Who Needs New Dolls?

There's always one more temptation as I spend countless hours scouring the doll boards looking at sales and pictures and wanting the next great doll or the one that got away. While I'm doing this, all the (last) great dolls are hanging around in my doll room waiting for someone to play with them. I often wonder WTF I'm doing with all of these dolls. Well, today I followed my own advice and played with the dolls I already have.
First was Heart on My Sleeve, a Tonner reinterpreted Tin Man from Oz. She's been dressed in her adorable, original fashion since I got her. I thought she was so perfect.

She's even more perfect now dressed in the Theatre de la Mode Noir #99 gown sans shrug. This doll uses the Duchess head sculpt on the Antoinette body.

Quite the transformation, right?

I never paid much attention to Hearts Aflame after I got her because the collector that sold her to me under-described the defects on this doll's face. She's got part of an eyebrow sanded off and there are three tiny green spots happening. She has the Queen of Hearts head sculpt, Tyler body. (2006)

 But I needed a full busted Tonner doll to wear Forbidden Forest Winter Stroll and she was it. This is one of those fashions that I had when it first came out, sold it and then bought another one. It's truly one of Tonner's most magnificent creations.

Here it is on Elphaba for whom it was designed way back in 2005.

Going back through my own collection and comparing photographs is so interesting. It's a history of what I've been doing for the past 12 or so years.

Follow your own Yellow Brick Road right into your doll room. Step back from the computer and put that credit card away. Take out a doll and redress it in something wonderful and admire your 'newest' toy. One day at a time.

Society Hound Collection - Greyhound Barbie

Just got this outfit the other day. I've wanted it for a long time. My doll is on a pivotal body which is smaller than the Barbie body the fashion was originally intended for. But it looks pretty cute. I love the dog! A doll with a dog is better than one without.

Unless the doll is in the dog's mouth.

That definitely doesn't work.

What a Difference a Real Doll Makes

When Tonner released his promotional images of the latest two Theatre de la Mode dolls a few months ago, I criticized the one called Elegance #93 for the over-scaled flowers down the side of the dress. As time went by, I kept seeing her face and my 'want' grew. (You know that feeling, I'm sure.) I certainly was not going to pay the ridiculous $225. retail cost. When a favorite dealer offered them for less than half price, I jumped.

I was going to remove the flowers but I have come to like the whole package. This is a gorgeous doll! Besides the Gina sculpt, which is my current favorite Tonner sculpt, the hair, the colors, the styling...is all stunning and she makes a wonderful addition to my collection.

I still want to see a picture of the original TDLM fashion.

More Freyr Pictures

I'm quite pleased with how they turned out. If I were to continue to do faceups, I think I would get good at it. Practice, practice, practice.

Would you believe that these are iPhone pictures? This latest iPhone takes better pictures than a Canon point and shoot. Admittedly, the Canon is a few years old but seriously? I even used the built in flash option.

Kingdom Doll Announces Nelson's Sale Date

Subscribers to the "first to know list" received a newsletter regarding Nelson, the debut doll, with some long awaited news. She will go on sale on Friday 31st January at 18:00 GMT. On the east coast of the US, we are GMT - 5:00, which makes that 3:00 PM (EST) here in PA. 
Look it up.
http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwich_Mean_Time

Nelson is priced at $650. plus shipping. 

An excerpt from the letter:

Please take a moment to look at our store page (link displayed below) for more details about the doll and her outfit. Please also note, the images shown in the store gallery are of an actual production doll and outfit, not prototypes. A link to the terms and conditions of sale are also available on the store page, please do read them.

https://kingdomdoll.co.uk

An excerpt from the website:

Our debut doll Nelson (using the Novantae head sculpt)

Nelson is a 16 inch resin fashion doll, with 22 points of articulation. Her resin, which is of the highest quality, is a classic "English Rose" which was exclusively created for Kingdom Doll. She has pale ice blue eyes and a soft make-up palette of peach, muted gold and grey. Her hair, a hard cap wig, has long soft waves of a variegated pale golden blonde.
Nelson is a dressed doll limited to just 60 pieces world wide. She features a faux leather jacket inspired by the Spencer jackets of the 1790's and a strapless empire line gown made from silk chiffon with beautiful gold braid trimmed bodice. Black calf length square toed boots with gold buckle accents, a pair tap shorts and hose complete the outfit.
A stand and a complimentary pair of pose hands are also included!

Two Daydreamers' Exclusive "Forever Yours Ashleigh"

Bride dolls are usually not amongst my favorites. In fact, I don't think I have any except a Tiny Kitty dressed in a bridal gown and I'm not particularly fond of her.

Two Daydreamers has a new, exclusive Ashleigh. Apparently, she is the start of a coming "Bridal Series."
As far as the gown goes, I would have preferred to see a rhinestone encrusted belt instead of the annoying gray bow. There is a great deal of lovely draping on the body of the gown and the bow interferes with those lines. I'm not sure what is going on at the shoulders. The description says "Icy white tulle softens the shoulders and also explodes into a cascade of tulle ruffles at the skirt bottom."  Exploding cascades? LOL Where is her bouquet? It just seems that accessories and embellishment have cheapened up and/or disappeared. She should have glamorous jewelry, perhaps a tiara. At these prices, I want more and they have to stop sticking bows on to gowns.

Here is the description from the website:

Two Daydreamers' exclusive "Forever Yours Ashleigh" - 1st in the classically romantic Bridal Series - 16" Tyler bending wrist body - Cameo skin tone - Ashleigh sculpt - LE100

Ashleigh's sophisticated snowy white taffeta gown is beautifully engineered and cut to drape over the bust and shoulders. The gown's skirt is elegantly draped across the front and released in concentric circles of gently folded fabric caught in the ingenious seaming. Icy white tulle softens the shoulders and also explodes into a cascade of tulle ruffles at the skirt bottom. A contrasting dove grey bow at the waist and silk flowers strewn at the shoulders add to the overall elegance of this drop-dead design. White knit opera length gloves, white faux leather, high-heeled strappy sandals and sparkling diamond-like studs complete her dreamy bridal ensemble.

Priced at $224.99

Cupid's Kisses Barbie Doll

A new Barbie Fan Club Exclusive becomes available for sale today. She is "Cupid's Kisses Barbie Doll."  This doll sports a true vintage body complete with holes in her feet! I'm wondering if the included stand makes use of the vintage feet.
 Here is the description from the BC site:

 

Gold Label^®

Designed by: Bill Greening

Release Date: 1/22/2014

Product Code: BCR06

No more than 5000 units produced worldwide.

Our festive hostess celebrates Cupid’s favorite day with timeless gifts: a heart-shaped box of “chocolates,” a bottle of “perfume” and a teeny tiny greeting card. Her dress has a red bodice, short white sleeves and a skirt flocked with a design of flying cupids, hearts and bows. Accessories include a golden heart necklace, earrings, pretty white gloves and a red hair bow.

Doll Details
Body Type:	1959 Vintage (holes in the feet) - Vinyl
Skin Tone:	Nostalgic
Facial Sculpt:	Nostalgic Barbie
Fashion Sewn On?:	No
Eyelashes:	Painted

Included with doll:
Doll stand, shoes, golden heart necklace, earrings, white gloves, red hair bow, heart-shaped box of chocolate, perfume, and greeting card

 Price $75.

JUNKYSPOT Freyr Cat Anthropomorph Boy Figures

Junkyspot is a business that sells Asian ball jointed dolls such as Obitsu, Hujoo, Bobobie, Pullip, Limhwa and more.  www.junkyspot.com/

Both of my Freyr cats have the boy body. He measures just a bit over 9 inches tall. The Freya's (note the difference in spelling) description explained the girl body had a different head cap and I read that it was difficult to work with.  I decided to get two boys, one grey and one white. At that time, if you purchased two cats, you got a smaller one for free. I'm still waiting for the special eyes I ordered for my little one although his faceup is already done. Stay tuned.

Here is the description from the website:

Includes: Head+Finished body
Includes: Optional Tail with Magnets
Made of ABS Plastics
Strung for articulation tension
Eyes are not included
Faceup not included
Dimensions:

• Head: Takes a 6.5-7" wig (would need to be modified to fit ears)
• Height : 23cm
• Eyes : 18mm (not included)
• Girth of neck : 4cm
• Girth of Chest : 10.5cm
• width of shoulders : 5.5cm
• Girth of Waist : 9cm
• Girth of hips : 10.5cm
• Foot Size: 3.5cm  

The Whole Family

I do have experience painting but not much with doing faceups. One workshop is all the training I ever had and I never did it again. My natural painting style is too "painterly" to do a classic faceup. I had to remove the work three times until I was somewhat pleased with it. I used pastels, water color pencils and acrylic paint. The lashes went on easily. The eyes were no problem to install.  The nightmare was reattaching the head. But once I did one, the other wasn't too difficult.

I'm planning to matte the bodies and blush them a bit but for now, this is it.  I like the gray one better than the white one.

 I've been told they can wear Blythe clothes. I've seen them in Barbie stuff. But I'm not planning on making them into fashionistas. This was a fun and inexpensive experiment.

The Minion is there to protect her modesty.

Picture of the Day by Flamingomoon

This adorable photo was posted on Prego asking the question: "Aren't you glad you don't have to do this at the hairdresser?"

A Few Announcements

So Many Dolls; So Little Time

-3 Day Clearance Sale at Cherished Friends - Below wholesale prices. (Photo shows only a fraction of items on sale.)
http://cherishedfriends.com/WeeklySale1-13-14.html

-FDQ Interior Design Contest: 
http://www.fdqmedia.com/contest.html

-TonnerCon 2014 Registration Now Open
https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1328242

Volks USA Closing LA Store

Volks USA has announced that they will be closing the Los Angeles Tenshi-no-Sumika LA showroom at the end of March, 2014.
Here is the text of the announcement posted on their blog today:

Big Changes Coming to VOLKS USA!

January 11th, 2014

Hello!
As many of you may know, 2014 is the 15th Anniversary of the birth of our “Dollfie” line of dolls, paving the way for so many new opportunities in the doll hobby.
With that, VOLKS has a lot of things planned, and for VOLKS USA that means a lot of changes.
In Spring of this year we’ll be introducing a new website with new systems and services for all of our customers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. We’re very excited to introduce it to you!
We have a new manager here now as well and he will be leading the way for these changes and for the future of VOLKS USA. Here’s a message to all of you from him.
“I’m dedicated to presenting joy and excitement to our customers through VOLKS’ hobby world! I’m really looking forward to the future of VOLKS USA and I hope to create a thriving hobby base here in the United States.”
That being said, we do have some sad news. Our Tenshi no Sumika in Los Angeles showroom will be closing after March of this year. Our last weekend open to the public will be March 29th and 30th.
We know that our local customers and those of you hoping to visit will be upset and disappointed and we do understand. We thank you so much to all of you who have come to spend time with us, bringing joy and gifts along with you and we would love to see as many of you as possible before then!
We hope that all of you can understand that this is difficult for us as well and is being done with an eye to the future. We hope that someday we can open a new store location. Until then, we will focus on our web store, on growing VOLKS USA’s presence here in the United States, and work to make it the best that it can be.
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us over the years. We hope that we will continue to have your support in the years to come.
Sincerely,
Your VOLKS USA Staff

 

http://blog.volksusa.com/

Wonderful Wonder Woman

Tonner's newest Wonder Woman has been released. This is a gorgeous doll on the 16" heroic body.

2014  Wonder Woman 52     $199.99

When I searched for pictures of Tonner's Wonder Woman dolls, I was surprised that there were so many.

2006

2008 Trunk Set sold by FAO Schwarz

2009 - Deluxe 17" Wonder Woman

2009  8" Tiny Betsy as Wonder Woman

13" Wonder Woman

22" Amazonia

16" Steampunk Wonder Woman

22" Wonder Woman

There are more: Amazon Princess, Amazonian Warrior, Justice Protector, Diana of Themyscira.  I don't know if they are all the same character. I need to study up on my Wonder Women.  The new one is my favorite but the Steampunk one is really adorable.
You can also go to this site:  Wonder Woman Museum.
Dreamcastle Dolls has an amazing reference:  DC Stars.

2014 Barbie℠ Fan Club Membership

Club renewal begins tomorrow, 1/8/14. If you have not been a member in 2013, membership will open on 1/15/14.
Cost $24.95

Benefits:

• Up to $80 in BarbieCollector.com Online Shop rewards – $20 per calendar quarter*
• A Barbie^℠ Fan Club card case** – your gift with membership (and sent with free shipping)
• Quarterly “Designer Videos,” sneak peeks at upcoming releases, downloadable goodies, and access to the exclusive Barbie^™ Bulletin Board
• First access to audio interviews, collector spotlights, Fun Facts, and looks “behind the glam” with the passionate people on the Barbie^® Collector team
• The opportunity to purchase four (4) Club-exclusive dolls, as announced*** (doll purchase is NOT a requirement of membership)

Some sneak peeks at what's in store.

Project Typhoon Haiyan Goods Received

Two of the four items I bid on in the Project Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda Fundraising Auction arrived today. They are both Ashton Drake Gene Marshall dolls.
First is the "Love Paris" Gene doll dressed in the lovely wedding ensemble from the 1995 Gene in Monaco.

Next is the 1998 Creme De Cassis Gene Doll.

Both of these dolls, among other items, were contributed to the auction by the very generous Franklin Lim Liao.

I Wasn't Going To Do It...

Famous last words.
The Tonner virtual factory sale began about 2 hours ago. I took a few looks and in some cases couldn't believe my eyes. The prices on several items had to be at or below wholesale. Perhaps there was only one left...
For example:
Antoinette's Fanciful Outfit was priced at $40! I paid way more for that gown and that pisses me off.

It's not like it's from last year or anything.  

Seriously?

These two new dressed Tiny Kitty dolls are priced at $60. each. That's less than half the discounted price.

Getting even more pissed. My feeling is to never again buy anything Tonner before it's been out for 4 months. I got these two Tiny Kitty dolls on October 18, 2013. That is less than 2 months ago. 

WTF???

Any dealers who still have these items in stock are screwed. 

There are a few good buys remaining such as the original Glinda, The Good Witch at $95. Although, she's been around for quite a while, her original issue price was over $200. 

As of right now, very few items are sold out.  

Here's the link: http://www.tonnerdoll.com/virtual-factory-sale?page=0%2C0

Knock yourself out.