Collecting Fashion Dolls by Terri Gold

Deja Vu: Tonner's New Collection

2013-06-18T01:50:00.000-04:00

This very bold statement accompanied the image above:

On Saturday, August 17th, 2013 Tonner Doll will proudly present two lives as part of the new direct-to-consumer exclusive Déjà vu Collection. Get the strange sensation of Déjà vu and be the first to experience a whole new concept in fashion dolls!

Our heroine is 16" in height and boasts a completely new Robert Tonner body and head sculpt, and a compelling story with equally compelling fashions from across the spans of time.

After encountering Déjà vu, you'll never look at a 16" fashion doll the same way - no matter how many lives you've had!

___________________

What I'm thinking is that we're going to see a pop-it bead concept doll. The (really cool) images above show the 'spans of time' as far as fashion goes, but do you see the buttons? What do they signify? Let's unbutton a head or an arm or a leg. Hmmmmm.
We can already change feet and hands. Why not the rest of the body parts?
Wax on; wax off.

Just for fun, check out this blog post:

http://theloveofvintage.wordpress.com/2012/07/29/popits/

The Barbie Look Collection

2013-06-14T00:04:00.000-04:00

Sigh. It's such a shame. These are cute dolls and if they were articulated they'd be so much fun.They're all called "City Shopper Barbie Doll" (Blonde, Brunette, ? and ?) Why don't the bottom two have distinctions? Strange.

Some of the clothes look cute and if you don't mind rubbery shoes and velcro, they'll do just fine.

Winter Weekend

Pink on the Green

On The Red Carpet

If you were to purchase all the items in this collection, including the wardrobe, the total would come to $289.45 plus shipping and tax. That's not so bad for four dressed dolls, six accessorized outfits and a wardrobe. It's a nice collection but they could have included a darker skinned doll.

Click here to see the rest of the collection.

Misleading Ads on eBay

2013-06-10T10:41:00.000-04:00

I'm going to start posting about the bullshit I find in auctions on eBay. I usually just send a polite letter to the seller but they rarely change their ad.
Today's garbage is an auction for a replacement Tiny Kitty body. The ad reads thus:

HTF! RARE!! 10" Tiny Kitty Articulated Body

You are bidding on a Rare, Hard to Find, REPLACEMENT BODY for your Tonner 10" Tiny Kitty doll.

This body is BRAND NEW from the factory and Never used.

Consider the cost of an articulated Tiny Kitty doll, and you will see that this is an Inexpensive way to update your Tiny Kitty doll and have an articulated body. This New body has the highly sought after articulated elbows and wrists for unlimited posing possibilities!

Not only are replacement bodies easy to find, they are not rare. Anyone can get them directly from the Tonner Store for $39. a piece. Last time I purchased a few it was buy 4 get one additional one free. I informed the seller of this in a politely worded email.

Now, if this seller had discovered a Tonner body for TK whose knees did not splay out when she was seated, that would be rare because it doesn't exist.

I previously blogged that I discussed the Tiny Kitty body with Robert last month in Orlando. The new Tiny Kitty's bodies will be the same as the last ones...unlady-like. I am really sad about that. I have a big collection of the gals and they look awful seated.

A few more pictures in which the dolls would have looked nicer if their knees could come together.

If and when they get the body right, Tiny Kitty will become the fashion doll she was meant to be.

Tonner Company Store
14 Hurley Avenue
Kingston, NY 12401
845.339.2960
Store Hours
Wednesday - Saturday: 10am - 6:00pm EST
Closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
Contact Us!
Jennifer at the Tonner Company Store: jbeichert@tonnerdoll.com - or by phone 845-339-2960.

SALE ALERT Summer Savings at Tonner Site Wide 20% Off and Free Shipping

2013-06-07T10:30:00.001-04:00

I have to admit, I buckled. I bought Forever Edward for his clothes.

I will sell the doll as he is not a character I 'need.'

If you do decide to buy, before you click the complete purchase button, do your research and make sure you are getting your goodies for the best price. A quick check on Google will bring up a bunch of shops selling your mainline Tonner items.

I'm glad I didn't cave right after the convention and buy Lady Grace. She is listed at $199. and last week, if I had ordered her, I would have been paying shipping, tax and no discount. (You have to pay tax anyway.) The difference in price between last week and now: $224.70 - $167.16 = $57.54! That's a nice chunk of change.

Here is the link to the sale:

Enjoying My Dolls

2013-06-06T21:46:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite gowns on a favorite doll, Inro. The fashion is from Tonner's Hypnotic Antoinette. I love when fashions from different dolls are interchangeable. Wig by Ilaria.

Here is Jamieshow Ling Lan wearing a Doll Peddlar Exclusive by Ficondoll called Baram2. Wig by Cheryl Wood.

This is what it looks like with all it's pieces...lots of options.

Leonie got a gift from Cheryl Wood of an edgy blonde wig. It suits her well. She is wearing Miss G Black's fashion. Ficon dolls have wobbly legs and although I try, I cannot pose her without a stand.

I sold all of my Avantguard dolls months ago due to loose joint issues and discoloration issues. I really didn't think I'd buy another but I wanted the shoes from On Edge. Don't tell me you never bought a doll to get a pair of shoes! Actually it's the first time I did it and I'm glad. I like this sculpt and always have. She is wearing her own wig (which was a nightmare to put on) and her own clothes. The glasses are Horseman/Urban Vita.

I'm currently in the middle of reorganizing my doll room which wasn't too organized to begin with. These things take time. :-)

Alexandra and Sydney Sheldon's exceptional collection up for auction at Bonhams Los Angeles

2013-06-03T22:39:00.000-04:00

Press Release 30 May 2013

LOS ANGELES — Bonhams is pleased to offer the exceptional doll collection of Alexandra and Sidney Sheldon on June 24 at the Sunset Boulevard salesroom. Alexandra, a former actress, model, and advertising executive married the late Sidney Sheldon in 1989. Sidney won an Academy Award® in 1947 for screenwriting and created hit television shows like I Dream of Jeannie and The Patty Duke Show, all before becoming the seventh best-selling fiction writer of all time, authoring titles including 1973's number one bestseller The Other Side of Midnight.
During their marriage, Alexandra introduced Sidney to collecting dolls, an interest inspired by her love of design, color and whimsy. The couple acquired an impressive collection over several decades, which graced their Paul R. Williams-designed Hombly Hills estate. Bonhams will offer the entire collection of well over 450 dolls on June 24.
A variety of esteemed international dolls makers are represented, including fine examples from the Italian maker Lenci. Made in the early 20th century, Lenci dolls were constructed of felt and renowned for their unusually large size and beautiful craftsmanship. The company had many celebrity fans in its heyday, including Josephine Baker and Queen Elena of Savoy.
An extremely rare Lenci felt doll of Rudolph Valentino, as seen in his film The Son of the Sheik, is the auction's top lot (est. $6,000-8,000). Standing over two feet high, examples of the Valentino doll are scarce as it was discontinued only one year into production after the 1929 stock market crash. Lenci incarnations of famous fictional and historic figures will also be up for auction, including Madame de Pompadour (est. $800-1,200), Mozart (est. $1,200-1,600), Columbina (est. $1,800-2,000) and Madame Butterfly (est. $2,000-3,000).
Two Lenci felt "boudoir dolls" on offer are sure to raise eyebrows (est. $800-1,200 each), as are the "opium smoker" dolls from 1921, one of which comes with a pipe (est. $1000-1,500). Lenci dolls in traditional dress from Asia, Europe and the Middle East are also represented.
Other highly collectable makers on offer include R. John Wright dolls, Skookum dolls from the 1920s-1940s, Kewpie dolls, and German bisque-head dolls.
"We're so pleased to offer the exceptional doll collection of Alexandra and Sidney Sheldon," said Dana Hawkes, Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia Consultant, and specialist in charge of the auction. "It's an excellent opportunity for a new generation of collectors."
Bonhams auction of the doll collection of Alexandra and Sidney Sheldon will take place on June 24 in Los Angeles. The auction will preview in Los Angeles from June 21-23.
A fully illustrated catalog is available at now www.bonhams.com/auctions/21322.

NOTES FOR EDITORS
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son & Neale. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street and Knightsbridge; and a further three in the UK regions and Scotland. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Connecticut in the USA; and Germany, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments go to www.bonhams.com
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Click On Image For the Complete Catalog

2013 Wilde Halloween Convention

2013-06-03T21:36:00.000-04:00

Wilde Halloween Convention!
Register Now!

Join Wilde Imagination as we celebrate our first ever Halloween Convention in the quaint town of Tysons Corner, VA! Leave all of your inhibitions behind - and join the Wilde Imagination family as we gently rap at the door of the beautiful Sheraton Premiere Hotel, October 18th-20th, 2013.

Your registration includes all ghoulish events of the weekend, amazing dolls dressed to ‘thrill’, delicious food, and costume contests with prizes! A souvenir Ellowyne along with an amazing sales room are all included.

Registration is $349
A non-refundable deposit of $100 will hold your spot

Sheraton Premiere at Tysons Corner
703-448-1234
8661 Leesburg Pike
Tysons Corner, Virginia 22182
United States

Register Now

Mattel's New "Ever After High" Dolls

2013-06-03T21:11:00.001-04:00

Too much of a good thing is............................wonderful!
Following Monster High's great success, Mattel has come up with a similarly sized line of dolls called Ever After High. The characters are the children of fairy tale parents with their own painful, teenage high school issues

Quoting from the SDCC Unofficial Blog:

The premise of the show is similar to Monster High, where the kids of famous fairytale parents attend high school and face a dilemma. Instead of the notion of fitting in like in Monster High, the fairytale tweens are faced with the burden of either following or not following their famous parents footsteps. So are you a Royal or a Rebel (We’re suddenly having flashbacks of West Side Story)? Whichever side you favor, this should provide an interesting twist as most will associate anything fairytale related with a Disney storyline.

I think these dolls will capture the hearts of MH lovers everywhere.

Click here to see several brief videos.

About Opinions

2013-05-31T00:16:00.000-04:00

David Pogue writes a very popular tech blog in the New York Times. Last week he reviewed the new Flickr interface and according to this week's post he received feedback from many readers who were offended by his opinion.

He wrote:

To me, it seems that some people fundamentally don’t understand the function of a critic. Drama critics, movie critics, restaurant critics, music critics, tech critics — all of us, it seems to me — are hired specifically to present our opinions.

I would never describe my weekly columns as “news stories,” even if there’s sometimes a news element. They are reviews meant to guide readers toward products that, in my opinion, are good or bad.

You can certainly disagree with a critic. Sometimes, knowing that you almost always disagree with a certain critic is just as helpful in guiding your buying decisions as always agreeing.

But in the end, a reviewer is entitled to like the new Flickr just as much as longtime photographers are entitled to hate it.

The reason I am quoting this excerpt from Pogue's blog should be clear to most of my readers.

Free Doll Clothing Patterns

2013-05-29T10:36:00.003-04:00

While browsing Prego this morning, I came across a post from ~MICKI B~ Essex, England, aka Silkspike, in which she wrote about making a few t-shirts her girls. Click here for the original post on Prego.

She put up pictures and added her own methods for refining the shirts. This looks like something we can do!

Photos by Silkspike

Click here for the link to the T-Shirt pattern download.

More free doll clothing patterns.

Altered Color - Digital Magic

2013-05-27T17:37:00.000-04:00

One of the themes this week on Prego is Black and White. I have an enormous archive of my digital doll photography, yet somehow, I remember individual photos even when they are several years old.
I like black and white images but even more than that, I like a shot of color in a b&w image. Here are several which appeared in a past FDQ piece a few years ago.
I do all my photo editing using Photoshop.

Click on each image to see the various color details.

Antoinette

Aphrodisiac

Attention

Goldmine

Illusion Nadja

Puki Puki

CHO:LO New Collection "Pastel Perfect 1.4"

2013-05-27T10:53:00.000-04:00

Designer extraordinaire, CHO:LO, has revealed his new spring collection. It is a breathtaking group of OOAK fashions for 16" dolls. Not surprisingly they are all sold out but you can still get some eye candy by clicking on the image below which will take you to the Flickr page on which all fashions are pictured individually.

Image by Cholo Ayuyao

Congratulations, Cholo, on an amazing collection.

Searching for the Solution

2013-05-24T17:24:00.000-04:00

There are some who think I am out to destroy Integrity Toys when the fact is that I have spent many thousands of dollars over the past years buying their products. I have posted hundreds of my own photos of their dolls here, on the W Club board, on other doll boards and in FDQ articles. Numerous collectors have told me that I influenced their decision to buy particular dolls.

They have literally ignored the fact that close to 80% of collectors polled will not be purchasing the Mommy Dearest doll. They have caused controversy by deleting posts and issuing gag orders.
I don't feel particularly generous towards them at this time due to their methods of dealing with consumers. But, I saw this paragraph in an online magazine and I thought that it would be profoundly helpful for them to change their tune.

FDA Magazine: Number 7

2013-05-24T16:58:00.000-04:00

Fashion Doll Agency dolls are few and far between. Most are extremely limited editions and they are quite unusual. I have not posted anything about them in ages but today the link to their newest publication was emailed and it's very nice. The doll on the cover would be a delight to own. She's beautiful. Look at those eyes!

Click on the magazine image to see more.

New Rules! Censorship = Fear

2013-05-20T15:29:00.003-04:00

I wasn't collecting dolls back when people were afraid to write the words Barbie and/or Mattel. Apparently Mattel was going around suing people for using these words. Collectors started using asterisks in place of letters, eg. M*ttel and B*rbie. I don't know if that kept them safe. I can certainly understand a company's desire to protect their brand name and to make sure it was not used to market products that were not really theirs.

I have also heard of threads being deleted on the BC.Com boards for various reasons. One must pay to belong to the Barbie Collectors Club and therefore must abide by the rules of the board. Actually you have to abide by the rules of any board whether it's free or not. It's like visiting some one's house. If they don't want you to smoke or whatever, you can't. That makes perfect sense.

But taking it even further, Integrity Toys and the owners of the W Club are so fearful of the general public that their latest directive prohibits even talking about what happens on the board. I may even get another apocalyptic letter about revealing this new rule to the public. They are claiming that talking about what happens on the W Board on blogs, other boards and in pod casts invades the privacy and denies the privilege of the members. They want to create a safe atmosphere for members to post whatever they wish and not be worried that their responses will be used somewhere else.

It would be really interesting to find a safe board of any kind where there were no arguments, no attacks, no sideways remarks, no dismissive statements. It doesn't exist. Doll collectors are very passionate - at least the vocal ones are. Apparently, the overlords at the W Club want only the cheerleaders to voice opinions. No wonder it's the same people who post all the time. Out of the possibly 1000 members (many with multiple memberships), barely 50 people ever post. A very small percentage post all the time. In addition people have been viciously attacked off the board by one member in particular. It's not safe and it never was.

Anyone who actually believes that something they post on a board is private, is in dreamland.

Kindly remember to sign your name if you post a comment.

Some Tonner 2013 Convention Dolls

2013-05-19T14:50:00.001-04:00

I'm posting a few of the beautiful Tonner Convention Dolls. For a complete selection of pictures click on the link at the end of this post.

Dark Innocence Evangeline

Dark Innocence Parnilla

Mod Tyler
Centerpiece

Mod Ava
Centerpiece

Daisy

Lady Emily
Centerpiece

Jay Centerpiece

Zelda Centerpiece

Of these, my favorite is Daisy and I would definitely get her if I could just get the head. Her face is so pretty and she looks just like Daisy in the new Gatsby movie. I like Zelda's fashion. I think Lady Emily is spectacularly dressed.

I know nothing about these dolls regarding price or availability but I'm quite sure they will appear or have already popped up for sale on eBay and the doll boards. I you see anyone selling Daisy's head, please let me know!

For a great selection of photos from the event go to DREAMCASTLE DOLLS. Carol has done a great job of providing as many good pictures of the dolls and displays and competitions as possible.

#tonnercon

2013-05-16T23:35:00.001-04:00

The Tonner Convention began today. I'll be following along as each event is being photographed and videotaped thoroughly and posted on the Tonner Direct Facebook page.
You can join the fun virtually by checking this link often to see the pictures of the people and the dolls.

Click on the photo:

Robert serving drinks at "I want candy" con opener!

Photo above has been snatched from the TD FB page.

Italian Doll Convention 2013

2013-05-14T18:14:00.002-04:00

This is the logo for the upcoming Third Italian Doll Convention. The dates are May 25-26, 2013 in Milan.

There will be a Monster High Event! Can you read Italian?

There will be a huge salesroom with the likes of Magia2000, Fashion Doll Agency, Ruffino Francesco, Inika for Blythe, Laurence Bellet and many, many others.

The popular Fashion Show takes place at the Gala Dinner. Guests are invited to participate by wearing their favorite Barbie or Ken outfit and to bring the doll along with them onto the red carpet. The theme is IDC Goes Musical which should give participants a direction for their choices. I would love to see that!

Possibly the most important aspect of this event is the money for charity which will be raised. This year they have chosen Casa Oz. www.casaoz.org

Charitable donations of magnificent dolls and in two cases, handmade wigs, have been posted on eBay for auction.

My favorite is from Superdoll. It is a OOAK Sybarite doll called "Gladrama." If I know Sybarite collectors, the sky's the limit as to how high the winning bid for this doll will be.

I like the Fashion Doll Agency "Sophia." She comes with the complete fashion collection from the Noir line.

There are 16 items for auction. Click here to see them all. Will you be bidding?

Mama Jo's House of Dolls "The Doll Dilemma"

2013-05-12T13:20:00.001-04:00

From the NY Times, here is an article that the majority of us can probably identify with in some form. This is worth reading and the short video posted at the end of the article is very interesting to watch.

The 700-Doll Question

By JO MAEDER

Published in the New York Times on May 8, 2013

Ten years ago, when my mother was in the throes of dementia, I left New York, bought a home in North Carolina near my brother, and moved her in with me.

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2013/05/09/booming/201305009-DOMESTIC.html?ref=booming

Mama Jo, as she was known, was a hoarder who had been living in Virginia with a collection of more than 700 dolls that she referred to as her “little people.” So I turned the largest space in the house into the doll room: 400 square feet of floor-to-ceiling dolls that rendered most visitors speechless.

After she died, a friend assured me that I’d get through the process of “liberating” those little people the same way I got through my mother’s harrowing decline.

“With a lot of praying?” I asked.

“No,” she replied. “With a lot of Ativan.”

As a child, I went from dolls to ponies to boys. By the time I was an adult, I thought the dolls were creepy. But when Mama Jo died in 2006, I had become fond of them again. Still, I wasn’t what you might call a C.D.L., or Crazy Doll Lady.

When a dealer offered me $35,000 for the collection, I turned it down and dismissed the idea that there was anything wrong with me. I needed to keep the dolls on hand while I wrote a memoir about my care giving adventure. Then my editor thought they might be useful in promoting the book, and when it was optioned to be a movie, the producer loved them. Unfortunately, the option vanished. But a new agent suggested I keep the dolls to promote the paperback. There was always a rational reason.

Or not so rational. Mama Jo and I had been estranged for more than 30 years. It wasn’t until I became her full-time caregiver that we fell madly in love. The doll room was a shrine to her, the dolls an extension of her. And I wasn’t ready to let her go.

Before she died, I videotaped her talking about her collection. “How do you feel about the dolls now?” I asked her.

She beamed. “I hope they all stay together,” she said.

Add that to the list of reasons to keep them.

Six years after her death, they were still with me, and I was still in North Carolina.

I had made countless trips to New York, staying several months at a time. I helped a beloved elderly aunt who lived there, saw good friends and hoped that a new love or job would appear to keep me there permanently. Back “home,” I felt like an interloping Yankee, and yet, unexpectedly, I discovered I was growing as attached to the South as I had to the dolls.

I couldn’t seem to make a decision about anything. And when I did, I immediately regretted it and blamed the dolls (a k a “the damn dolls”). Everything would be fine if I could move back to New York, I told myself. But how do you sell a house with a room that resembles the set of a horror movie?

“They’re holding me hostage!” I complained to anyone who would listen.

The doll collection spanned four generations of my family.

One of the dolls, a Ludwig Greiner, was made before the Civil War. There were antique bisque dolls and modern plastic ones, in various colors and nationalities. They ranged in size from one-inch Frozen Charlies to three-foot-tall Playpals.

My plan was to hold onto the ones that had been made and costumed by gifted family members. I would keep a few that were made of wax (my great-aunt Gladys MacDowell was renowned for them) and cloth (my grandmother had made them during World War II when dolls stopped being produced), and some that had coconuts for heads (made by my great-grandmother).

That seemed reasonable, didn’t it? After all, they were heirlooms. And maybe I’d keep a few more. Could I really let go of Sonny and Cher?

I knew this was a ridiculous thing to agonize about when there was real suffering in the world. But when I mentioned it to others, I often heard echoes of my own dilemma. One man told me that after spending a long time grappling with what to do with the Hummel figurines he inherited from his mother, he had finally decided to display them. Someone else admitted that although she was desperately in need of money to care for her disabled husband, she couldn’t bear to sell her late father’s valuable tool collection. “I built a shed for them,” she told me.

I watched “Antiques Roadshow” and wondered how many people ended up selling their valuable treasures, and how many more couldn’t bring themselves to part with something so special. How many marriages had been strained by the problem I was struggling with? (Sell it. Keep it. Sell it!)

My memoir went out of print as I worked on three other books my agent couldn’t sell. I was living Hemingway’s famous words about going broke two ways, “gradually and then suddenly.” My I.R.A. was evaporating.

And then one day I looked at the dolls and saw $35,000 flashing in bright green neon.

Think again.

Thanks to the recession, dealers and auction houses were no longer scooping up collections the way they had before. Not only that, but people tend to buy the toys of their youth in their 30s, 40s and 50s, and Mama Jo’s dolls, I was told, were “aging out.” Our local doll museum, like others across the country, was on the verge of collapse.

One doll lover came for a look. “Honey, you should have taken that money,” he said. “You were standing on the edge of the ledge of the canyon.” He made a karate-chopping motion in the air with his hand.

I prayed. I saw a therapist. I consulted an astrologer. Finally, after a shamanic healing, I became unstuck. Maybe I was just ready to let go of my grief.

My first step on the road to recovery was to have the entire collection photographed. The dolls will stay together forever, Mama Jo — in four photo albums.

I opened a shop (really more of an adoption service) on the collectibles site Ruby Lane and began listing the dolls one at a time. It was far more involved and emotional than I anticipated, but it also infused my life with a certain girly fun I hadn’t known was missing.

The dolls are now scattered across the globe, from Russia to New Zealand. I’ve made a few bucks, but I am far richer for the new friendships I have formed. My brother has been selling some of the dolls on eBay, and we’ve grown closer too.

And Mama Jo’s House of Dolls has its own Facebook page, where new “moms” post photos. So the dolls are staying together virtually.

A year after my shamanic encounter, I’m too busy for long visits to Manhattan, much less to consider moving or to be confused. I have reissued my memoir under my own imprint, and suddenly it’s a Kindle best seller. More books are on the way. My I.R.A. is growing again.

Once I’m free of most of the dolls, I hope a real person will take their place. One I can talk to, who won’t just stare back at me.

But most surprising, I’ve joined the local doll club. I tell myself that would make Mama Jo even happier than if I had kept the dolls together.

I had no idea how much more I would come to love her and learn from her after she was gone. And for that I have the dolls to thank.

Jo Maeder is the author of “When I Married My Mother” and “Opposites Attack.”

The Doll Dilemma - Video:

DollObservers.Com Interviews Me

2013-05-12T11:31:00.004-04:00

The owner of DollObservers.com, Simon Farnsworth, interviewed me and the results were published today. Here is the interview:

Interview With a Fashion Doll Lover: Terri Gold, Blogger Extraordinaire

For most of you, our latest member to be featured in an interview needs little introduction. For Terri is possibly one of the most prolific and well known fashion doll bloggers on the Internet, with her blog Collecting Fashion Dolls by Terri Gold. I'm sure all of us at one time have read one of Teri's insightful reviews or been in adoration over her stunning photography. So it was a special treat to see that Terri become a DollObservers member and even start a group dedicated to her blogging pursuits.
Recently Terri also kindly agreed to an interview, giving us a real insight into her creative process, collection and life in general. I hope you enjoy it!

DollObservers: What made you join Doll Observers?
TG: I had seen it on Facebook and I think a specific doll was featured that interested me.

DollObservers: When did you start collecting/playing dolls?
TG: I began playing with dolls as a child. My first dolls were Toni, Little Miss Revlon and Ginny. By the time Barbie hit the scene I was outgrowing dolls and I never got involved with them. Many, many years passed during which I did not play with or collect dolls but I never got tired of little things. I built scale model furniture and created rooms - which I still have - although some of my dolls have now stolen items from those miniature rooms.
My first experience with a Barbie doll ended badly. She was a skier. (Ski Fun Barbie?) My young son got a hold of her and brushed her hair. She looked awful after that and I threw her away. One Halloween weekend a bunch of years ago, my husband and I were in Manhattan for a photography convention at the Javits Center. While wandering around Toys-R-Us in Times Square and I saw the Bratz dolls. I don’t know why they appealed to me so much. I started collecting them. I discovered a Bratz group on Yahoo. From there I found other doll groups and doll boards, one of which led me to the Tonner Doll Company. The wild coincidence is that I lived only 11 miles from Tonner’s offices. I went to what they called a Trunk Sale and bought my first Tyler dolls. I had already been buying Tiny Kitty dolls. The doll doctor, Noreen, predicted that there would be no going back. Who knew she was right?

DollObservers: The dolls in my collection:
TG: The most numerous dolls in my collection are from the Tonner Doll Company. I have a very large collection of Tiny Kitty dolls, their furniture, cases and props. My other Tonner dolls are the 16-inch Tyler types and Antoinette dolls. I love Tonner’s fashions and often buy back items that I sold years ago. I can gaze at my showcases every day and not get tired of the dolls inside. The next largest group of dolls are those manufactured by Integrity Toys. I had at least 100 of them at one time but in the last three years, I’ve whittled them down to my very favorites.
I got into Gene for a while and currently have a nice selection. I love props and the Tonner Doll Company and Ashton Drake have made wonderful furniture for the 16 inch dolls. It takes up a lot of room but it’s worth it.  I have a lovely collection of Silkstones and Madame Alexander Cissettes. The Monster High populates a big shelf and there are several boxed vinyl Barbies. I have a few big Cissy dolls and a collection of Somers and Fields Daisy and Willow dolls. Rounding out the collection are my resin BJDs. They range in size from 4.5 inches to 17 inches and are from different manufacturers namely Soom, Fairyland, Jamieshow, Ficon and Superdoll.

DollObservers: You write an incredibly successful fashion doll blog. What made you start the blog and what is it that you most enjoy about owning a blog?
TG: I just looked back at my first post, which was 10/20/06. It shows two pictures of the first re-root I ever did and was written during the Fashion Royalty convention, which was held in Baltimore. I suppose I needed to connect to the doll world in a more complex way than just being involved on doll boards.
Two years later I moved the blog from Yahoo to Google Blogger so there are two dates on those early posts. Approximately a year ago, I changed photo servers and many of the images on the blog are blank. Other than the work involved in ‘housekeeping’ a blog I like being able to do research and give background information on dolls. For a few years I did a popular weekly “Photo of the Week Award” in which I featured a great picture and the collector who created it.
One of the best things about writing a blog is the people who write to me - usually off the blog - about all sorts of issues. It’s amazing who’s out there and the feedback I get is really great. I love it. According to many people I am the only blogger who is willing to tell the truth about certain products. This has also created a group of haters. Do you know what they say about how to start an argument? Post an opinion.
Having written for so many years has created a wonderful diary. I do recommend it.

DollObservers: Any tips for members who might want to start their own blog?
TG: Make it personal but create boundaries; it is the Internet and your personal family issues, economic situation and very personal problems do not belong in a blog.
Put yourself into the blog with your opinions and feelings. Give people a reason to keep coming back. Develop a style uniquely yours. Be a reporter and develop a certain distancing diplomacy because if you are honest and post opinions the haters will come out of the woodwork. Don’t slander people and don’t break the law. Post great photos and edit your own to show only one or two of the same doll. It is unnecessary to post 10 pictures of the same doll in slightly different posts. Pick the best and store the rest.

DollObservers: Your doll photography is phenomenal. What top tip do you have for budding doll photographers? 
TG: Read your camera manual. Put your camera on a tripod if your pictures are out of focus. Comb your dolls’ hair. Simplify the settings. There are many how-to pages on the Internet. Read a few.

What does your family make of your love of dolls?
TG: My husband is very supportive. He attends conventions and other doll events with me. The young children in my family love the dolls. The rest don’t care. The only questions I’ve ever been asked by a family member is, “How many dolls do you have?”

DollObservers: Other than playing with dolls what else do you do to relax?
TG: Yoga, gardening, reading, cooking and TV. We’re a few months into a new home so there is a load of stuff to do. It’s not exactly relaxing but it’s necessary.

DollObservers: Lastly how would you describe yourself in 3 words?
TG: Irreverent, hungry and fun-loving.

Terri and Robert Tonner at IDEX 2013

Integrity Toys' "Mommie Dearest" Gift Set Debuts

2013-05-11T12:02:00.002-04:00

Well, I wasn't going to do a review of this item for a variety of reasons but reading the interesting comments on the doll boards and reproducing them here was just irresistible. Heads may roll.

"Mommie Dearest" Gift Set is being produced in a surprisingly large edition of 800. The price is $150.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Mommie Dearest is a memoir and exposé written by Christina Crawford, the adopted daughter of actress Joan Crawford. The book, which depicts Christina's childhood and her relationship with her mother, was published in 1978.
In the book, Christina Crawford claims that she was a victim of child abuse during her mother's battle with alcoholism and that her mother was more concerned about her motion picture career than the well-being of her four children, suggesting she may have adopted them for publicity purposes. She also suggests that Joan had a long list of affairs with men whom Christina was required to call "Uncle" and rarely "Daddy", and claims Joan also had many affairs with women.
Christina recounts several evenings where Joan's behavior was unbalanced, and at least one encounter with her mother where Crawford attempted to strangle her. In another, Joan reportedly discovered Christina's clothes hanging in a closet on wire hangers, instead of higher-quality padded hangers, and launched into a violent tirade on the subject.

Movie Clip
No Wire Hangers (Warning: this is a very disturbing scene.)

Rodeo Queen ("Don't fuck with me fellas.")

Above, in the clips I have embedded from the movie Mommie Dearest, Faye Dunaway plays a chilling role as Joan Crawford. I can barely watch the hanger scene without cringing. It's terrifying. The outfits are the outfits that are reproduced in the gift set.

The woman portrayed in the movie was a raging, obsessive-compulsive, alcoholic, abusive, egocentric person. The doll is a sweet, pleasant faced thing.

With this doll, IT introduces their "Quick Switch" system:

...a new, ultra-convenient neck post that will allow collectors to switch between head sculpts without the need to pre-heat the vinyl first! Simply pull, switch and click on a new head for a dramatic new look!

They note, however:

The QUICK SWITCH system will work best at room temperature or slightly higher. If you live in a colder climate, please wait until your doll has reached room temperature or slightly higher before attempting to switch heads.

How do you make something higher than room temperature without heating it?

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Here are a bunch of positive and negative comments made by collectors. The negative outweighs the positive by far but some of the remarks are hilarious. (I highlighted my favorites in purple.)

-the doll doesn't really look like Joan Crawford, either with blond hair or darker hair. She doesn't look like Faye Dunaway playing her either.

-the doll just doesn't seem right, its a bit off and I cant put my finger on it, perhaps its the face

-the extra head and the hanger is a riot.

-Not one single thing about her thrilled me - can't believe I'm saying it - but I'm going to pass as well. I didn't like her clothes, her shoes, her hair, the additional crazy head...nothing.

-I will pass on her too. Not buying any old movie thingies any more. I don't relate at all and worse, don't want to.

-love the new neck system

-wish it came with the can of Ajax and a Brillo pad

-I have no interest in the extra head, (the whole "Mommie Dearest" thing does nothing for me)

-LOVE Joan Crawford! Both the real actress and the character Faye Dunaway played.

-the whited faced face is actually the prettiest of the two

-Recently we got footspeak, we now have Headspeak!

-I guess as great as this series is I also want to recognize the characters. I want to see Joan with her iconic lips, why are they not there?

-I like the headless swap idea

-I am amused by the two heads, and actually prefer the head with the beauty mask, but still not buying her. I was surprised at the edition size of 800 dolls.

-if only her second face wasn't this white.

-I think I like her...but then the dolls don't capture the drama of the character.

-Interesting doll, but not my taste. Don't think she looks anything like Joan or Faye.

-it was Bon Ami powder...I will only clean my bathroom with it!!

-I will have to be with the "this doll is not for me at this time" camp. I was so excited about Sunset Boulevard and was completely let down. Although I can't wait to get my hands on the new "neck knob" mechanism in a body, the BOD/Victoire body is my least favorite and I have enough black suits already. The one thing about IT is that something else is "right around the corner".

-I am THRILLED with this set! It's a dream come true! I'm hoping the production doll doesn't disappoint me like the Sunset Blvd doll did... I ordered 2 sets so I can fully display both outfits and heads...

-I LOVE this doll! I love the movie Mommy Dearest -- unfortunately, I was raised by a woman just like this character.

-All I really want are the nude doll and yes, the white face head! Maybe she's recreating an Al Jolson movie -- Mammy Dearest?

-I'm waiting for a 'Mrs. Bates' gift set (dead and alive heads, a butcher knife, a little blood stained shower curtain and a gray wig) with a skinny Homme as 'NORMANNNN'...

-Love the Quick Switch head - yabadabadoo!!

-this doll should have been older OR in a scene from a younger years.

-I like the idea of interchangeable heads, though I have to say, the promo pic with the two of them looks creepy.LOL
-Went to You tube and watched some clips from the film... Gosh! It's awful, these wire hangers... Sorry, but this doll is a definite pass for me.

-NO MORE HEATING PADS!!!

-... So long as the new neck fits the previous/current heads. Plus I'd like to know what's up inside the new heads that can clip on. Will there be a new obstruction that will make rerooting a problem?
As to the doll. I love this head sculpt, but there are better choices this year for her. Plus I'm not into black outfits anymore. I have too many already, and I no longer display them. They look like shadows in my doll collection.
I'd prefer that IT committed to the Joan Crawford makeup on this face.
I'll be passing on her too.

- While I enjoy the movie as a camp classic, I don't have any interest in this doll not even for the head swap feature (Yes I'm going against the grain). I don't rebody my dolls unless it's a necessity...

-I´m a big fan of Faye, and believe me this doll is neither Joan nor Faye. If she would be I would buy her twice!
-She is pretty and I have to thank Integrity to realize a doll with character and a story which is not the typically "Doris Day" -Mr clean Image!
-I´m a big fan of Faye, and belive me this doll is neither Joan nor Faye. If she would be I would buy her twice!
She is pretty and I have to thank integrity to realize a doll with character and a story which is not the typically "Doris Day" - Mr. Clean Image! I think some dolls are, like eating to much sugary cake. Too much of Barbie-ish smile can cause sickness...I think this Joan doll will be like half bitter chocolate!

-What will we see next? I'm hoping for "boobswap." I can't keep track of all the bodies and I'd love an adjustable bust so ALL fashions fit. Something inflatable/deflatable. Come to think about it, I'd like that for me, too!

- Great to have on display as a conversation piece, but that's not really what my doll collecting is about.

-It might be a little funny but it is uber-tacky in my opinion.

-I think it is inappropriate and done in poor taste.

-She doesn't look anything like Crawford; more like Vera Miles... Tonner's Joan was spot on.

-Sorry to be negative, but she looks just like any other Integrity doll.

-So campy! I don't think it is meant to be taken seriously, it's fabulous!

-The movie was bad enough...the doll is even worse. The fact that they chose...where she beats the heck out of Christina is just plain wrong.

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The 'hardcore" Integrity Toy's fans usually praise every product that is introduced. They went beserk over the Jem doll and now pretty much every single other doll in that line is languishing in the dealers' stock. Who is going to buy 800 of these unusual gift sets now that it appears that the reception is rather cool? If you are among the fans of this gift set and wish to order one, click here here for the list of IT dealers who may be selling it.

Cocktail Dress and Mermaid Gown Barbie Dolls

2013-05-10T00:09:00.000-04:00

Cocktail Dress Barbie

Can you see that her head is a different color than her body? It's slightly tanned. I'm going to have to contact them. I wonder if this is what everyone got. Otherwise, she is as expected. Mattel is very good with pony tails and CD is no exception. The dress is pretty. The fabric under the black lace is the same as that used in the Nolan Miller Sheer Illusion gown under the lace.

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Mermaid Gown Barbie

Mermaid's gown is beautiful and her hair is pretty much exactly the same as the promo-I think I was a little surprised. However, for the price, earrings could have been included.

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I have a few shelves displaying lovely Silkstones and I like looking at them but I think it's time to stop. They don't evolve they just get more expensive.

Out Sass Vanessa and Gilded Gloom Ellowyne and Gene Marshall

2013-05-07T00:23:00.001-04:00

Last night I was playing with the camera on my mini iPad. It's not very good indoors. The pictures came up very grainy. I used some Photoshop effects to improve the looks.

First up is Out Sass Vanessa. She is the fiercest, most troubled-looking Vanessa ever. I get the feeling that she's in a hurry to go somewhere in a hurricane. I had to take off the overly-designed suit as it competed with her hair for attention. This doll needed black and that's it.
I'm not happy with this sculpt - too much pout - too forced.

Gilded Gloom Ellowyne is my most recent attempt to love an Ello. I've had so many and I keep selling them. The combination of her pretty coloring and her hair were so attractive and she was on sale and you know the rest...
Now she lives here and I think she'll stay - for now. Seriously, I do like her.

Three Gene outfits that were NRFB needed modeling.

IT "Stardust" Convention Gene in AD "Midnight Angel"

IT Gene "Rose Rogue" in AD "The Kiss"

AD Gene "Blue Fox" in "Rio Rumba"

Note to self...use a real camera next time.

"My Odd Life" Parnilla from Wilde Imagination

2013-05-06T16:36:00.003-04:00

My Odd Life Parnilla (resin)

The title of the doll might have been My Odd Face Parnilla. Seriously, this gal looks like an alien.

By comparison, Evangeline has begun to look normal. "Past Life" Evangeline is, in fact, quite pretty.

Past Life Evangeline

On their website Wilde Imagination says:

NEW! It's our First-Ever RESIN Parnilla! She stands approx. 18-1/2" tall and is crafted entirely of luminescent resin and is completely ball jointed for unlimited posing possibilities. She comes with inset changeable blue eyes, applied lashes, hand-painted details, and a brown wig made of the highest-quality fibers.

She comes dressed in a beautiful shirred long sleeve sheath gown of embroidered ivory net over lame. On top Parnilla wears a coordinating faux fur with contrasting bow, sheer stockings, matching designer shoes, and a faux [fur] shoulder wrap with ribbon tie. LE 150 Price: $450.00
Expected Ship Date: 5/22/2013

My Odd Life Parnilla (resin)

See more Parnilla and Evangeline by clicking on the logo below.

Jamieshow Gene J'Adore Giftset

2013-05-04T13:00:00.000-04:00

A surprise today for Gene lovers - the highly anticipated FDQ exclusive resin BJD J'Adore Gene popped up on the FDQ site for pre-order. This picture was posted (on the Studio Commissary board) but there was no actual caption or indication if this is the actual production doll.

The giftset price if you pay in full is $595. If you pay half now and half in July, the total is $600.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO GO TO THE ORDER PAGE

UPDATE: This is not the doll.

Now is your chance to pre-order this amazing new giftset from JamieShow and Mel Odom! This giftset is designed by original Gene Team member Doug James, inspired by the master himself, Christian Dior. Set includes doll with new facepaint, alternate hands, wig cap, two ensembles and accessories.

NOTE: This doll is a resin, ball-jointed Gene doll. LE100

Priority mail shipping, insurance and delivery confirmation will be added at checkout.

UPDATE: Pre-orders are now sold out until July, 2013 when the remaining dolls will be available for purchase.