3/13/2011

BIC Co. Ltd. Japan: "WE ALL ARE OK!!!"

Email message sent out by BIC and Kazue a few minutes ago.

Dear Customers

We thank you for your patronage.

As reported in the media worldwide, there was a massive earthquake.
Fortunately, WE ALL ARE OK, our office and the warehouse is NOT in the area suffered from the earthquake.
We really appreciate that many people sent us the heartfelt messages to cheer up our spirits, and many countries from all over the world have proposed to support our country to rescue the people.
Now our business operates as usual, but due to the obstacles inherent to the disaster, there are some points which we have to ask you to understand.

(1) Delay in delivery

The airfreight transportation depart from our area is working almost normally.
But because of the changed flight schedules, and the traffic regulations to the airport from our central post office, there would be a few days delay in delivery.
(2) Shorter actual business hours
Due to the significant electricity shortage throughout the country, our area will be subjected to the planned power cutting by 6 hours a day, and it is expected to continue until April.
It would confine our operation (which needs PC & internet) 3-4 hours shorter than usual.
We are afraid that it might lead to some delay in order fulfillment and shipment, but we will endeavor to complete and send out all orders as soon as possible.

We are really sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you, and we hope your kind understanding in this matter.


Sincerely yours,

Ms Masumi Tokumoto, on behalf of Ms Kazue Shimoyama

P.S from KAZUE

We will perform a clearance sale including charity within several days, in order to support to people of a stricken area through all activities. I t will be 40-50% OFF...
Please wait for next information.

Doug James and Doll Show in New Jersey

I made my way over to Teaneck, New Jersey today to attend the Doll Show at the Rothman Center at Fairleigh Dickinson University. I set my clocks ahead last night and set my alarm for 7:00 AM. When I awoke at 8:30AM I discovered that I had set my clock to PM instead of AM. Oh well.  Lucky for me it wasn't a missed flight or a job interview. My friends arrived pretty much at the same time so I was OK.
I'd never been to this show which takes place every few months. Most of the booths are selling vintage dolls and accessories. I love the truly vintage items but I dare not even think about going there with my collecting. There are several dealers selling modern fashion dolls.
A bunch of us crazy collectors gathered at a large table to eat lunch and have a show and tell! Dolls were passed around and there were lots of oohs and aahs to be heard. I had a great time and will definitely be attending again. If you are in the general area - NY, NJ, CT, PA - think about coming. 

I was very happy to finally meet Doug James in person. For those who are not familiar with his work, Doug James worked with the late Laura Meisner for the L.L. Knickerbocker Co. to design and create
 
Mod British Birds, Willow and Daisy. (link) There is no official link for Daisy and Willow.  (link)




You can find many images of these dolls on the Yahoo group by the same name. I have a nice collection of them. They are interesting and very pretty dolls but their bodies are stiff without articulation. Many collectors dress their Tyler and Ellowyne dolls in the clothing which is mod 60's era styling.

Doug designed the CED dolls

Portrait Claire ~ Image Property of Doug James
Violet and Gabby
Image Property of Doug James
Image Property of Doug James
And now he has created Seine, Sayer and Sebastian Fashion Dolls.
Seine ~ Image Property of Doug James
See the link for more images of these new dolls, their fashions and wigs that are currently available.

Here is Doug himself holding Sebastian for me as I took this picture.  (At least I think this doll is Sebastian.)  If you like a male doll with a body that says hunk, this may be the doll for you! He is anatomically correct and fine to look at, almost as cute as Doug. :-)


Getting back to the doll show...I did not bring a camera because I didn't want the event to turn into work for me but I couldn't resist taking a few shots with my iPhone.

Click on this link to see the pictures I took today and remember they are made with a phone. Be kind. Hehe.

3/12/2011

Homage to Vanessa

Here is a picture of every Vanessa in my collection.  A few have been re-rooted. One is a duplicate who has been repainted and re-rooted.  There are a few I have never redressed.
—Do you have a favorite Vanessa?
—Which is your favorite picture?

Pictures have been posted in a small size but you can click on each to enlarge.

True Royalty
AFL Platinum
Temptation
Shock Bon Bon
Runway Ready
Poesie Sans Couleur
Intoxicating Mix
AFL Raven
Pale Fire
Aerodynamic
High Tide
Color Therapy
Cruise Control
Flame Blue
Going Places
High Tide
In Bloom
Luxe Life
Metal Maven
Miami Glow
Night Warrior
Obsidian Society
Shirred Not Shaken
I never realized there were so many redhead Vanessas! The last two pictures are not the same doll although the appearance is remarkably similar.

The New Veronique Dolls aka Fauxnique

Shuga Shug posted beautiful photos of the new dolls today. She has graciously given me permission to post them here.
What do you all think of this new sculpt?

 I think it's a lovely-looking doll but it's not Veronique. The next issue of this gal will have applied eyelashes. I think they were testing the waters by not putting lashes on her. My favorite of the two is the raven-haired one. I like the color of her lips and her blue eyes.

3/11/2011

Japan

May our Japanese friends find the aid and safety they need in the hours and days that follow this latest display of Mother Earth's power.

......

Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change, and though the mountains be moved into the heart of the seas; 
Though the waters thereof roar and foam, though the mountains shake at the swelling thereof. Selah

Excerpted from Psalms 46: 2-11  

.........

More Runway Fashions Reinterpreted for Dolls

Posted by Corvas:

               Interesting that two dresses can be so similar yet be so close in time of release. 
Designers thinking alike?
                True Blues Integrity Toys 2011   Burberry Prorsum Spring 2011 RTW


          An inspired hairstyle. I hope it turns out as well or better as the promo.
          Malicious Integrity Toys 2011   Jean Paul Gaultier Fall 2010 (Hairstyle)