JennyGrey Designs shows at the Strawberry Festival in Vista, CA!

On Sunday, one of our contributors, Jen, presented both human- and coordinating doll-sized fashions from her fashion line, JennyGrey Designs, in a real-life fashion show at the Strawberry Festival in Vista, CA.  You can see the runway show above, and find out more at her shop on Etsy.

I'm hoping she will be posting large-sized photos of each of the doll's fashions (and hopefully the people's fashions, too) on the Fashion Doll Review within the next few days! The show turned out perfectly. Congratulations, Jen!

Vintage Barbie On the Go sheath PAK

Barbie's On the Go PAK sheath was available on the market from 1964-1965 in a floral print or in cherry red, rust, forest green, olive green, or blue with white mini-dots. The hardest sheath to find is the floral pattern. In 1962 and 1963 this PAK was issued only in the red, green, and blue shades and was titled simply, "sheath with gold buttons". The sheath was cotton and is the same pattern that was used in Barbie's Sheath Sensation fashion. There are four gold-tone buttons, 2 front pockets, and it ties in the back with snaps.

Nokia N8 Pink - Freedom ad, featuring Dynamite Girls!

Those of you who know me personally know I'm kind of an Apple girl. I know, I know, I can't help it. I just can't stand messing with my phone or computer. I'm too technically inept to do anything but "plug it in and turn it on." (Plus, I've had a nerd-crush on Steve as early as I can remember. Black turtlenecks! *swoon*) However, I won't let my bias interfere with posting an adorable Nokia commercial.

Check out the cute (and rather disturbing) video featuring a soundtrack by Sugababes and (Wave I) Dynamite Girls (perhaps among other dolls?).

Is it me, or am I the only one thinking, "Ouch, ouch!"

It's very fun, just the same. However, some shots break the cardinal rule of doll photography: If a person can't pose like that, it won't look natural for a doll to pose like that, either.

BJDs for Beginners: book update!

Updated cover art--for better resolution photo.

Just a quick update for you...

I worked and worked (and worked) this weekend to get the proof of Ball-Jointed Dolls for Beginners formatted and finished. The manuscript is being uploaded and proofed for errors, and I'll be ordering a proof in the next 24 hours or so. It should arrive within a week. My editor, Melissa Metheney, and I will be making some changes and fixing color issues, and then... I think it will be a go! (Scary!)

Here's what we've got:

• 130+ full-color 8.5x11 pages
• Resources page for BJD-related shopping, information and further reading
• Index
• about 200 full-color photos
• 15 tutorials and projects, including restringing (yes, even you can do it!) and a full-size sewing pattern
• MSRP $30.00

The table of contents:

Ball-Jointed Dolls for Beginners

What is a BJD?

A brief history of the BJD

My take on the Resin versus Vinyl debate

Notes about sizes

Commonly used terms and abbreviations

BJD purchasing basics

How collecting ball-jointed dolls is different from other collections

A few words of caution

How to choose your BJD

Aesthetics: what’s important to you

Pricing and quality

Themes and customization

Handling your doll and aging BJDs

How to buy your BJD

To consider before your purchase

In person - at shows, meets and stores

Online

On the secondary market

How to care for your BJD

Supplies you will need

Regular maintenance

Basic customizing

Restringing

Enhancing projects

Joining the BJD Community

Netiquette

Getting connected online

Joining or creating a BJD meet-up in your area

Conventions

BJD resources

Photo credits

Index

I'm toying with the idea of releasing a digital copy for the iPad or other digital readers. This would include active links and possibly video tutorials, if I can find an assistant. Sometimes the techniques are easier to see in person than only in photos, but I think you'll like the photos, too.

I'm finally starting to feel a sense of accomplishment and relief!

If you plan to attend IFDC this year in Las Vegas, I will be there, and I will have copies of my book for sale at my dealers, details coming soon. Please feel free to ask me questions. I'm sure I'll be easy to spot--I'll keep you posted on my hair color--it will either be green or pink.

Vintage Barbie fashion #1622, Student Teacher

This is Barbie's Student Teacher fashion which was available on the marked from 1965-1966. It consists of:

• red and white dress: the skirt is houndstooth and the bodice is red knit. There are two red buttons, two red belt loops, and a back zipper. The Barbie tag is located in this piece.
• blue geography book
• pointer
• red vinyl belt with gold-tone buckle
• plastic globe, the earth model actually spins!
• red closed-toe shoes or spikes. The presence of spikes increases the value of the outfit.

Most of these pieces are difficult to find. Expect to pay about $195 for a near mint and complete, loose version. This fashion coordinates with Skipper's School Girl ensemble.

Leekeworld Tiny hybrid

Tiny, originally uploaded by alington.

Another older hybrid BJD is back from Overnight Flight's miracle spa. This is Leeke's Tiny head on a Junior Girl Minoru world body. She's a little taller than your usual YoSD sized girl, and has just a big more curve.

I had planned on selling her, since I've never bonded with her, but was having no luck in the Den of Angels marketplace. So, I sent her to Beesou. And oh my. Sorry, folks, she's not for sale anymore!

I asked for something a little sad or pouty, natural and pearly, very soft and neutral lips. Anything I ever said about this sculpt, I take it back. She is adorable. (Darn it. I was trying to de-fan myself of Leeke dolls, actually.)

More photos of her on Flickr. She's dressed in Poinsettia by DollHeart and a wig and eyes by Kemper Dolls. (See more of Beesou's work here.)

Bye Bye, Baby DeeAnna Denton

Bye Bye, Baby DeeAnna Denton, originally uploaded by alington.

Va va voom! DeeAnna Denton's newest incarnation has arrived, and I've finally taken the time for her much-deserved photoshoot.

I adore her. She's a brown-eyed (with applied eyelashes), sassy blonde, styled a la Marilyn. She's dressed in a lovely black velvet cocktail dress with a shirred chiffon waist, tied in the back with a large black bow.

Accessories include black satin pumps, a rhinestone bracelet, necklace, and "hoop" earrings.

The only things I'd add is a gorgeous satin clutch with a few rhinestones and perhaps some gold trim. And maybe some dolla bills hanging out a bit.

Oh yes--and a martini glass. Wouldn't you say?

See a few more photos on Flickr.

Mod Barbie Fashion, Bermuda Holidays, stock #1810

This is Barbie's Bermuda Holiday's fashion, on the market from 1967-1968. This fashion included a cotton floral print tunic with four green buttons, a matching cotton hat, green bermuda shorts, and hot pink soft flats shoes. The Barbie tag can be found inside the tunic and the pink flats are marked Japan. The shorts are the hardest part of this fashion to find.

The W Club exclusive exclusive doll: Monaco Royale

It's been announced: the first Fashion Royalty's 2011 Exclusive W Club Doll, available to all W Club members. Her name is Monaco Royale Vanessa Perrin, and she'll arrive in Fall of this year. Suggested retail is $135.

I actually think she is gorgeous. She's wearing a pale peach gown with a draped skirt and a sequined top, belted in gold. Fabulous sparkling jewelry, reminiscent of Monogram Magnifient's lovely necklace (only in gold), plus coordinating bracelets and earrings are simply wonderful. Her strappy gold sandals and martini glass finish the look.

The doll herself is a dark-haired girl with an elegant updo, and soft, pink-toned facial screening.

Enjoy the photos, property of Integrity Toys.

Tonner convention exclusive Ellowynes available now

Dark Shadows, Photo property of Wilde Imagination

If - like me - you weren't one of the lucky people to make it to the Tonner convention, don't worry. You can still get a piece of the action. Two exclusive convention dolls are available now on the Wilde Imagination website: "The Lighter Side" (LE 200) and "Dark Shadows" (LE 350).

The Lighter Side, Photo property of Wilde Imagination

A day late, but we have a winner!

"Working" cover art for the upcoming book.

Congratulations to Deborah Goerz, who is the winner of our latest drawing! Congratulations, Deborah!

Your name was chosen at random this morning (I know, I know--I had "a day" yesterday) as the winner of my upcoming book. Let me know how to get in touch with you--you can drop me a line at alington at mac dot com, if you like.

I'm still aiming for the end of June for the official publication date. As another teaser, I'm posting a photo of the working cover art. Cute and corny, don't you think?

Tonner convention items for sale at Tonner Direct!

Get them while you can--yes, directly from Tonner--extras from the most recent Tonner convention.

Tyler 2.0 (the BJD) has already sold out, but she was still $495. But there are still a few other goodies. I love the two Daphne sculpts--Nod and Wihelmina.

Pricey, but WAY better than eBay prices. Have fun!

Wilde Imagination Spring 2011 catalog available online

Going in Circles, Photo property of Wilde Imagination

The new Wilde Imagination catalog is now available online, and I'm especially excited about this one!

There are so many Ellowyne and Prudence outfits (and dressed dolls) to grab a fashion-lover like me. Among my favorites: Prudence, Band Together, Ennui & Old Lace and Tailored for Pru. Also, check out the fabulous Hanging By A Thread Collection: 12 new pieces, sold separately or as a whole, to create your own looks for Ellowyne. (Trust me, you'll wish they made these in your size.)

Evangeline Ghastly also has some new additions, including my favorites: A Tangled Web and the Cobwebs and Tulle Bustierre (sold on its own or as part of Evangeline's third Attic Collection). (I'm loving these separates collections for both Ellowyne and Evangeline - good thinking, Wilde Imagination!)

Even more good news: get free shipping (when you spend $75 or more) by using Promo Code SMILE14 until June 4th at midnight (EST). (International customers, enter Promo Code SPRING14INT, and you'll get $9.95 off your order instead.)

Ball-Jointed Dolls for Beginners, the book.

Preview of upcoming book... click the photo to enlarge!

Just a few notes about my upcoming book...

I've always wanted to write a book, and this is my version of a "vanity publication" on ball-jointed dolls, one of the many types of dolls in my eclectic collection. I just needed the perfect topic, and this is it.

My objective is to educate the reader in the history and anatomy of the ball-jointed doll, and assist him or her how to choose and purchase a BJD, how to provide its maintenance and care (with project ideas and photo tutorials), how to get connected to the blossoming community of global ball-jointed doll collectors, and provide a photo gallery with this full color book.

It's edited by Melissa Metheney, featuring dolls by Peak's Woods and fashions by JennyGrey and DollHeart (and company permission granted). It will be self-published, and available for sale from this website and directly from Amazon.com, plus I hope to get a few doll dealers interested in carrying it as well.

Here is the working table of contents:

Ball-Jointed Dolls for Beginners

What is a BJD?

A brief history of the BJD

My take on the Resin versus Vinyl debate

Notes about sizes of the BJD

Commonly used terms and abbreviations

The anatomy of the BJD purchase

How collecting ball-jointed dolls is different from other collections

A few words of caution

How to choose your BJD

Aesthetics: what’s important to you

Pricing and quality

Themes and customization

How to buy your BJD

To consider before your purchase

In person - at shows, meets and stores

Online

On the secondary market

How to care for your BJD

Supplies you will need

Regular maintenance

Basic customizing

Restringing

Enhancing projects

Joining the BJD Community

Netiquette

Getting connected online

Joining or creating a BJD meet-up in your area

Conventions

BJD sources

Index

My goal is to have it ready to ship by the end of June. I will be attending IFDC, and hopefully will have some for sale at that point as well. I'll keep you posted!

A drawing and a comment about drawings

Viyol, by Peak's Woods.

Dear readers, I hope you're enjoying your weekend. By this, I mean, specifically, that you're spending it with your families, relaxing, shopping for or photographing your doll collection, and not spending hours online searching for hard-to-find QR codes, that may very well be the mark of the beast. As you might have noticed, I am still blogging, which means the world didn't actually end this weekend as Mr. Camping predicted.

In honor of this lovely occasion, and my horrible realization that I, a college-educated 38 year-old mother of four, have just spent an embarrassingly quantity of time searching for little code squares online, I've decided to offer my own free drawing. 

The prize: 

A free copy of my upcoming book, Ball-Jointed Dolls for Beginners, to be released by the end of June. (Now I really do have to finish it!)

To enter, all you have to do is go back through each of the Fashion Doll Review's blog posts, and count how many times I've used the words "Tonner Doll" and email me your answer.

Just kidding!!

No, seriously. To play, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post, here on this post, with some piece of identifying info, like your first name, last initial (or a handle is fine) and your state. If you don't mind checking that no one else has already used your ID, I'd appreciate that.

I will be doing a drawing on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, and will post the winner by noon PST, and contact you (or ask you to contact me). Thanks for playing!

I'm really counting on you, dear readers, to enter this free contest. This way I will have a good reason to finish the damned book. 

And as usual, my contributors aren't permitted to enter. You'll have to suffer through reading the book's proof soon enough, so don't be too disappointed.

Last day to bid on latest charity auctions

Magnificent Monogram, originally uploaded by alington.

Don't forget! Today is the last day to bid on our latest charity auctions on eBay. The bids are still pretty low, so don't miss your chance to support the Fashion Doll Review.

Also, 25% of the winning bids will be donated to the Red Cross, so you can shop and feel good about shopping for dolls, too.

The remainder of the auctions will be committed to our next project--with details forthcoming soon! Thanks for your support!

Updates from Tonner Doll convention

Ultra Basic Gina, a new addition to Cami & Jon line

Are you following along with Tonner's convention this week? You can at their Wordpress blog. There are sevreal great workshops this year, including a repaint workshop.

Several interesting centerpieces have been spotted, but as they are official Tonner photos, I'll let you visit the blog yourself to see them. Here's what struck my eye:

• Young New York Cami & Jon luncheon. Jon made an appearance as a wigged doll, sporting a supercute short wig, dressed in black white and either gold or orange, depending on how much editing was done to the photo. The new doll, Gina, is described as "a basic, with purple intimates, auburn hair, and a stunning bone structure," which you can interpret as you like. All I can see is that huge man-jaw. But I do love her cheekbones. And perhaps with another hair style, she'd be quite feminine.
• The Pin Up Event. Oh my. Check out the centerpiece doll. She's a new head sculpt on the "new" Tyler Wentworth body. Oh. I just found her promo photo, and she's not as fun as her promo photo. Who knows? I'd have to see her in person. But what if she's a pretty doll, and she's not super thin?

And then there's the QR Code challenge. Aye! So you don't actually have to have a Smart Phone to play this game. You just have to have a reader installed on your computer. But even then... consider it to be an investment of time. Just so you know.

As you might have gathered, I have a pretty bad headache today... maybe you should take my words as a grain of salt. ;) Or pile of dog do. That's what I really mean. LOL!

And go bid on my auctions! As of this morning, not a single bid on either of the vintage Barbies, and they are really cute. And I cannot WAIT to show you DeeAnna Denton as Bye Bye Baby. She arrived yesterday, and she is such a hottie!

Irony...

Lately, the buzz has been about the Tonner convention, which just started on Thursday. Doll boards, forums and chat rooms, as well as e mail groups, have been lighting up about what Tonner might be up to now, especially since this convention is celebrating twenty years of Tonner dolls.

I have only been a collector of Tonner dolls for the last four years, so I guess this explains why Tonner dolls have always been so wonderful, during my time collecting them! Robert Tonner had sixteen years of experience perfecting them, by the time I got hold of the first of his dolls in my collection. About the only complaint I have is that Mr. Tonner seems to be actively conspiring to rob me blind; not at gunpoint, but rather, at doll-point, if that makes any sense.

I keep TELLING myself to be good. "No more dolls, you have enough with one hundred of these beauties."

However, since this is a blog about dolls and doll collecting, you ALL know how futile it is to tell yourself "enough," when it comes to dolls.

What spurred this entry, however, is a comment my friend Gina made in her chatroom, when some of the rest of us were grumbling about missing the fun of conventions. Gina gets to go to IDEX every year, but that is because that particular convention is held not too far from her home.

"It's ironic," Gina commented in the chat, "in order to save up the money to go to a
convention other than the one near my home, I would have to stop buying dolls."

I could not continue with the chat for a few moments, because I could NOT stop
laughing. Then I had a really good, hard think about it, and realized she was right. Not only is her statement the perfect example of irony, it is also a Catch-22:

In order to go to a doll convention, mad collectors, such as myself, would have to stop buying dolls. However, if enough people do this, so they can save enough money to attend doll conventions, this would put a doll company in danger of going out of business, due to lack of income.

ACK!!

Does anyone know where I can get seeds for a money tree?

Mod barbie Fashion, Gypsy Spirit, stock #1458

Here is Barbie Gypsy Spirit fashion which was issued in 1970. This ensemble is comprised of a light pink nylon blouse with gold trim and a turquoise suede vest and skirt with looped braid trim. Both the blouse and skirt tie with snaps. Any of the following four types of shoes will complete this fashion, hot pink pilgrims or t-straps or aqua pilgrims or t-straps. Look for a blouse with an intact waist elastic and a vest that still has it's ties.

Three more auctions listed!

Thanks so much for participating in our first charity auction! We raised $76.25 from our first doll auction.

It worked so well that I wanted to add a few more dolls to the list. This is a link to them. This is a short three-day auction, too:

• Monogram Magnificent, MIB including all her accessories
• 1974 nude Sweet 16 Barbie
• 1972 nude Walk Lively Barbie (these two are especially for our mod Barbie fans)

These auctions have Buy-It-Now prices on them, too--but their starting prices are reasonable, too--especially the mod girls.

Hope you're enjoying your Friday!

Event at Peak's Woods

Wake-Up Lady Bee Romantic Elf by Peak's Woods

New event at Peak's Woods! My budget goes into overload! (Just kidding about that one.)

From May 20 through May 30, Peak's Woods is offering an additional 10% discount on all three of their newly released dolls:

• Wake-Up Lottie (now available as a basic doll), in the Fairies of Color category, SD13 size, available in normal or white skin, $464 or $524 with a face-up
• Lavin (now available as a basic), also a Fairy of Color, SD13 size, available in normal or white skin, $464 or $524 with a face-up
• Wake-Up Lady Bee Romantic Elf, a brand new sculpt in the Fairies of Bugs category, about MSD size, available in normal or white skin, $280 or $340 with a face-up. This doll has elf ears.

Layaway is available for these (and any) of their dolls, and custom make-up is available upon request (and is usually a bit extra). 

I have to say--both Wake-Up Lottie and Lavin are simply fantastic sculpts (I already have both), and they are just wonderful dolls. Lady Bee is on my wish list!

All photos are property of Peak's Woods.

Wake Up Lottie, available now from Peak's Woods.

Lavin, available now from Peak's Woods.

Lemon Color Magic

Lemon Color Magic, originally uploaded by alington.

Another new trade acquisition, a lemon/golden blonde Color Magic. She's just gorgeous.

A friend of mine mentioned you can change their hair, with the help of baking soda, but I think I'll wait till I have a second one I can practice on, LOL!

It occurs to me I might be a high maintenance vintage Barbie collector. At our last doll meet, I was green with envy at a friend's purchase of Golden Glory (#1645 from 1965). (Val, would you PLEASE post photos??) She bought the gown and coat in near mint condition, and oh my! It's gorgeous. Me? I'd "require" the golden glitter open toed heels, also.

See some more photos of my lovely Color Magic on Flickr. I'll be redoing the vintage shelves today, I think.

Gold 'n Glamour

Gold 'n Glamour, originally uploaded by alington.

Finally, I have a girl worthy of modeling the Gold 'n Glamour fashion, my very first American Girl, a gorgeous blonde. I see what the big deal is about these ladies. They are simply gorgeous!

You can see many more photos of her on Flickr. I feel I don't need to add much more in comments here--she speaks for herself.

Vintage Barbie fashion #991, Registered Nurse

This is Barbie's Registered Nurse fashion available from 1961-1964. It includes:

• white uniform with pin (often discolored to silver but was originally gold) and zippered back. There are four white buttons on the front.
• navy cape with red lining, one button with loop closure (this is the piece containing the Barbie tag)
• black glasses with clear lenses
• cardboard diploma
• hot water bottle
• medicine bottle
• metal spoon
• white open-toe shoes
• white nurse's hat with black stripe

Here's a tip for dressing your Barbie doll in this fashion: do not secure the hat with a metal pin. It will cause the vinyl to turn green. Instead, use museum putty to keep the cap in place. Current market value for this career fashion near mint and complete is about $125.

New items for sale on the DollPage Show & Sell

Adeline Joy, 8" Goodreau resin BJD.

Feel like a little shopping on a Monday morning? Take a break and hop over to the DollPage Show & Sell, and check out my new (and revamped) listings over there.

More than likely, I'll be adding more items during the week as well. I'll keep you posted!

Feel free to ask me any questions. I also am accepting trades. I have a huge trade list in the Site Forum, under Want To Trade. My wish list is called "Will trade for any of my listings," and it's under my user name, alington.

Don't forget! FDR Charity auction closes today!

Don't forget! The Fashion Doll Review's first charity auction closes today, in about an hour and a half, at  9:15 AM PDT.

The current bid is at $127.50, which is still less than a regular, non-customized doll has recently sold for (on April 9, at least).

And don't forget--half of your winning bid will be donated to the American Red Cross. Thanks so much for looking and your support!

Briana, new face up!

Briana, originally uploaded by alington.

White skin Briana (also by Peak's Woods) with new brown eyes and a blonde default wig, dressed in JennyGrey Designs, showing off her new face-up by Overnight Flight (on Den of Angels). Beesou did a great job.

Briana is one of Peak's Woods more realistic sculpts. She can wear 16-14mm eyes. The 14mm (shown here) give her a more realistic look, as you see more of the white of her eye.

See more photos on Flickr.

Glass eye fun...

Sonja, originally uploaded by alington.

I recently made an investment of glass eyes from Mint on Card. I am really having a good time with them.

They seem to have more depth, realism and just a hint of creepiness to them, I think. My model above is Sonja, a white skin Wake-Up Goldie, exclusive to Haute Doll magazine with a Val Zeitler face-up.

Her green eyes and dark hair really bring out her smokey eye shadow. She looks so glamorous.

You can see more photos of glass-eyed dolls in my display photos on Flickr.

Mod Barbie Fashion, Tennis Team, stock #1781

Here is Barbie's Tennis Team fashion from 1970-1971. This sports ensemble includes a white tennis dress with two orange bows, tennis shoes, a tennis racket, and a ball. All the items are very easy to find and you should be able to complete this fashion near mint and complete for under $50.

Jet Set Integrity Toys convention registration is open!

Save the date, and register now for the Integrity Toys Jet Set convention:

October 6-8, 2011

Schaumburg, Illinois

Jet Set:

10 Years of Fashion Royalty 

According to the online brochure, this year's event features:

• Good food at the Schaumburg Renaissance Hotel (three dinners and a luncgh)
• Competitions in doll designs and diorama
• Treasure hunt
• Revamped Dynamite Girls Design-A-Doll studio
• Lots of exciting workshops for guests who register before June 10
• Registration packages released by the end of May
• Convention bulletin board
• Installment plan for registration payment (divided into three payments, no extra fees)
• Gifts, goodies, convention dolls and extra surprises
• Souvenir Shop featuring IT Direct dolls that will debut at the convention--available first to convention attendees

If you choose to stay at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel, convention costs are $380. If you don't stay at the hotel, convention costs are $450.

As per previous years, absentee packages are not available. This year, the attendance age has been dropped to 10 years and older, and limited to 450 registrants. It sure sounds fun!

You can download the PDF registration information here, or click here to read the news from Integrity's website.

QR Code hunt at the Tonner Collector's Convention

Ask: Response in Yellow, by Fluevog.

Have you heard of QR Codes? You see them lots of places... mostly as advertising, I have to admit, in magazines, printed advertising, and on this gorgeous pair of clogs by John Fluevog. (Fluevog day is May 15, by the way!)

You can download a QR Code reader--for free--for your smart phone. It scans in the code, and sends you off to the company's website for more information. Try it out on my shoes above, if you like.

In any case, Tonner Convention attendees will be doing a QR Code scavenger hunt this year, and online attendees will have the opportunity to do one online as well. What do you think of that? You can read about it, and the first comment about the contest, on Tonner's blog.

Suffice it to say, I already have one of these readers on my iPhone, since I had to know what the heck the code linked to on my shoe. If you're curious, it links to the YouTube video of the manufacturing process of the shoe, which is also featured on the shopping link on the website, right here. The shoes are fabulously comfortable, especially for a wooden clog. I love my 'Vogs--about as much as dolls, in fact. I collect them, and wear them almost daily.

Things I didn't do before I collected dolls

Goldie as Alice, originally uploaded by alington.

I haven't posted a top 10 list in a while, and it's time. Here are the top ten things I do (as a doll collector) that I didn't do before I got into the hobby.

1. Dream about dolls
2. Stay up late obsessing about how I am going to get my latest grail
3. Stay up late worrying about how I am going to pay for said grail
4. Stay up late worrying how I am going to explain my doll budget to my adoring husband
5. Run out of room in my doll cabinets
6. Buy special cabinets for the dolls
7. Spend X amount of time online per day, doing research on dolls, where X is an embarrassingly large number
8. Spend the evening redressing my dolls, and actually look forward to the evening redressing my dolls
9. Write a book about dolls
10. Write a blog about dolls

What about you? Have you started doing anything that surprised you? I wouldn't call myself a hoarder, per se, though perhaps some of my relatives might disagree. And my dolls actually do rotate through my collection--they move on to new homes occasionally, much to the chagrin of some other doll-collecting friends of mine.

Hair Happenin's Francie, stock #1122

Here is a 1970 Hair Happenin's Francie doll, mint in her original box. She was available only as a blonde with chin-length hair and came with 4 additional hairpieces. Her hair is parted in the middle and she wore a blue ribbon headband. (The headband on my Francie has turned purple).  Her eyes and brows were brown, she has rooted lashes, and her lips were pink. She wears an aqua nylon mini-dress with attached panties and crochet sleeves and waist accents. Accessories include a clear X stand, blue soft pointed-toe heels, and a green and silver foil wristtag. This Francie features the TNT (Twist-'N-Turn) waist and bendable legs. Hair Happenin's France is fairly easy to find and the current market value is about $95 for a loose doll in near mint condition.

Mint Memories

Mint Memories, originally uploaded by alington.

Tea for two?

Mint Memories is the first in the Victorian Tea Collection from 1999, and also the first porcelain Barbie to have a swivel head. She has a lovely auburn updo with curls, and a mint green satin gown, complete with bustle, and lots of ribbon, lace and pearl trimming. My favorite accent on this dress is the tiny cameo sewn on the front. See a detailed photo here.

The original doll included a tea cup with 22 karat gold paint, but my doll is an estate find, and she didn't include the original cup. She's got a new Rement tea cup instead. Just lovely!

See more photos of her on Flickr.

Vintage Barbie fashion #1604, Crisp 'n Cool

Here is Barbie's Crisp 'n Cool fashion, available from 1964-1965. It includes:

• red cotton sheath skirt, one set of snaps in back
• white sleeveless blouse with red buttons and stitching and attached red dotted scarf, ties with snaps (this is the piece containing the Barbie tag)
• short white tricot gloves
• white open-toe shoes
• white fabric bag with red vinyl handle and trim (this is often stiff)

This fashion looks great on any vintage Barbie doll. It is smart and classic. The current retail value for this set near mint and complete is $75-$100.

New dressed dolls at Wilde Imagination

Timid Tan Ellowyne Wilde

Check out the two new dressed dolls, available now, from Wilde Imagination:

• Timid Tan is a lovely new green-eyed blonde Ellowyne, wearing a subdued cream-colored layered linen-look dress, complete with appliqué and fringe accents. She includes fingerless gloves, lace stockings, pumps and coordinating jewelry. Retail $135, LE1000.
• Raw Edges is a brightly-colored blue-eyed, red-haired Ellowyne dressed in a purple ruffled taffeta blouse, burgundy skirt, coordinating coat, red gloves, purple boots, stockings and necklace. She retails for $149 and is limited to 1000.

Don't forget--use the promo code SMILE13 and get free shipping on any order of $75 or more (international customers, try SMILE13INT for your $9.95 credit toward shipping costs). The code is valid through May 20, 2011 at midnight.

Stay tuned on May 23 for the launch of the remaining Spring Release from Wilde Imagination.

Photos property of Wilde Imagination.

Happy 300 fans on Facebook to us, and to you!

Happy 300+ fans for the Fashion Doll Review on our Facebook fan page!

In celebration (and also in honor of Mother's day--happy Mother's day to all of you mothers out there), I'm pleased to offer a one-of-a-kind Tonner Doll for a charity auction.

This is Takes the Cake, a 2010 Tonner Collectors' Convention doll, with the Duchess sculpt (her first use) on an Antoinette body. You can read all about her in this eBay listing. She is wearing a one-of-a-kind outfit, made by me, and is now available for auction.

She comes from a 100% smoke free environment, though I do have cats. (They have stayed away from this doll, however, as she has some feathers and beading attached to her outfit--and my cats are untrustworthy when it comes to feathers and beads!)

Fifty percent of her proceeds (by which I mean, 50% off the winning bid total) will be donated to the American Red Cross, and the remaining will be used to cover fees here at the Fashion Doll Review, and possibly a new project we have coming up.

Check out her auction, and bid, if you're inclined. No reserve, and her original listing price was only $9.95. The auction closes Sunday next week. If by chance, you are in a country that is not allowed to bid on eBay, and you'd like a chance to win this doll, drop me a line or a comment via Flickr. Thanks!

Mod Barbie Fashion, Now Knit, stock #1452

Here is Barbie's Now Knit fashion, issued in 1970. The ensemble consists of a sleeveless green knit dress with silver bands, a matching plush hat with royal blue band, a wide silvertone belt, a scarf with silvertone "ring", and royal blue pilgrim or t-strap shoes. The back of the dress ties with a set of snaps. The hardest part of this fashion to find is the scarf and ring.

Eat Cake, OOAK

Eat Cake, OOAK, originally uploaded by alington.

I'm thrilled to announce we reached 300 "likes" on our Facebook fan site this morning!

In celebration, I have another special doll-related event to announce... later this afternoon.

In anticipation of the event, I thought I'd give you a sneak peek of the doll.

Bililons of Dreams

Bililons of Dreams, originally uploaded by alington.

1997 Billions of Dreams Barbie is another grail in my collection. I'd always wanted to add this doll to my gorgeous gown themed dolls, and here she is.

She was limited to 10,000 dolls, and one of these is supposed to be the one billionth Barbie Mattel has manufactured. A fellow collector suggested Mattel should have put a prize in the billionth box. (Like how about a gift certificate for free Barbies for the rest of your life?)

She's very lovely--serene Mackie face, gorgeous satin gown embellished with rhinestones, the bodice covered with iridescent sequins. The gown is pale blue, and her shawl is reversible--pink and pale blue.

She's wearing pale blue spikes (I think--maybe white), and also has a small quilted purse, with a rhinestone "button" on it. It's really cute, and I dropped it when I took her out of the case. I still cannot find the thing.

See more photos of her on Flickr.

Pink Week begins today at BarbieCollector

Save at BarbieCollector.com this week! You can save on newly discounted items (as well as items that have been on sale for a while, too), and some have been discounted as much as 50%!

This week only, save an extra 15% on these special offer shelf deals (the 15% shows up in your shopping cart).

Don't forget--Barbie Fan Club Members--if you haven't used your reward, now would be a perfect time!

One more day to save $15 and get free shipping from TonnerDirect!

Don't forget--the $15 off $75 (plus free shipping) promo code SPRING11 expires tomorrow, May 6, 2011 at 11:59 PM EDT from TonnerDirect.

Tonner's convention blog!

Don't forget to subscribe to Tonner Doll Company's convention blog--it's up and running on Wordpress this year. You can follow all the excitement online, even if you can't be there in person.

Yami the Vampire

Yami, originally uploaded by alington.

This is Yami, a white skin ABJD by Peak's Woods, with a vampire version face-up. (Check out those amazing lower lashes!) She stands almost 23" tall.

She's wearing a Peak's Woods default wig (from one of the other dolls--she usually wears black)--and red glass eyes (20mm). Her dress is called Renske and is made by DollHeart.

She is one of Peak's Woods's earlier sculpts and has an open mouth. I love how her large eyes droop down lightly on her cheeks, giving her a melancholy look.

The poor thing can't help it if she's a vampire!

More photos--many, many--can be seen on Flickr.