Chelsea's Collector Cottage is celebrating their 10th Birthday and offering excellent prices on many dolls.
For example: Avantguard "On Edge" is on sale for $99. AUD which comes to about $97.66 USD. The MSRP on this AG doll was $249. Of course many dealers lowered the price shortly after she was issued. Hard to believe, isn't it?
Some of the other items on sale include 2010 Barbie and BFMC, Dynamite Girls, Poppy Parker, Fashion Royalty, and one Tonner doll.
Unfortunately, the dollar is quite weak so there isn't much difference between the Australian dollar and the US dollar. You will need to convert the prices as they are listed in AUD. I use XE Currency Converter.
Chelsea's Collector Cottage
10/10/2010
The last few days...
I have been crazy busy sewing a costume for the Fashion Royalty convention. It was finished today and a few hours after it was finished I decided to wear something less costume-y. The husband unit cracked up. He actually liked the costume I made and was also impressed. I'm entitled to change my mind, aren't I?
I will still wear a 'costume' and part of it is something I made but it's better and more me.
I received a reply very quickly after sending an email to the Franklin Mint regarding their Michelle Obama doll.
Dear Terri,
Thank you for your email.
Please be advised that the Michelle Obama doll stands approximately 16.5
inches in height, and the image online is a photograph of the actual
doll. This doll does not have a wig, but rooted hair, and the clothes
are not sewn on, as there will be interchangeable ensembles offered in
the future.
If you need additional information on this matter, please call our toll
free Client Service number at 1-800-843-6468 and one of our
representatives would be more than happy to assist you.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Jennings
Client Service and Satisfaction Representative
I do not believe that the promotional image is an unretouched photograph. I think the face is Photoshopped. Time will tell. George of Angelic Dreamz told me that release of the doll will not be too soon.
Of the three 1/4 scale Michelle Obama dolls either released or proposed so far I think that Ashton Drake's doll is the best. Their image is also touched up - hey, most of mine are touched up as well. The difference is that I am not selling dolls whose faces I have altered to make them look better. A-D's version has more articulation and looks more natural. I think the price is also better. First Lady of Style Michelle Obama Fashion Doll Collection will be the first doll in a series that Ashton Drake plans.
I hunted around the internet with a search "Michelle Obama Dolls" and I found a few interesting options. Each title is a link to the site where I found it.
Michele Obama First lady of Fashion Figurine Collection
Michele Obama Action Figure Set of Three
These figures are available separately for about $12.95 elsewhere.
Michele Obama Action Figurine (Awful but her arms look great.)
If you put this doll in the sites shopping cart and then attempt to navigate to another page or go back, you will be offered a 7% discount.
Michelle First lady Paper Dolls
And that's that!
I'm hoping to find some time next week to take a few pictures of the Mini LiveWire I just got.
I will still wear a 'costume' and part of it is something I made but it's better and more me.
I received a reply very quickly after sending an email to the Franklin Mint regarding their Michelle Obama doll.
Dear Terri,
Thank you for your email.
Please be advised that the Michelle Obama doll stands approximately 16.5
inches in height, and the image online is a photograph of the actual
doll. This doll does not have a wig, but rooted hair, and the clothes
are not sewn on, as there will be interchangeable ensembles offered in
the future.
If you need additional information on this matter, please call our toll
free Client Service number at 1-800-843-6468 and one of our
representatives would be more than happy to assist you.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Jennings
Client Service and Satisfaction Representative
I do not believe that the promotional image is an unretouched photograph. I think the face is Photoshopped. Time will tell. George of Angelic Dreamz told me that release of the doll will not be too soon.
Of the three 1/4 scale Michelle Obama dolls either released or proposed so far I think that Ashton Drake's doll is the best. Their image is also touched up - hey, most of mine are touched up as well. The difference is that I am not selling dolls whose faces I have altered to make them look better. A-D's version has more articulation and looks more natural. I think the price is also better. First Lady of Style Michelle Obama Fashion Doll Collection will be the first doll in a series that Ashton Drake plans.
I hunted around the internet with a search "Michelle Obama Dolls" and I found a few interesting options. Each title is a link to the site where I found it.
Michele Obama First lady of Fashion Figurine Collection
Michele Obama Action Figure Set of Three
These figures are available separately for about $12.95 elsewhere.
 |
| Designed and manufactured by Jailbreak Toys |
If you put this doll in the sites shopping cart and then attempt to navigate to another page or go back, you will be offered a 7% discount.
And that's that!
I'm hoping to find some time next week to take a few pictures of the Mini LiveWire I just got.
10/07/2010
Another Michelle Obama Doll!
Look at these promotional pictures. They're artist's renderings. Do you remember the last artist rendering of a Michelle Obama doll? The doll turned out to be quite different and equally as unsatisfactory.
The Franklin Mint has jumped into the arena and is promoting their own "Michelle Obama Official White House Portrait Doll" in vinyl.
The only descriptive text they include in their strange tribute to the First Lady is as follows:
"this remarkable creation is complete with black pumps, stud earrings, double-strand faux pearl necklace and replica steel watch. An irrefutable masterpiece, our Franklin Mint artisans have truly made dollmaking history with this magnificent Michelle Obama portrait collectible. Limited Edition of 9,900 worldwide."
I say the tribute is strange because there is no mention of her powerful intellect and impressive education only her "statuesque beauty and astonishing physique....her youthful and bold fashion choices...body hugging silhouettes and vintage-style brooches...[which] radiate Michelle's unique blend of confidence, charisma and elegance."
It's embarrassing to read.
I guess one has to write to the Franklin Mint to find out how large the doll is and about any other construction aspect.
I have sent them these questions:
Regarding the new vinyl Michelle Obama doll, I have questions.
How tall is the doll?
Is the picture an artist's rendering or is it an actual photograph of the doll?
Are the doll's clothes removable or are they sewn on?
Is she wearing a wig or is her hair rooted?
Why don't you put important information in your promotional ads?
The price is $195. and they are accepting pre-orders. That's pretty clear.
The Franklin Mint has jumped into the arena and is promoting their own "Michelle Obama Official White House Portrait Doll" in vinyl.
The only descriptive text they include in their strange tribute to the First Lady is as follows:
"this remarkable creation is complete with black pumps, stud earrings, double-strand faux pearl necklace and replica steel watch. An irrefutable masterpiece, our Franklin Mint artisans have truly made dollmaking history with this magnificent Michelle Obama portrait collectible. Limited Edition of 9,900 worldwide."
I say the tribute is strange because there is no mention of her powerful intellect and impressive education only her "statuesque beauty and astonishing physique....her youthful and bold fashion choices...body hugging silhouettes and vintage-style brooches...[which] radiate Michelle's unique blend of confidence, charisma and elegance."
It's embarrassing to read.
I guess one has to write to the Franklin Mint to find out how large the doll is and about any other construction aspect.
I have sent them these questions:
Regarding the new vinyl Michelle Obama doll, I have questions.
How tall is the doll?
Is the picture an artist's rendering or is it an actual photograph of the doll?
Are the doll's clothes removable or are they sewn on?
Is she wearing a wig or is her hair rooted?
Why don't you put important information in your promotional ads?
The price is $195. and they are accepting pre-orders. That's pretty clear.
Don't do it. Wait until the real thing can be seen.
Note: I have found out that they are 16" tall. Apparently the clothing is removable. Angelic Dreamz will be selling these dolls and several outfits as well. I am sure George will provide excellent photos for us to see. Link to Angelic Dreamz.
10/05/2010
A Photoshoot, Finally!
Yesterday I took the time to photograph a bunch of dollies that have been patiently waiting. The time before a convention is nice and peaceful without many new dolls arriving. Next month at this time, the chaos will have subsided but there will be chaos.
Here's an assortment for you.
I'm pretty bored with Antoinette already and I will not be adding new ones. This is the latest dress I received from the Cami & Jon line. They wear the same clothes. The dress is pretty vanilla - nothing new. It definitely is lacking pizzazz.
I love this doll and she is as beautiful as her larger sister. I picked up this couch from Facets. The earrings were gifts from Facets as well. Shoes are from a Fashion Royalty fashion.
The "Egyptian" chair was purchased in a local head shop/crystal store.
Getting this doll's bangs to lay properly is an exercise in futility. She should have been wigged. I love the outfits being created for this line of dolls.
She looks afraid. This is not a very popular edition and perhaps the designers will take a hard look at the eyes going forward. The first year Poppy's eyes were more expressive and less anime. Teens in the era from which Poppy is supposed to come did not wear big hair rolls on their foreheads. That's from the 40's.
Am I imagining it or is Poppy supposed to be a little pigeon-toed? I don't like that Robert Tonner did that with Tiny Kitty in order to make her look more kittenish and vulnerable. Imagine a boy doll with pigeon toes? It's so sexist.
Mini-Gene dolls sport my favorite 12" doll sculpt. It's delightful to find that there are clothes for them.
No, I still do not collect Barbie Dolls. I do buy them occasionally to see what all the fuss is about however. I purchased the big shoe pack and these zebra striped pumps were my favorites. I hoped against hope that some of the shoes would fit Fashion Royalty but no luck. It would be nice if these dolls were articulated (she said, again.)
The doll has a pretty face - she's soooo white it even bothers me. Hehe.
It's cute.
Hair is the usual choppy mess and this picture is after I trimmed and conditioned it!
My poor Puki Pukis are very neglected. They sit around staring at the big girls getting changed and being played with. Here, Ruby is examining her fishbowl and planning to take the fish out for a walk.
Here's an assortment for you.
 |
| Tonner's Vivacious Antoinette in Summer Nights |
 |
| Mini Aphrodisiac in a Pam Seeman Dress |
 | ||
| Beatnik Blues Poppy Parker wearing Sealed With A Kiss |
 |
| Coney Island Saturday Poppy Parker wearing Beatnik Blues |
Am I imagining it or is Poppy supposed to be a little pigeon-toed? I don't like that Robert Tonner did that with Tiny Kitty in order to make her look more kittenish and vulnerable. Imagine a boy doll with pigeon toes? It's so sexist.
 |
| Mini Gene Wearing Look of Love Poppy Fashion |
 |
| Target Exclusive Barbie Basics With Shoes from Shoe Pack |
The doll has a pretty face - she's soooo white it even bothers me. Hehe.
It's cute.
Hair is the usual choppy mess and this picture is after I trimmed and conditioned it!
 |
| Puki Puki "Rudy" Wearing Kelly Clothes and a Tabloach Wig |
Traveler Innoquii Transformed!
Petra Becker from Germany sent me a picture of her Traveler from whom she removed the black eye spot. She sanded with different grits of paper and I think she did an amazing job. After removing the spot she used acrylic paint for the eye and eyebrow and pastel for the upper cheek area. Take a look at this picture of hers.
For comparison, here is a before picture of my Traveler doll.What a difference!
I'm torn between removing the spot and leaving it. I don't love it but it's edgy and unique. One day I'd like to get the bride doll from this series which currently is selling for about $300. That's a big difference from the $75 for Traveler!
Traveler can wear many Avantguard clothes but bottoms that are very tight on the AGs may be impossible to get on. All the ultra short dresses are close to perfect on Traveler. Shoes will fit, too.
I wonder if her stringing will loosen up over time? Her elbow joints are extremely snappy. Every other joint works nicely. I am still very pleased with her.
 |
| Image by Petra Becker |
For comparison, here is a before picture of my Traveler doll.What a difference!
I'm torn between removing the spot and leaving it. I don't love it but it's edgy and unique. One day I'd like to get the bride doll from this series which currently is selling for about $300. That's a big difference from the $75 for Traveler!
Traveler can wear many Avantguard clothes but bottoms that are very tight on the AGs may be impossible to get on. All the ultra short dresses are close to perfect on Traveler. Shoes will fit, too.
I wonder if her stringing will loosen up over time? Her elbow joints are extremely snappy. Every other joint works nicely. I am still very pleased with her.
10/04/2010
We Have Received One Lovely Blog Award
Alison in California from the Fashion Doll Review has included us in their list of blogs they enjoy reading. Thank you very much, Alison. I also enjoy reading yours!
The rules for this prize, if you'd like to play along are as follows:
Write a post about this prize, including the photo above and link to the blog which awarded you the prize. Then award it to 15 blogs that you enjoy reading.
My picks for this award are:
1. Comatose Bunny Dreamer http://citronrouge-comatosebunnydreamer.blogspot.com/
2 Creazione - Creation in Miniature http://emiliacouture.blogspot.com/
3. Fashionably Plastic http://creativelymj.blogspot.com/
4. The ArtPoint http://theartpoint.blogspot.com/
5. Miss Gene Marshall http://missgenemarshall.blogspot.com/
6. Paint Me White http://www.paintmewhite.com/
7. Fleur de Lys News http://fleurdelysdolls.blogspot.com/
8. Dolldom http://dolldom.blogspot.com/
9. Diane on Whidbey Island http://dianeonwhidbeyisland.blogspot.com/
10. Dollphilia http://dollphilia.blogspot.com
11. Infidel http://infidel-aquabluerose.blogspot.com/
12. My Passion is: DOLLS http://passionatedolls.blogspot.com/
13. Royalty.Girl http://royalty-girl.blogspot.com/
14. Soultalk777 A Scarlett Reverie http://soultalk777.blogspot.com/
15. Brooklyn Stars Forever http://brooklynstars-forever.blogspot.com/
Great work everyone! I want to note that there are many other blogs I enjoy and recommend. Some have already received this award so I have decided to share the wealth among other bloggers.
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