Tonner's Antoinette and Her New Gown

I was very lucky to be able to get the fashion from the doll called Sweeping Antoinette.

It is perfect for my redhead Simplicity Antoinette.

I'd like to get back to concentrating on one doll at a time. It may take the rest of my life, though.
The issue with these big manufacturer releases and pre-ordering is that one gets too many dolls at one time. That's no way to appreciate the beauty of a single doll wearing different fashions. I have dolls that have never had time in front of a good camera. I currently have 11 or 12 dolls (I'm not even sure.) on pre-order.
It's ridiculous and it keeps happening. I think the companies count on the fact that we lose track of what we're ordering because of the time gap.
I am going to do what I did 3 years ago. I'll print out a sheet with the doll pictures and all related info. When I feel the need to order more, I can look at what is coming. Maybe that will work.

I want, want, want. I'm a sad case.

I want this outfit from Fanciful Antoinette. Sigh.

Integrity Toy's March 2013 Unveiling

The newest releases have hit the dealers sites.
Itt looks like the Poppy dolls are going to be the biggest success of the lot.
They are already sold out at several sites. Of course, the dealers who sell them at MSRP sell out first like Cherished Friends and MFD. I haven't checked the rest but if you want them, you'd better move on it.
I thought they were adorable. MSRP is $89.  Each doll is edition of 750.

Note: Images were removed as per the request of Integrity Toys.

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The Fashion Royalty dolls are now called Fashion Royalty Classic. The price per doll has gone up $20., from $110. to $130.  Of the five FRC, not one spoke to me. I do not see the connection between the early FR and these dolls. Vaughan kept repeating that there was some type of connection. Possibly the only connection is that the clothes are not hideous.
None of the super-popular sculpts were used.
The first thing I thought when I saw Anja was that she is pregnant. Dania is nice. Kesenia still looks like a vampire. Korinne - meh. I would have liked a slim skirt with that lovely blouse. Jordan's outfit is lovely. I wish she wouldn't stand with her toes pointed inward. I know it's a FASHION THING but it's time for a different position.

Captivating
Anja™ Dressed Doll

Ambitious
Kesenia™ Dressed Doll

Nostalgia
Dania Zarr™ Dressed Doll

Splendid
Jordan™ Dressed Doll

Polished
Korinne™ Dressed Doll

Show and Sell Pages Resurrected - For How Long? Back Up Your Information

First thing this morning I checked out the S&S site and everything was back to normal. There was no more warning about closing. Could it be that the begging worked? I am sure Steve and Rae became aware of the outpouring of emotion from collectors and the tremendous offers of help.
If they have had a change of heart, I hope that they make the rules of membership stronger and I hope they do accept some assistance in dealing with the nut jobs.

I have taken some measures just in case the site is shut down permanently. I didn't have a problem with losing photographs because I save all of my pictures in a SELL folder on my computer. When the item is successfully sold, I delete the picture. The problem is the description and the price. I don't want to lost that information again to I took screen shots of every listing. On a Mac the keyboard strokes are Shift/Command/4 and then you select the part of the screen you want to save. I don't know what the keystrokes are on a PC but I'm quite sure you can do it.

This is what a general screen shot of my listing looks like:

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 If I needed more specific information, I would click on every ad and take a picture of each individual one.

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This way, if I have a detailed description, I can copy it to another site when I list it.

Hopefully I will not have to do this.

Another site that Rae and Steve operate is a picture hosting site. This has been around for years and some collectors have hundreds of their photos stored there. If those sites close, they will lose their images if they haven't backed up their files.
Just like Flickr and other (free) hosting sites, they have no responsibility to stay open if they choose to shut down. If something with their software fails or their server goes down, you will not have access. Always back up your photos so you have access to your files. External hard drives are relatively inexpensive these days. Get one and back up your stuff.
Then, every so often, fill a CD with the files and store it somewhere else safe just in case. If your files are important, protect them. Don't rely on the internet, the cloud or anyone else.

Really Bad News

The following email was sent to all registered members:


TheDollPage.com is closing up.

If you have any images on either of our albums we suggest you copy them to your computer as soon as possible.

We will attempt to keep most of the sites running until June 1st to give you time to make other arrangements.

We thank you for your support over the years and apologize for the inconvenience our closing may cause you.

Admin


On the Show & Sell pages it says that there were too many complaints. I have no idea what happened.  I am very disappointed. Steve and Rae provided an amazing service and unfortunately some rotten apples ruined it for all of us.  If there is a way to change their minds, I would love to know.

Inro

Finally, after nearly 4 months I am feeling comfortable in my new studio. I was having issues with the quality of the light and so much more that I was avoiding going down there to work.
So I take these pictures of Inro and take the memory card, insert it into the reader and NOTHING. I'm going to die, right? I keep plugging the USB cable into different ports on the hub and NOTHING. So I go down and get the camera to link it directly to the computer and NOTHING.
Is it the card, the cable, the snow? Seriously!!!

My last attempt to upload the pictures was successful when I located an empty USB slot directly into my laptop and in seconds all the shots were on the computer. The darn USB hub is messed up. It's like the 4th one I've had. They all suck.

Back to more pleasant experiences.

I decided to trim Inro's lower lashes and I'm very happy with the results. They were masking the beautiful sculpt of her cheekbones and drawing her eyes down into the rest of her face. I may give a little color to her cheeks next time I get her out to play.

After I trimmed them it was time to dress her and just for the heck of it I pulled out a Gene Marshall by Mel Odom (Ashton Drake) outfit I have never had on a doll. It is a two piece plus belt linen outfit that would be very fashionable today from the Star Wardrobe collection. It fits and looks hot! I never imagined that Gene clothes would fit Inro.

I have Jamieshow shoes on her feet. I had to warm up the shoes to get them on and they still aren't fitting perfectly. I hope I find other shoes she can wear as Inro has very wide feet.

Around her neck is a gorgeous OOAK neckpiece by Asher of New England called "Quezacotl."
She is wearing a generic size 4/5 wig previously purchased for Avantguard dolls.

What do you think about the lash job?

Inamorata Inro by Emilia Couture



Original Promo Photo

 

Boater Ensemble Silkstone and In A Dream Marilyn Monroe

Two new dolls arrived today.
First from Barbie Collector is the club exclusive Silkstone called Boater Ensemble. I haven't deboxed yet but I will as she looks next to perfect. I'm pleased. Mattel's updos and pony tails are the styles they do the best.

I like her ensemble, however it looks very much like an airline stewardess outfit. The hat is a boater styled hat and, of course, that is where the name comes from.

Click here for an interesting article about Boater hats on Wikipedia.

Marilyn Monroe "In A Dream" by Tonner

I purchased this doll mainly because I love the fashion. She looks exactly like the prototype. I removed the plastic arm protectors and had a little trouble getting the fashion back to the way it was supposed to look. No biggie.

 I can't get the headwrap on the same as in the photo because I'm afraid of ruining her hair which is in a nice updo.

The real problem with this doll is the horrible doll stand. Tonner has been providing this awful stand for the last few years. The doll can't stand with her legs together and in most cases, the saddle that goes between the doll's legs shows through the garment.

Dear Mr. Tonner: 
Bring back the old Tyler stands on adjustable poles. These stands SUCK.
Thank you very much.
Terri Gold