Toys, Inc. have partnered to produce a line of Jem and the Holograms dolls. The price range is projected to be $125.

JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS Special Edition Doll: HOLLYWOOD JEM 

The image above is Jem. She will launching at 2012 Comic-Con International in San Diego. This doll will be available for purchase at the Hasbro Toy Shop booth #3329 during Comic-Con International in San Diego at an approximate retail price of $125 and following the convention, at www.HasbroToyShop.com.

Hasbro and Integrity Toys are in business to make money. That's the bottom line.

Marketing gobbledygook:

"As children of the 80's ourselves, working on this project with the Hasbro team was a dream come true for our entire team. JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS has been a major influence for us," says Alain Tremblay, marketing director of Integrity Toys, Inc.  

 

"We wanted to remain true to the spirit of the original doll line, while paying homage to the animated series, which is something that we as JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS fans always wanted through the years," says Vaughn Sawyers, Integrity's head designer.

Bryony Bouyer, Sr. VP, Global Franchise Development for Hasbro said: "We wanted to pay homage to the characters and offer collectible dolls to fans that would showcase the essence of their favorite characters.  We admire the high quality dolls produced by Integrity Toys, so this relationship made perfect sense."

Not being a child of the 80's or a fan of Jem and the Holograms, I know absolutely nothing about this cartoon, these characters or the animated series. I looked it up on Wikipedia and learned it ran from 1985 to 1988. "The show is about music company owner Jerrica Benton, her singer alter-ego Jem, her band the Holograms, and their adventures."

Most of Hasbro's action figures sell for well under $20. There are a few playsets for under $35.  

  

 In my biased opinion, this doll has a Pink Box Barbie Aesthetic. $125. Seriously?

Links which may be of interest:

http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/10/06/ten-truly-outrageous-jem-and-the-holograms-toys/

http://thisisnotheavymetal.tumblr.com/post/635326249/barbie-vs-jem-plastic-baggage-is-still-baggage

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Jem_episodes

http://www.jemdolls.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR2FVm4_x_0

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=jem+and+the+holograms+dolls

http://www.ghostofthedoll.co.uk/Toys_Jem.htm

http://jemgirl.com/jemgirl/home.html

http://www.pranceatron.com/jem/cartoonsynopses.htm

Take your $125. and buy the real thing. Buy vintage.

Marina Bychkova ~ Enchanted Doll

Marina Bychkova, an enormously talented doll maker, presents Echo No5 "Saffron." $18, 900 CAD

Saffron’s exquisite crown was inspired by and constructed from components of traditional Norwegian jewelry, which I acquired during my travels in Scandinavia.

Light and delicate, it’s made from silver filigree wire, 24k gold-plated pendants and disks, that shimmer and sparkle as they move. Other features include two silver Buyao hairpins; a pair of silver earrings; 14k gold-plated bracelets; bead embroidery and Swarovski crystal accents on the printed costume; two pairs of silver shoes; two pairs of interchangeable feet; magnetic mohair wig; custom stand and a specially upholstered tin box.

The doll is porcelain, ball-jointed, china painted and articulated with industrial springs. 13.5” (34.5cm) tall. 2012

Enchanted Doll

You're Invited! Facets 10th Annual Doll BBQ - Sunday, September 9th

It's almost that time again. Bob, Rudy and I have attended Marcia's event for several years and it's always a lot of fun.  Not only is it like a mini-convention, you get to ogle her unbelievable doll collection. Doll collectors of all types show up.

Here is her announcement/invitation:

Summer's here and it's almost time for Facets by Marcia's 10th annual summer doll BBQ!    10 Years!  Wow!!

I'm inviting area doll collectors (and any traveling ones) to come to my house in Matawan, NJ for a BBQ and doll party on Sunday September 9th starting at noon. 

Matawan is in central NJ, near exit 117a of the Garden State Parkway. It is easily accessible by NJ Transit trains from NYC or Newark.

It will be like the previous BBQ's with lots of people, food, dolls, sales, and more, but there are a few changes, so please read on...

I'll provide all of the food, and there is a cover charge of $13 per person and it must be paid in advance by PayPal (to applefrien@aol.com) or you can send me a check or give me cash if you see me beforehand. If you're going to do PayPal, I'd appreciate your waiting until a week or two before the BBQ so I have less chance of losing track of it :-) If you pay at the door, it is $15 cash - exact change required. My husband, Paul, really hates handling the money, so please pay in advance! All people who pay in advance will get a gift when they check in :-)

I'll have a sales area set up in my basement - space is on a first come basis and is limited. If you are planning to bring things to sell, please let me know so I can estimate how much space is needed per person and try to get enough shelving/tables to accommodate. If you've been here before, you know the set-up. If you haven't been here before and want to sell, email me for more info. Of course, Facets will be set up for shopping, too :-)

In addition to shopping, we'll have door prizes, the infamous "free table", and lots of dolls to look at.

The "free table" is a table of doll related items that are extras, slightly used, unwanted, etc... It's a good way to get rid of those items that you think someone might want and you don't feel like putting on Ebay. If you have some things you'd like to put in, bring them. However, if no one takes them, you have to take them back or throw them out - they can't stay here! If you want to mail donations, LMK and I'll give you the address. I've already gotten some amazing things mailed to me!

If you want to see what the Free Table is like, check out Paul's video from last year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxauy4TnVyc

Feel free to bring a doll for display. I don't have a theme - bring a favorite, a new acquisition, something you want to show off, whatever.

Contributions to the door prizes are appreciated.

If you need a place to stay in this area, I recommend the Woodbridge Hilton. It's about 20 minutes north of here and is more reasonably priced and nicer than the few hotels in the immediate area. If you are looking for travel mates or roommates, LMK and I'll try to help.

I hope you can make it to the party - it's a day of great fun, great dolls and great people :-) Email me to RSVP or ask questions. When you email me, I would appreciate it if you could put "BBQ" somewhere in the subject so I can sort out those emails.

Marcia

Sybarite Domina: First Look

This picture of Domina was posted on Prego by fracega. I think this doll's face is just gorgeous. Domina was the third doll in the line entitled Fashion Police. Happily that line is now complete. She sold out fairly quickly but the prior two dolls are still for sale and probably will be for a long time.

NuMood Sydney Finally Arrives

After an extremely long wait, NuMood Sydney has arrived. She is easing my dolly withdrawal a little bit. I enjoyed the simple act of combing her beautiful blonde wig and just holding her. She is sitting on my laptop looking at me. I have decided to name her Brook for reasons that will be revealed next month.

I do have the convertible foot set for her but it's packed away. Until yesterday I thought all my dolls clothes were packed as well but then I remembered that my big Tyler trunk is not in a box and it's got some pretty outfits and shoes and Brook might just get the chance to try some.

Integrity Toys Finds Their Warehouse

How is it possible that so many "WAREHOUSE FINDS" listed on sale could have been missing to begin with? Don't they have electricity in there?
Anyway, last week, the lucky members of the W Club were treated to an early bird opportunity to snap up these warehouse finds at reduced prices. One of those awful "entry level collectible" dolls was offered for $5. It probably cost more to ship it.

This Flaunt It Monsieur Z doll is the cutest of all and she's only $25. now. If I were buying, she'd be the one. Her hair and dress are worth the price alone.
You can get a couple of RuPaul dolls for $19.99. Their outfits are worth it - the bodies aren't. The Josephine Baker dolls are $50 and less. That's just a little more than an articulated body was sold for a while back and these come with outfits and heads. ;-)
When this was was for sale last year, I purchased it, sold the doll and kept the outfit. It looks great without the armlets.

Josephine Baker La Joie de Paris $50.

I was surprised to see that several of the latest wave of Monogram dolls were on sale. I'm imagining unhappy collectors who paid full price only a few months ago and dealers who are still carrying these dolls at retail must be pissed.

Echelon now $125.

Not surprising are the four FR16 dolls being reduced. I thought these dolls were quite unattractive. They've all been reduced to $150. Even at $99. they would be overpriced.

Perfect Layout Freja

 Last but not least, the most garish doll in recent IT history, Brightness Calls Isha, is now $90.

There are many other dolls on sale. Head on over and have a look. http://www.integritytoys.com/shop20/home.php

The Ultimate Definition of Mint

I think I see a little dust.

Superfrock - New Releases

Note: All images and descriptive text are from the Superfrock Ltd. website. Links are provided.

Today Superfrock posted for sale Domina, the final doll of the current collection, "Fashion Police."I think she looks gorgeous. She is very much in the style of the prior Fashion Police dolls as far as her muted makeup goes. She has a Film Noir vibe.

DOMINA

GEN 3:2
Venus clone: 0779, regular skintone
FINALE DOLL OF THE CURRENT COLLECTION "FASHION POLICE"

Pathalogical Curator
Neutral dusted eye lids with black dusted outer corners and lower lids accented with just a touch of matte white in her inner eye; ready to calculate each detail and clue! Stormy grey eyes.
Custom printed mesch top and hose with rivetted to death lace up gloss skirt embracing the latest in fabric technology. Short reverse laser cut shoulder piece in black gloss rip stop fibre. Nude, black and transparent; button & strap platform open back stiletto mules.
Hair of the palest silvery platinum.
Accessories consist: Militant black 'officers' cap, 'military' style waist cincher belt and diamante' magnetic pin. 'Pearl' earings.

Click here for superimage  Price: £394.12

 A new outfit:

 

VENETIAN SYB/744
What? a STRIP SEARCH?
No, just a suit of strips!
HOT PINK slashed to within' a lasers width 2 piece skirt and jacket.
Just in time for some or other hot investigation!
Hallographic silver 'browning' belts with custom FP buckle, metalic 'silver' zigazagah stiletto platform courts!
'silver' extended envelope clutch.
Actual production shown.  Click here for superimage  Price: £160.75

A New Accessory Pack:

DIVERSION SYB/SP-16
NEED A LITTLE DIVERSION?
Ink blue and white glossy fabulous and glamorous shoe and bag set!
Think frantic chevrons in your headlights with just a dash of gold!
open toe strappy ankle boot with towering platform & stiletto heels plus a matching handbag!
This ain't no traffic warden accessory pack.
In stock! Ready to ship.
Click here for superimage Price: £48.78
 

Approximate Prices in US dollars
 £394.12 = $618
 £160.75 = $252
 £48.78   =  $77

Last Doll Standing

All my dolls are packed. Sigh. These were the last three:

Now they are in their own special boxes waiting for their new home. 

Superdoll Moving Sale Markdown

Want to know where you can get an NRFB Sybarite doll for $315. US? Superdoll is having a moving sale on two of their 2009 basic Sybarites.  I do not have these dolls so I can't give more information than what is listed on their site. These two do not have the latest version body.

Venus BD_06

 Here she is a regimented glistening commander! Dressed in 'reflective blue' and sequinned gold tone corselette with red hose, heels and matching neck corset! Includes, strap on scarlet fake beaver and dollstand. applied glittering nipples and applied eyelashes.

Ivory BD_08

IVORY clone: 0902, BRAND NEW SCULPT sculpt, original skintone!
Here she is a vision in candy pink glitter and gingham! Dressed in 'matte pink' and and light reflective white corselette with pink fishnet hose, heels and neck corset! Includes, strap on toupee in blonde curls, gingham headscarf and dollstand. applied glittering nipples and applied eyelashes.

Images and descriptive text is from the Superdoll website.

Superfrock Ltd

Silkstone Elizabeth Taylor Dolls

Following in the footsteps of the popular Grace Kelly Silkstone dolls, Mattel is going to offer one Elizabeth Taylor giftset and an individual doll. Elizabeth Taylor is the only celebrity Mattel doll I own. Their vinyl ETs are excellent likenesses.

The giftset is called White Diamonds Elizabeth Taylor. It contains two white dresses, one with an AIDS red ribbon, several pieces of jewelry and what appears to be a bottle of White Diamonds perfume.

 Violet Eyes Elizabeth Taylor shows Liz in a sophisticated black ensemble.

 No word on pricing available at this time.

 This is the ET I have.

How can you not know what dolls you have?

I take back everything I thought about other collectors who announced that they found a doll in their closet they didn't know they had.

In one of my smaller showcases I was using two Tiny Kitty boxes to create a higher level for a row of dolls standing in back of another row of dolls.  This showcase has been outfitted thus for at least a year and maybe more.

I have a lot of Tiny Kitty dolls and the ones I added to my collection in the past 9 months have remained boxed for the pending move. Imagine my surprise when I opened the two boxes and found brand new dolls inside. I have absolutely no recollection of buying them although from my records I see that I bought them at the end of March, 2011. I am surprised at myself that I would use boxes containing NRFB dolls to create a shelf. 

I am almost completely packed as far as the FR dolls go. Less than 10 dolls remain to be packed out of about 90 Fashion Royalty. Then it's the clothing and the accessories. I'm going to pack my Sybarites, too. I have to finish this and move on to the next packing area.

My house is a maze which winds itself through narrow paths of cartons. My living room furniture is all at one end of the room and I have a large folding table set up for operations. My right ring finger is swollen from the wasp sting two days ago. It's 104° outside. And we don't know exactly where we are going to live as we had to terminate the contract of sale on the new house due to serious inspection issues.  But I'm hanging on to a positive outlook. It will all work out for the best. And then I will have to unpack. Hahahahaha.

Does doll collecting cause insanity?

Packing: Hoarders Lite Episode 2

Well the packing has finally hit the Fashion Royalty dolls. I was holding out until the last minute with these girls because I love looking at them. I decided to pack most of them dressed. There are so many of them that it would be a daunting task to have to redress them when I unpack.
I am obsessively snapping a pic of the dolls in each box before I close it so I have a record of what's what. I did that with my Gene dolls but I did not do it with my 16" Tonners, Tiny Kittys, Silkies, Cissettes or Cissys. It just got too overwhelming. I haven't packed my Sybs yet. They will be last.
There are odd combinations of dolls around these days. I thought that even though this is not a "good" photo, it told a story.

Here is what some of my box pix look like:

 They all get wrapped in tissue paper and taped to the inside of the box in order to keep them from shifting.

 No, I have never redressed this Kyori. She's nearly the most perfect doll ever.

All the above dolls plus a box of Monster High, several plastic divider boxes, a box of 8 headless bodies and two bags of clothing fit into this "Lay down" wardrobe box from U Haul. This is only the beginning.
I plan to photograph the cartons of my packed dolls, if possible, before they go on the truck.