Picture of the Week Award ~ April 20, 2009

The spotlight this week goes to Michelle in Michigan (her board name). This photograph features the 2008 Gene convention doll, Distant Venus, whose hair has been restyled. She is wearing Zita Charles' fashion, Azalea Ice.

Michelle is the talented photographer, stylist and Gene collector behind the amazing website A Star is Born. Be prepared to spend a great deal of time going over every single page of gorgeous photographs of the characters in the Gene Marshall line.

First Photoshoot with Aphrodisiac AvantGuard

The second wave of AvantGuard dolls is beginning to arrive. First to show up on my deck was Aphrodisiac. The packaging of the AGs is pristine in their black and white boxes, inner boxes and inner, inner boxes. Yes, there are several layers.

This gal has the same gorgeous sculpt as Goldmine. The wig appears to be exactly the same as well except this one has been combed out to explosive proportions.
Aphro's well tailored and constructed shadow striped jacket came with one side (accidentally) folded back which needs to be addressed with a steam iron.

The boots came in a cellophane bag. I don't know who decided to make the ties so short. It was definitely an exercise in patience and dexterity to get them on, get the laces tied and keep the tongue inside the boot at the same time.
The semi sheer and metallic silver sleeveless blouse is very pretty with it's jabot. I would have liked a mini skirt instead of the same black shorts which appear to be leftovers from Eclectic's ensemble. I don't know why IT uses the same clothing items and wigs for successive dolls. It doesn't make sense for the collector to have duplicates.

What could possibly be inside the heads of the AG dolls which keeps normal length earring posts from being inserted? I have added a wire cutter to my doll work table! One must cut at least 1/2 of the post off in order for them to go all the way in. It's not a big deal but if you don't know, you might spend a good deal of time trying to insert an earring and wind up with an enlarged earring hole, a broken earring or both. Aphrodisiac is not a doll for the tame of heart. Her facial screening is right off the runway. She is very beautiful and fabulous for a while, but for long-term dolly fun, she needs to be toned down.

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I have one nude Aphrodisiac for sale for $200 plus shipping. You get the extra hands and extra feet, stand, paperwork and box in shipper.

Picture of the Week Award ~ April 13, 2009

The lengths a die hard collector will go to are endless. Witness this organizer filled with Barbie sized shoes classified by color. Can your doll ever have enough shoes? Apparently this collector thinks not.

Photographer: Jenn in Florida