Showing posts with label Wigs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wigs. Show all posts

5/05/2023

Meet My Smart Dolls

 I have three now. There is only one more that I want but I can wait. I love looking at these gals. It's so different for me. 

For a few years, I owned several 21" Madame Alexander Cissy dolls. I loved them because the MA company made their fashions so beautifully and so detailed. I came to feel that they weren't fun. There was very little flexibility and posing was limited. They passed on to other collectors. 

These Smart Dolls are very flexible and pose beautifully. A huge benefit is that I don't have to handle them with gloves (literally.) They're not going to get shiny from being dressed by clean, bare hands. Not that I wanted to, don't be ridiculous, but I accidentally dropped London this morning. Her hair got messy. That's it. What freedom! 

I adore my other dolls but I have room in my life for these girls, too.


London, Brooklyn and Paris 


Originally Chitose Multiverse Semi-Real, Future (Semi-Real ver. Mirai) and Prowess Cocoa.
Chitose was purchased as a head only. 

Here is Paris in Chitose's wig. Meh.




Brooklyn's wig is not on correctly. Oops. It is a lace wig. I know that many human wigs are made this way. This photo was taken in my bedroom, lit by a lamp at night. I had just put the wig on her for the first time. The next day, I removed it and carefully cut the lace to the hairline. I've never done that before.




All their clothes, except for Brooklyn's hoodie, are Mirai labeled. London and Paris are wearing wigs from the Dallas Doll Co. Brooklyn's wig is from Sophie's Toy Paradise. 

This is the first time in over 20 years that I felt certain dolls needed names. Just calling them by their sculpt name didn't make sense to me.  London is a city I love. Brooklyn is where I was born and grew up. Paris reminds me of someone I knew in Woodstock. I may have decided upon the name of my next one but I'm not telling yet.


8/23/2020

Kingdom Doll's Siddal Arrives

During this pandemic, many dolls and fashions have been added to my collection. The most recent doll is Siddal.


Siddal wears a Kimono inspired gown of imperial silk satin in a richly vibrant indigo hue, lined in berry silk habotai with an open wrap neckline edged in silver lame. A waist-cinching belt adds further silver lame accents. The dramatic kimono sleeves are embellished with unique silver Celtic dragon embroidery, a first for Kingdom Doll. The resin shoes are created with a sparkly silver to mimic the lame texture of her belt and neckline. Finally, her jewelry is a sterling silver necklace featuring sterling silver tassel details and a clear Swarovski crystal butterfly charm. 

Siddal's wig is of blended silver/grey tones. In addition to applied upper lashes, she has bottom lashes as well. Her eyes are pale sapphire blue and are framed with cool-toned smokey shadows of charcoal and taupe with pale lilac under her brow.

She is an edition of 50 dolls.

The mirror is a Wilde Imagination product made for Evangeline dolls.



Last week, a fashion order I've been awaiting from Viet Nam, was delivered. 

Avarice models "Perle Noire"


Destiny models "The Signature"

Liberty models "Forgetmenot"



Pandemic shopping can be very dangerous. I list below the dolls and related doll stuff purchased since 5/1/2020.

Wigs by Ilaria (TBR)
Assorted Studio Props
Assorted Doll Props
Beaded Outfit for Kingdom Doll by Kha
Rococo Shoes for Kingdom doll by Eikollander
Tonner Tyler 16" "Carol Barrie Hollywood Treasure" Outfit
"Lady Penelope’s" Outfit
Tonner Tyler "Checker Bold" Boutique Coat
Wigs and a fashion from Chewin
Tonner Tyler Boutique "Winter White Coat"
Robert Tonner Hollywood Glamour "Dancing on a Cloud" NRFB Outfit
Valet/stand chair, Bar Stool, Shell Chair,  Doll Lounge Sofa  (From Russia) (TBR)
"The Best Look" Doll & Gift Set Silkstone
Outfit from "Poppy Sizzling in Paris" Doll
"Afterglow" Keeki Adaeze (FR)
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Action Figure
"Dressing Barbie: A Celebration of the Clothes That Made America's Favorite Doll and the Incredible Woman Behind Them"   Book
Barbie Signature Jean-Michel Basquiat x Barbie Collector Doll
Superdoll Outfit "Picollo"
Filip of Filmideco 3-piece display furniture
"Let's Sew: Wardrobe for A Wood Doll"  E Files
29cm (11.41") Grödner Tal Wood Doll with curls (TBR)
16" doll shopper from La Boutique
Traded "Taeus" for "Evan"
Kingdom Doll "Siddal"
"Le Flamant Rose" Gown by Kha Hoang (TBR)
BFMC "The Gala's Best"
Couture Fashion by Taras Kozak (TBR)


Looking at the list like this can be disturbing.













3/14/2020

Kingdom Dolls: Lizzie Mills and Envy

In this photo, Lizzie is wearing an older Gene Marshall fashion produced by Ashton Drake. It fits perfectly.



I recently acquired a new editing program for my laptop called PhotoScapeX. I prefer editing images on my computer as opposed to using my phone. It's available in the App Store. I'm going to need to go through their tutorials. Sigh.
Just fooling around, I created this.




5/06/2019

House of Zenith "Avenue" New 12" Resin Doll


On March 11, Superdoll released this photo of Avenue for whom I had already pre-paid. I was looking forward to getting one of the first dolls in their new 12" line, House of Zenith.  I based my decision on the success of Solitaire, the first GenX doll who was pretty and had an adorable outfit and vibe. My thinking was very wrong.

  

I hesitated writing a review for much longer than I normally would as the creators of this doll will not like what I say here but I have to tell the truth and it's my opinion anyway. I know some out there like Avenue and I'm sincerely happy for them. Personally, I will never buy a doll sight unseen from Superdoll again. 

I don't know why I cannot find any photos I took of her in her original state. That's very odd. I'm pretty sure I shot a few, at least. Did I delete them? I'll have to hunt the internet as it's entirely possible that I posted and then deleted the images from my camera.

I am not sure that this is my own photo. 

When the doll arrived, I disliked her look in many ways. Her wig had the texture of straw. The black throw around her shoulders shed all over her yellow dress. I did not like the way the skirt hung on her body. The 'drape' was bad. The pleats were crooked, uneven and did not appear to be sewn properly.

Not shown are the shoes, the handbag, and the head-piece.

I tried to sell her for exactly what it cost me and there wasn't a single taker.

With the wig removed it made a major improvement. She does have a nice face and I like the eye make-up. 

Superdoll skimped on the joints and the details. Look at this photo which compares, side by side, a Dominion Doll, a House of Zenith Doll and a Monarch Doll. Monarch is 12" tall. 


I chose not to have my Dominion doll (left) strongly body blushed and the Monarch Doll (right) has natural-looking blushing. Avenue's blushing is exaggerated.  She has no underbust joint and her knees have only one joint. There is no thigh or ankle joint. She does not have a matte finish and she didn't come with a stand. They should have just made her from vinyl. She looks it.

Avenue (left) vs. Fashion Royalty body.

One has to wonder if this doll was rushed through to make some sort of deadline. 

What she does have going for her is that her feet fit into FR shoes. No doll is perfect but Avenue made me regret my purchase and she was not an inexpensive mistake. She also made me appreciate more the quality, artistry, and attention to detail of the Monarch and Dominion dolls. Vinyl Fashion Royalty dolls are made better. 

I will make the best of it by dressing her in pretty clothes and wigs and never buying another one.

OLE!


I purchased a separate Superdoll boxed fashion for Avenue and I think it is lovely.



Below is a Rimdoll fashion. Wigs above and below by Culte de Paris. 


 



9/11/2017

Facets by Marcia Launches "Facets Boutique"


Facets by Marcia is excited to open "Facets Boutique!"
This is a brand new website for Facets.

The new Boutique is the premiere source for all of your doll accessory needs. Facets Boutique features a shopping cart, streamlined product categories and an account history.

Enjoy your enhanced shopping experience at Facets!



Personally, I have shopped at Facets for many, many years. There is barely a doll in my collection who is not wearing a wig, shoes and/or jewelry purchased there. I know for a fact that Marcia has been working on this new website for a very long time.

Now you can shop and pay directly on-line!

I picked photos from several of the many categories of items sold for illustration. There is so much to choose from.



I want this! :-)





You can read about Facets in their blog here: http://www.facetsboutique.com/blog.asp
Sign up for their newsletter here: http://facetsboutique.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=78505d9a54bac2f50bd2db2cb&id=4b4978a6a4


BTW The Facets 15th Annual Doll BBQ has been scheduled for Sunday, September 17th, 2017. It is great fun with doll friends, food and a lot of dolls. You can see pics and videos from last year's BBQ here: http://www.facetsboutique.com/Annual-BBQ_bc_2.html

Email Marcia if you are interested in being on the list for next year.


10/16/2016

Dolls and Outfits from Kingdom Doll's Camelot Event 2016

The exclusive convention souvenir doll is truly one of the most beautiful 16" dolls I've ever seen.  Her face, her wig, everything about her is sublime.


The gown is silk. The 'shrug' is flexible resin. I added the earrings.


An intricately designed wig by Ilaria is the crown on this beauty's head.



An optional purchase of Guinevere's gown & shoes in an alternate color is modeled here by Liberty. This fashion came with a lovely bracelet. I added the earrings. The wig is Liberty's original.


Excalibur is the name of this sequined jumpsuit which was the convention fashion gift. I have Star modeling it. She's wearing Viola's wig.


Note the lip shaped purse Star is holding. We received it in purple, red and gold. The red came with matching shoes.

One of my grab bag gifts was Orbit's jacket, modeled here by Savile who is also wearing shorts by Hazelstreet Designs.


On one room shopping foray, I picked up this trio of pieces by the talented YumYum Designs (Miriam.) Modeling is Chaucer wearing a Chewin wig.
The jacket is fully functional in that the zipper works and the buckles buckle. Nothing is there for show!


Look at the attention to detail on the back of this jacket. Amazing.


Coming soon - Morgana!


9/06/2016

New Kingdom Doll Photos

Chaucer wearing a fashion by Magdalena Bareja. The wig is from Kingdom Doll Viola.



Savile models a Tonner gown from a doll called "Cyclone Cantata." Her wig was made by Ilaria.



Viola is wearing an Antonio Realli gown and jewelry by Integrity Toys. Wig by Ilaria in the first photo. I'm not sure who created the platinum wig or the rhinestone jewelry in the second photo.



The second photo of Viola was shot on an iPhone using it's built-in flash. I did tone down some of the glare on her face and chest. You can see that the highlights in her wig are burnt out with no detail. It's far from a perfect way to take pictures but the doll is gorgeous anyway!

Arnamentia is wearing her gorgeous beaded jacket created by Priya Desu Bohra, a Tonner's Precarious "Scandal" skirt and jewelry, possibly by Joy Jared. The wig was made by Cheryl Wood.
She is the newest release from Kingdom Doll and I plan to spend lots of time redressing her.


Looking seriously bored.

My doll room is in a different part of the house from my studio where I take pictures. After I redress a doll, I take pictures with my iPhone. Once in a while they turn out OK, like the one below of Arnamentia wearing her original wig.


Below is a silly photo of Viola and Arnamentia seated on furniture I recently acquired during Horsman's amazing sale. The tables and mirror in the photo are Horsman as well.