Facets 13th Annual BBQ - Sunday, September 13, 2015

Yes, girls and boys, it's that time again. This year it's the 13th on the 13th!

Here's the invite from Marcia:

Hi all -

Summer is (almost) officially here and it's time to start planning the 13th annual Facets Doll BBQ!

I'm inviting area doll collectors (and any traveling ones) to come to my house in Matawan, NJ for a BBQ and doll party on Sunday September 13th starting at noon. 

Matawan is in central NJ, near exit 117a of the Garden State Parkway. It is easily accessible by NJ Transit trains from NYC or Newark.

It will be like the previous BBQ's with lots of people, food, dolls, sales, and more, but there are a few changes, so please read on...

I'll provide all of the food, and there is a cover charge of $15 per person and it must be paid in advance by PayPal (to applefrien@aol.com) or you can send me a check or give me cash if you see me beforehand.  Because of the number of non-paid no-shows I got last year, I need to require payment in advance this year in order to get an accurate head counting for food shopping.

I'll have a sales area set up in my basement - space is on a first come basis and is limited. If you are planning to bring things to sell, please let me know so I can estimate how much space is needed per person and try to get enough shelving/tables to accommodate. If you've been here before, you know the set-up. If you haven't been here before and want to sell, email me for more info. Of course, Facets will be set up for shopping, too :-)

In addition to shopping, we'll have door prizes, the infamous "free table", and lots of dolls to look at.

The "free table" is a table of doll related items that are extras, slightly used, unwanted, etc... It's a good way to get rid of those items that you think someone might want and you don't feel like putting on Ebay. If you have some things you'd like to put in, bring them. However, if no one takes them, you have to take them back or throw them out - they can't stay here! If you want to mail donations, LMK and I'll give you the address. I've already gotten some amazing things mailed to me!

If you want to see what the Free Table is like, check out pictures and Paul's video from last year:

http://facetsbymarcia.com/BBQ2014.htm

Feel free to bring a doll for display. I don't have a theme - bring a favorite, a new acquisition, something you want to show off, whatever.

Contributions to the door prizes are appreciated.

If you need a place to stay in this area, I recommend the Woodbridge Hilton. It's about 20 minutes north of here and is more reasonably priced and nicer than the few hotels in the immediate area. If you are looking for travel mates or roommates, LMK and I'll try to help.

I hope you can make it to the party - it's a day of great fun, great dolls and great people :-) Email me to RSVP or ask questions. When you email me, I would appreciate it if you could put "BBQ" somewhere in the subject so I can sort out those emails.

Marcia

www.facetsbymarcia.com

P.S. If you know someone who might like to come to the BBQ and that hasn't gotten an invitation, please let me know and I'll invite them.

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Due to difficulties with the html on the template I'm using, I am unable to comment on the comments. Trying to get it fixed. I am reading all of them.
Terri



Update 6/16/2015
Fixed it. It wasn't the template it was darn Firefox interfering with my life.

Aristocratic Baroness Agnes and Vice Effect Ollie

Two W Club Upgrade dolls arrived today.
Up first we have a pony-tailed blonde Agnes dressed in a belted summer sheath in a black and off-white print. The neckline has a very lovely gathered detail with a tiny button at the center. I really love the fabric and can't decide if they're butterflies or bows.
This Agnes doesn't look as miserable as most other Agnii. Her glance is straight forward. The color of the vinyl sets off her rosy cheeks and bright red lips. The eyeliner wings and the beauty mark are not my taste. I like the hairstyle with its pulled to the back side parted hair and only the slightest hint of a hair bump.

Her accessories include black patent spike heels, a red clutch purse, "gloved" replacement hands and large oxidized pewter earrings. I like them. They're small compared to these things.

Included as well is a black straw hat. I think it's a bit awkward looking. Does it add some positive quality to the ensemble?
When removing the dress I was very surprised to find that the straps which go over the shoulders are attached to the back of the dress with velcro. Has that ever occurred in a FR fashion? I don't think so. It lays flat so the look is good. The problem comes about when it starts grabbing the doll's hair it it's tiny velcro teeth. I hate that.
The clutch has a strap at the front which the doll can slip a hand into to hold. Yay. Finally. Ashton Drake used to use elastics & other devices which the doll could use to hold accessories. Very useful.

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Vice Effect Ollie is one of the coolest 'homme' dolls produced by Integrity. With his light blue sport jacket, baby blue slacks, pink henley t-shirt, sunglasses, watch and ivory boat shoes he is dressed to kill or possibly to hunt killers.
VE Ollie is the very incarnation of the suave undercover detective, James "Sonny" Crockett,  played by Don Johnson on the television series "Miami Vice" in the 1980's.

The doll's hair is a bit too blonde but in every other respect, they look quite similar. I've got to get his hair down a bit. It's too thick and puffy and there is too much stiffener.
Ollie's jacket and slacks are constructed from beautiful fabrics with great details. He became a favorite immediately! The girls love him.

  Did you get either of these dolls?

Chaise from Tonner Convention and Kingdom Doll Eira

I knew I had to have it as soon as I saw it. Tonner's props and furniture are simply the best and always have been. They're always fully scaled and fabulous for photography.  It sold out shortly after going up for sale on Wednesday but I got my order in while I was on the treadmill at the gym. Now that's determination (aka obsession.)

Took some quick iPhone shots of Black Lipstick seated on the chaise.

Love the doll, the chaise and the outfit which is from Sandra Stillwell's "Radio Days" convention.
The jewelry is Franklin Mint.

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As expected, Kingdom Doll's Eira, a very limited edition, sold out almost immediately leaving several collectors moaning and groaning. ( I could also say 'pissing and moaning' but I'll be diplomatic outside of the parentheses.)

Cheer up because the next doll up, Orbit-seen below, is a larger, though limited edition, and she is another beauty.

That's not to say she'll last long once available. The usual suspects will complain and condemn Kingdom Doll for not making enough, blah, blah.

When the new GenX Solitaire went live on Superdoll's site, she didn't last long. Of course, a few people were disappointed they missed her but I didn't see venom-tinged remarks aimed at the company. When Mansion came and went very quickly, there were no angry collectors posting on Prego about Superdoll's business practices. Superdoll doesn't even tell anyone a specific time a doll will go live! You have to keep checking the site and hope you find it ready to buy.

With Integrity Toys, you know when to contact your dealer after seeing a doll. It's called NOW. You don't get time to think about what you really want because if you hesitate, the doll will be sold out. You have people emailing every single dealer, trying to get the dolls any way they can. Ultimately, the disappointed collectors complain about the dealers, favoritism and canceled orders. 

When Mattell posts a Platinum Barbie for sale the site crashes or they cancel the sale and then hold it a few days later without broad announcements of the new date. 

News From Kingdom Doll: Eira, Orbit and Liberty

I can't stop looking at this doll's image; she is gorgeous with Kingdom Doll's newest sculpt called Dubunni. Get ready because she will go on sale at the KD store on the 5th of June at 18:00 BST (British Summer Time) and is a LE of 30 dolls. Good luck!

Time conversion - Great Britain is 5 hours ahead of Eastern US. (DST-Daylight Savings Time) That's 1PM here in Pennsylvania and 10 AM in California. Those of you in between can figure it out from there.

Eira takes her name from the Welsh word for snow and she is very much Kingdom Doll’s modern interpretation of that classic fairytale beauty “Snow White”.  Eira’s whole look is synonymous with luxury, from the real white mink stole (an exclusive for KD by the esteemed doll furrier Dimitha), to the Swarovski pearl three strand choker necklace created by KD’s favourite doll jeweler Mike Austin. She is dressed in an indulgent pure white silk satin strapless gown. The makeup chosen for Eira was inspired by iconic Dior Couture looks which add to the ethereal qualities of this stunning doll.

Here is more information from the email that went out today:

The end of July will see the release of yet another new sculpt Selgovae, debuting as Orbit. (Orbit will be released in our higher edition size) Do not miss the next edition of Fashion Doll Quarterly magazine for exciting coverage on Orbit!

Following Kingdom Doll’s success in Paris, we have been invited to attend this year’s Metro Dolls event on Sunday 4 th October. We are truly honored to be presenting our very first OOAK Kingdom Doll which will be auctioned at the event to raise money for the St Jude Children's Research Hospital charity. We do hope to be able to meet many of you there and together support this worthy cause. More information about Metro Dolls can be found on their website…..Metro Dolls

But that’s not all!  Prior to Metro Dolls, we will be hosting our own dinner event on Saturday 3 rd October. There will be an exclusive doll just available at the event called “Liberty”, plus many exciting KD goodies. Places are limited to 40 and full details about this special event will follow shortly. If any of you are interested in attending then please email us at

kingdomdoll@yahoo.co.uk

If you would like to see more images of our dolls then please check out our Flick  account, Facebook page and of course the Kingdom Doll website

Tonner 2015 Guilty Pleasures Convention Part II

The banquet on Saturday night was all about Marley, the new grown-up doll who is Tyler's sister.
The centerpiece:

Marley's Grand Entrance $199.

From here it looks a bit over done for my taste. The hat has to go now before baby birds start flying out.  Do those gloves have individual fingers? Congratulations if they do.

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The souvenir gift set is the type of product that will bring people to conventions IMO. It consists of two complete outfits, lingerie, two additional pairs of expressive hands, a handbag, sunglasses and an extra wig. The black coat dress appears to have several large rhinestone embellishments. I like that they put in blue shoes instead of a  matchy, matchy pair. Lots of mix and match opportunities here. I do like that black dress a lot.
On the secondary market, this gift set may bring in some $$$ even though it's price is already lofty at $275.

Marley's Mad for Accessories  $275.

A shot from the Tonner Direct FB page shows the new Marley packaging to be very classy.

Child dolls on parade to their Patsy Ann break out event.

Souvenir Doll: Red Velvet Patsy Ann 14"  $150.

Look at the excitement on this living doll's face as she enters the ballroom! What a wonderful experience it must be for a child to go to a Tonner convention.

All these photos and more can be found on the Tonner Direct Facebook page. Thank you to the busy photographer for posting!