Yom Kippur is one of the holiest days of the year for the Jewish people.

This post is not doll related although is was sparked by the realization that the Fashion Royalty/Integrity Toys convention is scheduled for the same weekend upon which Yom Kippur falls this year. I'm in a state of shock and agitation. For all their worldly behavior and pretense, the staff in charge of scheduling this event has no clue that other religious backgrounds besides their own may exist. Carol Roth is Jewish.

Many secular Jews do not observe other holidays or traditions through the year (just like people of other religions. )BUT:
Wikipedia says it best:
As one of the most culturally significant Jewish holidays, Yom Kippur is observed by many secular Jews who may not observe other holidays. Many secular Jews attend synagogue on Yom Kippur—for many secular Jews the High Holidays are the only recurring times of the year in which they attend synagogue,—causing synagogue attendance to soar—and almost four-fifths fast.

It's difficult for me to believe that you can live in this country and not be aware of Yom Kippur.

There's a site that I visit sometimes that states "because if we don't say something they might think we don't care." 

I care.

Italian Doll Convention 2011

 

On May 28 & 29, Milan, Italy will be the site of the Italian Doll Convention. The theme is the "Italian Way." One of the events invites participants to dress as their favorite Barbie and walk the catwalk.  My favorite rule says you are not allowed to  "think anything like I am too short/fat/shy/old to dress like a Barbie to do this." That sounds like so much fun. I hope someone videotapes it.

As part of the convention, twelve uber-talented doll artists have donated beautiful work to be auctioned off on eBay on May 15, 2011 with 100% of the proceeds going to the Fondazione Blu Onlus. They are (from left to right: Matt Sutton, Paul Pham-Numina Dolls, Ovaz,  Parrucca di Ilaria Mazzoni - Time of Dolls, ?, Parrucca di Ilaria Mazzoni - Time of Dolls, Matt Trujillo, Melissa Windham for Grant a Wish, Magia2000, Ninimomo, Fashion Doll Agency, Patrick Kon.

Click here to go to site.

Reinterpreted Runway Fashion from Superfrock

Thanks to George Gonzalez for pointing out this reinterpretation of a McQueen by Superfrock.

Alexander McQueen: Paris Fashion Week RTW 2009

Black Bird Society Fashion

 Birds do it, bees do it 

even Superfrock does it.

New Ellowyne Released "Timid Tan" with Free Shipping Now

Today Wilde Imagination released a new dressed Ellowyne doll called Timid Tan.  At first glance I thought she was a Basic Doll. She's quite ordinary compared to many dressed dolls. Her retail price is $135.00.

 To take advantage of the current promo for free shipping enter the code: SMILE13 for domestic orders and SMILE13INT for international orders.

She reminds me so much of "A Bon Voyage" who was a Hollywood Ahoy Convention (2009) doll. I like ABV better. Still available for $129.

Wilde Imagination  http://www.wildeimagination.com/c-2-dressed-dolls.aspx

In Search Of Sinister Circus "Back Stabber"

As if I need another doll....and yet I do. She is the Sinister Circus "Back Stabber"- LE 150.  She was the 2009 Modern Doll Collectors Convention (MDCC) Souvenir doll at the Tonner breakout event held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

Someone must have one they don't want anymore. 

She has my favorite Supergirl sculpt and there is definitely a place for her in my collection.

Poop On ebay?

The seller prefaces all of his/her listings with the following disclaimer:

ALL ITEMS COME FROM GARAGE SALES, THRIFT STORES OR AUCTIONS. MY HOME IS SMOKE FREE AND PET FRIENDLY BUT I CANNOT SPEAK FOR WHERE THESE ITEM HAVE BEEN BEFORE. I TRY TO DESCRIBE ITEMS TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY BUT AM NOT AN EXPERT AND CONDITION IS SOMETIMES A MATTER OF OPINION. ANY ISSUES NOTICED WILL BE NOTED IN THE DESCRIPTION. I TEST ALL TOYS WITH BATTERY'S TO MAKE SURE THEY WORK SATISFACTORILY. BATTERIES ARE NOT ALWAYS INCLUDED. EVERYTHING SOLD IN AS IS CONDITION. PLEASE ASK QUESTIONS. 

Would you buy from this seller? She doesn't know where the stuff has been?
"Condition is sometimes a matter of opinion." Duh! So why bother asking questions when her opinion is going to be different because she's not an expert and knows nothing.  
I have seen this type of disclaimer quite often. One doll I purchased was yellowed either from age or cigarette smoke or a combination of both. The seller told me she didn't know if the previous owner was a smoker. I suppose her sense of smell and eyesight weren't working the day she described the doll as excellent condition.

If is looks like shit, smells like shit, chances are it's been somewhere specific. 

I have to say that the majority of eBay sellers are honest people. I've had 95% success with sellers and products.
You just have to be very careful, ask specific questions and be prepared to NOT bid if the response is not satisfactory. It's your money. Hang on to it.