Took some quick iPhone shots of Black Lipstick seated on the chaise.
Love the doll, the chaise and the outfit which is from Sandra Stillwell's "Radio Days" convention.
The jewelry is Franklin Mint.
_______________________________________________
As expected, Kingdom Doll's Eira, a very limited edition, sold out almost immediately leaving several collectors moaning and groaning. ( I could also say 'pissing and moaning' but I'll be diplomatic outside of the parentheses.)
Cheer up because the next doll up, Orbit-seen below, is a larger, though limited edition, and she is another beauty.
That's not to say she'll last long once available. The usual suspects will complain and condemn Kingdom Doll for not making enough, blah, blah.
When the new GenX Solitaire went live on Superdoll's site, she didn't last long. Of course, a few people were disappointed they missed her but I didn't see venom-tinged remarks aimed at the company. When Mansion came and went very quickly, there were no angry collectors posting on Prego about Superdoll's business practices. Superdoll doesn't even tell anyone a specific time a doll will go live! You have to keep checking the site and hope you find it ready to buy.
With Integrity Toys, you know when to contact your dealer after seeing a doll. It's called NOW. You don't get time to think about what you really want because if you hesitate, the doll will be sold out. You have people emailing every single dealer, trying to get the dolls any way they can. Ultimately, the disappointed collectors complain about the dealers, favoritism and canceled orders.
When Mattell posts a Platinum Barbie for sale the site crashes or they cancel the sale and then hold it a few days later without broad announcements of the new date.
I'm one of the people who has yet to manage to get a Kingdom Doll. It's darn frustrating when something prevents you from getting one each time you try. (I didn't try for Hadrian). For at least 2, I was otherwise occupied (the sales happened during doctor's appointments) and for one, I had no internet access that day. For one, my browser froze, no doubt from the rush of people trying to buy her, and I have high speed internet and a powerful computer. For another, she sold out after she was in my cart and I was trying to pay. This was less than a minute after she went on sale. The few I've seen on the secondary market were almost double the original price, which I cannot afford. So yes, I've been frustrated and I've moaned and groaned on their FB page. Their dolls are the first ones that have excited me in a while now as I was starting to get bored with dolls, enough so that I sold off my Ficons and 2 of my JAMIEshow gals. And when I see some folks, on flickr, have all of them, well, that just adds to my frustration, and I'm sure, of others who have yet to get one because we don't type fast enough or have the most powerful and fast internet service on Earth. I don't care about Superdoll or Integrity or any of the others. I was actually able to buy Integrity Dolls on eBay, and I long ago sold those, too. Even getting my Numina Doll was easy. She took at least an hour to sell out. Just trying to offer the other side of things. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments.
DeleteWhat Shelly said! ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy perspective -- and I apologize if I'm repeating myself -- is that I prefer KD's practices over Superdoll's. As you mentioned, Terri, the latter doesn't announce times, and then doesn't post any notices after selling out. Customers like me don't know whether the dolls have even come and gone, and are still checking. At least KD does post notices on the website and Facebook, and the staff responds personally and promptly to emails.
However, I've pretty much given up trying to buy these boutique dolls when they go on sale. I wasn't a participant in yesterday's frenzy. I'm simply not fast enough, and it leads to frustration. My focus is now primarily on dolls that don't sell out in a minute, and those on the secondary market. I was fortunate enough to pick up Chaucer at only slightly over retail by working with the seller after an unsuccessful eBay auction. Recently, there was one that was even under retail, so it is possible to find deals. :-)
That all being said, I'm finally starting to acclimate to how competitive this hobby really is. It's been a bit of a struggle, but I am getting there. I have bought some OOAK and LE fashions from high end artists at commensurate prices, so I do understand that allure. I don't begrudge other people's success at making it through the fast-paced checkout process successfully; I'm happy they have a doll they love.
My only real remaining frustration is what appears to be the doll scalpers. Buyers who aren't going to keep a doll, please leave it for people who do want to keep it -- or at least intend to, barring financial problems or not liking the doll when it arrives. Capitalism isn't pretty.
It's great you were able to get Chaucer. I love her. Thank you for your comments.
DeleteTerri
I was thrilled to be able to pick her up! She is really lovely, and she fills a nice spot in the collection. :-) Her skin tone and face up are one of my favorites of my 16" dolls.
DeleteWhen she arrived, though, there was a small chip where one leg and the foot connected. My heart fell. However, the seller and the KD staff wanted to put things right, and KD fixed her; all I had to do was ship her back to them. (I'm guessing they replaced that leg piece.) I'm so glad I said something, because now I have a perfect doll and even better feelings about the company and its customer service.
That's good to hear.
DeleteI'm rather annoyed at all the positive coverage of KD...it makes me wonder just who is benefitting from this (certainly not most of the doll collectors I know)?
ReplyDeleteI got burned once trying for Brighton after she was all over FDQ and was charged for shipping but had the doll yanked from my cart while going through PayPal. While I got a prompt refund for the shipping from KD (a plus) and urging from them to "try for the next one" (whose face-up I found ugly and her clothes were just awful looking...so not my taste, and so not the point, as if I should just take any old KD I could get because they're so hard to ge...um no, they're really not the same to me, thankst), the experience has turned me off of KD completely and towards pretty much everything else for other dolls.
Maybe after I've seen & held one I'll want a KD. Or maybe I'll just go for the complete Brighton outfit & accessories for my other dolls (and if I like the way they're made, I might go for Chaucer's outfit). All I know is I have tuned out completely KD and I blow past the 'rah rah' coverage of their offerings in FDQ. I'll give it a few years and then when another doll is the latest fashion, I'll consider KD (and then at a discount).
In the meantime I am stunned at some of the price drops in things I and everyone else always wanted from not all that long ago. I am buying older convention dolls and outfits I never dreamed of owning for a song.I fully expect the same to be true of KD in 5-10 years time.
In the meantime I got the JamieShow convention Trent & Madra to play with and I think I'll consider trying to pick up the Le Jazz Hot Violet's outfit and possibly Le Jazz Hot Oona complete (or just her outfit). I didn't go to JS Convention (family thing that same weekend I could not miss) but I was able to get the JS dolls I wanted (and have every doll in the JS Gene line pre convention). The KD people would do well to take a page out of George of JS's playbook and not just tell disappointed would-be buyers "just try again for the next one".
Thank you for your comments.
DeleteThis was my solution to the problem of the Kingdom Dolls. I tried twice and am not trying anymore. Especially when it appears some people have managed to get more than 1 doll. With so many people trying what are the real odds of this happening. That's why I stopped. I am not going to fight favoritism and if it looks like the same group of people are getting them, then I will not do business with them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments.
DeleteI wanted to clarify who I will not do business with if favoritism is involved and that is Kingdom Dolls. I am not referring to the people got a KD and also sell items. :)
DeleteI love the outfits you resin Gene is in and am happy that her owners are so delighted in her. I do love the faces on the resin Genes and love their clothing and styles. There are some great sites with international time changes at any time to your time zone I think people should bookmark. if you know ahead of time a doll is going up for sale go over to that site on a tab 10 minutes ahead of time or find someone that can try and proxy for you to do so. I do loathe scalpers and yes, I think that with the limited edition dolls they do come in the molest someone else after the doll is sold out. I know Tonner has set a limit on dolls purchased like that to discourage those types of people and am sure KD has something along the lines. I desperately wanted the resin Ellowyne fromn the last convention and even almost put it on layaway after it was put up on their site [but got practical about bills] I was disgusted to see a doll dealer on ebay put her up today nude for over 100.00 of what she would have cost on the online catalog. She also had auctions for other dolls clothes that were what the dressed dolls cost at the convention as well as some preesales up for clothes only of sets that haven't even comne out yet [that is illegal on ebay for obvious reasons]
ReplyDeleteI'll bet I know who that dealer is. We all do.
DeleteI'm not really part of the doll collecting community. I like fashion bjds because they're realistic and pose well for photos. I won't try for any doll I don't like, so that meant I've tried for only half the Kingdom Doll releases so far. The dolls go on sale in the middle of the day in NY, so I'm not always able to get online at the right time. My friends work (as did I until I recently retired), so they are not usually able to do the ordering for me, or try to.
ReplyDeleteI get on the KD site about 5 minutes before the auction starts, then type like crazy and have had my PC freeze two different times, which took away any chance I had to get the dolls. As soon as I hit refresh, and the page came back online, the doll was sold out, each time, barely a minute after going on sale. I'm not a masochist and at some point soon, I'll just give up. I might try for Orbit because she'll be a slightly larger release and I really love her look. But right now, I'm frustrated and yes, I've vented my frustration on KD's FB page, along with congratulating them and telling them how awesome and stunning their dolls look. So at some point, I'll quit trying because I don't need the frustration or the stress over trying to buy a doll. I can try for another Numina or just stick with my 1:6 scale high end action figures. They're cheaper than these dolls, look great, pose well, and I can buy most of them in person in an actual store.
BTW, I have no idea who that dealer mentioned is. As I said, I'm not really part of the doll community, not to the degree I know all the gossip and behind-the-scenes goings-on. I just like to buy dolls, action figures, and toys.
Thank you for your comments.
DeleteTerri - I just gotta say Please keep posting your Gorgeous Black Lipstick Gene. I am so Enjoying your creative and wonderful pictures of her <3
ReplyDeleteThank you. I do have to pay attention to my other dolls eventually. :-)
DeleteIn the meantime, I'm really enjoying these pictures, too. She is even more versatile than I thought. I hope to see one of these dolls in person one day!
DeleteThere are so many strong feelings on the subject of "availability".
ReplyDeleteThe market for high end dolls is limited, only so many people will have both the resources and the desire to spend this much for a doll.
The amount of time, energy and money necessary to create the top line dolls is considerable and the makers are entitled to maximize the return on their investment (and they are putting a lot of themselves into these pieces).
It is not as surprising that the editions are very limited as it is that they are able to create a couple of dozen dolls to the exact same specifications.
These girls aren't made, and packaged, and shipped, on a "Monster High" type of assembly line.
KD is the "flavor of the month" right now and I hope they are enjoying it.
As always love the blog.
Will C.
Thank you for your input, Wil. What you've added on this topic is very important to know. Unfortunately, emotional reactions often override intellect.
DeleteTerri
I like Kingdom doll very much a big fan of them as well as the team cause they are very kind people, they used to reply each of email or msg .They appreciate their fans a lot they give each detail of their doll via Facebook or Flickr .They provide timing for sale if their is delay they inform us very before and above all their all dolls from Nelson to Eira all are magnificent beauty and yes they are limited cause they give quality work for their dolls.I was a barbie collector but stop them as their quality going down and down a lot.Supperdoll they didn't reply or not take interest in their fans though I love their vinyl dolls but their packingis not good As far as numina doll they are second best doll after Kingdom dolls and I also get upset when Kingdom dolls gone for sell and I ddidn't get them but happy for others cause their dolls pics delight me .Thankyou you are a best blogger.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your comments! I have great respect for those whose native language is not English and are willing to post on an English board. I hope you keep posting on this blog.
DeleteTerri
People always cry and moan when they can't get what they want. The fact of the matter is that Kingdom Doll makes some really gorgeous dolls, they have amazing customer service, they are an amazing company- but they are very small and simply do not have the ability to crank out hundreds of dolls for all of the people who want them. It is a credit to them that given the demand for their gorgeous creations that they don't hike the prices up past affordability. It is true though that people seem to whine more about not getting Kingdom Dolls than about not getting Sybarite. Not sure why that is. I hope the lovely awesome women at Kingdom Doll don't take the negative people too seriously, their creations are always so inspired and amazing, I hope they keep making dolls for a long time!
ReplyDeleteNo matter how stable and cool a person is, negativity can always get to some part of one's psyche.
DeleteThanks for your comments.
Terri
Unfortunately, I think you are right. I guess that is why I hate to see it. They are so responsive and sweet to their fans, I don't see how people can be so cruel to artists that they love.
DeleteI don't consider myself a negative person. I'm not a positive person, either. I'm a realist. I'm pragmatic. Maybe I'll get lucky one of these days and manage to buy a Kingdom Doll. Maybe not. But I think most of the frustration has come from seeing many people who have managed to get every one of the Kingdom Dolls released so far. When being able to buy or not buy something comes down to a matter of a second or two, that's frustrating and IMO, worthy of venting that frustration. With sales at 6pm UK time, it pretty much guarantees some of us might never be able to buy one, given that's the middle of the day in the US where we might be stuck doing other, less important things, like work, doctor's appointments, stuck on a subway without internet access, in school, etc. I missed out twice on trying for one due to being in a doctor's exam room, appointments made months in advance. Not everyone has someone who can proxy buy for them, either. And believe me, I know about trying to get something wildly popular. I waited 87 minutes trying to get tickets to New York Comic Con this October. That was 40 or so minutes in an online queue with website issues, then the rest of the time trying to actually buy the tickets due to the system continuously crashing. Those tickets sold out within an hour or two. And that was a breeze next to trying to buy a KD doll, where you can lose out in an eyeblink. And yet, some people have all of them. That gets rather tough to see. But it's okay. If I don't manage to get a KD doll, Paul Pham might end up with my money. Or maybe Modsdoll. I really want only one more 1:4 doll, as most of my money these days is going toward 1:6 action figures. That's how I'm dealing with the frustration. ;)
ReplyDeletePlease name two people or more who have every single Kingdom Doll. I think that's an exaggeration. You can't count the person who creates their jewelry because that's most likely how he gets paid. I read Prego, too, and I don't know anyone else who has all of them. I don't have all of them or even 50% of them. I feel for you but please don't propagate untruths.
DeleteThanks.
Terri
I can understand being frustrated at not being able to get a doll. It does make me grateful though for a fast internet connection. Also what helps is to add shipping into your cart and refresh the site for the 10 minutes before the dolls go up- just in case they go up a minute or two early.
DeleteI don't understand taking out frustrations on the artists. Especially the KD ladies, who have been so gracious and responsive to people curious about their dolls. It is so clear also that they truly love dolls and doll fashions- and make KDs out of that love, not to get rich. I also love that they are a woman owned/run company (the only one I can think of). So it is hard to see collectors complaining as if they have a right to the dolls KD makes. KD doesn't owe anyone anything. They can make as many dolls as they can handle- and they can sell them however they like- or give them all away if they wanted.
I think there's something else afoot here. I'm not going to post about it but...not everyone posting negativity (as opposed to disappointment) is being honest to begin with.
DeleteT
I don't know their real names offhand, but they're flickr contacts. I asked one how she got them all and she said she was real fast on a computer. Here's someone with 6, it seems: https://www.flickr.com/photos/26822211@N07/18476349845
ReplyDeleteAnd 7 here, and it's an older photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/93740092@N05/16896232667
I really don't know who they are, but seeing these photos was a bit startling. I love them, and I'm glad for the people who own all these dolls, but I really want just one. Not that I wouldn't mind two, but my goal is to get one, and just one I love. I don't like Hadrian, for instance, due to her faceup coloring.
One thing that was an issue when I tried buying Brunel, I think it was, was that the page didn't quite update at sale time. I pulled up the KD site at about 10 minutes before the appointed hour. At the right time, I hit refresh. Nothing happened. The site still said she'd go on sale at whatever time, not that the sale was now live. I thought it was maybe a computer or server issue, so for about a minute, I kept refreshing. Finally, I decided to go add in the shipping while I was waiting for the sale to go live, then discovered she was already sold out, a minute after the sale time. The info was below the fold. I said on their FB page that they should think about setting up their site so the top part of the page, the part we first see, will say the sale is live. I never did get an answer about that. So, yes, call me stupid for not realizing I should scroll down, but I was merely basing my actions on experiences with other sites.
I don't want KD to make larger runs. That would diminish what they do. I just think some people, myself included, get frustrated and need to vent, especially when we see people post pics of their group of KD dolls. And especially when we try so hard to be one of the 30 or so lucky people and miss out each time. What bothers me is when people say I/we are negative people or whiners or complainers just because we want to be one of the lucky ones who manage to snag a KD doll.
The photo around the piano belongs to the man who makes the jewelry. I knew about the other one. She did the same thing with the Numina and then sold all of them to make way for Kingdom Dolls. *Sigh* The people in the doll world are no different from the people in every part of society. Good, bad...and all that. I hope you can get the KD doll you want in the future. I hope the people who buy them just to sell right away stop doing that. (Like that might ever happen.)
DeleteBTW, since I don't know the doll people, really, other than a few I've bought things from, as I'm not active in the doll community, if someone gets the dolls as payment for making jewelry or wigs or clothes, does that come out of the limited run? Or are they dolls made above the run? Because if a doll is limited to 30 pieces and the makers (I believe KD is 3 people) take one each, then the makers of the clothes and jewelry and wigs get one each, that's maybe 6 off the top, leaving 24 up for sale. I'm asking out of ignorance because I really don't know how this works. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteIt is reasonable to assume that the dolls held back or used to pay people come off the top.
DeleteT
I have a high speed internet connection. I am a fast typist. I do all the things suggested. And yet, when a doll sells out before a minute is over, while it's in my cart, well, the result is frustration. I vent my frustration. I have nothing against the folks at KD. They've been most kind in response to the frustrations. I've never seen otherwise on either flickr or FB.
ReplyDeleteJust don't call me a whiner, please. I commented here only because I resented the implication that everyone who complains does so because of negativity.
I am also not a doll collector. I buy some to play with, and the more realistic the better for my photos. At some point, I'll just stop trying for a KD doll and try for another Numina. I don't even display my dolls as I have no place to do so. I keep them boxed in a cabinet, undressed, until I take them out for photos, then back in their boxes they go. I started buying 1:4 dolls only because I saw a Tonner booth at NY Comic Con a few years ago and bought Lara Croft, which I've since sold. But that led me to buy a doll mag and learn about other companies and to look at doll photos on flickr, which is how I found out about KD, after Nelson was released. Much as I'd love to have one, my life won't be affected if I never get one.
Terri, I really had no idea that dolls would be used as payment and taken off the top of a release run. Knowing there likely are fewer than the listed number actually available for sale because of that is useful to know. Thanks.
How do you find out when the Numina go on sale? I've seen only two in the last year or so.
DeleteI was getting a newsletter (the sign up was on his site), but I haven't gotten any for a while. I usually check the site once a month, anyway. If I don't get a KD doll, I might ask Paul Pham what he'd charge for a commission OOAK doll and start saving up for one. But I haven't been thinking about a Numina now because I've been trying for a KD doll and I can't afford more than one doll at that price range a year. I buy a lot of 1:6 action figures in the $200-$250 range, so the dolls are extras for me at this point. Let's just say my preferences are for mini versions of my favorite actors. :)
DeleteI dont know much about these dolls other than seeing their pics by various members on flickr. Can you tell more, like what they cost, what their scale is etc?
ReplyDeletePersonally,I do not understand the hype. They all look the same to me to be perfectly honest, only different skin tones and hair colors - but they all have the exact same face. So I read people getting all worked up over them or that they couldnt get them and I look at them and cant figure out what I am missing. Do others not see that? They all look the same.
What do you collect?
DeleteI mostly collect IT dolls as well as some Silkstones.
DeleteDo you understand the hype around IT's dolls? It's even more insane when their new dolls come out. There is a lot of anger and disappointment when collectors can't get the dolls. Even though the prices are very different between the resin dolls and IT's vinyl dolls, the emotions are the same. When a platinum barbie goes on sale, the collectors go beserk.
Deletewell that was not my point though. What I meant is that I dont understand why these dolls are so popular given that they all look exactly the same only with different hair color and skin tone. Not even like they use different molds - it is like the exact same doll. It would be like having Eugenia with blonde hair, brown hair, black hair, sultry make up, soft make up, dark skin, porcelain skin. There is no diversity in the sculpts is all I'm saying.
Delete...and you collect Silkstones?
DeleteYour comment doesn't make any sense- the sculpts are clearly different from each other, and there is a surprising number of different sculpts and skin tones given how new a company KD is. The variety is actually one of their strong points. But maybe your comment was just intended to disparage the company? That is kind of the impression I am getting...
DeleteYep.
DeleteWhy is it that anyone who has an opinion other than gushing praise for KD like Poppy or ShelleyS gets treated like they are part of some conspiracy to disparage something other than just having a different perspective? They all look the same to me as well.Who cares.Terri you arent shy about sharing less than positive reviews about other companies dolls.Your blog your prerogative but why just this company?Genuinely dont get it.
DeleteFirst, you could spell my name correctly. Second, I happen to disagree that the dolls look alike. I think KD dolls look less like each other than Sybarites look like each other or Barbies/Silkstones look like each other, or Tonners look like each other, or Integrity Dolls look like each other (with their pouty faces), etc. I have my issues with how KD dolls sell out within seconds, but I have no issues with the dolls. They look amazing and I want one.
DeleteWhat do you collect, Sharon? Let's talk about that.
DeleteOh and I stand corrected Shelly S.Got it no e.
DeleteI dont care what kind of a misguided impression you are getting Galacticat. I agree with Sharon. Why cant people have a different opinion about a doll without being accused of some sinister agenda to ruin a company? Seriously people? Get a grip. I stated my opinion and when I look at their faces and sculpts, they all look freaking the same to me - just with different make up and skin color. That is my observation. if you find they all look different, good for you. have at it.Collect them.
DeleteTerri: what does what I collect have anything to do with it? What kind of a strawman is that? Like I cant say anything about KD dolls if I collect dolls you think are crappy? Maybe I collect Silkstones for their outfits and sell the dolls, you dont know that. I dont understand why people have to get hostile and snippy over someone;s opinion over a doll.
I only see one person getting hostile and snippy.
DeleteI don't think KD dolls look the same. I do think each company's dolls have a look that identifies them from their company. JAMIEshow dolls have a look. Tonner dolls have a look. Sybarites have a look. And now that's true for KD.
ReplyDeleteI think she didn't know what she was talking about. Thanks for your comments, Shelly.
DeleteWell, yeah, probably. ;)
DeleteShelly S you are absolutely right that Kingdom dolls having diffrent face sculpt and they are very different from each other as Nelson , Brighton, Hadrian and Brumel are having same sculpt .Then comes Brigantia she hasdiffrent sculpt after her, Chaucer and Dauphine having silure face sculpt then Eira having Dubbini face sculpt and upcoming doll Orbit is having salgovae sculpt they all are very diffrent and gorgeous .
DeleteI dont know what I am talking about? Because I dont agree with you, so naturally and clearly, anyone who disagrees with you is some clueless clown who doesnt know wtf they are talking about? wow.
Deletelol. that they all have the same face mold is not a matter of opinion, it is a fact. it is the exact same face/mold.
Deletepoppy, as Desu listed, KD has displayed at least 5 different face molds to date, and that is a fact. If they *look* the same to you, more power to you, but THAT is an opinion.
DeleteTerri's point about the Silkstones is that they are all, unarguably, the same face mold. "it is like the exact same doll. It would be like having Eugenia with blonde hair, brown hair, black hair, sultry make up, soft make up, dark skin, porcelain skin. There is no diversity in the sculpts is all I'm saying." If you collect Silkies, why are you hating on dolls that you think look samey? (And if you do only buy them for their outfits and sell the actual dolls, I'm not sure I'd call that "collecting Silkstones"...) Is it because they're expensive? They're in the same price range as many other fully outfitted resin dolls.
You can dislike dolls or a company for any reason you like, but you don't get to decide your opinion is a fact (especially when it is provably false).
Right. Based on promo pics, I actually didn't realize Nelson and Brighton were the same sculpt until more info came out. KD definitely has an identifiable aesthetic style, and while I don't always love it, they definitely seem less "samey" to me than a number of other dolls!
ReplyDeleteKingdom Dolls has more sculpts than Superdoll and they've only been around for a year! More sculpts are coming, too. I agree with you about the aesthetic. I don't love every doll. I'm not that kind of collector anyway. There are those collectors who have to have every single doll just for the principle of it. I don't see the fun in that type of 'hobby.' It strikes me as obsession instead of joy.
DeleteTo answer your question regarding my collection I have bjds,Tonner,vintage and vintage repro Barbie,Barbie clones,Integrity,one Syb,Madame Alexander,Pullip,Monster High,vintage Tiny Betsy, and problably more I cant think of offhand.I make my own dolls for my own amusement as well.Anyone can feel free to be of the opinion they are cheap ugly plastic hoars and it would mean nothing to me.I like them.Its all just personal perception not disparaging or they dont know what theyre talking about.I answered this a few days ago but \i guess it didnt post.Sharon
ReplyDelete