Every doll manufacturer has their PR or marketing persons who know the collectors and expect praise 100% of the time. The intelligent and mature ones have learned to separate themselves from the commentary and just look at the bottom line. Collectors and bloggers may criticize certain aspects of the product but we spend our money on it just the same. We photograph and publicize it. I've been told over and over again that my photographs sell the product to those on the fence about a purchase.
So what's their problem?
*Separate yourself from the product. It's not about you. Face the fact that nothing is perfect and no one is 100% correct either. Move on.*
2/19/2010
2/18/2010
Agnes Von Weiss ~ Festive Decadence Mini Gift Set
On Tuesday I received a box of goodies from Integrity Toys. My first review will be of the Agnes W Club Mini Giftset which was priced at $145. and is an edition of 800. This was the second W Club doll for 2009.
The contents were the doll, two skirts, belt, one jacket, two tops, one pair of shoes, bracelet, earrings, necklace, handbag, additional hands and doll stand. There was also a story card. As always, the presentation in the box was beautiful but it's so much fun to rip those puppies out (even though ripping is done carefully with a sharp scissors) and get them into my hot little hands.
Since Agnes came dressed in the black skirt and red top, she was first up to be photographed. I thought the shoes would be a nightmare due to the tiny straps but I didn't have to unbuckle them to get them on and although the strap sticks out, they fit well and the doll can stand flat on the ground which is a huge improvement over the past years.
The big black skirt is an oddity. it did not sit well with that top which was too short to stay tucked in or the belt which wasn't wide enough to cover the waistband of the skirt and stay put. A big wide waistband on the skirt would have made it so much more useful and user friendly. Soooo, I put the purple jacket over the whole thing and it looked better but definitely not couture.
The red top is too large across the bust and shoulders. The hooks in the back could be moved for a better fit.
The handbag was a surprise because it was so mediocre compared to FR handbags in the past. I like the chain handle which is perfectly scaled to the doll.
I love the jewelry but I don't see it complementing this fashion at all. Additionally, they can keep those crappy little bracelets that never sit well on the wrist. I have bunches of them and never use them.
This is one of the prettier Agnes screenings. She doesn't look as dour as usual. I hate the painted lashes. They are cartoon-like. She does have applied lashes as well. I hope this isn't a trend for 2010. The hair....sigh.....what can I say? It's a puzzle to me-strange style, stiff glued curls...just completely weird. She could be so beautiful if her hair were just pulled back in a simple bun or pony tail. I don't think there has ever been a pony-tailed Agnes. Perhaps she's trying to channel Gene Marshall with the hair rolls.
For the second outfit, I chose True Royalty Vanessa as my model.
The purple skirt is adorable and the bi-colored top looks good with it. The purple jacket that matches the skirt looks cute, too. I added the jewelry.
The construction of this set is very, very high quality. There is great attention to detail. Here's a back view of the above fashion.
The fit could have been a bit better on the sleeveless tops and the waist of the black skirt but otherwise, the set is very good.
This Agnes will not make it permanently into my collection but most of her clothing is staying.
The contents were the doll, two skirts, belt, one jacket, two tops, one pair of shoes, bracelet, earrings, necklace, handbag, additional hands and doll stand. There was also a story card. As always, the presentation in the box was beautiful but it's so much fun to rip those puppies out (even though ripping is done carefully with a sharp scissors) and get them into my hot little hands.Since Agnes came dressed in the black skirt and red top, she was first up to be photographed. I thought the shoes would be a nightmare due to the tiny straps but I didn't have to unbuckle them to get them on and although the strap sticks out, they fit well and the doll can stand flat on the ground which is a huge improvement over the past years.
The big black skirt is an oddity. it did not sit well with that top which was too short to stay tucked in or the belt which wasn't wide enough to cover the waistband of the skirt and stay put. A big wide waistband on the skirt would have made it so much more useful and user friendly. Soooo, I put the purple jacket over the whole thing and it looked better but definitely not couture.The red top is too large across the bust and shoulders. The hooks in the back could be moved for a better fit.
The handbag was a surprise because it was so mediocre compared to FR handbags in the past. I like the chain handle which is perfectly scaled to the doll.
I love the jewelry but I don't see it complementing this fashion at all. Additionally, they can keep those crappy little bracelets that never sit well on the wrist. I have bunches of them and never use them.
This is one of the prettier Agnes screenings. She doesn't look as dour as usual. I hate the painted lashes. They are cartoon-like. She does have applied lashes as well. I hope this isn't a trend for 2010. The hair....sigh.....what can I say? It's a puzzle to me-strange style, stiff glued curls...just completely weird. She could be so beautiful if her hair were just pulled back in a simple bun or pony tail. I don't think there has ever been a pony-tailed Agnes. Perhaps she's trying to channel Gene Marshall with the hair rolls.For the second outfit, I chose True Royalty Vanessa as my model.
The purple skirt is adorable and the bi-colored top looks good with it. The purple jacket that matches the skirt looks cute, too. I added the jewelry.The construction of this set is very, very high quality. There is great attention to detail. Here's a back view of the above fashion.
The fit could have been a bit better on the sleeveless tops and the waist of the black skirt but otherwise, the set is very good.This Agnes will not make it permanently into my collection but most of her clothing is staying.
2/15/2010
Tonner's Doctor Who and Martha Jones Character Figures
There's been plenty of nay-saying about these new dolls and I'm wondering if the problem is really that followers of the series are sad to see David Tennant leave the show. He was a great Doctor. It's difficult to adjust to each new one!
I compared several real images of Tennant to the doll and I think Tonner did a very good job.
"Sculpted in the likeness of David Tennant as the tenth incarnation of the TIME LORD™ known as DOCTOR WHO™, this TONNER CHARACTER FIGURE™ wears a two-piece suit including shirt, tie, socks, shoes and SONIC SCREWDRIVER™."
Image from the Doll Peddlar Website
His 'skin' needs a few more wrinkles but beyond that, he's pretty close to the Doctor.
The list price is $179.99. Look around for a lower price. Cherished Friends has him for $153.
The arrival date is undetermined.
I must admit I was devastated by Rose's and the Doctor's separation several seasons ago. The show was never the same for me after that. I was told that Billie Piper, the actress who played Rose, refused to have a doll made in her likeness. One of the Doctor's companions after Rose was Martha Jones played by Freema Agyeman.
This doll does nothing for me. Her coloring is off and without any contrast. Boring. I like her pants and that's about it. The list price on Martha Jones is $174.99. In about 4 months you will see a large price drop on her.
(Terri predicts.)
I compared several real images of Tennant to the doll and I think Tonner did a very good job.
"Sculpted in the likeness of David Tennant as the tenth incarnation of the TIME LORD™ known as DOCTOR WHO™, this TONNER CHARACTER FIGURE™ wears a two-piece suit including shirt, tie, socks, shoes and SONIC SCREWDRIVER™."I take issue with the size of the stripes on his suit because they are too large and they look like the zoot suit from Tonner's Razzle Dazzle Billy Flynn.
Image from the Doll Peddlar WebsiteThe list price is $179.99. Look around for a lower price. Cherished Friends has him for $153.
The arrival date is undetermined.
I must admit I was devastated by Rose's and the Doctor's separation several seasons ago. The show was never the same for me after that. I was told that Billie Piper, the actress who played Rose, refused to have a doll made in her likeness. One of the Doctor's companions after Rose was Martha Jones played by Freema Agyeman.
This doll does nothing for me. Her coloring is off and without any contrast. Boring. I like her pants and that's about it. The list price on Martha Jones is $174.99. In about 4 months you will see a large price drop on her.
(Terri predicts.)
2/14/2010
I.T.B.E. Super Sale at MFD
I think it's so funny that these dolls are now on sale for $15-$17., down about $10 from their original retail price.
In a previous post (when they were first released) I commented on how ludicrous it was for Integrity to promote them as "entry-level collectibles."
They're no more collectible than a pink box Barbie and now they are priced correctly.
Unfortunately if you live outside of Canada, shipping from MFD will cost you too much to make the sale worthwhile unless you buy the entire set.
I couldn't find a dealer in the US that is offering them at a discount.
ITBE (Integrity Toys Basic Editions)
In a previous post (when they were first released) I commented on how ludicrous it was for Integrity to promote them as "entry-level collectibles."
They're no more collectible than a pink box Barbie and now they are priced correctly.
Unfortunately if you live outside of Canada, shipping from MFD will cost you too much to make the sale worthwhile unless you buy the entire set.
I couldn't find a dealer in the US that is offering them at a discount.
ITBE (Integrity Toys Basic Editions)
2/13/2010
Picture of the Week Award ~ February 14, 2010
The award this week goes to Lisa Irinyi also known as Alex's Doll.
Lisa has shot a redressed Eden doll against a background of a stream. The sharp focus of the doll creates depth and separates her from the background effectively. The composition takes the viewer directly to the doll's face. Notice the diagonal line of the path or road in the lower right hand corner of the shot. Whether it was intentional or not, that technique is a well known one used to draw the viewer into the frame. The diagonal line of the tree branch in the upper right serves the same purpose. I might have cropped out the bench which would have strengthened the diagonals. The bench is interesting and I'd like to see more of it or none at all. It also helps that the doll is not dead center.
It's a great picture of a very popular doll.
Lisa's advice to doll photographers: "Take a doll and a camera with you (in the car, out for a walk) whenever you can. You never know where the next photo opportunity is going to be. Also, take lots of pictures. The more photos you take, the better you get."
See more of Lisa's work at these links:
Flickr
Blog: Every Day A Dollie
Congratulations, Lisa, on the Picture of the Week Award!
Lisa has shot a redressed Eden doll against a background of a stream. The sharp focus of the doll creates depth and separates her from the background effectively. The composition takes the viewer directly to the doll's face. Notice the diagonal line of the path or road in the lower right hand corner of the shot. Whether it was intentional or not, that technique is a well known one used to draw the viewer into the frame. The diagonal line of the tree branch in the upper right serves the same purpose. I might have cropped out the bench which would have strengthened the diagonals. The bench is interesting and I'd like to see more of it or none at all. It also helps that the doll is not dead center.It's a great picture of a very popular doll.
Lisa's advice to doll photographers: "Take a doll and a camera with you (in the car, out for a walk) whenever you can. You never know where the next photo opportunity is going to be. Also, take lots of pictures. The more photos you take, the better you get."
See more of Lisa's work at these links:
Flickr
Blog: Every Day A Dollie
Congratulations, Lisa, on the Picture of the Week Award!
2/12/2010
Two Dressed Dolls from Joe Tai
Every fashion from Joe Tai ought to include sunglasses. Moderation is not in his vocabulary.
That's not to say that I haven't had many of his fashions because I have. I love his wigs, which are often over-the-top, and his new, separately available 16" bodies are excellent. I will cover them in another post.
Below is "Classic Silvery Rose" Ingrid, a 12-inch dressed doll. The outfit consists of a separate bustier and a sequined ball gown skirt. Included: jewelry, underwear and hosiery, shoes, wig and stand. I'm assuming the gloves are also available although the description has left that out. If you like this doll, the price of $118.88 is not bad. They have excellent articulation and good weight. I don't care for the sculpt or the facial screening but the bustier and wig would be fun to have.
Another new 2010 12-inch dressed doll is "Spring Water Lily" En. She is wearing a traffic-stopping amount of sequins that cover her qi-pao and matching coat. Her boots pick up the mint green of the outfit. The jewelry repeats the color scheme endlessly. I wonder if the doll can lower her arms with that amount of sequins under the arm area. En comes with a wig and a doll stand and is priced at $108.88.
Both dolls are limited editions of 50 pieces and may be available from several doll dealers including Manika, Doll Market, Angelic Dreamz, Cherished Friends and The Doll Peddlar in the United States.
Go to Joe Tai's website to see other dealers and to get more information about his dolls.
That's not to say that I haven't had many of his fashions because I have. I love his wigs, which are often over-the-top, and his new, separately available 16" bodies are excellent. I will cover them in another post.
Below is "Classic Silvery Rose" Ingrid, a 12-inch dressed doll. The outfit consists of a separate bustier and a sequined ball gown skirt. Included: jewelry, underwear and hosiery, shoes, wig and stand. I'm assuming the gloves are also available although the description has left that out. If you like this doll, the price of $118.88 is not bad. They have excellent articulation and good weight. I don't care for the sculpt or the facial screening but the bustier and wig would be fun to have.
Another new 2010 12-inch dressed doll is "Spring Water Lily" En. She is wearing a traffic-stopping amount of sequins that cover her qi-pao and matching coat. Her boots pick up the mint green of the outfit. The jewelry repeats the color scheme endlessly. I wonder if the doll can lower her arms with that amount of sequins under the arm area. En comes with a wig and a doll stand and is priced at $108.88.
Both dolls are limited editions of 50 pieces and may be available from several doll dealers including Manika, Doll Market, Angelic Dreamz, Cherished Friends and The Doll Peddlar in the United States.
Go to Joe Tai's website to see other dealers and to get more information about his dolls.
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