11/04/2017

SINFUL: Kingdom Doll 2017 Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana

The Kingdom Doll Convention was held this past weekend at a beautiful hotel in the Warehouse Arts District of New Orleans. My roommate, Juli Reidl, and I went out on two pre-reserved tours. One was a visit to the Mardi Gras Warehouse which was incredible and the other was a culinary tasting tour in the French Quarter. We also made sure to eat beignets at the Cafe du Monde

I'd go back to NOLA just for that alone. OMG. I could get addicted to those and the frozen coffee I had to go with them. Delicious!


On Friday evening, the event began.


We were treated to this amazing diorama at the cocktail party. Helen, on the right is wearing "Sloth," the second event outfit. Duchess (not a convention doll) is wearing and surrounded by items from "Lazy Poodles," an optional fashion/accessory set. The diorama wardrobe created by http://filmideco.com/ and the upholstered furniture was created by Julia Gartung.
The handmade felted poodles were the creation of Nancy Arnold of the House of Raifere.


The cloche server (a tableware cover) contained a selection of cakes and pastries. Yummy
Check out the poodle shoes!

I've been home for nearly one week and I'm still digesting the wonderful experience of the Kingdom Doll Convention.  Many photos of my city experience have already been posted on Facebook. This post will cover the dolls I took home, the event OOAK, the Limited Edition twins, the auction doll and a bit more.

I pre-ordered the companion doll, Helen, and was able to take her back to my room on Friday evening. Helen features the Carvetii head sculpt. What a beauty she is.






This is the Kinsman Doll crest. 


At the cocktail party on Friday evening we viewed the OOAK Auction Doll who ultimately went for  $15,750. Her name is Hera. The dolls were displayed in acrylic cases and better photos were not an option. I'm sure the winner will produce beautiful photos.



The first convention outfit was Lust. I photographed it on Chaucer. The black poodle shoes were not part of the ensemble. They came with the pink negligee. Lust came with other beautiful shoes.



Two lucky collectors got golden apples, (the rest of us got red apples,) and won the opportunity to purchase one of an edition of two Aphrodites.



Helen and Paris, an LE15 Kinsman, were displayed together.



At brunch on Saturday we received several table gifts including Sloth. I photographed the outfit on Draig.




Travel dolls were displayed and we voted for our favorites in three categories. Steven Prokop swept two categories with his creative entries and Monique Kordasiewicz won the third.
I believe their prizes were pink versions of the Bumble Bee outfit from a few months ago.

There was a quiz called Pride which tested attendees knowledge of all things Kingdom Doll. I didn't even submit an entry. (Don't ask.) Patrick Paul Gerhardt won a OOAK doll with Dauphine's sculpt.



On Saturday at the Gala Dinner we received Avarice, the event doll. She features a new head sculpt called Belgae.



Golden gloved hands were her additional set. 

The centerpiece on each of 6 tables was Envy. I am more than a little grateful that my roommate, whose name was one of those chosen, allowed me to purchase her.  Envy uses the Demetae sculpt. Her fashion and shoes have many Swarovski crystals which were hand applied by Alexandra herself. She came with a set of pink gloved hands, dragon lady nail hands and her standard hands. She is truly unique amongst prior Kingdom Dolls with her showgirl costume and her darker shade of resin which has not been used on this sculpt previously.





My table mates and other attendees were very generous with their table gifts. When I got to my table in the dining room, I couldn't make out the table or chairs as they were covered in boxes and packages! I'm not kidding. Back at the room, I had to leave behind my souvenir hurricane glasses from the cocktail party as I had no room at all in my carry-on or suitcase. I'm sad not to have them now.

Several of us traveling northeast left the hotel at the break of dawn. We had a little gathering at the airport. That was a special way to end a beautiful weekend.

I arrived to Philadelphia in rainy, bleak weather but I felt great as soon as I got out of the airport.  Once home I unpacked but didn't open my treasures because I went to sleep. Heavenly.
It was a joy meeting those "Sinners" I had been chatting with all year. After knowing him for so many years, I finally met Jose´ Luis Vasquez from Puerto Rico. Hola, Jose´.

Alexandra Forbes and Amanda Arnold along with their team of elves did a wonderful job creating and organizing this convention.

Next year, Sasenachs, Scotland!



PS: I won't be able to answer questions about next year's event as the information hasn't been released as of this writing. There will be a general release soon. 

10/22/2017

2017 Convention Coverage Part 4: Saturday Evening Gala


As guests entered the ballroom, they were greeted by an absolutely stunning Adèle Makéda doll as the evening's centerpiece, standing amidst a gorgeous set of acrylic mountains and channeling the Snow Queen. As everyone sat down for this final meal of the weekend with their friends, they also received the final component to complete the "Build-a-Giftset" Nadja Rhymes; an adorable little dress that will make Nadja the cutest Sleeping Beauty ever!

Frosted Glamour
Adèle Makéda® Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
The 2017 Integrity Toys Convention: Fashion Fairytale
Gala Dinner Event Centerpiece Doll
Edition Size: 420 Dolls



 Malefique
Elyse Jolie™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
The 2017 Integrity Toys Convention: Fashion Fairytale
Official Convention Doll
Edition Size: 600 Dolls


Sweet Dreams 
Welcome Multi-Part Giftset
Nadja Rhymes™ Dressed Doll
The NU. FACE Collection
The 2017 Integrity Toys Convention: Fashion Fairytale
Build-a-Giftset Part C (Outfit)
Edition Size: 600 Outfits



The winners of the convention design competition were announced-
Diorama Design Competition:

People's Choice: Jeanette Howard

Photo by CrystalCA


Judge's Choice: Kelly Rinaldi

Photo by Sunflower

Doll Design Challenge:
People's Choice: Dal Lowenbein
Judge's Choice: Dal Lowenbein

Photo by DoubleSupaFantastico

Congratulations to all three winners. Each entry is fabulous!

The centerpiece Adele is a beauty. Nice to see that they used the Adele 2.0 sculpt.
Elyse is getting a bit over-used. She's my current favorite sculpt but I'll pass on this one. It's not special enough. 
It will be interesting to see how IT interprets Dal's creative White Rabbit for next year. It's precious! 

Portland, Oregon was announced as next year's location for a convention. Interesting choice.

10/20/2017

2017 Convention Coverage Part 3... The Welcome Gala and East 59th After Hours Cocktail



A gorgeous Agnes was waiting for everyone at their table, looking ominous and edgy while sitting on her giant throne, dressed in a look inspired by the Evil Queen in Snow White. The big surprise of the evening was the announcement that the designers opted to mix the brands a little this year and Poppy Parker was unveiled as being the giveaway doll of the evening, looking ever so sweet in her Snow White inspired look.As a bonus to the centerpiece and surprise table gift of the evening, everyone received a gorgeous Nadja Rhymes doll, part one of the "Build-a-Giftset" box everyone received at registration.

The Queen of Everything
Agnes Von Weiss™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
The 2017 Integrity Toys Convention: Fashion Fairytale
Table Centerpiece
Edition Size: 420 Dolls

Fairest of All
Poppy Parker® Dressed Doll 
The 2017 Integrity Toys Convention: Fashion Fairytale
Dinner Event Giveaway Doll
Edition Size: 600 Dolls


Sweet Dreams 
Welcome Multi-Part Giftset
Nadja Rhymes™ Dressed Doll
The NU. FACE Collection
The 2017 Integrity Toys Convention: Fashion Fairytale
Build-a-Giftset Part A
Edition Size: 600 Dolls

(What fairy tale is she supposed to be from — Street Walkers of Sherwood Forest?)

______________________________________

Once the ballroom festivities ended, those who purchased a ticket headed to the East 59th Afterhours Cocktail, featuring Cinderella and her wicked step-mother. We drank champagne and ate delicious mini-cupcakes! What a trip!


Wicked Glamour
Constance Madssen™ Dressed Doll
The East 59th™ Collection
The 2017 Integrity Toys Convention: Fashion Fairytale
Special Event Giveaway Doll
Edition Size: 200 Dolls


Midnight Glimmer
Evelyn Weaverton™ Dressed Doll
The East 59th™ Collection
The 2017 Integrity Toys Convention: Fashion Fairytale
Exclusive Event Doll
Edition Size: TBA (pre-order information to come).



_______________

From Thursday evening's offerings, I would definitely want Evelyn Weaverton's outfit. It's a Dior-based design and looks beautiful.

Venus by Christian Dior

What happened to Nadja's cute face? Why change a winner?




Another question - What body do the East 59th dolls have?


10/19/2017

2017 Integrity Toys Convention Part 2 : Style Lab

Tulabelle True™ Nude Doll
Wearing
I'm Curious
Fashion Only



Binx Barone™ Nude Doll
Wearing
Heartache
Fashion Only


Poppy Parker® Nude Doll
Wearing
Your Move
Fashion Only


Liu Liu Ling™ Nude Doll
Wearing
Just a Second!

Fashion Only


Poppy Parker® Nude Doll
Wearing
Clueless
Fashion Only

Tulabelle True™ (AA) Nude Doll
Wearing
Who Are You?
Fashion Only


Tate Tanaka™ Nude Fashion Figure
Wearing
Completely Mad
Fashion Only



Cabot Clark™ Nude Fashion Figure
Wearing
Lover Boy
Fashion Only


Milo Montez™ Nude Fashion Figure
Wearing
Dim The Lights
Fashion Only


Daley Daniels™ Nude Fashion Figure
Wearing
Not All There
Fashion Only

Eat Me!
Accessory Pack


Entirely Bonkers!
Accessory Pack


Is that a bong Tulabelle is using?




Integrity Toys 2017 Convention Coverage Part 1 THE CONVENTION COLLECTION


2017 CONVENTION COLLECTION: FASHION ROYALTY 

Wicked Behavior
Natalia Fatalé™ Dressed Doll
Edition Size: 600 Dolls


Spell of Kindness
Vanessa Perrin™ Dressed Doll
Edition Size: 600 Dolls


Sea-Devil
Véronique Perrin™ Dressed Doll
Edition Size: 600 Dolls



Fashionably Ruthless
Tatyana Alexandrova™  Dressed Doll Gift Set
2017 Fashion Fairytale Upgrade
Final Edition Size: TBA




2017 CONVENTION COLLECTION: NU.FACE

Rarest of All
Ayumi Nakamura™ Dressed Doll
The NU. FACE Collection
Edition Size: 600 Dolls


Changing Winds
Eden Blair™ Dressed Doll
The NU. FACE Collection
Edition Size: 600 Dolls



2017 CONVENTION COLLECTION: POPPY PARKER

Rainbow Connection
Edition Size: 600 Dolls



Shining in the Starlight
Edition Size: 600 Dolls

SALESROOM EXCLUSIVES

24K
Erin Salston™ Dressed Doll
The NU. FACE Collection
Edition Size: 600 Dolls



Believe in Me
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
Edition Size: 600 Dolls 


Drawn to You
Misaki™ & Amelie™ Two-Doll Gift Set
The FR Nippon™ Collection
Edition Size: 500 Dolls




That is a whole lot of dolls for a convention collection. I'm almost speechless. This IT convention has got to be the most expensive one yet. Gone are the days of the 6—7 convention dolls that you could take home in your suitcase...with a table doll or two and some swag stuffed in there. This is incredible!

If I were going to try to get anything from this list, here it is:

-Vanessa's (outfit only) - pink and frothy. I love it.
-Veronique (without outfit) is intriguing. I like the 40's glam aura.
-Eden Blair (dressed doll) is very pretty and her outfit is adorable. Love her hair, the boots, the 'turquoise' jewelry and the western hat. Unique combination. She is IMO the winner of all the dolls on this page.
-Erin's sheer embroidered top only. Nice piece. Interesting styling of her hair.

I don't remember Amelie and Misaki ever showing up at a convention. Misaki is cute. I used to have a good sized collection of her. Now I have just one. Their bodies did not hold up well.






10/13/2017

Tragic News to Report

A lot of us remember The Doll Pages, a site that served the doll community for years with free photo hosting and a place to sell goods. This site was run by Steve Malarkey and Rae, his wife.
The shocking news I received last night was that the two were found dead in their burning home on August 10, 2017.


According to police, Steve shot Rae, set the house on fire and then shot himself.
I can't believe it. I know that we never truly know what goes on in other people's families and homes but this is really messed up.
According to my source who spoke to Rae on a regular basis, they were selling the contents of their parents' home in a flea market and had much cash in their house.
There are criminals who know how to set up scenes to look like suicides and attempt to cover up evidence of the true crime with arson. That's what it sounds like to me.

News Report

News Report 2

News Report 3

Obituary

Many of you probably are aware that quite recently a photo sharing site was opened by the couple. using their original website to host this service. As with most web domains, the subscription will end unless renewed. I suppose that info is available through their webhost server.

http://www.thedollpage.com/