Wonderful Photo

I keep going back to this photo created by Gerri aka aquabluerose so I wanted to share it with my readers.
Visit Gerri's blog  ~ infidel  for many photographic treasures.
I just recently realized that she has a second blog called "A Fashion Doll Place ~ Photo Blog"

Not Doll Related At All

FR2 Strict Elegance Luchia: Better Than Expected

A few days ago another collector listed Lucia FR2 for less than retail. Someone had posted a picture of her long hair which looked beautiful and I thought that her outfit could be useful. The price was right...I sprung. I thought I might sell her head.

She arrived today and while I still do not like the way her open mouth was painted, I think she's a rather attractive doll if you don't look at her teeth.

I folded under about 1/2" of her skirt as I prefer a shorter length for this style dress.
She comes with they type of shoes I love. They close with velcro making them easy on and off with no chance of tiny straps breaking off and no magnifying lenses required. Her dress is one piece which was a surprise. I like her curly, faux fur white coat which I do not show here because it totally does not belong with this outfit.

Her handbag, shoes and jewelry are pewter colored. 

In the second picture I lit the doll from above which cast a shadow and made her teeth less visible. Unfortunately her high cheekbones are also subdued.

 I think she's a keeper but those teeth have to go.

I'm hoping that the underarm stands which are used for these dolls gets retired.

MONSTER HIGH ROLLER MAZE

Angelic Dreamz has the Monster High Roller Maze dolls. Set of four $80. How cute are they???

 Skultimate Roller Maze™ is a ferocious game that requires monster skills. Unfortunately, the star players of the sport have all gotten injured, and the ghouls of Monster High® have been asked to 'skate' in and save the day! Dolls cannot stand alone. Ages 6 and older.

Monster High Skultimate Roller Maze Set of 4 Dolls Lagoona, Operetta, Frankie and Ghoulia

Expected in July, a beauty called Robecca Steam:

And another expected July arrival Venus McFlytrap:

ANGELIC DREAMZ

Jem and the Holograms

Hasbro, Inc. and Integrity Toys, Inc. have partnered to produce a line of Jem and the Holograms dolls. The price range is projected to be $125.

JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS Special Edition Doll: HOLLYWOOD JEM 

The image above is Jem. She will launching at 2012 Comic-Con International in San Diego. This doll will be available for purchase at the Hasbro Toy Shop booth #3329 during Comic-Con International in San Diego at an approximate retail price of $125 and following the convention, at www.HasbroToyShop.com.

Hasbro and Integrity Toys are in business to make money. That's the bottom line.

Marketing gobbledygook:

"As children of the 80's ourselves, working on this project with the Hasbro team was a dream come true for our entire team. JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS has been a major influence for us," says Alain Tremblay, marketing director of Integrity Toys, Inc.  

 

"We wanted to remain true to the spirit of the original doll line, while paying homage to the animated series, which is something that we as JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS fans always wanted through the years," says Vaughn Sawyers, Integrity's head designer.

Bryony Bouyer, Sr. VP, Global Franchise Development for Hasbro said: "We wanted to pay homage to the characters and offer collectible dolls to fans that would showcase the essence of their favorite characters.  We admire the high quality dolls produced by Integrity Toys, so this relationship made perfect sense."

Not being a child of the 80's or a fan of Jem and the Holograms, I know absolutely nothing about this cartoon, these characters or the animated series. I looked it up on Wikipedia and learned it ran from 1985 to 1988. "The show is about music company owner Jerrica Benton, her singer alter-ego Jem, her band the Holograms, and their adventures."

Most of Hasbro's action figures sell for well under $20. There are a few playsets for under $35.  

  

 In my biased opinion, this doll has a Pink Box Barbie Aesthetic. $125. Seriously?

Links which may be of interest:

http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/10/06/ten-truly-outrageous-jem-and-the-holograms-toys/

http://thisisnotheavymetal.tumblr.com/post/635326249/barbie-vs-jem-plastic-baggage-is-still-baggage

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Jem_episodes

http://www.jemdolls.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR2FVm4_x_0

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=jem+and+the+holograms+dolls

http://www.ghostofthedoll.co.uk/Toys_Jem.htm

http://jemgirl.com/jemgirl/home.html

http://www.pranceatron.com/jem/cartoonsynopses.htm

Take your $125. and buy the real thing. Buy vintage.

Marina Bychkova ~ Enchanted Doll

Marina Bychkova, an enormously talented doll maker, presents Echo No5 "Saffron." $18, 900 CAD

Saffron’s exquisite crown was inspired by and constructed from components of traditional Norwegian jewelry, which I acquired during my travels in Scandinavia.

Light and delicate, it’s made from silver filigree wire, 24k gold-plated pendants and disks, that shimmer and sparkle as they move. Other features include two silver Buyao hairpins; a pair of silver earrings; 14k gold-plated bracelets; bead embroidery and Swarovski crystal accents on the printed costume; two pairs of silver shoes; two pairs of interchangeable feet; magnetic mohair wig; custom stand and a specially upholstered tin box.

The doll is porcelain, ball-jointed, china painted and articulated with industrial springs. 13.5” (34.5cm) tall. 2012

Enchanted Doll