Tatyana Alexandrova Nouveau Regime FR2

The new FR2 Tatyana arrived today. She photographs beautifully.

Her dress and purse are lovely and well made. The jewelry consists of earrings, bracelet and ring.

Her shoes are a total nightmare. It took me nearly 45 minutes to get them on properly and buckled. I only opened up the top two buckles. The buckle opening is barely large enough to get the strap through and the strap is fragile so you have to be very careful not to pull hard or it will break.
On top of that, the shoes are too wide and slip around no matter how tightly you close the straps. If that weren't enough, the soles are not made properly to contact the ground.

For $175. I need better. Here are unretouched photos of the doll's face and hair. Her bun can be smoothed down with some gel so that's not a big deal.

But look at the lip painting. The dark shadow line extends further on one side than the other.

She is a pretty doll but the quality control is not there. I am not going to ask for a replacement because I know the doll is sold out and even if they have replacements, it's liable to take months to get it. 

I would love to change her hairstyle. Rerooting would cost another $100. Not worth it.

Thanks to All Who Contributed to Marwencol

Mark Hogancamp was the happy recipient of a very large box filled with dolls, tool and accessories for his fantasy world, Marwencol. His executor delivered the goods to him and reported that he loved it all.
Perhaps one day there will be a follow-up to the film and we will see the different contributions in place according to Mark's desires.

 A note from Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu:
Any communication with Mark should be mediated through his executor, Janet, who can be reached through us at tonnersocialmedia@gmail.com.

Rush of Rose Gold™ Barbie® Doll

On 6/13/12 at 9:00 AM Pacific Time, a new Platinum Label doll will go on sale at BC.Com. This is for Barbie Fan Club members only. She is called Rush of Rose Gold and here is the description from the website:

Striking and sophisticated, Rush of Rose Gold Barbie doll is stunning in an asymmetrical dress of glamorous golden lamé. A single dolman sleeve makes a bold statement, while the wrap skirt falls just above her knees, adding to the modern silhouette. The black vinyl belt, hose and boots offer elegant contrast, while rose-golden accessories add the final stylish touch.
Created by Robert Best exclusively for members of the 2012 Barbie Fan Club.

The retail price is $85. Can you believe it? A non-articulated doll with dorky black plastic boots for $85.? I'm sure she will sell out fast. LOL. It seems that the sky is the limit with Platinum Label dolls because they are so limited. At least it could have been a Silkstone or on an articulated body. 

Seriously? I have thrown away better looking boots.


I have to give Mattel credit for knowing how to do an open mouth so it doesn't look like the doll has a snaggle tooth. I can guarantee that the top of her hair will be messed up. It already looks shaggy and frizzy in the promo.

Wilde Imagination Event SOLD OUT

Wilde Imagination Event SOLD OUT! It took only a few hours for all 200 spots to sell. Congratulations! It's going to be a wild weekend.
There is a waiting list for those so inclined.

"Secret Garden" First Wilde Weekend!

Wilde Imagination registration goes live tomorrow June, 6.

A WILDE WEEKEND!

Join Ellowyne and friends as history is made at the FIRST EVER Wilde Weekend: "Secret Garden." Don't let the grass grow under your feet. Instead, travel to the fertile ground of Louisville, KY, where everything will be coming up roses! The Wilde adventure takes place on October 5-7, 2012. You'll sleep on a bed of roses in the enchantingly historical Seelbach Hilton Hotel - the one and the same where Tom and Daisy Buchanan held their wedding reception in The Great Gatsby. We hear the hotel is haunted by the Lady in Blue. Evangeline might find that quite interesting...

Even Ellowyne is looking forward to the festivities which will include lots of doll fun, endlessly entertaining events, and...did we mention the incredible dolls? You'll be thrilled as you leave with your pockets full of posies and an Ellowyne souvenir that will be as fresh and delicate as a flower...

 

Spend a weekend with Ellowyne and friends, Evangeline, Amelia, Theodora and the entire Wilde Imagination crew. You'll be amazed and delighted! The entire Wilde Weekend costs $349 per person. 

Registration will begin online June 6, 2012.

Limited to 200.

Be sure and visit the Seelbach's website and read up on all of the historical figures who have stayed there over the past 105 years:

www.seelbachhilton.com

Room rates will be $149 per night

Additional weekend activities will be announced soon.

See you there! 

In Honor of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

Collector/designer Micki Baxter of England aka 'silkspike' posted her Union Jack doll fashion collection today on Prego. Here are some of her pictures. At the end of this post is the link to the original post where you can see the rest of the photos and read her descriptions.

Union Jack Collection post

JAMIEshow Premiere Convention Event

Angelic Dreamz Presents 

Photo I took when we visited Canandaigua last fall. This was at the Inn on the Lake.

 You are cordially invited to attend the first ever JAMIEshow Doll Convention

 "PROHIBITION" 

September 28th-30th, 2012

Along with a Special Convention Doll we have organized events, cocktail parties, workshops and lots of goodies in store for you in Canandaigua!

3 Workshops, Breakfast Reception, Cocktail Reception, Trip to Art & Toy Hall of Fame, Speakeasy Costume and Cocktail event, VIP Shopping, Brunch and Event Doll, Friends and More!


This is sure to be a glamorous and exclusive event. 

Please click here for more information.

Amazing Wigs by Anthony of Hawaii

Earlier this evening Anthony Hawaii posted dolls wearing his latest collection of wigs. He stated that they are the colors of spring inspired from the Splendors of Mother Earth "OOAK Bouquets of Eden Wig Collection."
The wigs are completely made from saran. Yes, even the parts that represent florals are saran. Unbelievable. Now I've seen some big wigs with pieces of colored saran sticking out here and there but no one does it as gracefully or artistically as Anthony.

Click on this link to see the original Prego post and to get more information on purchasing a wig.
(You must register to gain access to Prego. It is free.)

Auden - Back to Brooklyn

Let me come right out and say this is a great doll! His outfit is well designed and executed. It fits perfectly. I ordered Auden mainly because his shoes were a knock-out. The rest of the fashion is really top notch.

With the tie not pushed up under the collar, the collar lays much nicer. Well done!

 Look at all the tiny buttons sewn on! The details are amazing.

 The hair - not so great. I wish I could style it differently and not ruin it. Male dolls need wigs for short styles or flocking or long pony tails.

How can a doll like this be manufactured so well and retail for only $65?  I'm asking because there are similar sized dolls coming from IT that don't have such fabulous outfits costing twice as much and more.

La Novia: New Ficon Doll

Today the sales opened for the LE30 resin BJD La Novia from Ficon Doll.  Novia translates to 'bride' or 'girlfriend.'

She is $720. and can be seen at this link http://www.ficondoll.com/

While we are on the topic of Ficon dolls, I was fooling around with Leonie and accidentally put her wig on backwards. I like it better this way. She is wearing a Ficon bustier dress which I ordered from The Doll Peddlar. The link will take you to their Ficon boutique where you can find items no longer available at Ficon and their own exclusives.

Toilet Paper Dress Contest on Ellowyne's Ennui

A fun contest was held by Ellowyne's Ennui in which contestants were challenged to create a dress for Ellowyne out of toilet paper.

Here is the First Place winner:

Carolyn - First Place Winner

Link to other entries and winners.

Tonner's Raven

The one convention doll I purchased, Raven, arrived today. Like most furry, feathered creatures, she sheds. Her box had bits and pieces of this and that floating around. What I thought was a headpiece is actually part of her hair caught up and left with the ends sticking out. That hairdo will come down and she will have a full head of curly hair. In person her eye shading is darker than her promos. She reminds me of a mixture of two earlier Tonner dolls I've had, Suzette and the Ghost of Christmas Past.

 The tail of her costume is wired so it can be curled upward. Her shoes have a row of faux fur at the back and down the heel. Its not showing up in the pictures but her tights are shiny black. I think the interpretation of Raven-ness was done exceedingly well. She is ready for Halloween or a POE-try reading event.

A few other new things...

This is an Integrity FR16 dress being worn by Grace. It was too large for her in the upper back so I pinned about an inch.  The wig is by Cheryl Wood. I love the purse! The outfit comes with a ring and matching stud (yellow rhinestone) earrings, a yellow/black enamel cuff bracelet and black shoes.

Poor Leonie. I haven't given this new doll more than a few minutes of my time. She will have to wait a bit longer for some good styling and photos.

Last but not least in any way is Talc. I love this doll. She got to try on another new Ficon outfit that reminds me of a tutu. The jewelry is Superfrock; wig by Cheryl Wood. 

Sybarite, Ficon, Jamieshow Body Comparison

Today's photoshoot will be the last one in my current studio as I am going to start packing down there. I won't be packing my cameras, though. They don't get packed.

Anyway, I thought I'd compare the three types of fashion BJD's that were in my studio this morning without their clothes as that is how they will be packed for moving.

The stands I used for all three are the best saddle stands I've ever used. They are the Jamieshow stands. The Ficon stand is useless. It doesn't stay firmly upright. The Sybarite stand is OK but the extension ability is useless because it's too loose.
The dolls are, from left to right, Jamieshow Winter Grace, Ficon Leonie and Sybarite Talc.  Talc is the tallest and has the largest head. I don't know if I'm just getting used to seeing oversized heads or if Leonie's head is really too small for her body.
The picture of Devon is not the same scale as the other three dolls. I don't have her anymore so I couldn't do a comparison but I wanted to show what a gorgeous body she has. Note that her knees are similar to those of Leonie in that one doesn't see the stringing when the knee is bent. I think the design needs strengthening although it's the most attractive.

Leonie has the biggest butt when seen in profile. Her shoulders are set forward, closer to her chest than the other two dolls. There is very little movement in her torso joint. Talc's torso joint sometimes gets so 'moved' that it looks strange. She is very flexible.

Weight: Grace weighs exactly 13 ounces; Leonie 13.75 oz and Talc a whopping 1 pound 7.12 ounces.
The blushing on Grace's back is a little exaggerated. Her resin feels like silk.

Knees: It may be that I'm not used to Leonie yet as I just got her a few days ago but I'm finding that her knee joints are inferior. They bend the wrong way on their own. I occasionally had the same problem with the Numina knees which weren't strong enough to support the weight of the body. They look better when the doll is seated but perhaps something was sacrificed for the sake of appearance.

Seated: Talc was the easiest to get seated up straight and her arms and hands went where I placed them. Leonie elbow joints are on the kicky side and kept bending on their own although I wanted them to touch the table. She sits nicely with her knees together and ankles crossed. Grace has some difficulty sitting up straight as there is a limited range of movement in her hip joint. It took quite a bit of manipulation to get her to sit the way you see her here. 

 Hands: Grace has the prettiest, most graceful hands. Talc's hands are like paddles compared to Graces.

Leonie does not have pierced ears. Grace has holes for earrings and Talc has a non-removable ring onto which one can hang earrings. I like the hole version as I have tons of earrings with posts and very few with hooks.