French Doll Shatters . . .World Record

A. Marque: A name that draws the attention from serious doll

collectors worldwide. In this case, the prize fetched more than a quarter

of a million dollars. Photos courtesy Theriault's.

At the Theriault's auction held in conjunction with the United Federation of Doll Clubs national convention in Atlanta on July 12, a French antique doll sold at a world record auction price of $263,000. Created in 1914 by Albert Marque, the doll drew heated worldwide bidding and was won by a collector from Boston who was in attendance at the auction. The old record had been set in 2003 (also for an Albert Marque doll) and was $215,000.

Jason Wu's Spring 2010 Ready-To-Wear

Take a look at Jason Wu's new collection for "non-vinyl" people. Being a man, I won't get the chance to experience the delerious sensation of dressing dolls in Jason Wu designs while wearing a Jason Wu design. Sigh!

Spare a Dime American Girl?

American Girl released an addition to its collection of sociologically accurate dolls this year -- and she's homeless.The Wisconsin-based company, whose Web site declares that it celebrates girls and all they can be, is well-known for its tasteful, well-researched dolls reflecting certain periods in American history. Now, Gwen Thompson joins the company's line.Gwen's story is told through another doll's biography, which, according to The New York Post, is decidedly modern: Her father ran out on the family and her mother lost her job. By winter, the fatherless family is living in their car. The doll sells for $95 and is available online or at American Girl retail locations.

Ted Menten's "Cinderankenstein"

Guys,

Attached are images of my newest "creation" -- a Cinderella head on an Antoinette body. Doesn't she look fabulous!
Ted

Nehmen Sie einen Blick an diesem!

This photo released by the toy company Mattel on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 shows a doll depicting German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Mattel unveiled a new Angela Merkel Barbie doll Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 at the international toy fair in Nuremburg, southern Germany. The Merkel doll is part of a series celebrating Barbie's 50th anniversary this year.

BERLIN — Barbie can add another dream job to her list _ Germany's first female head-of-government.
Toy company Mattel Inc. debuted the Chancellor Angela Merkel Barbie doll last week at an international toy fair in the southern city of Nuremberg. It sports Merkel's signature strawberry-blond bob, an elegant black pantsuit and low-heeled shoes.
"She's a role model for other women worldwide," Mattel spokeswoman Stephanie Wegener. "She represents what we can achieve."
Merkel attended the fair's opening Wednesday and Wegener said she approved of her miniature doppelganger _ even though Barbie's familiar face and figure do not exactly replicate her real-life appearance.
"Creating a copy of someone is not the intention _ we're not Madame Tussauds," Wegener said. "It's just a lookalike doll created to honor her."
The special-edition Barbie, part of El Segundo, California-based Mattel's celebrations of the ubiquitous doll's 50th birthday, is not for sale and will not go into production. The company said it has not yet decided what to do with it after the trade fair closes Tuesday.Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/10/dream-chancellor-barbie-m_n_165514.html

NIADA Pics

Shelley has started a Flicker Album of the NIADA 2009 conference and dollmaking school. just go to look at http://www.flickr.com/groups/1239655@N23/pool/

Nancy Wiley In Wonderland

Available at Happily Ever After!

The Illustrated Alice Book ~ In this lavishly decorated book, the major scenes of the book are fully illustrated by Nancy Wiley with all of Carroll's quirky characters. The illustrations are actually photographs of Wiley's dolls set in decorated scenes.

Artist Nancy Wiley is known for her "art dolls" and her painterly style. The artist paints heavily on her figures, treating them as “three dimensional canvases" adding light and shadow for drama. Wiley takes her viewers further into the Alice's world by creating elaborate stage sets in which her original dolls act out the story. Her beautiful scenes incorporate her talents of painting, sculpting and storytelling. Artist Nancy Wiley created over eighteen different Alice dolls for the many "photo-illustrations" in this book.

Every two-page spread includes a spot and/or full page illustration to draw the reader in. The typeface is Lewis Carroll's original lettering from his first published book and the page borders have an aged look of an antique book. This book will transport you back to that dreamy afternoon on the River Thames when Carroll first captivated Alice with his clever story. Just like Alice, children will love to hear their parents read this classic and will be drawn in by the colorful and charming pictures.

To see how it all was made: http://www.nancywiley.com/illustrations.html

Introducing . . .Bob Young

Coming up in the next Happily Ever After Newsletter will be a look into a fabulous new designer of doll fashion, Bob Young.

What? you say you DON'T get the HEA Newsletter? Well now, just ask to be put in the list: heastore@aol.com .

Stan Getz-Autumn Leaves

Number 4

Edith Piaf - Autumn Leaves (Les Feuilles Mortes)

Number 3

Nat King Cole "Autumn Leaves"

Number two in my contest

Doris Day - Autumn Leaves - 1956

Number One in my "How Many Covers of 'Autumn Leaves' Can I Find" contest.

Autumn Lurks

We here at HEA are more than ready for Fall. This is Glenn wearing the official HEA Autumn Uniform

Dolls Magazine

Dear DOLLS subscriber,
Your November 2009 digital edition of DOLLS is now available.
This issue includes great stories on:
Hildegard Gunzel's Latest Creations
RDGdOLL's and Patricia Cabrera's Beautiful BJDs
UFDC Coverage, Including a Video
Fantastic Fall Debuts
And much more!
We sincerely hope you enjoy your issue of DOLLS and we look forward to hearing from you about this latest innovation for our readers.

Twilight - New Moon

Neca has the New Moon Action Figures ready for preorder! With the addition of the werewolf Jacob, Twilight's love triangle is now complete. Featuring all new sculpts based on the Twilight sequel for Edward and Bella, and introducing the highly anticipated Jacob and Alice figures!!

Speaking of Conventions

R. John Wright had a smashing convention earlier this year in May. Take a look:
http://www.rjohnwright.com/convention.html

Hollywood Ahoy!

Sandra Stillwell did an incredible job with her Hollywood Ahoy Convention. For those who are like us who were unlucky enough not to attend, there's hope: souvenirs!! Go to:
http://sandrastillwell.com/2009/ and see what is left to purchase!!!