Visit Lisa's website here: http://www.dazzleemrepaints.com/
I love my original Sad Sally although I do believe her face could use a little blushing.
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While we're on the topic of a quirky little doll, I was browsing through pictures of Monster High dolls last week. I went through a period of buying and displaying them. To say the least they are unique and clever. Personally, I lost interest in them rather quickly. They are cute play-line dolls and what you get for your money is enough but I found them to be nothing more than decorative characters. I used some of mine to decorate one of my smaller Christmas trees.
In spite of all that, this particular one caught my eye. Her name is Wydowna Spider. She's a ToysRus exclusive. Mattel categorizes Monster High dolls as fashion dolls. Well, she does come with two additional fashions although I'd call them outfits.
Some of the more interesting answers:
-Yes but only because don't consider them to be baby dolls
-I consider them more Playline fashion dolls like barbie Fashionista dolls - though i do have a few and a few Ever After High dolls
-Yes! The details on their fashions is incredible. If you're not a collector, take a closer look next time you see one. You'll be amazed how the purses, jewelry, & shoes are all different for each character.
-Yes!! They are actually amazing little posers and for an inexpensive doll they are very detailed
-Yes, sure they're playline but still fashion dolls.
-I think the difference is Monster High is a Playline fashion doll. The 16 inch dolls like Tonner, Sybarites, Kingdom Doll, Fashion Royalty 12 and 16 inch are collectible higher end dolls.
-Yes, fantasy fun fashion dolls of a sort.
-No, though their premise might be fashion forward off springs of the our favorite ghouls, monsters and ghosts, but still they're character based, and the movement of their clothing leans on costumes more than fashion.
-Yes a fashion doll is a doll that comes with fashions! So yes it would be considered a fashion doll so thought many collectors say no because the consider realistic type dolls as being fashion dolls.
Other items I stumbled upon in the MH line that are appealing are the Monster High Monster Maker, the Monster Maker Primary Extension Pack, and the Monster Maker machine. There are multiple add-ons and design packs. The Monster Maker is $49.97 (Amazon) and the Primary Extension Pack is $13.99 (Amazon.) The Mattel Shop lists the maker for $129.99 before a 20% Easter discount, way more than Amazon's price.
Here is the description:
Bring Her to Unlife!
Monster High® fans can create their own unique monsters using the ultimate customization tool: Monster High® Monster Maker. Simply select a style from the design software (desktop or app), then start creating your doll’s unique look using a variety of graphics and patterns or draw your own design. Transfer your scary-cool creation from your tablet or computer onto individual doll parts using the Monster Maker machine. Best of all, you can watch the whole design process as it unfolds.Monster High Monster Maker comes with Monster Maker machine, Monster Maker software (desktop and app), body part adapters, nine colored markers, three doll stands, an eraser, three blank fashions, a rooted wig, two wig caps and three “blank” bodies ready for monster customization.
These items are certainly not for young children to play with on their own. The machine requires that one installs the included software and is connected via USB to your computer be it PC or Mac. I recommend reading the reviews of the products on Amazon.com and watching the instructional video prior to purchase.
Fascinating tech! I'd love to play with this toy.
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A photo from a piece I did for FDQ's Vacation issue:
I love MH -- I dearly wish they'd been around when I was younger! (I was one of those "goth" kids, we would have been thrilled with the MH ghouls, I'm sure!) But I don't really think of them as fashion dolls, I suppose. I guess I mentally reserve that label for adult collector dolls, for whatever reason.
ReplyDeleteWydowna is pretty awesome. (I'm pretty impressed with her engineering, and that of the centaur girl Avea.) I love how all 3 of her outfits reference her fondness for comic books!
That Monster Maker looks amazing. The only thing I haven't liked about previous "make your own monster" sets is that the blank faces have no molded lips! They're sort of like some of the blank Volks/Obitsu dolls that way, I suppose, but the standard ghouls' lips add a lot of character to their overall look. Ah well.
Thank you for your comments. I agree, the centaur doll is pretty cool.
DeleteT
The Sad Sally kind of dolls (oversized eyes in particular) are nice to see in pictures -- people can be quite creative with them -- but I don't see adding them to my collection.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you brought up Wydowna Spider. When I was in TRU, she transfixed me as I passed down the aisle. The fact that she came with two additional outfits sold me, and suddenly I found myself paying for her. She is one of only three MH dolls that I have; one of the others is the Monster High Frankie Recharge Station with Frankie Stein. I feel a bit silly, but playing with the static electricity and lights is rather amusing every now and then. :-) The dolls are quirky and fun, but my focus is more on fashion dolls because I enjoy putting together outfits and hairstyles/wigs.
As to whether MH are fashion dolls, I lean toward no. Although some of the dolls come with multiple outfits and there are a few fashion packs, that doesn't appear to be the "purpose" of the line; they focus more on characters/dressed dolls. The Barbie line, on the other hand, is always releasing different fashion packs. That is a critical criterion for "fashion" dolls in my outlook.
Hi Troy: I was surprised that I like Sad Sally so much because I feel the same way you do about big-eyed (bug-eyed?) dolls. I'd love to see the back of Wydowna Spider's body. I'm curious about the construction. Can you email me a photo?
DeleteTerri
Terri, I took a few quick pictures of Wydowna this morning. Let me know how to get them to you and they will be on their way.
ReplyDeleteYou can send me your email address in a comment which I won't post. I'll then send you mine. I think my email is accessible in an easier way on the profile of this blog. I'm not sure because I never tried to email myself. 😊
DeleteYeah I had grabbed Wydowna too- actually when she first came out I was able to get her at the SDCC. This one seems much easier to lay hands on!
ReplyDeleteI think the MH dolls are really cute- I really really love their joints, and sometimes their costumes/outfits are very neat looking- except they really look so cheap up close. If only they were just a tad nicer/higher quality. But I guess that is not the point...