Fall Flowers by Magia 2000

I also got a chance to snap a few photos of my very first Magia 2000 OOAK doll, Fall Flowers. I was able to pick her up at the Grant A Wish convention during room shopping--and I'm just so thrilled.

She uses a Steffie sculpt, and she's wearing a hand-beaded gown with silk flower details. You can see lots more photos on Flickr. I think she's the shining star of my Barbie collection!

Magia 2000 at Grant A Wish

Check out the photos on Flickr if you'd like to see a selection of the dolls that Mario of Magia 2000 brought with him to sell at the Grant A Wish convention this year. Above, you can see the gorgeous convention auction doll.

Steffie of the Day: OOAK Birthstone Beauty

OOAK Birthstone Beauty, a photo by alington on Flickr.

I picked up this OOAK lime green reroot from Johnny Jay at the Barbie Convention this past August.

I believe this is a former Miss Pearl, June's Birthstone Beauty. I think she's quite pretty--and the only doll I own with hair this color.

Steffie of the Day: Arnaldo's PJ

Arnaldo's PJ, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Another wonderful find for me from Barbie Convention, and also by Arnaldo, is this gorgeous restyled Malibu PJ. If she only had a flip... this is what she'd look like!

Steffie of the Day: Malibu PJ OOAK

Malibu PJ OOAK, a photo by alington on Flickr.

It's been a while, but yes, I still love Steffie. This lovely one-of-a-kind treasure was a find from the latest Barbie Convention, and was created by Arnaldo's Creations. She is a former Malibu PJ.

I think she's simply adorable with pigtails curled to the front.

Raffle Steffie from Magia 2000

Magia 2000, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Here's pretending that it hasn't been a week since my last post--I must apologize. My kids have started school, and my oldest starts after Labor Day, but has started (no joke) an all-day band camp. I have four kids in three different schools in two districts this year. The driving is a little crazier than I'm accustomed to, it seems.

I'm usually a no-nonsense kind of parent--it's a requirement as a mom of four. There is just no other option. But since David is in high school this year (how did that happen? Am I really no longer in my 30s?), I feel like the, er, responsible thing to do is to allow some extra-curricular activities into the schedule, and to encourage them, even. We'll see how long this lasts.

That being said and, while my sanity is mostly still in tact, this is another favorite from the Magia 2000 fashion show. She is a gorgeous Steffie repaint with a beautiful fashion. Amazingly, Mario and Gianni found it reasonable to create her for a raffle prize and gave her away to one lucky person in attendance at the show that night!

Simply fantastic!

Steffie from Magia 2000

Magia 2000, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Which was my personal favorite from the Magia 2000 The Colours collection? Oh, do you really have to ask?

Of course it's this girl. She is a former a Barbie Basics Model 03 (Steffie), with a complete repaint and hair restyle. Her gown is soft pink with intricate beading and silver thread embroidery. Her large green cape gives her the appearance of movement. She includes beaded jewelry as well.

See additional photos on Flickr. I so wish I could have taken her home! (There's always next year!)

Magia 2000 fashion show

Untitled, a photo by alington on Flickr.

The most amazing event at Barbie convention this year was the Magia 2000 fashion show. Sure, I'm giving myself away as a fan girl (again!), but I just can't help it. Glittering dolls with perfect repaints, hand embroidery, sequins, crystal, silk, satin, and chiffon--I go nuts!

Check out the rest of the photos on Flickr. Also, I have an additional set of the dolls.

Mario did the narration, and Gianni and Ibrahim Ismail (another talented designer) assisted with tray-passing the dolls down the runway. Special guest and OOAK collector Richard Simmons joined in as a doll-passer as well, about halfway through the show.

The collection was introduced as The Colours collection. There were 50 one-of-a-kind dolls introduced, plus an additional raffle doll and the pair of silent auction dolls as well.

Next year, I'll be sure to budget accordingly--I won't be leaving without one of these amazing pieces. Each one was really an amazing work of art. And did I mention: I could have listen to the descriptions (and speaker, Mario) all night? Simply mesmerizing.

Competition room

Competition room, a photo by alington on Flickr.

My favorite new artist at convention is Tommy Barzilla. Here's his competition entry. You can also visit his website here.

You can see the rest of my competition room photos on Flickr as well.

Magia 2000 Live Auction Donation

Magia 2000, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Oh my--if funds were unlimited...

My favorite item from the live auction was Marie Antoinette by Magia 2000. Exquisitely beaded and embroidered sapphire silk, this wonderful repainted Silkstone is a gorgeous tribute to Bob Mackie's Madame du Barbie. She helped raise money for the charity auction, and is simply a work of art.

You can see additional photos on Flickr--as a lucky tag-along, I got a sneak peek before the auction, and was simply floored.

My "first" attempt at a OOAK Barbie

Okay, so the "first" in quotations means that this is not actually the first one-of-a-kind Barbie that I've tried to re-paint. There is one very sad attempt that is hidden deep in a drawer somewhere in my my house. You will never see a picture of her and we will never speak of her again.

Now that that's cleared up, here are the before & after shots of the first OOAK Barbie that I'm not ashamed to share pictures of. She began as a "Celebrate, Disco Doll!" Barbie (2008) with an afro of short, sausage curls & glitter eye shadow. Cute in her own way, but ready for a different look.

Worth the Wait

Here are the OOAK Matt Sutton dolls Valerie and I waited in line for two hours for the opportunity to purchase. For me, this was a several year quest so I am thrilled. From the left: Dark Romance, Citrine, and Benefit Luncheon.

Italian Doll Convention charity items on Ebay.it

Queen of the Forest - by Magia 2000 and George Gonzales (JAMIEshow)

Check out the fabulous auction items on Ebay.it from the Italian Doll Convention! The proceeds of these auctions will benefit Foundazione Blu and its Project Monitan, which sponsors children's participation in educational and recreation activities in improverished areas within Monobitan Park, Calcutta. Many designers have donated items, including:

• Matt Sutton
• Artist Creations
• Paul Pham
• Matt Trujillo
• Magia 2000
• Ninimomo
• Patrick Kon
• Two wigs by Ilaria Mazzoni
• Magia 2000 and George Gonzales (JAMIEshow)
• Maurizio Andreuccetti & Artist Creations
• Superfrock (it's a Chalk White!)
• Robert Best

Go bid! There are some really incredible one-of-a-kind dolls available. The auctions end in a week, and will ship after the event and before June 1.

Barbie Convention 2011

This year's National Barbie Doll Collector's Convention is being held in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl at the Harbor Beach Marriott resort. Convention activities do not officially begin until Wednesday, July 27th but room sales are in full swing. If you live in the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area you can shop room sales without being registered for the convention now through Wednesday night. There will also be a public sales day on Saturday, July 30th. Room sales are located on floors 8-15 with the majority of sellers on floors 11 and 12. Stop by and see me in room 1130. I have lots of vintage pretties for sale.

Here is a doll I purchased while room shopping:  a OOAK mod Barbie doll by Arnaldo Cardova. She is a recreation of the prototype TNT Barbie that was never produced by Mattel. She is re-rooted with real vintage hair and has original TNT pink ribbons. Her lips and nails are repainted. Arnaldo also created this "Japanese exclusive" dress. Mod lace-up boots complete her look.