Note From Mel Odom

Those who were members of the extinct Gene Marshall W Club were sent an email from Mel Odom. I have reproduced it here:



This is Mel, getting back in touch with you gals and guys.  Integrity is being kind enough to post this for me.  Confession time!  I fully intended to continue blogging after Gene's retirement, but I have continually come up with reasons and/or excuses not to.  The technical challenge was the problem at the beginning.  It's trickier than you think (I found).  After dragging my heels, writing things and not posting them and all sorts of avoidance measures, I think, maybe, I have a solution.

I'm inviting you all to become my friends on Facebook.  I have been able to post all kinds of interesting things on my FB page recently like a lovely 1986 interview with Gene Tierney filmed on the French Riviera.   She's dressed in a lovely pink Chanel suit and speaking flawless French and it's great to see her looking happy and together at that point in her life.  Also, I posted a very clever and beautifully filmed Christmas greeting that my convention buddy Steve Hayes shot this past holiday season.  Plus, I have music I that love, personal videos and photos of my cat and me and Charlie and Marsha and my drawings and paintings.  You get the picture; I have a lot of stuff that I think you might enjoy.  And you can see it whenever you want to by just clicking on my page http://www.facebook.com/people/Mel-Odom/1377156561

 So, ask me to be your friend on FaceBook and just write "Gene Marshall" as your message and I'll friend you immediately.  And you can start sharing with me.  You can post responses as well.  Think of the  POWER!!   So join me; I'll be thrilled to have you as friends.

Happy NewYear kids!

And play nice.

mel

Artpoint Interview of Mel Odom is a Must Read!

Mel posted a link to an interview of himself done by Philip Clark on his blog, The Artpoint. The interview is punctuated by numerous illustrations done by Mr. Odom. I found myself moved to tears while reading;  however, it is an uplifting and positive self-evaluation by an artist and doll lover.


Mel Odom: The Art of Intention

More New Gene Marshall Stuff

So much stuff, so little room.

I have finally gotten around to photographing some of my existing dolls in the separate baggie fashions I purchased at the convention, such as Green Eyes and Tornado. I am in awe of the quality of fabric and construction of these items. In particular The Irene and Green Eyes gowns blew me away. I had no idea that these items were so gorgeous. The models are Gene dolls that were already in my collection, "Heavenly" first and one of the debut Gene dolls with an updo by Jim Gaddis.

Marsha Hunt's The Irene Gown

Green Eyes Gown

Here is Gene from the Lone Star Convention wearing Bellwether Oona's gown. I have changed the pink gloves to a frosty green pair and given her red platform pumps. The plastic beige pumps that came with this outfit were shameful.

Rose Rogue in "Tornado" I pressed the skirts on this gown and the overall appearance is much improved.Star Entrance in Madra's "Rich Girl"Suited to a T in "Safari" an Ashton Drake fashion I picked up in a room sale for $15. It comes with a pith helmet of metal and another item. Too bad the pants are so short. The shoes aren't suitable for the fashion. She needs boots!My new BJD Deneuve whose name has been changed to Diana (Princess Diana de Neuve) wears "Imperial She."
Finally deboxed the convention doll, "Stardust." She's OK. I don't care for her hair which is gelled into three hardened distinct clumps and there have been prettier Gene dolls. But her gown and jewelry are very lovely and high quality.

My overall impression of the convention dolls and is that they were as high quality as possible. The designs were spot on and the variety and selection were just perfection. The only flaw was the plastic shoes on two of the dolls. Compared to the rest of the collection, that seemed like an accident! The bargains offered in the salesroom were unbelievable. I have a wonderful collection of gorgeous Gene fashions to add to my stash.

Gene Marshall Centerpiece Doll Sells for $1,015.05

The Thursday night centerpiece from the Stardust convention closed at auction for the unbelievable price of $1015.05. There were 34 bids placed by 12 bidders. Bidding started at only .99 and quickly went up to over $400 on the first day. The edition size is 160+ which is not a small edition. She was the prettiest Gene of the entire convention because of the adorable outfit but besides that, nothing. Sometimes one sees a similar pretty doll go for a very high price at charity auctions. That I can understand.

Shipping was only $7.55. I think the seller will add insurance to this one. Several of her other Stardust auctions barely made it to retail. The convention doll sold for only $178.50. The Trent centerpiece sold for only $184.49.

The seller is oxo.aqualung.oxo from Delaware. Some of us collectors believe that this person is a member of the Newsum family or connected to Integrity Toys in some way as they seem to have every single new doll that comes out up for auction on eBay immediately.

I would like to know who bought the doll. Maybe it was Jason.

Gene Marshall "Blue Avenue"

Photo property of Integrity Toys