Lan in Sinuous

Lan in Sinuous, originally uploaded by alington.

Meet my normal skin MSD Bobobie Lan with a face-up by Leah Lilly of Froggy Duds. The wig is a 5/6 Yuri wig by Monique Gold.

She's wearing a dress, necklace and headpiece by Tonner Doll Company designed for Antoinette, called Sinuous. It's a perfect fit. (Lan can wear most outfits made for the Tyler Wentworth body, but she is an even better fit for Antoinette's outfits.) Shoes are also by Tonner, for their 22" American Model dolls.

See more photos of Sinuous Lan in my Flickr photostream.

Mother's Day Wish List

I highly recommend that you make yourself a wish list, too. If you're a mother. Or about to be a mother. Or a mother of dolls (or would like to be a mother of dolls) who is an aunt (Jen!) or has a significant other (Melissa!). Because really, how else will anyone know what you really want for Mother's Day? Or for a treat? Or for fun? Or for special? Or just because?

Have trouble keeping track of your wish lists? Let me recommend Galleries on Flickr. Create one called "Wish List" and just add your favorite photos of dolls (with notes) to that gallery (or those galleries). It's a great system!

So... my current wish list:

• Er, first, reset my doll allowance. Like, starting in May, I would actually get a doll allowance again. (I know, that's asking a whole terrible lot. But if you don't ask...)
• Doll in Mind Love - Kassia or Bellose (I like both), and I love both the open eye and half-closed eyes. I may eventually need one open-eye and one half-closed (one Bellose and one Kassia).
• Fairyland Rona. Ok, she's really expensive. But she's just so pretty.
• Peak's Woods Segi. I can't help myself. I adore her. I would go for either normal skin or white. I think I'd prefer large bust, since they fit DollHeart clothing better. I love their factory face-ups, also, but I don't require one, since I have an appointment in May with Leah Lilly.
• Planet Doll Riz or Mini Riz. I'd prefer normal skin. I don't have to have a factory face-up, either. And also, the Doll Market carries these dolls, too.
• Aren, a Mini Gem by Soom. She was on my list around Christmas, and I still haven't yet added her.
• Another tiny, Leekeworld Vanilla. I just love her. She's a YoSD size.

Photos courtesy of DIM, Peak's Woods, Soom and PlanetDoll/the Doll Market.

Tyler in Enlightened

Tyler in Enlightened, originally uploaded by alington.

This is a 2.0 Tyler Wentworth doll, by Tonner Doll Company. She's a limited edition of 100 dolls, originally called Au Milieu de l'Hiver, created for Kathy Moreau's luncheon in 2008, I believe, and the first time I have ever redressed her.

She's been redressed in a 2009 outfit designed for Antoinette (including the boots, which aren't a perfect fit, but who would know?) called Enlightened. The sweater dress is a bit snug in the top, but I just love it. The fur collar is actually a separate piece, which give the outfit some versatility. I got the outfit at a bargain price from Sweetheart's Dolls. (Sign up for the Yahoo! group, and you can get on their mailing list for extra special offers!)

Not all of Antoinette's wardrobe will fit Tyler, but if there are pieces that stretch (like this sweater and the velvet tights), there's no reason Tyler can't also share in the fun.

See the rest of Tyler's photo shoot on my Flickr photostream.

New stuff from Wilde Imagination plus free shipping!

Be sure to head over to Wilde Imagination to check out the new additions to the catalog. If you see something you like, enter SPRING10 at checkout will give you free shipping on orders of $75 or more (SPRING10INT for international orders will give you $9.95 towards shipping).

The new items I've found:

• Essential Prudence, Too Wigged Out. A new basic doll is lovely, with inset eyes.
• Seven new dressed dolls: six Ellowynes (including lots of red hair shades) and a new Prudence, who is just too cute.
• Four new outfits with great new style. They look incredibly detailed.
• Lots of new accessories: you must check out the boots.
• Two new vinyl dresssed Evangeline Ghastly dolls and one new resin dressed Evangeline
• Tons of new outfits for Evangeline, lots of wonderful items. I wonder if she can share clothes with any of my BJDs. Her outfits are just lovely! I love the green one.
• Don't forget to check out Evangeline's new shoes and wigs. Just lovely!

Photos courtesy of Wilde Imagination.

Ultimate Glamour Ashleigh on sale!

If you've been thinking about a fashion model/Tonner BJD, check out Ultimate Glamour Ashleigh, the exclusive Tonner fashion BJD from Two Daydreamers. She's currently on sale for just $374.99 (marked down from $599.99 retail), which is quite a deal, only through April 30.

She's a limited edition of 75 dolls, includes the faux-wrap knit dress with beaded collar, painted eyes (not inset ones), shoes, hose, bracelet, and two wigs. Plus, she can share a wardrobe with Tyler Wentworth. She has eleven standard joints and three pairs of ball joints, applied eyelashes, and a hand-painted face-up.

Photo courtesy of Tonner Doll.

Doll-worthy reading

If you love sewing for your dolls of all sizes (including BJDs!), be sure to check out Lori's blog, Sew Many Doll Clothes. She has great articles and fantastic photos, and her sewing is really cute!

Her latest post includes photos of Berdine's Creedy new ballet cutie, Pepper-Mint. Pepper-Mint includes a ballerina costume, but Lori actually made her a real tutu with tights. She's just adorable. So go find her post and follow her blog!

April Doll Meet

April Doll Meet, originally uploaded by alington.

This is a limited edition JID Amy with real skin. She's just so lifelike and wonderful. And she has sculpted teeth. Just wonderful! You can see more photos from our meet here. The theme was Spring Green and Easter Dresses.

There are good things and bad things about going to real-life doll meets. You get to meet new dolls in person, see dolls that you don't own, and have maybe only seen online, and perhaps hadn't considered adding to your collection before. That's the good and bad about doll meets!

Why it pays to be a member of Kim Lasher's Yahoo group!

I have to confess, I am a die-hard Kim Lasher fan. Her grumpy and funny little faces make me feel all warm and gooey inside, unlike any other type of BJD out there.

This morning, Kim announced a limited edition 30 exclusive doll named Summer. She's a YoSD size (about 12") with a honey blonde mohair wig, brown Eyeco soft glass eyes, a pink and brown summery dress with matching leggings (by Vicki of Froggy Duds) and pink flower sandals. Her estimated ship date is June 30, 2010, and her retail price is $475. This doll was made available for her Yahoo group members first, and next week, open to non-group members.

Additionally, there is a (LE30) Teddy Bear available for order as well. She is a custom bear made from vintage cotton print and pile fabric, handmade by Shannon of Shannon's 'Lil Critters. She's incredibly detailed--from her embroidered and glossed nose to her hand-dyed tiny buttons--and she measures only 3.5 inches. She is available to order separately for $45.

I encourage all you Kim Lasher BJD fans to go sign up for her Yahoo group. It may be too late for you to order Summer now (Summer sold out in 20 minutes!), but you may have a chance for another exclusive later this year.

Photo property of Kim Lasher.

OOAK and exclusive dolls I missed from Tonner

I was browsing around on Tonner's website yesterday, and I came across a couple of exclusive and one-of-a-kind fashion dolls that were created for charity events that I apparently missed earlier this year. Here they are:

• A Paris Fashion Show exclusive, Elegance Antoinette. She was a limited edition of just 25 dolls for this event, and appears to be a fashion-forward nod to the 1940s.
• La Cage, a one-of-a-kind auction doll. She was created to benefit Broadway Cares (an AIDS charity). She is actually a Simon sculpt with a full female bodysuit under her gown.
• Lutece, a one-of-a-kind Sydney. She was also created as an auction doll, this one to benefit the REVE Charity at the 2010 Paris Fashion Doll Festival.

A huge collecting error.

As many of my regular readers know, I recently discovered that I have spent my doll allowance for the year (and it's only April). In order to gain some more dolly dollars, I decided a fire sale of the worst kind was necessary, and I posted some items to the Doll Page on Tuesday. If you aren't familiar with the Doll Page, it's a terrific free resource for listing your doll-related items for sale or trade, and it's recently been revamped for easier use. I love it, and highly recommend it.

Foolishly, I posted the following text on all my listings:

Trades: I'm currently looking to trade for Wedgwood Barbies (both 1 & 2), Dream Date PJ, Golden Dream Christie, Pink & Pretty (Barbie or Christie), Jewel Secret (Barbie or Whitney), and a vintage Ballerina Barbie. Dolls can be in a played-with condition, and don't have to be complete or mint, but I prefer a non-smoking home. I'd also love to add a variety of vintage Barbies and PJs to my collection, so if you have some I haven't listed you'd like to trade, let me know!

Well, wouldn't you know I got three offers from a person I've successfully done business with before that very same day? And he was offering the most adorable vintage dolls that I hadn't considered but of course fell in love with at first sight!

I'm so excited about the trade, but as I was going to sleep last night, it occurred to me that trading totally defeats the original purpose of my fire sale idea, which was to raise dolly dollar funds! What was I thinking? It's as though I sold the dolls and immediately spent the money! (But I'm not changing my mind--I want those trade dolls too much now.) Anyway. All you readers can see what a brilliant and smart collector's mind I have now. Just thought I'd share.

Friends don't let friends collect dolls!

Important notice to all doll collectors!

This item I came across today, and it's really essential reading for every doll collector out there. We are really doing a patriotic duty to our country, especially in this time of patriotic crisis, with our doll collections. Be sure you visit Random Doll Blathering's website post, and see her valuable points on why we should consider Deficit Spending when it comes to buying dolls. She's very persuasive!

(Like I was getting my credit card out of my wallet just now...)

Enjoy!

Budgeting issues.

Sweet Roses PJ, originally uploaded by alington.

In order to stop arguing about how much money we each spend on our hobbies, my husband came up with an "allowance" type system for both of us last year. We are each allocated equal amounts monthly just for hobby use. It's a good system that forces budgeting, plus I work at home as a mother of four, so I don't bring in a paycheck.

In the doll world, pre-orders or long lead times for dolls are often necessary, so we have negotiated a system in which we are allowed to occasionally spend ahead a month ahead if needed. I use layaway whenever possible, but sometimes it's not an option.

This year has been a crazy year for dolls. My collection has diversified. My SD-sized ball-jointed dolls have grown in number. And it's been a terrific year for Alice in Wonderland collectors. In addition, I discovered the joy of restoring Barbies, and have started reassembling the 1980s-era pink box dolls I loved in my youth.

Well, it's only April, and I calculated that, including my pre-orders, I have spent my doll allowance for the entire year. (Oh no! I just realized I forgot to include the two Integrity dolls and a DollHeart outfit I pre-ordered. Ugh!) It looks like it's going to be time for a fire sale pretty soon. I have some Tonner dolls who aren't getting as much attention as they used to, and they are lying around, neglected, in their boxes.

So my post, rather than to gripe about having blown a year's worth of money in four months, was to discuss how to make up for that sort of mindless spending. As in, what do I do now?

• First, I'm deleting all my saved searches on eBay. If I don't have the money to spend, why watch any auctions of that Golden Dreams Christie I so desperately want to add to my collection? That's plain torture.
• Next, this coming week, it's time for round one of ruthless organization. I'm going to check every doll and outfit in my closet, wigs and shoes included, and I will post any unwanted items for sale. First on the DollPage, then on eBay, if they don't sell.
• Next comes maintenance on the dolls I keep. I have a lot of dolls due this month. Before I buy more dolls, I will replace eyelashes, suede and body blush and restring as needed. I will invest in  new eyes and wigs, so the dolls I have are more versatile. Possibly a few new outfits, too.
• If I get really desperate, I can always sell some of my eggs. Or if they misbehave, one of my children. Or a kidney on the black market. Or I could grow my hair and sell it. (That's never going to happen--I haven't had long hair since high school!) I could get a job at night as a dancer, maybe. Or a rich lover. Who likes dolls. Anyone perhaps I could meet at IFDC? 
• I've got it! I could develop a drug addiction, and then my doll addiction will seem like no big deal in comparison! (Please know that I'm not really being serious about this. I take drugs very seriously.) 

Ugh. I sometimes wish doll collecting were a little less expensive of a hobby, or that I liked cheaper dolls. Or that I could find more vintage Barbies at our local thrift store. Or that BJDs were sold at Costco or the supermarket, so I could hide their cost with the groceries.

April Doll Meet

April Doll Meet, originally uploaded by alington.

This is Au Printemps Renée Devereaux from the Fall/Holiday 2009 Tonner Doll collection. She's really a gorgeous doll--often when you see her in photographs, she has sort of a pointed chin, and it definitely is less square than Louise's face. But she's really pretty, and the outfit is well made.

I snapped this photo at yesterday's local doll meet at our hostess's house. Check out the rest of my photos on Flickr.

Tired of waiting for your dolls to arrive?

Tired of waiting for your dolls to arrive? Are manufacturer's delays to their previously announced scheduled sheer torture for you? You might fall under the class of "The Impatient Doll Collector"! This blog post might be just what you need!

Check it out at The Doll Addiction, over at DOLLS Magazine. Let me know what you think! Do you have techniques that make the time fly by? What are your favorites?

Tonner does Firefly?

According to a post to Tonner's Facebook page:

We just saw the final Inara Serra Sculpt for Tonner's 2010 May Convention Firefly event...and the likeness of Morena Baccarin is dead-on! Question is...how many will get an extra Inara to create your own Anna from ABC's V?

Also, they state in the comments section that they are pretty sure we'll like Nathon Fillion's sculpt also, but they aren't previewing any of the images till convention in May.

So far Inara is just going to be a convention exclusive, but from the response on Facebook, there seems to be a high demand for another Inara doll in the main line as well.

Fantastic sales on Tonner Dolls and more at Vogue Collectibles!

Be sure to check out Vogue Collectibles sales page (especially if you live in Canada!) for some really fantastic sales (check out Dick Tracy for $55 and some of the Hollywood Glamour outfits and Fashion Zombies at half price).

Also, they have the Malibu Barbie repro on sale for just $15, and the 50th Anniversary Then and Now Barbie for just $5! Ouch--how am I going to pass these up?

I've done business with Vogue (I'm in California), and they are really great!

A Day of Ennui with Ellowyne Wilde

Register now for the first ever Day of Ennui with Ellowyne Wilde. It's August 21, 2010 from 11 AM to 3:00 PM, at the Wiltwyck Country Club in Kingston NY.

Registration has begun now (online) and is $195, and includes an exclusive Ellowyne and lunch. This event is limited to only 150 guests, so don't delay!

Photo property of Wilde Imagination.

Free Shipping from Tonner Direct

Now through April 16, use the promo code SPRING10 and get free shipping at checkout. International customers, get a $9.95 shipping credit with the code SPRINGINT. Valid on new orders placed at TonnerDirect only.

On scams and the doll world

Just a quick note of caution to my readers:

Generally speaking, I'm not a suspicious person. I like to believe that people are generally good and trustworthy. However, in the past week, I have read about two different scams within our rather small doll collecting community. In one, the scammer uses someone else's valid Ebay ID as a reference, and then sells dolls that he or she does not actually own, ripping off the buyer. If the buyer hasn't sent the money as a gift, at least she is covered by Paypal's protection program. But what's particularly bad is that the scammer is dragging perfectly innocent bystanders' names through the mud.

In another developing scam, someone has been using another collector's photos of limited edition Kim Lasher and Kaye Wiggs ball-jointed dolls on Ebay for outrageous prices (possibly including shell bidding, but you can't really tell, as the auctions are set up as private auctions), apparently without actually owning the dolls--at least not the dolls shown in the photos.

The doll collecting community is a small world, but that doesn't mean scams are uncommon. Especially when it comes to buying and selling dolls, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself:

• Ask for feedback references. Don't forget about the Doll Community Feedback Forum. When checking Ebay feedback, make sure you check the user's location. If they have current listings, you can also check their city (not just the country). Don't be afraid to ask for email references of a few people they have done business with in the past. Or ask on your favorite message boards.
• Don't forget to leave feedback on the Doll Community Feedback Forum (or Ebay) when your transaction is complete.
• Never send Paypal payments as a gift. You will lose buyer protection* if you do, and you can't get your money back if your doll isn't delivered. Cover the cost of the fees if you have to, but don't send the payment as a gift.
• If you're the seller, always insure your packages. It's only a little additional cost, and it will save you a lot of hassle. This way you can be sure your buyer indeed receives what she has ordered.
• If you are buying a one-of-a-kind or limited edition doll, it doesn't hurt to ask around about it on message boards. [The artist might recognize her work and notice that something isn't quite right.] Questions like, "Who did the face-up?" or "Who made the outfit?" will always help. Or asking the seller for additional photos (like of the BJD's signed head cap) might also assure that the seller is actually in possession of the doll.

As in most things in life, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Keep your thinking cap on and be wary. Keep your passwords protected on your Ebay and Paypal account, change them occasionally, and let authorities know if your account has been compromised.

*NOTE: I just saw some comments on a Yahoo message group I follow about Paypal's Buyer Protection. It's only valid for 45 days, and often when you buy a BJD, a doll preorder or a commission, you have to wait longer than that. In that case, it's wise to pay with a credit card (and not a balance in your Paypal account or your checking account), so you then have double coverage from your credit card as well.

Wake-up Cue Blushed

Wake-up Cue, blushed, originally uploaded by alington.

I'm trying out a new lens my husband rented from our local camera shot (always a bad idea, since you love each one you try). It's a Nikon 105, something or other. I love how bright it is.

Wake-up Cue (I have to start calling her Anastasia, but it isn't sticking) has been blushed by me, very subtly. She still needs sueding. I also gave her a French manicure and pedicure today.

She's wearing her OOAK Rococo gown and a London wig by JPop. It's a nice change from the Sunstreaked Lynea wig, I think. See more photos from this shoot on Flickr.

Wake-up Cue

Wake-up Cue, originally uploaded by alington.

And one more, anticipating the arrival of Lady Bee and Yeru: Wake-up Cue, who we're trying to call Anastatsia.

She's a large bust, white skin doll, with enhanced eyelashes and artist face-up by Boutique Doll. Here she's dressed in DollHeart's Pure Red and a wig that was included with Cutie Angel Mari.

I still need to give her a little body blushing, but think she is magnificent.

Goldie

Goldie, originally uploaded by alington.

I'm still lost in the woods. This is my normal skin Goldie, normal bust, currently wearing acrylic hazel eyes and a raven wig that was included with Sky. Enhanced lashes, body blushing, jewelry and outfit by me.

Happy spring, and hope you had a lovely Easter weekend!

FYI, I'm in San Diego, and we did feel the quake yesterday. No one was hurt, but it looks like the wood structure on our patio saw a little damage. It was the longest quake we've felt in a while, and my heart goes out to those near the epicenter!

Sky

Sky, originally uploaded by alington.

I'm continuing on the Lost in the Woods (Peak's Woods!) theme this weekend.

Sky was my first Peak's Woods doll, and actually, my first SD BJD. She's a white skin, large but doll. She's wearing a Leeke wig (Lacey) and glass eyes from my Cutie Angel doll. Dress by Nancie from www.nankatts.biz. Body blushing and enhanced eyelashes by me.

*Sigh...* I just think she is wonderful! Sad, and wonderful.

Lost in the Woods

Lost in the Woods, originally uploaded by alington.

My Peak's Woods girls all together:

Goldie, normal skin, small bust: Glib acrylic eyes, PW raven wig; gown, necklace, enhanced lashes and body blushing by me. Factory face-up (the recent kind).

Sky, white skin, large bust: glass eyes by Cutie Angel, Leeke wig (Lacey), outfit by Nankatts, enhanced eyelashes and body blushing by me. Older factory face-up.

Wake-Up Cue (Anastasia), white skin, large bust: acrylic eyes, Cutie Angel wig, outfit is Pure Red by DollHeart, face-up and enhanced lashes are artist's work from Boutique Doll.

If I could only collect one brand of doll, it would be Peak's Woods. I adore these girls. They stand 58 cm (about 23") tall.

Goodreau SD Aimee as Light Alice

Goodreau SD Aimee as Light Alice, originally uploaded by leahlilly.

This is Goodreau Doll's Aimee, a new resin BJD, their first in this scale. These dolls are about four weeks out, and on their way. This doll has a face-up by (and photo is courtesy of) Leah Lilly, a talented face-up artist and part of the Froggy Duds team--I highly recommend her work.

Per Paulette Goodreau, for the first time, nude and blank dolls will be available for sale with eyes only for $525. For $595, she will come with a face-up by Paulette, random dress, wig, eyes and shoes. Additionally to the three collaboration project dolls currently listed on Goodreau Doll Lab's website (Dark Alice, Light Alice and Blue Alice), three more will be available as well: Flamingo Alice, Tattered Tea Party and White Alice. I can hardly wait to see!

From what I've seen of this doll, she's very lovely, and very versatile. She's larger than an SD13 doll, and stands 25" tall.