I usually do a "Best-Worst" themed post at year end. This year I'm going to do more of a "Best of My 2013 Collection" post. Going through my 2013 purchase database, I made a list of my favorites. The list revealed that I concentrated, number-wise, on wigs and fashions more than anything else. And, for the first time in a few years, Integrity Toys' dolls scored multiple bests.
Below, left: Lukas Maverick as "
Beauty." He was paired with a female doll entitled "
Beast," not shown. Right:
"Interlude," the last Monogram doll in the line, (supposedly) was a welcome bag doll at the 2013 convention. She is dressed in a fashion called
"Completist" which was also a gift to attendees.
The two Integrity dolls below from their last convention are both Elise Jolie. On the left is the convention souvenir,
Midnight Star, and on the right is a workshop doll dressed in the Beast's outfit. These dolls are gorgeous and I love the Elise sculpt as much as I loved the original Vanessa sculpt!
A fashion designed by Chris Stoeckel for the W Club Luncheon for
Victoire Roux made my favorites. Chris had previously done this dress for a 15.5" Gene doll (right) in a different colorway. It translates very well to the 12"
"Out Sass."
IMO Chris is the most talented designer IT has (if Jason isn't around.)
Mel Odom's
beloved
Gene Marshall doll made a surprise comeback in 2013 as a resin BJD produced by JamieShow Dolls. It's great fun to have new Gene dolls and it has brought renewed life to so many long-time Gene collections. On the left is
J'Adore Gene wearing a Sybarite fashion and a Cheryl Wood wig. On the right is
Phoenix Gene wearing her own gown and a wig by Cheryl Wood.
Speaking of wigs, I added at least one dozen to my collection this past year. My favorites are those made by Ilaria, Patta, Cheryl and Chewin. My dolls have varying sized heads so they need lots of wigs. Below are two from Ilaria aka "Time of Doll."
On the left is
Miss G White, a Ficon doll I traded for. Although she debuted in 2012, she is new to my collection. On the right is
Inro. She is the first in the Inamorata line produced as a limited edition as opposed to a OOAK by Emilia Nieminen.
For the first time in ages, I'm paying attention to male dolls again. While the
Jamieshow Alejandro below, left and the Tonner
Neo Tokyo are not from 2013, their fashions are. These fabulous garments are by the uber-talented Chewin. I also commissioned him to do Alejandro's wig.
Another Chewin outfit modeled by Tonner's
Yoshio, a 2013 16" favorite.
Yian (
modsdoll) repainted this
Dionysis Sybarite. She's wearing a 2012 Cheryl Wood wig, a gorgeous dress from the 2013 Metrodoll's luncheon entitled "
Eventail," and a stunning neckpiece by Asher of New England. I'm sure you can see why she made my favorites list.
Of course I have too many dolls so I buy outfits for them. Early fashions that I couldn't get previously and newly released ones arrived regularly.
Many of the amazing fashions from Sandra Stillwell's Kansas City
Every Day's A Holiday event can be seen elsewhere on this blog. Here is one called "Delicate Bloom." The floral motifs are all ribbon embroidery!
V John offers a monthly fashion for either 12" or 16" dolls.
There are always Tonner dressed dolls or fashions that need to come to mama. Some fashions are offered separately and some are from dressed dolls. Tiny Kitty is older (2005) doll called
"Flirtation." Sometimes it's good to wait because many collectors sell Tonner products for much less than they paid.
Antoinette is wearing a 2012 gown from "Sweeping Antoinette."
This Antoinette fashion is called "Fanciful." It's so Barbie-ish and reminds me of Silkstone Provencale. "Hypnotic" Antoinette, whom I chose to model the Tonner gown, has the same hairstyle the Silkie (on the right.) Provencale is not a new acquisition.
I was more careful with my purchases but I definitely made a few mistakes. I am happy with my dolls. When I'm not, they go. Some stick around until I'm sure.
My doll collecting resolution is to continue to be careful and focused with what I purchase. I resolve to re-photograph many of my dolls and photograph all new dolls as they join the tribe.
Do you have any doll-related resolutions for 2013?
