Counting My Blessings

I don't want to get all mushy here on a public blog but.....with the headlines being what they are and knowing that thousands have lost homes to foreclosure and thousands have lost jobs due to the tragic losses in business and the stock market decline, I am so blessed to have been able to attend an amazing function like the Wu Convention. It's pretty hard to believe that a few hundred of us got together to celebrate our love for these little vinyl objects of art while the world's economic markets are in economic chaos and decline. We are well fed (sort of), well-dressed and funded to the degree that we could spend at least $2,000 for a four day event and a few dolls!

There are several people trashing the convention collection on the doll boards. These are people who did not (could not?) attend. My suggestion to them is to move on to another hobby. Envy in any form is unattractive. End of rant.

My booty from this convention exceeded my every expectation. My Mom used to tell me not to 'brag' or someone would give me the 'evil eye.' LOL. But just in case the evil eye is on it's way to me I am protected by mirrors and if you send me the evil eye it is reflected back at you. Now that you all think I am completely crazed, I will proceed to say that hubby and I were lucky enough to be able to purchase every centerpiece! I had all my dolls shipped home and they are not here yet. Boo hoo. I did take my raffle win home. I won the 2008 Gene Convention doll, Distant Venus. I put all my tickets in her box and got lucky. (Sorry, Nise.)

Distant Venus

Since I don't have my own dolls to photograph yet, I am posting the official Integrity Toy's photos of the centerpiece and convention dolls here.

Fine Jewel Eugenia

Josephine Baker

Truce of the Matter Kyori Sato Giftset (Unknown Photographer)

"Shirred, Not Shaken Vanessa"

Tatyana Alexandrova Convention Doll

Another Successful Convention Comes to a Close

Let me just get the bad stuff out of the way. The food sucked. We were served pasta three times in a row. Friday lunch was curly pasta swimming in an appalling sauce. Friday night was pasta with different toppings, Saturday at the W Club luncheon was more pasta, this time in the form of manicotti. Pat Feick found a good sized piece of cellophane mixed in with her food!
Next year I am filling out the food allergy form thus: no pastas, no gravies, no high fat-high cholesterol foods. What ever happened to vegetables and animal proteins? The desserts were good but I would have preferred to have consumed healthy main meals. This was like dormitory food. Very disappointing. And I would like my coffee with my dessert, not 30 minutes afterward. I must add that the coffee served in the hotel was excellent-even the decaf!
The hotel was very cold and the thermostat in the room had difficulty maintaining a comfortable temperature.
And now to share the fabulous rest of the convention...
At each event, the tables and the entire dining room were decorated beautifully. The centerpieces were not just standing on the tables, they were displayed on different stands which were lit from below. The tables themselves were dressed in frothy linens and the chairs were wrapped as well. It was beautifully done. Carol Roth and Alain Tremblay co-hosted the events. Thursday night's centerpiece was Eugenia dressed in a red version of Color Therapy Vanessa's green dress. She is fantastic. Friday luncheon centerpiece was the new character in the Hollywood Royalty line, Josephine Baker. At the W Club luncheon on Saturday afternoon, the centerpiece was a wig-less Kyori who came with two wigs, a coat and shoes and boots. Much of the items in the set were items we had seen previously. Saturday night the centerpiece was my love, Vanessa. She was displayed on a very, very tall pair of vases. One of which was filled with bubbly red gel which diffused a light at the bottom. It was very atmospheric and very dark in the room. The ice sculpture in the center of the dining room resembled a Russian palace. It was gorgeous.
In following installments, I will show and discuss the dolls from the convention collection and the convention doll herself. She is a new character called Tatyana. Her skin is like porcelain and I think she is a very fine looking addition to the line.
I'm exhausted from having so much fun! A big thank you to my wonderful table mates for making this my favorite convention, ever.
Tune in for more installments.

36 Hours to Go

I'm excited! In about 36 hours we will be in Pittsburgh awaiting the start of the Fashion Royalty Convention the following day. I started this blog almost exactly two years ago during the Baltimore convention.

One year ago at this time it was a Saturday night at the convention and we were wondering who was in the box we were going to open after dinner. It turned out to be Going Places Vanessa, my favorite Fashion Royalty character and a ho-hum example of the same. Little did we know that there were to be three more Vanessas on their way whose value would plummet to never before seen depths. Horrors!
(If you had read my story called The Vanessa Reunion, you would know that True Royalty was right when she predicted that the more Vanessas produced the lower their value would be.)
Who will it be this year? I'm hoping for a fantastic Eugenia or the newly sculpted Veronique.
Watch this space for my links to my photographs from the convention. There will be many.

Prior convention dolls in order below:
Midnight in Monaco Veronique, Diamond Dusted Veronique, Cosmetic Takeover Natalia, Born to Gamble Kyori, Intoxicating Mix Vanessa, High Roller Veronique, Concerto in M Agnes, Intimately Acquainted Luchia, Going Places Vanessa, High Gloss Agnes and Back to Black Natalia.

(Intimately Acquainted Luchia
missing this image)

(Back to Black Natalia
missing this image)


 (All images are mine except Intimately Acquainted Luchia and Back to Black Natalia. Courtesy of Integrity Toys.)

Lana Turner "Iconic" Ships

Yesterday the re-sculpted Lana Turner Hollywoood Royalty doll arrived at my door. It didn't take very long before I was ripping into the package to get at her. I love the new box in which she is packaged. It's a window box. I'm sure those who do not debox their dolls are thrilled. The box can sit on a shelf and you can see the doll right through the window. At first, I wasn't thrilled with the appearance of Iconic. She looks bald wearing the head wrap. Today I redressed her in a gorgeous red beaded Ovaz gown and I fell in love. She is magnificent, classy and aloof-looking. I am very pleased with her and I recommend the purchase of this doll to those who may be undecided. She is selling for $89.99 which is bordering on the extreme end for such a basic doll, but prices for everything are rising and that's where we are today unfortunately.


Photo is the property of Integrity Toys and used by permission. My own pictures will appear soon.

Gothic Dream Misaki Doll Collection

Photos of the new Misaki line were published today. Up first we have "Pure Evil Misaki."
Personally, I don't see the evil in that blonde hair, white costume and sweet face. She looks like an angel playing ringmaster. However her baton is black and silver and maybe it is an evil baton. ;)
I love the look of this doll. To me the edgy styling of the premier Misakis has returned and that's a wonderful thing. This collection will be wildly popular.
This is Witchie Witch Misaki. Who named these dolls? I love her hair - again it is reminiscent of Tokyo Here We Go. The boots are great-looking. The outfit - OK.
This is The Outsider Misaki. He or she is wearing a fabulous coat over jeans that are embellished with a wraparound knee strap and big cargo pockets . He or she is wearing a white shirt and a tie. I'm guessing it's a male figure but...I could be wrong. I could live without the blue/black hair but I suppose it ties in with the Gothy look. I don't see this doll as being dressed Goth, however. It's just a really sharp outfit a kid might wear to school.

All Images are courtesy Integrity Toys, Inc.

Grey Lady Gene Marshall

Michael Basala, was trusting and generous enough to lend Grey Lady to me for a few weeks in order to photograph her. It's as close as I will get to owning one.She is lovely.

On Thursday, the president spoke. 9-18-08

From the New York Times:
It was brief, two minutes. His brow was furrowed, and his words were careful: “The American people can be sure we will continue to act to strengthen and stabilize our financial markets and improve investor confidence.” Then, having imparted no specifics, he once again slipped out of sight.
In the increasingly surreal world of the White House, the appearance was a sign that all pretense of normalcy is gone. All week long, with Wall Street engulfed by what analysts are calling the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, President Bush had mostly stayed out of sight, except when trying to maintain the façade of business as usual.
If you care to read the rest of the report here is the link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/19/business/19bush.html?src=linkedin
There are several President Bush dolls on the market. This is not a review of them, just a sampling.
Our President George W. Bush puppet comes completely dressed as shown. He is wearing a very fashionable pin-striped suit complete with white dress shirt, red tie, and black shoes. Of course he proudly wears the American flag on his suit too! His entire outfit is completely removable and can be redressed with toddler size 2 clothing. Stands 28 inches tall.

Operating your President puppet is actually quite simple! The mouth is completely moveable as are the arms and hands. Insert your hand through the slot in the puppet's back to open and close the mouth. The arm rod is used to move the hands and arms. With simple movements of the rod you can make your puppet wave, salute, blow kisses, fix his hair, etc. Activate the sound box by pushing the button located in the mouth. You are now ready to perform your own Presidential speech!

George W. Bush has been sticking it to the American people for over 6 years. And now it’s your turn to stick it to him!
Whether you want to make
“Dub-ya” pay for the sins of his administration (starting a war, spying on Americans, ignoring Katrina, you name it!) or prevent him from committing new ones (your guess is as good as ours!), The George W. Bush Voodoo Kit gives you the tools to exert a little political power of your own-with voodoo!
Included in this kit are a George W. Bush voodoo doll, spell pins, and a hilarious and effective book of spells and other information the corporate media won’t tell you.

Vivette – not a beginner's doll!

Here is Raspberry Sorbet Vivette dressed in "Fashion Snapshot" and wearing one of her three wigs. It took me forever to get this doll ready to be photographed. First of all the wig comes with no 'dressing' at all. It's dry and fly-away and needs gel or some other product to tame and smooth it. Because of the deformed legs on this doll, she won't stand still for any last minute tweaking. Her head is strung tightly so it's a bit kicky. It was not a pleasant experience. She looks cute but I'm not in a big hurry to redress her.

Raspberry Sorbet Vivette with Wig-Set from D.A.E.

Several weeks ago D.A.E. Originals put all of their Vivette dolls and her fashions on sale. I didn't care for the first Vivette I had a few years ago but the prices were so tempting that I went ahead and ordered one basic doll and several outfits. I'm glad I did.
The face paint on this version has been softened. Each doll is individually painted by hand according to the D.A.E. website. The face and body blushing is done with an airbrush.
She comes with a basic pink bodysuit, flowered cap, earrings, a bracelet that I broke immediately while trying to put it on, a chain belt, very cute wedge shoes with "glitter embedded clear heels", sunglasses which I broke as well and three wigs. The wigs can be displayed on the adorable wig stand that comes packaged separately inside the shipper. Her head is flocked which keeps the wigs in place. She has applied lashes, too.
This is a strung vinyl doll. I am truly hoping that the creative team of Brian Schafer and David Escobedo resculpt Vivette's legs.

I believe that the body of Vivette has a distorted pair of legs. When I got my first Vivette, I actually wrote to the artists and asked them about it because I thought there was something wrong with her.



Link to D.A.E. Originals: http://www.daeoriginals.com

Juku Couture Doll Photos

Here are the other three characters in the Fall 2008 Juku Couture line from Jaks Pacific, Audrina, Hayley and Kana. Also shown are two of the available clothing packs. The fourth doll, Jun, can be seen in an earlier post.

Tonner's Tiny Kitty

The availability of articulated replacement bodies for Tiny Kitty and the appearance of another little beauty, Simone Rouge, has renewed my interest in these 10 inch gals. I purchased a bunch of bodies and unpacked my Kittys. They got their new bodies, were dressed up in the outfits I had saved and are now on display with my Simones.

Of course I had to purchase several of the new Kittys,


a few that I never got
and some outfits.....it never ends.

There's more but it's too embarassing. LOL

MetroDolls on Broadway 2008 Event

MetroDolls organized and held this event to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS! charity. Many creative artists and other generous people donated OOAK dolls, doll furnishings, clothing and manufactured items for raffles and auctions. This fabulous and fun event was held at the Woodbridge Hilton in Iselin, New Jersey which is a 2 hour drive from my home. I arrived in the midst of a torrential rain storm caused by the passing hurricane. The staff was extremely cordial and helpful. Check-in took less than 5 minutes and I was very pleased with my room.
The evening's event began at 6:30 PM. The tables were decorated in black and white and the centerpiece was the red-haired Metropolitan Madra dressed in a rhinestone bra and bikini bottom, long white satin gloves, silver metal rhinestone heels and rhinestone circle earrings. She was holding two large feathered fans, perhaps for modesty. :-)


I was lucky to get the opportunity to purchase one of very few.


There was a presentation of vintage clothing on Saturday night by John Davey, the owner and collector of the garments. Here is a link to my photos from Saturday night.

http://www.goldphoto.com/MetroDolls_2008/index.htm

I was very lucky in the raffle and won several outfits and a Bronze Madra.

On Sunday morning I packed up my car and went back into the hotel for the luncheon. We had been switched to a large ballroom. I was handed a goodie bag upon entering the room. It had the special event outfit and several other little goodies. All around four sides of the room were raffle items and auction items. There was a sales room adjacent to the main ballroom. I never made it that far because there was so much to see and do and so many raffle tickets to drop into little bags. I took lots of pictures, talked to many people and just soaked in the atmosphere. It was just like a mini convention. Robert Tonner gave a wonderful presentation accompanied by slides. He talked about his inspiration for some of the new lines his company is producing. And, best of all, he showed a series of slides of the sculpturing of a new fashion doll, Miss Piggy. Raffles were drawn, and again, I was very lucky. I won Film Fatale Gene and Cold As Ice Kit. These are two dolls I have wanted! I would like to have won the White Witch of Narnia but it wasn't in the cards for me. I also won a fabulous outfit called Symphony of the Heart. A DAE outfit for 16" dolls.
This is a Brian Bulkley drawing that accompanies the outfit.

Here is a link to my pictures from Saturday:

http://www.goldphoto.com/MetroDolls_Sun/index.htm

After the raffles and auctions and presentations were over we were given our event doll, Magnolia. She is a new sculpt by Tonner.

Because I am not keeping the doll I did not unpack her earrings and other accessories. The future owner gave me permission to photograph her and here she is.

Brenda Starr Look-Alike?

It's hard not to see the resemblance between Brenda Starr "Just My Type" doll and Sarah Palin, the VP candidate.

Juku Couture Dolls from Jaks Pacific

Jaks Pacific has released a new line of dolls. I heard about the excellent articulation and saw pictures and knew I must have her. There are four different dolls and several separately packaged outfits. Jaks Pacific has attributed certain personality characteristics to all four of these dolls. The character in my pictures is Jun. Jun is 9 inches tall. Her reddish/brown hair is rooted and the pink and white curls are attached to clip-on barettes which are easily removed. The hair has a lot of product to hold it's style. She has inset eyes which make her look a little cross-eyed because their placement is a bit off but her features are delicate and pretty.


Jun has 14 points of articulation including wrists and ankles and she can stand on her own.

I'm not a fan of the frilly, lacy, multi-layered baby-doll look but the clothes are cute, they fit well and are made fairly well. Fasteners are velcro. Boots are open in the back and go on and off easily. She comes with a poster which I have not removed from the box.

About the box...I always wonder why dolls in this price range have to be secured to the box with so many wires.
It took a good 10 minutes to un-twirl the wires and pull them out.

I think Jaks Pacific did an amazing job with this doll. I don't know how they managed to keep the price so low. Retail Price $19.95.