Flocking Tutorial from RestoreDoll.com

Kathy at RestoreDoll.com sent out this excellent tutorial on flocking doll heads. I have done some editing for clarity and present it to you here.

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An easy and inexpensive change for your dolls is to use flocking. White flocking looks good on guy dolls, elves, fairies and avant guard models. Pink and light colors also look great and take little effort. Think of doing a take-off on the fifties elves that were done with flocking and glitter for a magical effect...add some to wings and it gives a magical look. My favorite vintage 1950’s ornaments have flocked hair, i.e. angels and choirboys. I still display these. Do you remember flocked Santas?

Reflocking Hair:

Before you get started let’s cover issues that need taken care of before flocking. First make sure your doll is clean. I use KatSilk KatScrub Cleaner or 409 for Vinyl Dolls for regular dirt. If your doll has ink spots or discoloration, I recommend using Remove-Zit from Twin Pines. You want to start out with a clean doll with other restorations already done. You can reflock any doll head.

Supplies: Paper plate, toothpicks, kitchen strainer (the kind with screening in it), a clean blusher brush (the kind you use to put blush on your face), clean white paper and some water.

Work in a well-lit area and take your time.

Take time to study your doll head. Ask yourself, do I want to re-flock the entire head or just spots? Look at the hairline or get some good pictures to follow out of your books or magazines if you can no longer see the hairline.

Unless there is a reason I re-flock over the original flocking. You can mix black with the brown or charcoal if your doll looks darker or glitter.

Put a small amount of glue on your paper plate and use your small brush to add a little water to it. You are looking for a thin consistency that will brush on but will not run.

We are doing the front of the doll first. Start with the small brush forming a hairline as you paint. Outline the front of doll’s hairline up over the ears. If you get some glue on an area that you do not want, take the toothpick and carefully scrape away the unwanted glue. Fill in the rest of the front of the head with the larger brush. You are going to need to add glue and water to your paint mixture (watered down glue) until you have the front side finished.

Pour flocking into the strainer. Put doll head over the paper and shake the strainer over the glued surface. If there are any missed areas or I see that I could use a little more I pick up some flocking with my blusher brush and softly add the flocking to the area.
When satisfied with the look, use the dry blushing brush to gently press the flocking into the glue or pat with a finger. (If any glue gets on your blushing brush, remove it with a dry towel.)
If you see the hairline does not look straight use your toothpick to scrape away any unwanted flocking.
Take your time and don’t be in a hurry
Brush the excess off any area that looks too thick. Also, brush off any flocking that has gotten on to the unglued area.
Turn the doll over and repeat this process on the back of the head. I like to let the doll dry in a sitting up position so none of the flocking is touching any surface as it dries.
If you don’t like the way it looks you can always wash off the flocking and glue with warm and start over.

Happy Holidays,

Kathy at RestoreDoll.com

Haute Doll Exclusive ~ Fashion Doll Agency Kaori - Almost Mine

Since receiving Marcella from FDA recently, I have become a fan of these dolls. I bought three separate outfits and a few days ago I ordered the Haute Doll Kaori which was the premier doll put out by Fashion Doll Agency about two years ago. The price was $149.99 and for a dressed FDA doll, that is very good.

She was delivered today by UPS. To my surprise and dismay the doll box was inside a larger box with no cushioning to take up the extra room allowing the doll box to shake, rattle and roll. The exterior plastic box sleeve had to be wiped off as it was quite dusty and soiled. OK...so it was stored for a while.

Something was moving around inside the box and I held my breath as I lifted off the cover lest I see a loose body part. What I saw was not a broken doll but she looked as if she had been hit by a car. There wasn't a straight limb in the box. It had been her handbag moving around. Kaori was not tied into the box properly and was all twisted and turned. Her shoes had one heel bent. One cheek had two good-sized rub marks under the eye; her hair was fly-away. This doll appeared to have been taken out of the box at some point.

I called Haute Doll and left a message. Then I sent an email to FDA and cc'd HD.

Shortly after sending the email I got a call back from HD. The caller acknowledged that they did have one return of that doll and perhaps that is the one that was sent to me. Perhaps? They never imagined (or checked to see) that the doll might have been deboxed.

They are sending me a different doll - which is their last one. Although when I return this one...she will be their last.

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This is the partial text of the email I sent to FDA:

I have a question for you regarding the Haute Doll exclusive Kaori which I received from them today. I have a newer FDA doll who comes with a stand that supports the doll perfectly. This doll came with a different type of stand, is that correct?
The reason I am asking is that I received the doll very poorly secured in the box. Even the base of the stand was loose! One heel on one of the shoes is twisted....The doll I received from you was perfectly packaged.......
I am thinking that this doll had already been taken out of the box for some reason and that is the one they sold to me...or perhaps she was a return from someone.
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I got the nicest reply from Nunzio & Jayro which follows here in it's entirety.

Bonsoir, dear Terri!
We are very happy you choose Kaori HauteDoll, she's a very sweet girl, even if she was the very first production, that's why unfortunately some details may not seem perfect.
In fact she comes without protection paper rolled around her and her stand is just the first type. But you have a very special doll indeed, 'cause her face mold is not in production anymore and she's the one who open the way to all others FashionDollAgency Girls!
About the high hill shoe, there is metal inside the leather, so it should be quite easy to have it back in the right position; we don't have those shoes anymore, but we might be able to send you another different pair! ;-)
We do hope our answer satisfy you, please, just write again for any other question whenever you need or want to.
take care!
xxx
nunzio & jayro
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It was a pleasure and a treat to get a response from an international company that was so friendly and open. These gentlemen have moved right to the top of my list when it comes to providing customer service.

Now if only all my Tonner 16" fashions would fit these dolls........I can dream.

Fashion Royalty: Night Warrior Vanessa arrives from Japan

Number 20 Vanessa joins the tribe. While worthy of the name, she is quite different from her 19 sisters in that she represents a fictional character who wields a sword and might very well have jumped off the pages of a comic book. [Correction: I have been reminded that this doll was created to resemble the character who was played by Kate Beckinsale in the Van Helsing movie.]
Speaking of series, here is the series of Vanessa dolls From the first one in 2004, Shock Bonbon. through the latest, Night Warrior, they have all been ultra-feminine with the exception, perhaps, of Aerodynamic. She carries a chair instead of a sword. Could she be the pre-cursor of a line of weapon-carrying Fashion Royalty dolls? I would prefer the use of different sculpts for warrior dolls. But that's just me. All of the images below are the property of Integrity Toys unless otherwise noted.

Shock Bonbon


Fashionable Life Platinum


Fashionable Life Raven


Poésie Sans Couleur


Runway Right Away


Intoxicating Mix

(Unknown Photographer)

True Royalty


Obsidian Society


Miami Glow


In Bloom

(Photo by Natasha Powers)

Pale Fire


Going Places

(Photo by Natasha Powers)

High Tide


Color Therapy


Metal Maven


Shirred Not Shaken


Cruise Control


Aerodynamic


Luxe Life


Night Warrior

Be very careful when zipping up her boots! They are rather tight and the pants might get caught in the teeth of the zipper. I taped the lower leg right down to her ankle to create a smooth surface and it was still difficult to move the slider.

Picture of the Week Award ~ November 28, 2009

The picture of the week is of Asher by Paul Pham. The photographer is Karine from Fleurdelys Shop in France.

Karine says that this Asher is beautiful, very versatile and that her body is one of the most realistic of the 16" dolls. She loves taking pictures. She believes that Paul Pham's dolls and the Sybarites are the very best of this hobby. They pose easily and lend themselves well to all types of photography.

This image is perfection in every way. The lighting is soft and flattering; the composition draws the viewer gently to the doll's eyes. The fact that the doll is drop dead gorgeous can't be denied.

If you would like to see more of Karine's work, here are several links for you:
Doll Shop
Gallery
Blog

Congratulations, Karine, on the Picture of the Week Award.

Dollystyle Convention Featured Souvenir Dolls

The Dollystyle Convention just took place in Tokyo on November 21-22. Attendees were presented with a stunning Amelie (Misaki's friend) dressed all in pink. Her fashion is a a throw back to the first Misaki doll who was dressed similarly but all in black. Amelie is called "Tokyo A Go Go." The original Misaki was called "Tokyo Here We Go!"
There was also an uber-limited Tokyo Here We Go - Marui Misaki released when the Nippon line began. I wanted this doll for such a long time and then I stopped collecting Misaki. She was dressed all in white and only 100 were ever made. I still admire this doll.

The other doll took me by surprise and until I was able to secure one I was on pins and needles. She is called "Night Warrior" and has the Vanessa sculpt.
Registrants also received the following items. This partial list was posted by Robsdolls.

DollyStyle Tote Bag(The 1st two were great!)
DollyStyle Tumbler
DollyStyle Pen
ECO Cute Bag-gift from Bar-B
Mini Cosmetic bag-gift from PB Factory
Momoko Doll-Gift from Sekiguchi
Doll Stockings-Gift from Azone
Mini Doll or Blythe items-Gift from Toms Toys & Goods

The convention was sponsored by BIC Co., Ltd. owned by the wonderful Kazue.

Fashion Doll Agency Marcella "Double Mousseline"

The newest girl in my collection is Marcella. This young lady arrived directly from Paris and the Fashion Doll Agency created by Nunzio Carbone and Jayro Bustamante. The team has created five dolls so far: Petra, Pola, Kaori, Manon and Marcella. Each has her own back story.
Marcella is purported to be an Italian student who was discovered during a student trip to Paris. I don't follow doll stories but they're there for those who enjoy that kind of thing.
The doll is 16 inches tall with blue eyes and brunette hair. Mousseline is the type of fabric from which her outfit is made. It's a very filmy, fairly transparent cloth which is shapeless and quite fragile. I am not pleased with the edge finishing on those two pieces. Her sandals are fabulous and made from real leather.
The earrings and bracelets are substantial and made from metal. Her purse is pink - probably vinyl - and she can hold it due to the shape of her right hand. Wonderful!
This doll is surprisingly weighty. I wasn't expecting that. And...here's a treat...her stand actually is the correct height and supports her without any problem. That's a first. But because she is so heavy, I couldn't pose her without any support. I can live with that for now.
With the aid of one small straight pin, Marcella can wear Attention's dress. It fits her better than it fits the Avantguard doll!

Picture of the Week Award ~ November 22, 2009

I am happy to feature the work of France Briere today. France aka Bijou Doll is an uber-talented repaint artist. I have not seen one doll she has worked on that I wouldn't add to my collection. I met her at a Fashion Royalty convention and she is as delightful and as beautful in person as her work!
Here is a repaint of Ellowyne she posted today:

See more by clicking on this link: Bijou Doll
Congratulations, France, on your Picture of the Week Award!

Barbie Basics - Collection #001

This is a very attractive, clever and fun-looking collection! Barbie Basics Collection #001 consists of twelve different dolls dressed in a different little black dresses. Each doll's description includes the name of the sculpt that the doll has such: Mackie, Lara, Steffie, Goddess, Kayla/Lea, Carnaval, Aphrodite, Mbili, Diva, Deidre, Teresa and Tango. The prices are right at $19.95 each. The entire set of twelve dolls would cost $239.40. There's lots of play possibility here unless the dresses are sewn on and I wouldn't put it past Mattel to do that.

There are four accessory packs, called "Looks," which contain scarves, purses, shoes, jewelry, and props. These are priced at $14.95. I would have to have one of each which would add up to $59.80.


If you are going to buy the entire kit and kaboodle, be prepared for a total of $299.20 and don't kid yourself that you will only open one a month. LOL
I'd have to rip those puppies out of their boxes in one shot, get them all set up and start playing. I can see it now. Announcing the "Little Black Dress Fashion Show." Get your runways up, ladies.

Go to the Barbie Collector site:
http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/shelf.aspx?shelfid=0
to see larger images of the dolls and accessories.

The collection is designed by Bill Greening and is going to be available on December 7, 2009. You know you want it.

Buyer Frenzy ~ Poppy Parker Giftset

One week ago it was announced to members of the W Club that the Poppy Parker Giftset (described in the preceding post) would go on sale - first come, first served - on November 18 at 10AM CST. Within two minutes the site had slowed to an imperceptible crawl. I logged in at the precise time the link went active and it took a full 20 minutes to get my order confirmed. After I did it three times during the first few minutes, I took the advice of one of the liaisons and did not hit refresh again. I don't think I breathed as my order slowly advanced forward to the end. I have never in my life had such an experience ordering something. It was like walking a tightrope.
At 11:22 AM the link was shut down. An announcement was made that the remaining sets would be distributed via lottery to be held from that time until late that night. People had dolls in their carts when the lights went out on them. The stories some collectors posted about what they did to be able to have computer access at that time approached what many would call "willing to go to any lengths."
There's no blame to be placed here. Collectors are wild about these dolls. It reminded me of the horrific event on Black Friday at a Walmart store last year. A crowd of shoppers whose buying impulses had been fueled by the scent of great sales stormed the doors at the moment of opening and actually killed an employee in the mad rush.

Poppy Parker Giftset "Holiday in the Hamptons"

This is the soon-to-be released Poppy Parker Giftset called Holiday in the Hamptons. One lovely red-head Poppy doll and three fashions for day, play and evening wear make up the contents of the set. Only one pair of shoes is included for all three outfits! There could have been a pair of sandals thrown in there instead of the roses. I really like the black dress and the polka-dotted playsuit.

Price of the set is $150. which seems about right.

Date of availability: TBA

 

Fashion Doll Agency ~ Marcella 'Double Mousseline'

Just when I thought I was safe from the temptations of other 16" dolls, I succumbed to the Fashion Doll Agency line. When I saw their first offering Kaori, in Haute Doll, I thought she looked like the insect known as a walking stick.Her face seemed amateurish and cartoony and she was just awful. I had heard that she was so thin that no clothes made for other 16" dolls would fit her. But after seeing pictures of their latest doll, Marcella 'Double Mousseline', I took the bait. The price was right for a super articulated doll at $299 with free shipping from France.Mousseline is any sauce to which whipped cream or beaten egg whites have been added just prior to serving to give it a light, airy consistency. She is wearing two mousseline tops. Perhaps the word is also French for a light, airy silk fabric. What you can't see in their photograph are the colors with which her face is screened. Compared to the original Kaori who looks colorless, this gal is adorable.
Fashion Doll Agency (FDA) offers a small number of separate outfits for purchase. The one outfit I admired is sold out on their website but I was able to buy it at below cost from another collector.There are two other fashion I would love to have.
The first is called Jeans Fourrure (fur) and the second is called Laine (wool) & Lezard (lizard). I like the natural materials used in their fashions. In Haute Doll, Ernesto Padro-Campos shows photographs (fabulous, of course) of Manon wearing some of Agnes and Victor Dreary's clothing! Ernesto even has her wearing Barbie's Todd Oldham leopard coat. This is a good thing to know. I will try all sorts of smaller clothing on my gal.
I have already received notice that my doll shipped today and I just paid for her yesterday! That's what I call service.

The FDA website.

Picture of the Week Award ~ November 15, 2009

This week's photograph will stop you in your tracks! The photographer is Michelle Blankenship aka Visibly Vintage.

Pictured are two Sybarites, Avalon and Karma, showing off their curvaceous bodies. Michelle has applied a vintage effect to the image which adds interest and mystery. The image draws me in and makes me wonder what is going on. Who are these women and why are they dressed this way? The photograph has captured my imagination.
Michelle has added the following credits:

Avalon (left) wears Blade's corset over Couture Salon's panties, Couture Swallow's suspender belt and hose, Will obi, collar and cuffs, and Couture Salon's fascinator. Karma (right) wears 2008 Paris Exclusive silver corset (reversed) with Coal's panties and hose, Enetophobia ruff, and Avalon's lace gauntlets. Dolls and all clothing by Superfrock.

See more of Visibly Vintage's wonderful photography at the following sites.

http://www.picturetrail.com/sybaritism
http://www.fashiondollistafotos.blogspot.com/?zx=857d5f646387296c

Congratulations, Michelle, on the Picture of the Week Award!

Integrity to Compete in the Supernatural Themed Doll Market

Along with Ashton-Drake, Integrity Toys is working on a project to produce characters in 1/6 scale from the Dark Hunters' series by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I have to admit that I never even heard of this series until I read the announcement. With my tail between my legs I slunk off to Wikipedia and Amazon to look. Apparently Ms. Kenyon is a book writing machine, pumping out book after book filled with stories of paranormal romance. Since her first book, Fantasy Lover, which was published in 2002, seventeen (!!!) more books in that series have been published. In addition there have been thirteen short stories and novelettes published in the same period. I wonder if that's a record.

It's fairly widely known that Ashton-Drake quality control is far from reliable. If Delilah Noir is any indication of future quality then this new project may be doomed from the get-go. In any event, it won't be boring.

There are two more Integrity projects in the works with Ashton-Drake as well. One is Disney related and the other is vampire related. Both will be under a new Couture Fantasy label. I cannot wait to see this.

I just hope that the convention does not become about dolls other than Fashion Royalty. It's already happening with the introduction of Poppy Parker as a table centerpiece. It's not new as Dynamite Girls and Hollywood Royalty were also introduced as centerpieces. But if it's a Wu convention, I want WU not WHO.

Next they'll be collaborating with Mattel.

Just kidding, people. Don't spread any rumors.

Gene Marshall & Wu Conventions 2010 - Save the Dates!

There will be a big going away bash for Gene Marshall to be held by Integrity Toys. This event being called the Gene Stardust Convention and will take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from June 3-5, 2010. I am sure this will be the party of the year as devotees of the line flock to the scene to bid farewell and to get the last of the line's dolls. Internationals and others who will not be able to attend Stardust are clamoring for the ability to purchase the convention line. Will they be heard and accomodated?

The announcement of the impending end of the road for Gene has boosted interest in sales and other aspects of the line. In particular, the recently announced "It's A Cinch" which was received with much criticism one week before Mel's announcement, is now sold out at most dealers. The discussion board ICOG run by Dennis Bastien has booked it's sponsors for 2010 and will be up and running for the entire year. Members of the W Gene Club have been wondering what will become of that group. Wait a minute, I'm a member of that club, too. What will happen? Will we have a 1/2 year club with one club exclusive? If they do that, everyone in the world will join the club with multiple memberships. This will be an interesting development to watch.

The date and location of the Fashion Royalty Convention (which can now be called the Wu Fashion Royalty, NuFace, Hollywood Royalty, Poppy Parker & ITBE Convention) has been announced nice and early this year.
The event will be back at the Pittsburgh International Airport Hyatt from October 28-30, 2010. I'm guessing that Halloween will play a big role at this event. That should be lots of fun! There's been some disgruntled chatter about the change of location back to Pittsburgh but most people are happy with the location.

During the last two weeks there were so many announcements about "special purchase opportunities" that I could barely keep track of them. I had to make a list of what is on it's way, approaching lotteries and other opportunities in order to get the whole picture and to decide what I would go for. Right now I'm in non-spending mode. Haha, famous last words.... but I'm looking at IDEX and two conventions in 2010. I can hardly believe that I am not entering the lottery for the Colette Monogram doll. I really wanted her. I wish I wouldn't have purchased the Monogram doll from Jeffrey's. Her hair is unmanageable, the dress lost beads, one shoe strap broke and the body joints are so loose that I can't pose her standing upright. Ugh. I have been promised a replacement.

No Exaggeration AvantGuard Doll

This Avantguard doll is eye candy. The face screening is gorgeous and she looks beautiful in her fashion. No Exaggeration is all about color and style; now we need to add some engineering.

 

The biggest difficulty with this doll and all the Avantguards is the wobbly joints. Even with the stand at an optimal height and careful placement, her ankles or her hips kept bending causing the doll to lose balance. I like the dolls but the quality of the body is very poor.  I don't want to play with something that is frustrating. Their hips sway. If I just wanted to pose the doll in a runway stance, it would take forever to get her to stay that way.
We can hope this gets fixed or I am done with Avantguard.
The feathers on her hat (?) fall off easily but the strangest thing is that it comes with two hat pins. The base of the hat is hard felt and you practically need a drill to get the pin through to secure it to her hair.
Putting the wig on takes experience but it can be done. I will change the wig soon because I think she needs something bigger to balance the shape of the pants.

Retail price of No Exaggeration is $220. and she is available from Integrity dealers who carry the AGs.

Tyler's 10th Anniversary Dolls For Sale at Tonner Direct

For those of you with a few hundred to spare right before the Holiday Season, the remaining Anniversary dolls have gone on sale at Tonner Direct.
First up is the beautiful "It was a Very Good Decade." LE 150. Priced at $295. She would certainly add sparkle to any collection. I have heard that the sequin fabric is the same that Robert used in his human clothing line. These were the centerpiece dolls.
"A Perfect Ten" LE 200 is being offered for $195. She's worth it. You saw my photos of my event doll. Here is Tonner's photo:The surprise return of Mei Li in the form of an Ultra Basic doll was very well received. According to the site, there is only a limited amount remaining right now. More will be received early in December. They are priced at $59.95. She comes packaged in a clear plastic box dressed only in the white body suit. No shoes or stand are included.
Images in this post are the property of Tonner Doll Company.