Picture of the Week ~ Wilco Vreeburg

Our featured photo today was created by Wilco Vreeburg also known as Wilco in Holland or Wilco in the Netherlands on the doll boards. Wilco posts mainly on Prego, The Studio Commissary, ICOG and the Yahoo Avantguard groups.

His picture is of the Avantguard "No Exaggeration." No changes have been made to the doll - as they say on Prego, "she is factory."

She has a very 80's look with the short flippy style Monique wig and the saturated make-up palette. Her coat is Tonner's 2004 "Ashleigh" and the sweater is also a Tonner product from the 2003 Tyler "Suitably Pink" doll.

I asked Wilco to describe his set-up and camera. Here is his response in excellent English.

"I used a big board and a white fabric to make a set-up directed into [facing] the natural light of the windows."  Only natural light was used.  "I use an Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom."

His suggestions regarding doll photography is to let one's own taste and creativity reflect in your pictures. "If you don't have a studio or lighting like me...make sure you  use natural daylight."

In my opinion, Wilco nailed the 80's look superbly. This image is one that might have been on the pages of a fashion magazine of that era. She also reminds me of the character from the series Dallas, Sue Ellen Ewing, played by American actress, Linda Gray. That show ran from 1978 through 1991.

Linda Ann Gray

Thanks to Wilco for allowing me to feature his photo! Great work.

Temporary Problems at Tonner and Effanbee Web Sites

There has been an attack virus (malware) installed on both the Tonner Doll Company and Effanbee websites.
Tonner has sent out a message informing collectors that they are working on this problem. Some joker blamed Mattel. Of course that was just a joke but this kind of activity is very frightening and happening more and more.
This is the warning I got when I went to the main Tonner website:

If that's not enough to scare the doll out of me, I don't know what would!
When arriving at the Effanbee site I don't get the same warning but the site is blocked with another warning:

Warning - visiting this web site may harm your computer!

A very interesting and informative page about this warning is posted by Google. If you are interested in learning more about malicious software, safe browsing and the warning, click here.

Tonner has informed us that Tonner Direct is NOT affected by the malware.

Not Doll Related BUT It's Jason Wu!

On the Bergdorf Goodman website there is a short video in which Jason answers five questions.

Click here for the link to 5 Questions for Jason Wu.

Did you get your Jason Wu Poppy?

A New Old Doll Arrives - Dark Desire Madra

I recently shared about my experiences in Nashville at the Golden Age of Couture event. One evening I helped debox about 80 Madra dolls, many of which I had never seen. When I opened Dark Desire's box, I decided that she was the most beautiful Madra I had ever seen. Not only is her face beautifully screened, her fashion is sophisticated and elegant.
I had to have her. She arrived this afternoon and was immediately released from her box.

The lightweight wool or wool blend suit is lined in chartreuse. Her gloves are the same green. The hat/hood slips over her head. Her muff is also lined in green. She has the most amazing eyes. I am so happy to finally find a Madra to love. I have sold every single Madra I've ever had. This one is staying. She will get a more articulated Integrity body.
Although this doll is several years old, her hair is in perfect condition. What a beauty!

Dark Desire was produced by Ashton Drake in 2002.

Paper Dolls

I loved paper dolls when I was a child. By way of one of my subscriptions, I have discovered a treasure trove of images of paper doll books including the pages inside the books. You must see these! This is the cover of two of the posted books. More at the link below.

 This links to the Picasa album of Bobe who has posted all of these books and their contents.