Preview of Four of Next Year's Barbie Fashion Model Collection

These are Mattel's images of some of next year's Barbie Fashion Model Collection of Silkstone dolls.  Pictures of the rest have not yet been released. Prices may vary according to dealer. Shop around.

BFMC  Darya Barbie $129.

BFMC  Russia Mila Barbie $89.

BFMC  Russia Ken $85.

BFMC  Verushka Barbie $149.

Again, the prices of Silkstone dolls are higher than they should be. It's about time they did something with the articulation because the dolls are adorable and collectible but they just stand there.

She Looks Like A Boudoir Doll

Here is another photo - Mary Pickford - and boudoir dolls that remind me of her in this photo.

Draped in Lace

I always see boudoir dolls when I look at old photos.

1923 Ladies Home Journal

Here are a couple more pages from the 1923 Ladies Home Journal.

From my workshop

Some of the dolls from the Dolls orchestra workshop I have conducted at the last three days: 

Basket Case

This page is from the Ladies Home Journal 1923 - I first thought the dolls on these baskets were Rosalinde heads, but they can't be because they would have been way too tall. They must be half dolls. These dolls have a Rosalinde look to them; the tilt of the head and the shape of the face. I wonder who made these half dolls and what were they made of - wax? wax over composition/chalk, bisque? Has anyone seen a basket like these?

Ladies Home Journal 1923

Thanks to Sue for this page from a 1923 Ladies' Home Journal. At least one of the dolls shown is a typical Rosalinde. The others have similar-looking bodies (the Chinese doll's body can't be seen to know for sure). So, I wonder - were the other dolls shown made by Rosalinde?

Doll Orchestra

Here is my doll orchestra:

This is the reason for my new bottle cap collection:

The caps can make noise.

 So the dolls can make noise and dance at the same time.

Some of them can even play the guitar.
The idea to create them came when I was asked to conduct a workshop with "music" as a theme. I found it very complicated, and it took me a long time to come up with this idea. I discovered that textile is one of the worst materials for sound effects, and I didn't have any idea how to incorporate the kind of dolls I make with the concept of "music".
Those dolls were made by upcycling fabric scrap using my wrapping technique, together with the bottle caps as instruments.
During the last two days, I conducted this workshop as part of a big event at Hiriya  Park. Actually, theses dolls were quite difficult for kids (and parents) to make; it is challenging, and for that reason also interesting. It has also been very intensive for me, and I didn't have any time to take photos of the parents' and kids' dolls. I will try to do so tomorrow.

"Hot to Trot" Avantguard Doll on Sale at Mary T's Doll House

When I see a doll that was released only a few months previously go on sale for such a low price I wonder why. But...if you want this doll, it's a great price at $149.99. Who knows? If you wait a few more months the price might go down even further.

The original price was $220.

Link to Mary T's Doll House

In the Pink

I had thought this doll was made by Gerling, but now, I'm wondering if it's not an Etta or some other company - French? She is quite unique with her pink silk floss hair. What do you think?

Frederica Charlotte, Duchess of York

I had finished posting the Blossoms the other night and decided to watch "Beau Brummel," made in 1924, starring John Barrymore, Irene Rich, Mary Astor, and Carmel Myers. Irene Rich appears as Frederica Charlotte, Duchess of York, and when I saw her, the first doll that came to mind was this Blossom.

Etta, Inc.

Gorgeous Etta! She has remnants of her original costume and her green silk turban. She is double tagged (tags are shown above). The hang tag is written in pencil "Georgia." A previous owner added her necklace.

This is another gorgeous Etta! She is also tagged, double tagged as shown above her. A previous owner added an original boudoir doll lounging PJs, a feather hair ornament and dragon pin.

This redheaded Etta has a beautiful face and wears blue lounging PJs.

This lovely Etta wears her original dress.

Of the various styles of hairdos on Ettas, I think I love this style the best!

I thought this guy was a Blossom, however, there some collectors who believe he is an Etta. He has painted-on hair and a soulful expression. Male Ettas are rare.

This is another Etta I love. She has one of the prettiest faces! I love her hair!

IDEX 2011 Registration Opens

IDEX will be celebrating it's anniversary and "20 Years of Friendship" at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida on January 27-30, 2011. The exhibitor list is filled with doll manufacturers and artists from all over the world. Several new exhibitors and retailers have signed up such as JPOP Dolls, Angelic Dreamz for JAMIEShow and Crawford Manor Dolls by Cavil Designs, Ltd.
Alexander Doll Co., Ashton Drake Galleries, Tonner Doll Co., and Wilde Imagination among scores of other 'regulars' will be displaying their gorgeous products. There are workshops and other events to please most collectors and artists as well. I know of three that I will definitely be signing up for.

The hotel is fabulous. First of all, it's HUGE. You could live there without ever leaving as there is a grocery store where all sorts of items are available including hot foods. There are several restaurants and a coffee shop, clothing boutiques, travel agent and all the usual services found at a resort.

Click here for the IDEX site.

Bottle Caps

Lately I have been collecting bottle caps. At first I thought it was going to be difficult to collect so many of them, but people were quite enthusiastic to help me, and after two weeks I already have more than I need.

When I rinsed them all together in a bucket, earlier today, I was surprised to find out they look so fun and beautiful together, and remind me of my dear dolls, with their various colors.

 
 

I guess you are already wondering why I need so many of them.

I will tell you the secret tomorrow...

Picture of the Week - 9/26/10 - NylonBleu

Many people know that the Haute Doll exclusive Innoquii "Traveler" went on sale for the unbelievable price of $75. about three weeks ago. Interest in this doll was revived and pictures began to pop up on the boards. One collector's pictures intrigued me. NylonBleu, who obviously has skill not only as a photographer but also with Photoshop, posted a series of images of Traveler. Here are some of my favorites:

 

The big black dot on the back wall is inspired.

The strange positioning of Traveler on this 1/6 scale shiny silver sofa is fun. Innoquii is strange and it suits her well.

If you would like to see more of NylonBleu's photography, click here.
This is the link to her blog.

There are still some Innoquii available but now they're being sold on eBay - for $75 plus postage. Go get it.

Blossom Doll Company

This Blossom is the only Blossom I have left in my collection. She has painted-on hair and is a smoker. Muy Bueno!

Here is another Blossom that isn't what you typically can find. Her wig is more elaborate and inspired by Pompadour/Antoinette.

This gorgeous Blossom makes a beautiful bride.

Male boudoir dolls aren't a common find. This Blossom male makes a handsome groom. Could he have been inspired by Clark Gable?

This Blossom male has a "salt and pepper" wig.

Could this Blossom have been inspired by Greta Garbo?

What about this Blossom?

This is another platinum "blond Blossom bombshell" (say that fast, three times).

I love this Blossom. She is all original from the top of her burgundy hair to the tip of her toes.

Here is another all original Blossom beauty. Her box was gone, unfortunately, but she was still tied to her box insert. I left it that way when I sold her (you can see the white ribbon around her waist).

This Blossom wears a Pierrot costume. Her hat is gone and someone added the hair yarn. She has nice face paint and a great face.

This Blossom wears a Pierrot costume, too, but she managed to keep her hat! The costume is made of a velvet corduroy-like fabric. One thing I can never seem to learn is fabric. So, I usually describe material as it looks, not what it actually is......This doll is fabulous!

This is a gorgeous Blossom. A previous owner added vintage fabric on her head. It suits her. Beautimous!