15% off everything at Tonner Direct on Cyber Monday

On Monday, December 1, take 15% off your entire order at Tonner Direct, plus get free shipping on your order as well.  Use the code CYBER08 at checkout to get your discount.  (The latest Tonner email states the discount is 0815FS.)

They will also be offering a couple of great deals, including the Joker for $75, and Amazonian Warrior Wonder Woman for $74.99.

Save $20 at Wilde Imagination

Save $20 off any order of $100 or more at Wilde Imagination with the promo code SMILE (enter it at checkout).  This offer expires on December 7 at midnight, so don't wait!

Cynders Re-Imagination in real life

Cynders' Face-up, originally uploaded by tac_stamper.

Check out my real life photos of Cynders, one of my latest additions. She's gorgeous and kind of gothic, even in her pink outfit. She's covered in ostrich feathers, iridescent tinsel and chiffon. I love her. She even has a little tiny mouse in her tiara. Enjoy!

Speaking of Beauty... a new Sydney!

Exclusive to Tonner Direct, this limited edition of 75 dolls, Auld Lang Syne Sydney is a raven-haired beauty ready to ring in the new year. She's wearing a red chiffon gown, rhinestone jewelry, and faux leather heels with silver buckles, according to Tonner's website.

She's in stock now for $175. Plus, use the promo code 081575 and save $15 any purchase of $75 or more.

Photos courtesy Tonner Doll Company.

Surrounding yourself with beauty

My husband sent me a link to an interesting article on Boing Boing this morning, which discusses the art of living simply, balanced with green living, materialism and art.  It got me thinking about the relationship I have with clutter and my doll habit.

Twelve years ago, I could move all my personal belongings (minus a bed, futon and desk) in my Mazda RX7.  True, at the time, I was only 23 years old and a new college graduate.  I hadn't started crafting at that time--not scrapbooking, not quilting or sewing, and certainly not doll collecting.  I had books, papers, my Mac, my clothes and shoes.  I didn't hang onto possessions because I didn't particularly value who I was at that point in my life.  I didn't have much self-confidence or a sense of self-worth, which is not to say that the only reason we hang onto possessions is because we value ourselves.  I threw things away so I didn't have to remember the past.

If I compare that person to who I am today, the owner of many expensive, hard-to-find and beautiful dolls, whose sole purpose is to be beautiful and add pleasure to the beholder, I see a sharp contrast.  I still go through my clothes twice per year and get rid of everything that doesn't fit or that I don't wear.  I still try to live simply.  But I now have the confidence to believe that I can and ought to adorn my house--my life and my family's lives--with some beauty and art, just for the sake of beauty.  Seeing my dolls, rearranging them, redressing them or letting my daughters play with them, gives me a sense of freedom and pleasure.  My dolls add a dimension to my life that can't be counted as clutter or "stuff."  

Though my goals over the past years may have been to pare down--as our culture seems to advise--to cut the clutter, to live simply--I also want to pursue art for the sake of beauty.  And dolls--collecting these three dimensional sculptures--give me a small taste of this in my daily life.  I have three main collections: a historical line of dolls, fashion dolls with an avant-garde theme, and a fairy tale line of dolls.  I hope to pass the joy of art and daily appreciation of beauty along to my family, as well.

Dreamcastle Dolls specials!

New doll sales from Dreamcastle Dolls -- these are some great deals, and this store has fantastic customer service.  Check out their list online: the have lots of great new releases, too!

Chief Shine Exclusive - Wild Inspiration

Orders for this doll will be accepted starting November 30. English is spoken at Chief Shine, or you can order online, and only two dolls are available per customer.

This is a Daphne sculpt, and a limited edition of 100. I heard the price will be $189.99 with $25 international shipping. (This is the company who offered us Far East Stella some time ago.) She is absolutely lovely. Look at her shoes. I just love her hair!

Photos courtesy Tonner Doll Company.

Two more reasons to buy a doll

1. To make a nice even number in your doll collection.
2. Your spouse or significant other makes a crack about not needing to have life insurance on you, since he can just sell your dolls in the event of your untimely demise.

My first inventory of dolls...

I did my first personal inventory of my private doll collection today.  I figured it might be a good idea, seeing that it is fire season here in Southern California.  It was a little scary, and I might want to up my current renter's insurance to make sure my dolls are covered in my policy.  I did get some interesting information from my list:

1. My most popular sculpt is Tyler (1.), followed closely by Sydney, then Shauna and Daphne are tied for third place.
2. My most popular hair color is brunette, followed by blonde, then raven.
3. Blue is my most popular eye color by far, followed by brown, then green.
4. I save an average of about 35% off retail prices (on average) on my purchases over time, counting brand new, collector's, rare and used items.

Project Dollway

Don't miss Project Dollway At Home. I found this link today, and I'm following this blog myself. I would be remiss if I didn't pass it along to you, dear reader!

Shimmering Rose Jane

Shimmering Rose Jane was a limited edition of 250 dolls, produced for the Tonner Doll Collector Club Expo East in 2003 in 2003.  She has rose hair, blue eyes on a tan BA body.  I found her used from another collector.

I'm really excited about this fun doll.  She's very unique--her face-up is very natural--even her nails are natural.  

You can see her original promotional shot on Tonner's website here.

Mistletoe Mishap

Mistletoe Mishap, a Sister Dreary sculpt, has also arrived.  She's another lovely holiday doll. Very pale, with mink brown hair in a partial up-do, and green eyes, she's lovely in her burgundy gown with silk chiffon train.

I haven't decided if I will keep this doll out year-round yet--but she certainly does make for great holiday decor!

You can compare her promotional shots on Tonner's website.

The Snow Queen

The Snow Queen (Tess sculpt) has made her appearance.  She's a brand new release from Tonner Doll.  

Lovely in her re-imagined gown, she's got platinum hair and blue eyes, and an icy face-up with soft pink lips.  Her gown is puffy and just above the ankle. I think she's just fabulous, and just in time for the holiday season.

Compare her promotional shots at the Tonner website.

NEW Tonner BJD Shauna Exclusive from Angelic Dreamz

I think I've finally found the ball-jointed Tonner doll I'd like to add to my collection--she's a limited edition of just 75 pieces from Angelic Dreamz, and is available and in stock now. She's a Shauna sculpt, but from the actual photos, she appears a bit younger than her usual older face. I think she's gorgeous. I love her hair styles, though I do wish she included a short wig (I'm sure I could add that later).

The basic doll is a mere $550. She includes a white stretch teddy with lace trim and silver shoes, her three wigs, and interchangeable brown eyes. She is crafted from hand-finished resin and has hand-applied eye lashes and full surprisingly natural face-up.

Check out Angelic Dreamz' website for some fabulous photos of this amazing doll. Let me know what you think: Do you own a ball-jointed doll? What do you think of this sculpt?
Photos courtesy Tonner Doll Company.

Exclusive Devereaux Sisters dolls from Modern Doll Collectors Convention

I'm not sure how I missed these two lovely ladies before!  Cat's Meow, LE 225, is a brunette Renée Devereaux, and retails for $175. Bee's Knees, LE 225, is redhead Louise Devereaux, and retails for $180. Some of these dolls may still be in stock at the Modern Doll Collectors' website, but I've also seen listings for these dolls at the Doll Peddlar, Ebay and on Prego.

Update:  There are limited quantities of these dolls for sale on Tonner's website for just $155 each.

Dale Rae pantyhose

I have a high recommendation for Tyler-sized pantyhose by Dale Rae Designs. A one-person shop, this store manufactures its own high-quality hose and stockings for dolls: Tyler, Tiny Kitty, BJDs, American Models and more. The prices are very reasonable, and you'll be amazed at the fast delivery times. But more than anything--the quality is fantastic. The weave of the stockings is closer to scale, and they are easy to put on, and the fit is right on.

Two thumbs up for this store!

Photos courtesy Dale Rae Designs.

Great deal for those seamstresses out there!

If you've been looking for a hard-to-find limited edition Raven Jane (a limited edition Club Jane doll) for a while, and you happen to sew your own doll clothes, check out this great deal from Fletcher Pattern Company.  For just $59.46, you get the doll (same size as Tyler), plus several patterns, including:

• Evening dress
• Day wear ensemble
• Knit dress
• Bath robe
• Undergarment set

Cinderella Masquerade

This limited edition of 300 was a Tonner convention exclusive.  A blue-eyed beauty with a gorgeous ribbon-adorned up-do, this doll was until recently my Kathryn Howard, the youngest of Henry VIII's wives.  Her gown is a gorgeous purple velvet with gold trim, with a matching removable cape.  She even includes a mask.