1/19/2014

JUNKYSPOT Freyr Cat Anthropomorph Boy Figures

Junkyspot is a business that sells Asian ball jointed dolls such as Obitsu, Hujoo, Bobobie, Pullip, Limhwa and more.  www.junkyspot.com/


Both of my Freyr cats have the boy body. He measures just a bit over 9 inches tall. The Freya's (note the difference in spelling) description explained the girl body had a different head cap and I read that it was difficult to work with.  I decided to get two boys, one grey and one white. At that time, if you purchased two cats, you got a smaller one for free. I'm still waiting for the special eyes I ordered for my little one although his faceup is already done. Stay tuned.
Here is the description from the website:

Includes: Head+Finished body
Includes: Optional Tail with Magnets
Made of ABS Plastics
Strung for articulation tension
Eyes are not included
Faceup not included
Dimensions:
  • Head: Takes a 6.5-7" wig (would need to be modified to fit ears)
  • Height : 23cm
  • Eyes : 18mm (not included)
  • Girth of neck : 4cm
  • Girth of Chest : 10.5cm
  • width of shoulders : 5.5cm
  • Girth of Waist : 9cm
  • Girth of hips : 10.5cm
  • Foot Size: 3.5cm  
The Whole Family
I do have experience painting but not much with doing faceups. One workshop is all the training I ever had and I never did it again. My natural painting style is too "painterly" to do a classic faceup. I had to remove the work three times until I was somewhat pleased with it. I used pastels, water color pencils and acrylic paint. The lashes went on easily. The eyes were no problem to install.  The nightmare was reattaching the head. But once I did one, the other wasn't too difficult.

I'm planning to matte the bodies and blush them a bit but for now, this is it.  I like the gray one better than the white one.

 I've been told they can wear Blythe clothes. I've seen them in Barbie stuff. But I'm not planning on making them into fashionistas. This was a fun and inexpensive experiment.
The Minion is there to protect her modesty.


1/16/2014

Picture of the Day by Flamingomoon


This adorable photo was posted on Prego asking the question: "Aren't you glad you don't have to do this at the hairdresser?"

1/14/2014

A Few Announcements

So Many Dolls; So Little Time

-3 Day Clearance Sale at Cherished Friends - Below wholesale prices. (Photo shows only a fraction of items on sale.)
http://cherishedfriends.com/WeeklySale1-13-14.html

-FDQ Interior Design Contest: 
http://www.fdqmedia.com/contest.html



-TonnerCon 2014 Registration Now Open
https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1328242


1/12/2014

Volks USA Closing LA Store

Volks USA has announced that they will be closing the Los Angeles Tenshi-no-Sumika LA showroom at the end of March, 2014.
Here is the text of the announcement posted on their blog today:


Big Changes Coming to VOLKS USA!

January 11th, 2014
Hello!
As many of you may know, 2014 is the 15th Anniversary of the birth of our “Dollfie” line of dolls, paving the way for so many new opportunities in the doll hobby.
With that, VOLKS has a lot of things planned, and for VOLKS USA that means a lot of changes.
In Spring of this year we’ll be introducing a new website with new systems and services for all of our customers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. We’re very excited to introduce it to you!
We have a new manager here now as well and he will be leading the way for these changes and for the future of VOLKS USA. Here’s a message to all of you from him.
“I’m dedicated to presenting joy and excitement to our customers through VOLKS’ hobby world! I’m really looking forward to the future of VOLKS USA and I hope to create a thriving hobby base here in the United States.”
That being said, we do have some sad news. Our Tenshi no Sumika in Los Angeles showroom will be closing after March of this year. Our last weekend open to the public will be March 29th and 30th.
We know that our local customers and those of you hoping to visit will be upset and disappointed and we do understand. We thank you so much to all of you who have come to spend time with us, bringing joy and gifts along with you and we would love to see as many of you as possible before then!
We hope that all of you can understand that this is difficult for us as well and is being done with an eye to the future. We hope that someday we can open a new store location. Until then, we will focus on our web store, on growing VOLKS USA’s presence here in the United States, and work to make it the best that it can be.
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us over the years. We hope that we will continue to have your support in the years to come.
Sincerely,
Your VOLKS USA Staff

 

1/10/2014

Wonderful Wonder Woman

Tonner's newest Wonder Woman has been released. This is a gorgeous doll on the 16" heroic body.
2014  Wonder Woman 52     $199.99
When I searched for pictures of Tonner's Wonder Woman dolls, I was surprised that there were so many.
2006
2008 Trunk Set sold by FAO Schwarz
2009 - Deluxe 17" Wonder Woman
2009  8" Tiny Betsy as Wonder Woman
13" Wonder Woman
22" Amazonia
16" Steampunk Wonder Woman
22" Wonder Woman

There are more: Amazon Princess, Amazonian Warrior, Justice Protector, Diana of Themyscira.  I don't know if they are all the same character. I need to study up on my Wonder Women.  The new one is my favorite but the Steampunk one is really adorable.
You can also go to this site:  Wonder Woman Museum.
Dreamcastle Dolls has an amazing reference:  DC Stars.




1/07/2014

2014 Barbie℠ Fan Club Membership

Club renewal begins tomorrow, 1/8/14. If you have not been a member in 2013, membership will open on 1/15/14.
Cost $24.95

Benefits:
  • Up to $80 in BarbieCollector.com Online Shop rewards – $20 per calendar quarter*
  • A Barbie Fan Club card case** – your gift with membership (and sent with free shipping)
  • Quarterly “Designer Videos,” sneak peeks at upcoming releases, downloadable goodies, and access to the exclusive Barbie Bulletin Board
  • First access to audio interviews, collector spotlights, Fun Facts, and looks “behind the glam” with the passionate people on the Barbie® Collector team
  • The opportunity to purchase four (4) Club-exclusive dolls, as announced*** (doll purchase is NOT a requirement of membership)

Some sneak peeks at what's in store.



Project Typhoon Haiyan Goods Received

Two of the four items I bid on in the Project Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda Fundraising Auction arrived today. They are both Ashton Drake Gene Marshall dolls.
First is the "Love Paris" Gene doll dressed in the lovely wedding ensemble from the 1995 Gene in Monaco.

Next is the 1998 Creme De Cassis Gene Doll.
Both of these dolls, among other items, were contributed to the auction by the very generous Franklin Lim Liao.

I Wasn't Going To Do It...

Famous last words.
The Tonner virtual factory sale began about 2 hours ago. I took a few looks and in some cases couldn't believe my eyes. The prices on several items had to be at or below wholesale. Perhaps there was only one left...
For example:
Antoinette's Fanciful Outfit was priced at $40! I paid way more for that gown and that pisses me off.
It's not like it's from last year or anything.  
Seriously?
These two new dressed Tiny Kitty dolls are priced at $60. each. That's less than half the discounted price.
Getting even more pissed. My feeling is to never again buy anything Tonner before it's been out for 4 months. I got these two Tiny Kitty dolls on October 18, 2013. That is less than 2 months ago. 

WTF???

Any dealers who still have these items in stock are screwed. 

There are a few good buys remaining such as the original Glinda, The Good Witch at $95. Although, she's been around for quite a while, her original issue price was over $200. 

As of right now, very few items are sold out.  
Knock yourself out.

1/04/2014

Tonner: 75th Anniversary Collection - Wizard of Oz

Tonner revealed five new Oz family dolls. This time the twist is that they are all on the 19" Wilde Imagination Evangeline body.
Have they done an Amelia sized Oz yet? 
Oz lovers who also love big-headed dolls will go for this collection.

Castle Stroll - Outfit

$139.99

GLINDA THE GOOD WITCH™

$249.99

WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST

$249.99

Absolutely WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST

$149.99

The fifth doll was a sketch of a basic Glinda. Apparently the photo wasn't ready because it says that the doll is available to ship.

I understand it from the company's point of view why stands are not included with these dolls. It's not like finding a stand for 19" dolls is easy. The Evangeline stand is a good stand and for dolls priced like these, the stand should be included.


1/03/2014

Picture of the Day: Ernesto Padro-Campos

It's always a joy to look at Ernesto's photography. Today he sent this charming shot of Agnes Dreary to me in an email. Isn't she just wonderfully creepy?


Pay particular attention to the lighting - how it models her face. Also, see how the lighting on her hands and her face get your eyes to travel back and forth between these two most important parts of the image. Masterful work!

1/02/2014

It Pays to Pay Attention!

I sell doll stuff on eBay occasionally. Today I received this lovely message from a buyer who had just received his purchase:
______________________________
From: XXXX
To: golden_country
Subject: XXXXX

Sent Date: Jan-02-14 18:18:09 PST
Dear golden_country,

I just wanted to pass along a sincere thank you on the wonderful way you packaged this item. I have had expensive items come folded, in a next day letter envelope without so much as paper around it, but sincerely, thank you for treating this like a real first class transaction! I was surprised and shocked when I got it and opened it and saw the care that was taken. Anyway, there's not enough space to put that all on feedback but wanted you to know you are clearly a step way above the norm! Very much appreciated!
- xxxxx
 ______________________________
 
I package things the way I would like to receive them. 


Picture of the Day by laughon45

This is the most beautiful photograph of JamieShow Grace I've ever seen! It was posted on Prego.


Photography by:
Mike's Creations
http://www.mikesdolljewelrycreations.com/

1/01/2014

You're in the Right Place and Seeing Double

I've changed the template on my blog; no, you are not lost.
______________________
This past year I purchased two NRFB versions of older FR dolls which I had either rerooted or altered in some other way. I like having both the original and the reworked doll in this case because when I looked back at original dolls I wish I had left them unaltered. This is how they look right now. I will give the new one a tall body as the first articulated FR body is so very short!
"Intoxicating Mix" Vanessa was the convention souvenir doll at my first Fashion Royalty convention. She was also my first Vanessa. Rerooted, she is currently on her third body (above, right.)
Some early pictures of her wearing (and not wearing) varied fashions.


 ______________________
When I got my first "Pale Fire" Vanessa, I loved her face and jewelry but I didn't like her hair. I took it down, cut it, rooted in some streaks of another color and styled it. 
Here is my original Pale Fire wearing a lovely fashion from the "Haute Luxuries" giftset.
The original PF gown was enormous. There was enough fabric in there for two dresses and although stunning, I took it apart planning a restyle but never got around to it.
Here she is as she looks right now:
She has an FR2 body and looks lovely in Victoire's gown.

Her twin arrived a few months ago and stay unchanged.


Do you ever have "altered dolls" remorse?