Taxes, Packing, Bad Websites and Blood

Many of you know that my husband and I have decided to relocate out of New York State.  Since this is not a political blog  (cough, cough) I won't get in to a discussion about taxes but it's gotten out of control.

Happy Independence Day USA

Let me look at this in a positive light. If we paid less taxes I'd have more dolls and it would be even more difficult to move. Ah...that's such a relief. Having to pay a huge tax bill has made it easier for me to pack.

What if, after a few months, I don't even miss the packed dolls?

So with that charming, albeit alarming, thought in mind I present you with this quickie picture of Marcella in her new fashion.

You  may have noticed that in most pictures of FDA dolls, they are not standing. That's because their legs are too thin (and they are weighty dolls) to support them without a serious doll stand.
A few weeks ago, FDA ran a sale and I scored this "Laine & Lezard" fashion that also comes with a beautiful pleated skirt and hosiery. I've wanted this outfit forever but it was too expensive. It fits beautifully and looks wonderful.  Everything from their early lines is now sold out. There are still some items from the Noir line and I want all of them but I want a lot of things I'm not getting. Sigh.

FDA Video, CHIC!

The video's soundtrack is annoying, but the dolls look great.


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The Doll Market sent out a notice that their new website was to be launched on July 1 and would be better with bigger pictures and all that jazz. However, if you had a password, it is now gone. So dumb.  I checked the site and indeed the pictures are bigger but the site is still ridiculous to navigate. The descriptions of the furniture are still missing dimensions and in order to see the 100's of items that have free summer shipping, you have to look through 1000's of items. All of them will be something you probably don't want.
Take a look at their sorting system. Everytime you pick an option you are presented with choices you don't want to sift through. The site is much worse than it was before. If they want people to shop, their link that says "Click Here to Shop" should be bigger and on the main landing page. This was definitely an amateur web job.
Spelling? So Truely Real Babies?? LOL

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Getting back to the topic of packing dolls. I've started with my 16" vinyl dolls. They are being packed nude, wrapped in tissue and standing up in appropriately sized boxes that hold 4 or 5 dolls each. I have about 30 dolls packed so far. Then the fashions need to be packed carefully. I don't know what's worse. So far I've only broken one earring off of it's post.
I'm writing the contents of each box on the outside and I'm also taking group shots of each doll that will be inside each box. Those pics will be pasted on the box. Complicated? Yes, but my dolls and their stuff is the most organized part of my life and shall continue thus.
I would lose my mind - what's left of it - if I had to pack hurriedly.


Gotta go now. It's almost time for Eric. Nom. Nom.

What's he packing?

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Worth His Weight in Gold?

 The new male Dynamite doll, Auden, is apparently worth a great deal of money to some people. This "Most Beautiful Boy" retailed for $59.99.  As of a few hours ago, the seven that sold on eBay this past week went for $228.50, $403.70, $355., $560., $499., $474.99, and $299. (The order was 'End Date: Oldest First.') Three of those sold were sold by an Integrity toys authorized dealer who also has a fourth listed. The dealer's eBay ID is futuresight37.  It seems that many collectors know who this dealer is and have objections to the way they are selling their products. They get the dolls before every other dealer and always post them on eBay immediately. 

He is cute and the promotional pictures of him wearing sunglasses are very cool.

The entire issue of skyrocketing secondary market prices is so common, it's practically not even worth commenting on. I remember when Mattel's platinum Cher was released. That piece of vinyl immediately became worth $500. to those who were not lucky enough to grab one before they sold out.

There's still plenty of money out there - it's just pooled amongst way fewer people than previously.

Crafting Things From the Stuff Around You

Watch this adorable 2 minute video that shows a product called makedo. It looks like so much fun. The creations may not be up to the standards of our fancy dolls but if you have children, it will surely keep them busy and away from the boob tube. You can make a doll house out of doll boxes with the connectors.

Farrah Fawcett Doll

This long-awaited doll will be available on 7/1/2011 at the retail price of $34.95. It is a Black Label designed by Bill Greening.

Here is the descriptive text from BC.Com:

Her swimsuit was red, her smile was spectacular, and her hairstyle made history. Inspired by the best-selling 1976 poster, this fabulous Farrah Fawcett doll recreates each of the essential elements that caused an instant sensation. Permanently posed on a striped blanket inspired by the original, she features a brand new body mold, and a face sculpt that perfectly captures her blue eyes and fabulous hair. She's a wonderful tribute to the all American girl who became a star in bare feet and a bathing suit!

It's definitely a doll that should stay boxed. I was a fan of this actress but not of the doll.  I am looking forward to seeing it in person although these do look like production images. If any celebrity doll was ever a caricature, this one surely is.

De-Boxing Compulsion?

Last night I did something I seldom do (anymore) and that was to browse most of the listings under the category of Integrity Toys on eBay.  I was amazed at the quantity of older dolls that are being sold NRFB. How do people keep from deboxing beautiful dolls? I can understand keeping Barbie dolls in their boxes because they are boxed for display but not Fashion Royalty dolls.
Right now I have two dolls I'm not sure I can keep. One is a new Amelie and the other is the new Dynamite Aria. The deboxer voice keeps saying...go ahead...open one of them. The other voice says...you still have 9 pre-ordered dolls on the way; you don't need this.

How do you do it?