Happily Ever After

Exquisite French Dolls

2011-10-29T13:20:00.002-04:00

Follow this link for more image:http://acn.liveauctioneers.com/index.php/auctions/upcoming-auctions/5770-french-beauties-abound-at-frashers-doll-auction-nov-5

Written by Auction House PR Tuesday, 25 October 2011 14:35
Magnificent 29-inch size 13 'Triste bebe' by Jumeau with luminous complexion. Image courtesy Frasher's Doll Auctions.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Splendidly attired French bebes and poupees will make a fashion statement at Frasher’s auction Nov. 5, which is appropriately titled “A Shopping Spree – For Bebe & Me.” The event will be held at the KCI Expo Center at Kansas City International Airport.
Online live bidding for the 300-lot auction will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com.
Although dolls dressed in the finest fashions of their era adorn the catalog pages, more luscious frocks, bonnets, parasols and finery are waiting to be purchased.
Preview for the sale will be Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 until the start of the sale at 10:30 a.m. Central. On Sunday, Nov. 6, Frasher’s will conduct an uncataloged auction, for attending bidders only, featuring over 275 lots.
The auction is based on a fine private collection focused primarily on choice French dolls and fabulous doll clothing, bonnets, parasols and assorted accessories and miniatures, plus dolls from the Reber estate.
The luscious Bebe Bru Jne 7 with entrancing blue eyes and fitted French silk costume leads the French parade accompanied by bebes by Petit & Dumontier, Jumeau, Steiner, Delcroix and other French firms.
Jumeau is especially well represented throughout the catalog pages which include the rare size 1 bebe with cartouche mark, early portrait models, E.J. Bebe with earliest mark, lovely blue-eyed bebe with incised depose mark, and the delectable size 13 Bebe Triste, as well as other examples by Jumeau.
From Steiner is an impressive array of bebes beginning with the tiny size 1 “Series A” bebe as well as a grand 32-inch Figure A, and 28-inch Series C bebe, all with luxurious antique or couturier costuming.
French poupees are notable for quality and costuming, ranging from the petite 12-inch example by Bru to the superb 24-inch and 28-inch models attired in their most fashionable gowns. Rare models of note are the 14-inch poupee with blown leather body, 18-inch wood-bodied poupee by Barrious as well as 24-inch Barrois with Celment & Dehors neck articulation.
A fine group of 18th-century carved English wooden dolls include Queen Anne examples in sizes 13, 14 and 20 inches. From the 19th century are several Neapolitan figures with an especially fine 24-inch model in jeweled robe grabbing the spotlight.
German dolls are highlighted by an outstanding 38-inch Handwerck child coming from her original home, Kammer and Reinhardt character models #101 and #114, other cabinet-size dolly faces, plus French-type Belton and Sonneberg dolls, as well as character babies, and all-bisque dolls.
From the Reber estate is a collection of Schoenhut models, many from the earliest period, with the seldom-found model 106 carved-bonnet girl claiming the title of most rare. Other Schoenhuts include #100 girl with carved pageboy hairstyle, several examples of braided-hair girls #102, plus models, 101, 204, 308 and other desirable examples.
Collectors of cloth dolls will appreciate the circa 1930s Lenci dolls and the more than 30 models of the R. John Wright cloth characters beginning with his earliest works and continuing to the present era. There are dollhouses by Albin Schonherr and Gottschalck featuring colorful lithography, plus dollhouse miniatures, several items of French gilded bronze enamelware, Beidermeier furniture, assortment of French Brittany furnishings, Marklin doll carriage, three carved Swiss wooden dolls.
Collectors will marvel at the abundance of fine dresses, bonnets, parasols including Huret, purses, jewelry, vitrines, gloves, fans, muff, miniatures and other luxury items.
A color catalog for this auction is available with estimates and after-sale prices realized. The auction can also be viewed on liveauctioneers.com approximately three weeks prior to the auction. This will be a wonderful weekend for doll collectors plus an opportunity to view and acquire beautiful dolls and accessories.
A beautiful 80-page catalog is available for $43. For information or to order a catalog contact Frasher’s Doll Auctions, 2323 S. Mecklin School Road, Oak Grove, MO 64075; email Frasher@aol.co or phone 816-625-3786.
Read more: http://acn.liveauctioneers.com/index.php/auctions/upcoming-auctions/5770-french-beauties-abound-at-frashers-doll-auction-nov-5#ixzz1cBzitkDt

Earliest Talking Doll by Thomas Edison

2011-10-29T11:47:00.002-04:00

One of Thomas Edison's earliest ideas for his phonograph involved recording the audio for talking dolls on a ring-shaped cylinder. You know, for kids. Now researchers have digitally resurrected the sound of the earliest known example of such a recording from 123 years ago.

This earliest surviving talking doll recording features a woman reciting a verse of the nursery rhyme "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." She was one of two women hired by Edison for what may have been the first professional recording artist gig. The solid metal record and its counterparts may represent the first phonograph recordings ever made for intended sale to the public — even if they were never actually sold.
The tin phonograph cylinder made in 1888 represents Edison's first attempt to make talking dolls, as described in laboratory notes and newspaper articles from late in the year.

But for unknown reasons, Edison had switched from tin to wax recordings by the time the first talking dolls first hit store shelves in April 1890. Doll sales flopped in part because the wax recordings proved too fragile. Fortunately for Edison, he saw other successes with the phonograph and similarly bright ideas such as the incandescent light bulb.

They then extracted a digital audio file by using modern image analysis, and captured all but the very first syllable of the very first word.
Historian Patrick Feaster of Indiana University and researcher Rene Rondeau of Corte Madera, Calif., helped identify the recording's significance.

National Park Service museum curators had first cataloged the object in 1967 from among items found in the desk of Edison's secretary, William H. Meadowcroft. A paper tag attached to the cylinder simply reads: "Tin Phonograph Cylinder […]l Record."

The Kouklitas by Andrew Yang

2011-10-29T11:44:00.001-04:00

Check out these high end fashion rag dolls! http://www.kouklitas.com/

Dolls Magazine for December

2011-10-29T11:41:00.001-04:00

Dear DOLLS subscriber,
Your December 2011 digital edition of DOLLS is now available.
Click here to get instant access and:
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Integrity Toysâ€™ Fashion Royalty line, starting on page 10, with extra pages exclusive to the digital edition!
Then turn to page 16 to see the winners of this yearâ€™s DOLLS Awards of Excellence!

And see what "Flights of Fantasy" doll artists have created on page 24, with additional pages exclusive to the digital edition.
All this plus even more exclusive content in the latest digital issue of DOLLS! We hope you enjoy it!

We sincerely hope you enjoy the latest issue of DOLLS!
Sincerely,
Joyce GreenholdtEditor DOLLS

P.S. Are you getting our free monthly e-mail newsletter? To subscribe, send an e-mail to johnb@jonespublishing.com or sign up at www.dollsmagazine.com.

Please do not reply to this email. Send general and subscription inquiries to subscriptions@jonespublishing.com, and technical questions about the digital magazine to webmaster@jonespublishing.com.From: DOLLS Magazine, P.O. Box 5000, Iola, WI, 54945

"In the City With" the Dynamite Girls

2011-10-29T10:42:00.002-04:00

Mighty Real Reese
The Dynamite Girls® In The City Collection Limited Edition of 350 Dolls Worldwide

Retail Price: $60.00

Estimated Arrival: Early January 2012

Toot toot, beep. She may look like a bad girl but she's all good. From her her cute short-alls with fitted pink blazer, flower choker, purple metallic bag and gold peep toe platform heels, Reese is keeping it mighty real in this look.

You Sexy Thing Jasper
The Dynamite Girls® In The City CollectionLimited Edition of 350 Dolls Worldwide

Retail Price: $60.00

Estimated Arrival: Early January 2012

Jasper is back with a bang! You can't get much more sexier than a pair of hot pants and Jasper is raising temperatures with hers. She wears a short sleeved print blouse, large woven pink hat, beaded necklace and metallic silver bag. A pair of teal platform wedges finish off her look.

Good TimesDayle
The Dynamite Girls® In The City Collection

Limited Edition of 350 Dolls Worldwide. Retail Price: $60.00

Estimated Arrival: Early January 2012

Dayle is here and ready for a good time with all of her friends. She single handedly is planning on bringing back sun visors. Dayle's sun visor is purple and super stylish with a modern graphic pattern on the brim. She wears a brown sleeveless hoodie, multi stripe sweater, purple mini skirt, blue ankle socks and purple pumps.

Hot Stuff Cruz
The Dynamite Girls® In The City CollectionLimited Edition of 350 Dolls Worldwide

Retail Price: $60.00

Estimated Arrival: Early January 2012

We're all talking about Cruz this evening. This very hot part-time taxi driver/model from the Bronx, is all the girls can talk about these days. From his dark good looks, faux-hawk, tight dark jeans, vintage graphic "New York" t-shirt and yellow leather jacket, Cruz is ready to take on the city and make it his own anyway he can.

Cutest Doll Ever! - R John Wright's The Rose Fairy

2011-09-07T15:24:00.005-04:00

I just finished speaking with Amy at R. John Wright's Headquarters in Bennington, Vermont.

Very happy to report that Hurricane Irene skipped their path but the roads are still closed throughout the town. I am hoping for a safe return to normal for everyone very soon.

In the meantime, I was phoning to order more of Wright's The Rose Fairy! I said to Amy, "It is the biggest seller we have ever had. One collector said it was the cutest doll ever!"

So if you desire to add "the cutest doll ever" to your collection, please phone Happily Ever After at 1-215-627-5790 or just shop on our web site at www.happily.com.

Based on The Flower Fairies Collection, only one hundred and fifty Rose Fairies will be produced.

To nominate your "cutest doll ever", please leave your declarations in the comments section.

Yes, your children are cute dolls too but that is not what I mean! Love, Ed

Wednesday Sale Preview

2011-09-06T16:08:00.003-04:00

Welcome to Happily Ever After's weekly

WEDNESDAY SALE!

This week we are featuring

"Manly Men of the Doll World".

If you don't see something this week, just you wait! Next week could be YOUR week!!

Shipping for items in our Sales Newsletter will be based on UPS charges to your address (within the continental US).

Call 215-627-5790 or email heastore@aol.com.

"Andy Mills"
~ Event Planner ~

Size: 17"

Retail Price: $179.99

Sale Price: $119

"Damon Salvatore"

Size: 17"

Retail Price: $159.99

Sale Price: $106

Romain Perrin

Size: 12"

Retail Price: $125

Sale Price: $115

Victor James

Size: 12"

Retail Price: $125

Sale Price: $115

Capt. Reynolds

Size: 17"

Retail Price: $154.99

Sale Price: $124

Manly Video Links

It's Raining Men

Stand By Your Man

My Guy

Welcome To September!

2011-09-06T15:12:00.008-04:00

It was a busy dolly weekend for me! On Sunday (9/4) I attended the Metro Dolls monthly doll club meeting at Bryan's home in Rutherford, NJ.

The meeting was a "packing party" meeting since the club is preparing for their annual luncheon. The theme this year is Gothic Romance which benefits Autism Speaks.

Take a look at the Metro Doll Blog to see their previous luncheon events.

I am always amazed at the incredible items the club designs and assembles for these events. It would be a long and difficult search to find a more hard working and creative group of people.

Discount Admission - Central Penn Doll Show

2011-08-17T16:40:00.001-04:00

Doll For Thought

2011-04-20T11:11:00.000-04:00

This huge Barbie doll, which represents what Barbie's body proportions would be if she were life-sized, was made by anorexia survivor Galia Slayen. The doll stands 6 feet tall with a 39-inch bust, 18-inch waist and 33-inch hips. The Barbie wears a size 00 skirt that Slayen used to wear when she was suffering from her eating disorder. This year, Galia displayed Barbie at her school, Hamilton College, during its first National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. (Courtesy Galia Slayden)

Sideshow Presents Capt Jack: "On Stranger Tides"

2011-04-15T11:46:00.002-04:00

Follow this link for incredible images of this doll: http://www.sideshowtoy.com/?page_id=4489&sku=901363&source=041411news&utm_source=newsletter-pers-041411news&utm_medium=email In celebration of Disney's highly anticipated 3D adventure film Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Sideshow Collectibles and Hot Toys are proud to present the 1/6th scale Captain Jack Sparrow from Hot Toys' DX Series. Complete with two interchangeable, highly detailed portraits, a generous assortment of interchangeable hands, and a sophisticated costume and accessory set, the Captain Jack Sparrow 12-inch Figure is a must-have for any Disney or Pirates of the Caribbean fan. The Captain Jack Sparrow - DX Series 12-inch Figure features: Authentic and detailed likeness of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides movie Stands approximately 30 cm tall TrueType body with over 30 points of articulation Individually sculpted hair pieces with accessories and red hair band Two (2) interchangeable portraits with realistic beard and plaits on chin Parallel Eyeball Rolling System (PERS) patented by Hot Toys Limited Nine (9) pieces of interchangeable hands with rings and glove on right side including: One (1) pair relaxed One (1) pair for holding flintlock pistol One (1) right hand for holding saber One (1) pair for holding rudder or telescope One (1) pair showing his iconic gesture One (1) faux-leather detachable brown hat One (1) cream-colored long-sleeved shirt One (1) blue and brown patterned vest One (1) dark brown long jacket One (1) pair of dark brown pants One (1) dark brown and (1) light brown faux-leather with buckle One (1) dark brown faux-leather patterned shoulder band with saber sheath One (1) pair of brown boots Two (2) flintlock pistols One (1) saber One (1) left lace wristband and one (1) right wrist band One (1) scarf One (1) piece of feather on waist One (1) compass One (1) small telescope One (1) long telescope (US and Japan Exclusive) One (1) head sculpt of his mother One (1) duck's foot sculpture One (1) movie-accurate rudder with base and movie nameplate Figure stand with Captain Jack Sparrow nameplate and the movie logo

Inside the R. John Wright Factory

2011-04-09T13:05:00.002-04:00

Individually Stuffing the mohair pussy willows.

The plush pussy willows are attached to the felt branches.

The completed pussy willows are artistically airbrushed.

Bunches of pussy willows and violets.

The paper mache eggs are covered with colored paper.

Spring Delivery chicks join the Easter Party.

Final touches prior to boxing.

Peter Cottontail is ready to spread Easter cheer.

Dolls Magazine

2011-04-09T12:03:00.003-04:00

Dear DOLLS subscriber, Your July 2011 digital edition of DOLLS is now available. Click here to get instant access. Step into The Beautiful Vault with award-winning designer and writer Joan Greene on page 22 Happily Ever After is still taking preorders for Joan Greene's dolls! For More: http://store.heastore.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=HEA&Category_Code=990 Check out the sweet and stylish creations of Sue Stark on page 34. And be sure to turn to page 28 to see the fabulous fashions created by Horsman's latest design team addition, Kurt Van Buskirk. We sincerely hope you enjoy the latest issue of DOLLS! Sincerely, Joyce Greenholdt Editor DOLLS.

There Are Faeries In the Garden!

2011-04-09T11:57:00.003-04:00

With every R. John Wright purchase, you will receive a 20% coupon to put towards any future purchase!! We have a generous layaway. Call 215-627-5790 or email your order request to heastore@aol.com.

The Hazel Nut Fairy is constructed of the finest all wool felt. She is fully jointed at shoulders, hips and neck. Hazel Nut has delicately hand painted features and a meticulously hand-knotted wig of the finest imported dark brown mohair. Hazel Nut has a sculpural, molded toddler body and limbs and her tiny hands are sewn with individual fingers. Her delicate fairy wings are sewn, molded, and hand painted out of fine silk organza. The Hazel Nut Fairy is dressed in a sleeveless shift of softly hand colored organdy and a felt cap on her head. The Autumn Flower Fairy comes holding a branch of detailed, realistic hazelnuts and red tinged leaves made of molded, hand painted felt. Retail Price: $795 LE 250

From Flower Fairies of the Wayside - The Red Clover Fairy is constructed of the finest all wool felt. She is fully jointed at shoulders, hips and neck with new ball & socket jointing system with internal wood mechanism. The Red Clover Fairy has delicately hand painted features and a wig of the finest imported mohair. The Red Clover Fairy has a sculpural molded felt body and limbs and her graceful hands are sewn with individual fingers. Her lovely fairy wings are sewn, molded, and hand painted out of fine silk organza. The Red Clover Fairy is costumed per the original illustration by Cicely Mary Barker in a silk dress with felt leaves at the shoulders and a matching scarf tied at her chin. This lovely little Wayside Flower Fairy comes holding a detailed, realistic stalk of clover made entirely out of felt with delicate airbrushed coloration. Retail Price: $695 LE 250

Helen Kish Returns to Happily Ever After

2011-04-09T11:45:00.003-04:00

Everyone here at Happily Ever After is thrilled to welcome back to the shop, the beautiful, the talented, the one and only Helen Kish! Sunday, June 26, 2011 From 12:30PM to 2:30PM 1010 Pine Street ~ Philadelphia, PA We will be having an exclusive Snow White created for the event. With a Raven sculpt (from the Chrysalis line), she will be limited to 40 pieces AND hand painted by Helen Kish! Price: $495 (Estimated date of delivery: late 2011) Call today to reserve your doll! 215-627-5790

A Dandy Paper Doll

2011-03-31T12:38:00.002-04:00

Fine and dandy: Patrick McDonald, aka "The New York Dandy," will appear

at a booksigning at Books Inc. on Market Street in the Castro on Thursday.

New York dandy Patrick McDonald, seen in the pages of national fashion magazines, newspapers and blogs for his colorful attire at high society parties and on Bravo TV's "Launch My Line," will be in San Francisco Thursday to sign copies of illustrator Jim Howard's book, "Four Famous Dandies Paper Dolls" (Paper Studio Press, 2010). The book is a paper doll book featuring McDonald, Beau Brummel, Oscar Wilde and the Duke of Windsor and was illustrated by Jim Howard, an artist who did illustrations for I. Magnin, the now-defunct San Francisco department store chain. Howard, now in his 80s, will also attend. McDonald has appeared in books including "The Style Makers" (Monacelli, 2001) and "American Fashion Menswear" (Assouline, 2009). He is also a fashion writer and consultant who appears in the latest documentary about street style, "Bill Cunningham New York," set to open in San Francisco April 8. Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/chronstyle/detail?entry_id=85992#ixzz1ICChpXXG

Not just kids stuff: Paper cut-out dolls can be fun for fashionistas.

Patrick McDonald is one of four dandies in a new book by Jim Howard.

No fashion book signing can be held without a cocktail party first, so McDonald and Howard will hold forth beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Sui Generis Ille, a vintage and consignment store for men at 2231 Market St. No need for cabs or re-parking: The book signing will follow at 7:30 p.m. at Books Inc., 2275 Market St. And at 8 p.m., Sui Generis Illa, a new women's boutique, serves cocktails to celebrate its grand opening at 2265 Market St.Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/chronstyle/detail?entry_id=85992#ixzz1ICDoO23x

Easter Offering

2011-03-30T13:15:00.004-04:00

We are pleased to announce the second and final production of "Peter Cottontail" for the 2011 spring season! Peter Cottontail is constructed of the finest mohair plush and wool felt. He is fully jointed and stands approximately 15" tall. His beautiful sculptural face and ears have detailed coloration and he features felt-backed glass eyes, a molded felt nose, and inserted whiskers. Peter Cottontail holds a springtime bouquet of detailed felt violets and pussy willows made entirely of felt and mohair plush. He also carries a papier mache Easter egg gaily wrapped in paper with silk ribbons. For effortless display, Peter Cottontail comes complete with a built-in removable metal stand.

Peter Cottontail was produced at the R. John Wright workshop in Bennington, Vermont in an edition limited to only 200 pieces worldwide. The final pieces in the edition are now ready for shipment. We would encourage you to place your order ASAP to avoid disappointment! The suggested retail price is $825.

Call 215-627-5790 or email us at heastore@aol.com.

Ken Winner

2011-03-23T11:36:00.001-04:00

Kurtis Taylor, lower left, who was named the winner of the “Genuine Ken” contest, with the other competitors. Go to related article »

Use your own words and phrases, or click “read more” to choose from a scrambled list of the words or phrases that were removed. Another option? Read, or listen to someone read, the original article first, then fill in the blanks from memory.

The toy maker Mattel is revamping its best-selling Barbie franchise by emphasizing her longtime beau, __________.
The company is bolstering awareness of Barbie’s companion — who celebrated his __________th birthday on March 11 — using social networks like Facebook and Twitter and a series of just-completed webisodes in which wholesome-looking young male contestants vied to be the new __________, literally, of the soon-to-be redesigned boyfriend.

The eight-part series, called “Genuine Ken: The Search for the Great American Boyfriend,” was Mattel’s first _________ into digital reality events and an effort that “is on the beginning edge of a new marketing trend,” said Dean DeBiase, chairman of Reboot Partners, which advises companies on growth strategies.

Spotlighting Ken comes after the toy maker’s recent update of __________, who turns 52 this year, as a fashion plate with high-style _________. The eight contestants in the “Genuine Ken” series competed in an array of “Bachelorette”-style challenges to determine who had the ideal qualities to fill Ken’s customary role as the “ultimate __________ for every occasion.”

The redesigned Ken doll will resemble the contest winner, Kurtis Taylor, a 25-year-old former defensive lineman for Iowa State, who won over the __________ in the romantic gesture category.

…Ken, who had a breakup with Barbie in 2004 but won her back on __________ Day, began his comeback by appearing in Disney’s “Toy Story 3” last summer. The “Genuine Ken” series began appearing on Hulu in January, hosted by another fashionable __________, Whitney Port, who appeared in the popular MTV series “The Hills.”

Mattel’s Ken series featured eight boy-next-door contestants who competed in contests including cooking, decorating, entertaining and __________ to win over Barbie.

…In the episodes, the __________ and confident contestants, who also include a bartender and a singer-songwriter, make on-camera asides — both humorous and cutting — reacting to their __________. The show has an air of __________ house humor and is aimed at an over-18 audience.

“The series is aimed at grownups,” said Ms. Cota. “The Barbie brand resonates with three generations, from consumers who played with the dolls as children to those who love the brand today.”

Collectors of all things Barbie put millions of dollars into Mattel’s coffers each year. And they have an annual __________. This year it is in Fort Lauderdale in July, and it will focus on Ken.
…Meanwhile, Mattel is readying a modeling contract for Mr. Taylor. With $500 to buy gifts, he edged out his rivals when he won the romantic category by giving each judge a __________ and donating the remaining money to the Make a Wish Foundation.

judges
outfits
face
surfing
Ken
rivals
Valentine’s
clean-cut
boyfriend
50
Barbie
foray
frat
penny
gathering
blonde

A Truly Royal Doll

2011-03-11T12:34:00.000-05:00

Move over Barbie – the future Queen of England has been turned into a doll.
The Kate Middleton Royal Engagement Vinyl Portrait Doll, which comes complete with the blue dress she wore to the public announcement of her engagement to Prince William, as well as a miniature replica of her necklace, earrings and engagement ring, is being sold for a whopping $195 (£120).

The Franklin Mint – the same US collectables company that won a multi-million pound lawsuit against the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, in 2004 – is only issuing 5,000 of the figurines worldwide, with a portion of the proceeds from sales going to charity.

Collectors can also pre-order a Portrait of a Princess Kate Middleton Bridal Doll, in full wedding attire, which will be released after the royal couple’s big day on 29 April.

The Dolls of Japan

2011-03-08T13:34:00.000-05:00

The Dolls of Japan: Shapes of Prayer, Embodiments of Love
This exhibition introduces Japan’s representative dolls, including Hina ningyo (Girls’ Festival dolls) and Gogatsu ningyo (Boys’ Day dolls), which have their origins in ancient customs; dolls connected to traditional performing arts like noh, bunraku and kabuki; regional dolls from throughout the country; and “creative dolls” produced by contemporary craftspeople.

Dolls Digital Mag

2011-03-05T10:38:00.002-05:00

Dear DOLLS subscriber,
Your March/April digital edition of DOLLS is now available. Click here to get instant access.
Turn to page 18 to see the high-flying couture creations of Gregg Ortiz,
Keep flipping to page 30 to enjoy the latest classic, yet innovative, Alexander Doll Co. offerings,
And be sure to check out the play doll guide for parent that starts on page 36.
We sincerely hope you enjoy the latest issue of DOLLS!
Sincerely,
Carie FergAssociate Publisher/Editor DOLLS

They're Creepy and They're Spooky

2011-02-23T10:21:00.002-05:00

Characters from the Broadway musical The Addams Family, currently playing at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, will be recreated in a series of dolls by Madame Alexander. The doll editions of the titular family's matriarch, Morticia, as well as children Pugsley and Wednesday, will be available in June. The Addams family patriarch, Gomez, will be released in September.

Based on the iconic characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, The Addams Family features a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. The production is directed and designed (sets and costumes) by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch, with creative consultation by Jerry Zaks and choreography by Sergio Trujillo.
The company currently features Nathan Lane (Gomez Addams), Bebe Neuwrith (Morticia Addams), Jackie Hoffman (Grandma), Carolee Carmello (Alice Beineke), Terrence Mann (Mal Beineke), Kevin Chamberlin, (Fester), Krysta Rodriguez (Wednesday Addams), Swenson (Lucas Beineke), Wesley Taylor (Lurch), and Adam Riegler (Pugsley Addams).

For further information and tickets, click here. Additional information about the Madame Alexander dolls can be found by clicking: http://store.heastore.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=HEA&Category_Code=CA.

Reunited?

2011-02-17T12:03:00.000-05:00

Barbie and Ken, who split in 2004 after 43 years together, are possibly getting back together, according to posts on the dolls' social networking sites.

The blond bombshell called it quits with her longtime beau in February 2004, and announced a new love in her life -- an Australian surfer named Blaine.

It's not clear what's happened to Blaine -- maybe he was just too plastic -- but after seven years apart, Ken is trying to woo back his former flame.

Toy manufacturer Mattel Inc. is using Facebook and Twitter to test the waters on whether the iconic doll duo should reunite.

Ken, who has reinvented himself as the new "Sweet Talking Ken" doll -- soon to hit toy stores -- is tweeting that he thinks he and Barbie "are perfect for each other."

"If you do too, vote YES for her to take me back," the Malibu hunk tweeted.
Mattel says the revamped Ken doll is "the ultimate boyfriend for every occasion," because he "says whatever you want him to say!" according to a report on Marshable.

For Barbie, however, an Elizabeth Taylor/Richard Burton-like comeback might not be so easy.
"@OfficialKen and I have had some fab times," she posted on her Twitter feed. "I just don't know what to do!"

The public can weigh in on whether Barbie should "take Ken back" by voting on the website barbieandken.com, where the love-o-meter currently points toward "Let Him Down Easy."
You Decide: Should Barbie and Ken Get Back Together?

Designers Fawn O'er Ken

2011-02-11T14:01:00.001-05:00

What a doll!

Barbie's boy toy Ken is set to get a high-fashion makeover thanks to new duds from Billy Reid, Yigal Azrouël, Spurr, Robert Geller, Nicholas K, and Michael Bastian, WWD reports.
The six designers will create date looks (ranging from movie to rock concert) for the plastic playboy, who celebrates his 50th birthday this year.

Live models will don the designs on February 13 for a runway show at Christie's, which will display the wares from February 14 to 20.

"The promotion is a partnership between Mattel and the CFDA and coincides with a marketing campaign launched by the toy-maker last month to determine whether Barbie and Ken will reunite after their years apart," adds WWD.

"Poll results will be revealed on Valentine’s Day—and so far results look good for a rekindling of the relationship."

Stardoll and Mattel Join Forces

2011-02-10T11:15:00.000-05:00

Stardoll, the online fashion and celebrity community for girls between the ages of seven and 17, announced Tuesday that it has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with toy manufacturer Mattel to launch Stardoll’s first physical product line this fall. No word on what the product line will include at this point, but it’s Mattel, and Stardoll is a virtual paper-doll world, so the product line will presumably include dolls and their outfits.

Founded in 2006, Stardoll has collaborated with Mattel in the past to work with such brands as Barbie, Fashionistas, and Monster High, which have a broad appeal to Stardoll’s target demographic of teen and pre-teen girls. The campaigns have included the creation of a fan club, exclusive dolls, and the launch of a virtual store.

“The reason Barbie and all of Mattel's venerable brands have stayed popular over the years is we keep them relevant through innovation, trends and smart partnerships,” a Mattel spokesperson commented, though declined to say what the product line will include. “Stardoll is an incredible brand and the association is a natural one to keep people engaged in our Brand."
In September 2010, Stardoll teamed up with publishing giant Random House to produce an interactive online book, called “Mortal Kiss,” for teens in time for Halloween.

One chapter was published each week, leading up to Halloween, and registered Stardoll members could dress the characters in different outfits, participate in online writing contests based on themes from the book, explore a map of the fictional New England town of Winter Mill, where the story took place, and interact with other Stardoll members on the site to discuss the story.

The project was the first time Random House had ever created an online interactive reading experience on a social media platform.

As it turns out, “Mortal Kiss” was such a huge success that Random House Children’s Books announced in January that it would publish a printed copy of the book for readers who missed the Web version, marking the first time that Stardoll stepped out of the virtual world and into the physical retail world.

The Stardoll network includes Stardoll.com, which focuses on entertainment and fashion, Piczo.com, a visual blogging social network, and PaperDollHeaven.com, which offers an online gaming experience geared towards younger girls who are interested in dolls and fashion. The company has 92 million registered members and sees 15 million unique visitors each month.

"Real HAir" Doll Coming!!!

2011-02-09T13:28:00.000-05:00

You watched Justin Bieber age alongside Ozzy Osbourne in his Super Bowl commercial. You rushed out to Wal-Mart buy his One Less Lonely Girl nail polish, picked up the life-size cardboard cutout at FYE and already bought tickets for the opening run of his 3-D big screen debut in "Never Say Never."

What other ways could possibly left for you to show your total and utter devotion to Justin Bieber? How about the Justin Bieber "Real Hairstyle" doll? After some fans complained that last year's JB Style Collection Figures and Justin Bieber Music Video Collection Singing Figures were missing the Bieb's signature locks, the manufacturer of those dolls has upped the ante. According to a press release from The Bridge Direct Inc., a new set of Bieber dolls will hit shelves in August, complete with a more authentic Bieber swoop cut.

The Justin Bieber "Real Hairstyle" dolls will make their debut during the American International Toy Fair in New York (February 13-16), which happens to coincide with the opening weekend of "Never Say Never."
"When we introduced the first series of Justin Bieber dolls right before the holidays last year, the most frequent comment we heard from fans — besides how much they love them — was: 'Why doesn't the doll have Justin's hairstyle that you can comb?' " the Bridge President Jay Foreman said in a statement. "We heard the fans loud and clear, and we're thrilled to be able to offer them the doll they've been waiting for later this year."

While the original dolls "sang" clips of the Bieber hits "Baby" and "One Less Lonely Girl," the new ones will come loaded with "U Smile" and "Never Say Never," with fashions inspired by some of Bieber's signature looks, from beachwear to red-carpet outfits. The figures will also come with accessories such as a skateboard, backpack and sunglasses.

The $17.99 dolls will be accompanied by some new set pieces, including the Rockin' Tour Bus and Concert Stage playsets, which retail for a piggy-bank busting $79.99. The bus opens up and transforms into a stage with lights, a spinning floor and an MP3 dock with speakers. It also features a backstage lounge that converts from a dressing table to a media room.

The Twilight Zone, Living Doll-Talking Tina Part 3/3

2011-02-08T13:56:00.000-05:00

The Twilight Zone, Living Doll-Talking Tina Part 2/3

2011-02-08T13:55:00.000-05:00

The Twilight Zone, Living Doll-Talking Tina Part 1

2011-02-08T13:54:00.000-05:00

Twilight Zone Doll

2011-02-08T13:50:00.000-05:00

If you’ve ever seen the old Twilight Zone episode “Living Doll,” you remember Talky Tina. She’s basically the old Chatty Cathy doll, only malevolent. Talky Tina tortures and eventually kills the grumpy dad character, who was incidentally played by Telly Savalas when he still had Patrick Stewart-esque hair (before he went the full Brynner).

So if you’ve ever wanted to buy a doll that you should absolutely not give to your children (unless you want to give them nightmares, that is), now’s your chance. For the first time ever, the awesome folks over at Entertainment Earth are now selling an exclusive replica of Talky Tina. The doll talks (of course), has eyes that open and closed, and — awesomely — looks exactly like she did on the show, which is to say in black and white.

Now, Talky Tina is $140, which isn’t exactly cheap. And she doesn’t actually become available until July. But consider: How long has it been since you got someone a really creepy Christmas present? Too long, right?

Dolls MAgazine - Digital Edition For March

2011-02-04T11:22:00.000-05:00

Dear DOLLS subscriber,
Your March/April digital edition of DOLLS is now available. Click here to get instant access.
This issue is extra special because it boasts the innovative and new 2011 offerings. The array brought by talented dollmakers is quite simply, dazzling. Click here to start exploring!And be sure to read the story about doll and business industry dynamo, Carol Roth. Her story is inspiring, and the doll modeled by Integrity Toys after her likeness is beautiful.
We sincerely hope you enjoy the latest issue of DOLLS!
Sincerely,
Carie FergAssociate Publisher/Editor DOLLS

Ken at 50

2011-02-03T16:49:00.000-05:00

Ken to get Facebook, Twitter accounts
Hopes to win back his ex Barbie
Will be turning 50 this year

KEN, the Barbie doll's male alter-ego, is to get a Facebook and Twitter makeover to win back the affections of his former girlfriend when he turns 50 this year, his maker says.

Since 1961, Ken has regularly switched costumes, from red bathing trunks to disco trousers, but his youthful and strong body hasn't shown any signs of wrinkling.

But, according to his official biography, he never married Barbie, two years his junior, and she only wears wedding dresses "to please her tailor friends."

Barbie and Ken officially separated in 2004, to live out their lives as singletons.

But manufacturers Mattel revealed at the opening in Germany of the Nuremberg toy fair today that Ken will use his new Facebook and Twitter accounts to get back together with his girlfriend.
The fair, the largest international event in the toy industry, ends Tuesday.Read more: http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/barbies-ken-turns-50-gets-facebook-and-twitter-accounts/story-e6frfmqi-1225999920488#ixzz1Cw1uJHWU

2011 Helen Kish - Alisha Debut

2011-01-24T15:54:00.003-05:00

Shown with Lark and Ollie the Dog, 8" Alisha makes her debut.

Hand painted Alisha is $234 and factory face up Alisha is $159.

2011 Helen Kish - Olivia & Effie

2011-01-24T15:52:00.004-05:00

New 12" dolly Olivia has her own dolly named Effie.

The hand painted set by Helen Kish is $454 and the factory set will be $379.

2011 Helen Kish - Bethany Pocket Puppy & Princess

2011-01-24T15:49:00.004-05:00

12" Bethany is a good Mommy to her doggies!

I find many doll collectors to be animal lovers too! Also many of them are accountants.

2011 Helen Kish - Bethany Loves Beagles

2011-01-24T15:47:00.004-05:00

12" Bethany Loves Beagles! Too cute!!!

Factory face up $279 or hand painted by Helen Kish for $354.

2011 Helen Kish - Phoenix Half-Pipe

2011-01-24T15:45:00.003-05:00

Next is 14" Phoenix - Half Pipe.

The dolls get more exercise than me!

Factory face up $339 or artist face up $414!

Phoenix sold out quickly last year so phone now to add him to your collection! 215-627-5790

2011 Helen Kish - Raven High Flying

2011-01-24T15:43:00.004-05:00

14" Raven - High Flying is ready to go!

The Raven sculpt always makes me think of a Helen as a little girl.

2011 Helen Kish - Song Heart

2011-01-24T15:40:00.003-05:00

Next up is 14" Song - Heart!

Option for factory face up $339 or hand painted by the artist for $414.

Free shipping on all orders placed before Thursday!

2011 Helen Kish - Lark Sophisticated

2011-01-24T15:37:00.005-05:00

14" Lark is first to show.

Helen is offering two price points.

$339 for a factory finished doll or $414 for the doll to be hand painted by Helen herself!

Very exciting. Phone us at 215-627-5790 to place your orders now.

Liverpool Fashion Design - Dolls

2011-01-19T14:14:00.002-05:00

Designer Kirsty Doyle is on the look out for new fashion talent of all ages in Liverpool.
The designer, who has created clothes for Coleen Rooney, is joining up with the Museum of Liverpool for the display Made Up: The Liverpool Look.

Budding designers are being asked to submit doll sized fashion designs which reflect the trends and styles of Liverpool people.

Kirsty Doyle will be hosting two design workshops as part of the project.
The fashion designs will be on display in the Museum of Liverpool when it opens in the summer.

Lizzy Rodgers, curator of community content for the Museum of Liverpool said, "We had the quirky idea of showcasing designs by asking applicants to create outfits for fashion dolls, based on a particular Liverpool style, 'style tribes' or replicas of outfits they've seen on the streets of the city."

Liverpool born Kirsty Doyle won Project Catwalk competition in 2005
"The fashion style of Liverpool people is unique and distinct, and we want the local community to play a major part in creating a display which demonstrates personal style, the style of the city and the style of our various fashion exports."
Kirtsy will be hosting the workshops to support people in producing an entry. The sessions will take place from 1000-1600GMT on Sunday 23 and 30 January 2011 at World Museum in Liverpool.

The outfits should be for dolls approximately 30cm in height. The competition is free to enter and will be judged by a panel of local artists, designers and curators.
The deadline for entries is Friday, 4 February 2011.
For more information and to download an application form visit the Liverpool Museum website.

Salute To Silly Sausage

2011-01-14T17:15:00.001-05:00

Berdine Creedy's 2011 Collection

2011-01-14T10:55:00.003-05:00

Berdine Creedy's 2011 Collection is most exciting. Not only is she using American seamstresses and an American company for the eyes, but she is also handpainting all of the faces!

The editions are 25 per doll. All are resin, double jointed and fully poseable with mohair wigs.
Call 215-627-5790 or email your preorder to heastore@aol.com.

Mei Li

Outfit by: Glae Torres

$398

Maleteka

Outfit by: Diane Lemieux

$408

Lineo
Outfit by: Diane Lemieux
$415

Fei Yen
Outfit by: Gale Torres
$398

Brianna
Outfit by: Gale torres

$383

Bonita

Outfit made by Gale Torres

$398

Arya

Outfit made by Gale Torres

$398

Anya

Dress by Diane Lemieux

$383

Doll Photographer

2011-01-13T10:45:00.002-05:00

Like all accomplished war photographers, Mark Hogancamp puts himself at risk. He shoots fugitive moments of violence, anguish, and bravery. But Hogancamp’s work differs from others’ in one key respect: The combat zones he enters don’t entirely exist in the real world. It’s the battlefield of his emotions that he’s trying to capture on film.

“Marwencol’’ is a documentary about this peculiar man and the fictitious, painstakingly-detailed, 1/6-scale town he built in his yard. Set in Belgium during World War II and populated with dozens of buildings, military vehicles, and more than 100 foot-high, poseable action figures, Hogancamp’s simulacrum is called Marwencol.

“Everything’s real,’’ Hogancamp gushes at one point in the film, demonstrating how a tiny pistol in one soldier’s hands has a working hammer and replaceable clip. “That all adds to my ferocity of getting into the story. I know what’s inside every satchel,’’ he says. Those contents include a stamp-size deed proving that Captain “Hogie’’ Hogancamp, the real man’s 12-inch alter ego, owns the doll-house-size, make-believe bar in this make-believe realm.
The fine line separating real from imagined is the focus of this provocative documentary, winner of the Jury Award for best documentary at the SXSW Film Festival. “Marwencol’’ opens at Kendall Square Cinema on Friday.

“I was immediately taken by the world and wanted to know more,’’ says director/producer/editor Jeff Malmberg in a recent phone interview. Malmberg first saw Hogancamp’s photos in an art magazine. “At first glance, Mark could easily be judged as hermetic and creepy,’’ the filmmaker adds. “He’s a grown man who spends his days playing with dolls.’’

But Hogancamp’s sphere, and his story, is no child’s play.
Marwencol — the name combines Mark with two significant women in his life, Wendy and Colleen — is overrun with Allied and Nazi soldiers. As the story comes alive in Hogancamp’s head, the dolls torture each other, cat-fight, and fall in love. Their brutal and sometimes beautiful shrunken-down world ultimately becomes a realm for loss and recovery.
What led to Hogancamp retreating into his fantasy world is barbaric. Ten years ago, when Hogancamp was 38, he was beaten by five men outside a bar in his hometown of Kingston, N.Y. — badly enough to cause coma and brain damage (the motive for the beating is revealed in the film). Returning to “real life’’ proved difficult. He suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and was understandably suspicious of the world. Worse, he couldn’t remember who he was before the attack.

“When the teenagers kicked my head to pieces,’’ Hogancamp says in the film, “they wiped away everything.’’ What was I like, he asks; was I mean? He has to start over.
To recover his motor skills and, hopefully, overcome his emotional trauma, Hogancamp creates what he calls “my therapy.’’ Having been a talented artist before his brain injuries, he buys dozens of historically accurate toy soldiers and civilians and, with a god-like hand, inserts each one into WWII Belgium. He paints their faces with scars, blood, dirt, and fatigue. To weather the tires of his army jeeps, he drags them behind him during long walks.

February Edition of Dolls Magazine

2011-01-12T11:36:00.001-05:00

Dear DOLLS subscriber,
Your February 2011 issue of DOLLS is now available. Click here to get instant access.
This issue is extra special for DOLLS because it features the debut of DOLLS magazine's very first exclusive doll-"I Love How You Love Me Poppy Parker" by Integrity Toys. Turn to page 24 to learn all about her and if you like her, make sure to order her! She'll be available for sale on Jan. 10, 2011, and more details are included in the article and will be posted on www.dollsmagazine.com.
Hope you enjoy the latest issue of DOLLS!

BJD Event!

2011-01-11T12:53:00.001-05:00

Join us at IDEX Premiere 2011, January in Orlando, FL- IDEX Premiere is the ultimate trade show for the doll and bear industry! For Exhibiting information, please contact Kathy Dolly at KDolly@madavor.com or visit www.idexshows.com

Desperate Housewives Doll Episode

2011-01-11T11:21:00.002-05:00

Gaby can't let go of her memories of Grace, even though all she has is the look-a-like doll to hold onto. Until Juanita and Celia get their hands on it and tear it up pretty bad. Gaby takes the doll to the doll store for repairs and gets a lesson on why some people are so attached to their dolls.

Atlantic Reader Photoshop Contest

2011-01-07T11:31:00.000-05:00

Meet the new Atlantic reader. It's the result of our holiday Photoshop contest in which we invited you all to play with a paper doll advertisement that we'd run in 1988.
That ad had posited a very specific vision of an Atlantic reader. Though it noted he could be dressed "in a custom tailored suit and handcrafted shoes" or "bermuda shorts, sandals, and nosecoat," the idea of our readership it presented felt limited. Most obviously, the paper doll model (above left) was a strong-jawed white guy with a mid-80s preppy look.

Several of the entries that we received took that problem on directly, using the available doll clothes to include the broad range of people who read our publication. The best of those came from our eventual winner, Callie Porter-Borden.

"I've made the Atlantic Reader a little more gender-ambiguous, because ladies love the Atlantic, too, and so do less burly men!" Porter-Borden said. "I'm all for fitness, but I figure a lot of Atlantic readers spend so much time in front of their computers and reading that they probably don't have quite as much time to maintain that strapping physique."

Her Photoshopping was impressively subtle. It took me a while of staring at the old and new dolls before I could figure out all of the little changes she'd made. (See, for example, the way she changed the haircut, thickened the thighs, and moved the doll's waist lower.)
So, thank you to all the entries we received. We know it was a silly little contest, but we hope you had fun remembering 80s fashion and mores.

Danish Rocker Sues Mattel

2011-01-05T11:00:00.001-05:00

(CN) - Mattel ripped off the persona of the lead singer of the HorrorPops, a Danish rockabilly band, for its "Hard Rock Café Barbie Doll," right down to her tattooed bass, singer Patricia Day says. Mattel paid Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Harry and Joan Jett to use their personae in its rock and roll Barbie line, but stiffed Day, who as a feminist objects to being made into a doll and subjected to "the erotic male gaze ... a vision that runs contrary and antithetical to everything for which Mattel's Barbie line stands," she says in her federal complaint.

Day is a citizen of Denmark who lives legally in the United States on a non-immigrant visa. The HorrorPops were founded in Denmark in 1998 and have toured around the world, headlined a Warped tour, and cut albums, including "Hell Yeah!" from the cover of which, Day says, Mattel ripped her persona. She sued Mattel and others in Indianapolis Federal Court.

Day says her fans recognize her from "her black hair meticulously done in 50's pin-up fashion; her retro hairstyle juxtaposed against conspicuous and heavily applied black eye shadow and liner and deep red lipstick; her form-fitting '50s-style pencil skirts that go just past the knees; her full-color 'sleeve tattoos' on both upper arms; and, most importantly, her distinctive instrumental extension of her personality: her giant tattooed upright bass. This final element - the giant tattooed upright bass (also known as a bass fiddle or double bass) - has become a singularly distinctive hallmark of Day's public persona."

Her entire persona, including the bass, was featured on the HorrorPops' first album, "Hell Yeah!" from which Day says Mattel ripped the design of its Hard Rock Barbie.

Day says the Spring 2010 edition of Mattel's Barbie Collector magazine features four recently release rock and roll themed Barbie dolls: the Debbie Harry Doll, the Joan Jett Doll, the Cyndi Lauper Doll, and the Hard Rock Café Barbie Doll, "made in the image of noted musician Patricia Day of the HorrorPops." (This citation is in italics in the complaint, but not within quotes, so it is unclear whether the Barbie Collector catalogue uses those precise words or not.) Day says Mattel "obtained permission from, and provided compensation to" and "paid for licenses to use the likenesses of" Harry, Jett and Lauper for the dolls.

But not to Day. Day points out that Mattel has vigorously litigated any infringements or presumed infringements upon its Barbie doll, the best-selling doll in the world: "As a multibillion-dollar corporation with a long track record of vigorously protecting and enforcing its intellectual property rights to the maximum extent allowed by the law, Mattel is fully aware of the need to obtain licenses for the use of any individual's right of publicity, including their likeness, for commercial purposes - a fact evidenced, inter alia, by their acquisition of licenses for the use [of] the likenesses of Debbie Harry, Joan Jett and Cyndi Lauper for the musician-themed Barbie line."

In addition, there is a payback aspect to the suit based on a confrontational history between Mattel and Danish rock bands. In the 1990s, Mattel sued the Danish band Aqua over its 1997 hit "Barbie Girl," claiming copyright infringement. Judge Matt Byrne in the U.S. Central District of California then wrote an opinion thumping Mattel's position and its attack on what was clearly a parody.

The new litigation says, "Conspicuously, however, the so-called 'Hard Rock Café Barbie Doll' lacks any direct acknowledgment of the female musician - Patricia Day - whose likeness it appropriates.

"Indeed, Patricia Day has provided no authorization to defendants for the use of her likeness in any manner, let alone for the creation and sale of a Barbie doll." Day's killer detail is her upright bass, "adorned with unique artwork or 'tattoos' on the face of the instrument, including: (1) a blue bird in flight on the upper right; (2) a blue bird in flight on the upper left; (3) a red five-point star on the bottom left; and (4) a red heart on the bottom right." She says that the Hard Rock Barbie, "not coincidentally, holds a giant tattooed upright bass adorned with the following artwork or 'tattoos' on the face of the instrument: (1) a blue bird in flight on the upper right; (2) a blue bird in flight on the upper left; (3) a pink five-point star on the bottom left; and (4) a pink heart on the bottom right."

Day says the doll also copied sleeve tattoos, her pencil skirt, her hairdo, eye shadow design and lipstick. But unlike the other rock and roll Barbies, the Barbie based on her persona does not mention Day by name.

She adds: "It is not surprising that defendants never approached Patricia Day about the Hard Rock Barbie, since Day is a feminist musical pioneer - an intelligent, outspoken, anti-establishment female artist still dominated by the erotic 'male gaze'. ... As an artist, Day has always expressed her desire to redefine women's roles in the rock 'n roll scene - a vision that runs contrary and antithetical to everything for which Mattel's Barbie line stands. ...

"Since the release of the Hard Rock Barbie, Day has been repeatedly approached by fans who have been perplexed by the striking resemblance of the Hard Rock Barbie to Day's likeness and persona and who have expressed disappointment in their (mistaken) belief that Day would permit such a use of her likeness and persona for a purpose that is so at odds with her values and the values of her fans." (Parentheses in complaint.)

Day seeks costs and punitive damages for violation of her right of publicity and false endorsement. She also wants sales of the Hard Rock Barbie stopped, all the dolls recalled and destroyed "under court supervision," and all the profits the defendants made from them.

Also named as defendants are Wonderama Toys, Rainbow's End Collectibles, and Hard Rock Café International. Day is represented by John Tehranian.

New Monograms from Integrity

2011-01-04T15:57:00.003-05:00

Redefined
FR: Monogram Accessory Set
Limited Edition of 300 Sets Worldwide
Suggested Retail: $75.00 USD
Hinted at last fall in the pictures we released for "Escapade" and "Extravagance" in late summer 2010, we are pleased to finally be able to bring you this wonderful accessory pack, which features a finely sculpted miniature wig stand/bust cast in the finest resin. Perfectly accessorized with all of the trimmings needed to spruce up the look of any of your favorite dolls, this accessory pack also includes a brunette wig and sophisticated designer hat, purse, shoes, jewelry set and certificate of authenticity. Designed to fit 1:6 scale dolls, no doll included.

Magnificent
FR: Monogram Dressed Doll
Limited Edition of 300 Dressed Dolls Worldwide
Suggested Retail: $160.00 USD
A vision of couture and pure beauty, what better way to start the new year? Jason Wu and his team have surpassed themselves with this "Magnificent" rare bird. Clad in an elaborate dual toned, intricately draped evening gown, this stunning new creation will surely become one of the show stoppers of your Fashion Royalty collection. Includes FR: Monogram brunette doll, gown, shoes, jewelry, doll stand and certificate of authenticity.

Discreet
FR: Monogram Basic Dressed Doll
Limited Edition of 300 Basic Dolls Worldwide
Suggested Retail: $99.00 USD
Based on the success and the positive comments we received for the first basic FR: Monogram doll Disclosure, we decided to revisit her and offer a companion doll that would perfectly complement her if the two were to take a stroll down the catwalk. Now, this glamorous duo is ready to take the runway by storm and show what tasteful color coordination can do to a wonderful design! Includes a tanned FR: Monogram brunette doll, sexy lingerie set, shoes, jewelry, doll stand and certificate of authenticity.

W Club Registration Now Open

2011-01-04T15:28:00.001-05:00

Registration for the 2011 W Club is now open! We have some very exciting information, so please read this email for information on how to re-register for another exciting year in the W Club!
Quick Links
Register for 2011 W Club Contact the W Club
Visit Integritytoys.com
Registering for the 2011 W Club
We have a brochure about the 2011 W Club that can be found in our forum or at this link:
http://www.integritytoys.com/wclubforum/2011club.pdf
Contact the Liaisons if you have any problems viewing this document.
If you want to skip the brochure, you can go right to the registration process by clicking the link below:
http://www.integritytoys.com/page/w_club
You may register now through 10:00 AM CST (Chicago Time) on January 21st, 2011.
You may remember from past years that our deadline is concrete, so make sure you register well in advance of the deadline. Every year things come up at the last minute, so please register as soon as possible.
As in years past, there are no limits on registration- you can register for as many memberships as you like at any time prior to the 1/21/11 deadline.
Important note: Club memberships cannot be shared or transferred and since you can purchase as many memberships as you like, you do not need to create additional names for those memberships. It tends to create confusion when memberships are put in inactive members' names.
Also, please make sure that the memberships are under the correct names and if you are purchasing memberships for other collectors that you put their names in the comments section. If a name is not registered, that person will not be recognized as a Club member.IMPORTANT!!*Please note that if you purchase multiple memberships so that your spouse or partner can attend any of the W Club exclusive events, this person's name must be included in the comment section of one of these multiple memberships!* If you purchase multiple memberships but do not include your spouse or partner's name on one of those memberships, they will not be able to attend any of the W Club exclusive events.
Come Join Us For Another Fabulous Club Year With More Perks and Privileges

Library Hosts Art Doll Exhibit

2011-01-04T13:27:00.000-05:00

Warwick - Local artist and Warwick resident Lillian Alberti will be exhibiting her art dolls at the Albert Wisner Public Library in the glass cases on the lower level of the library throughout January.Alberti ’s work has been featured in various doll-related publications and more recently in the November issue of ORANGE magazine and on Cablevision’s Neighborhood Journal. She has been sculpting her one-of-a-kind creations for more than 25 years. Using skills acquired in her years in the fashion industry, she designs and hand-sews all the dolls’ clothing and accessories.

She currently teaches various doll-making workshops locally and across the country. For more information about the artist and her work, log onto www.a-lil-whimsy.com.

2011 Tonner Collection

2010-12-31T13:40:00.003-05:00

Set your calendar to January 7th! Happily Ever After will be unveiling the NEW 2011 Tonner Collection!!! Because we are "Ambassadors" we get to show the new line earlier than most retailers. Sign up for our Newsletter today!!
Go to heastore@aol.com

1996 Original Wanamaker Light Show 2 of 2

2010-12-29T10:47:00.000-05:00

1996 Original Wanamaker Light Show 1 of 2

2010-12-28T14:39:00.000-05:00

Black Girls and White Dolls

2010-12-24T13:43:00.000-05:00

It was Christmas 1984. Like all little girls, I had my heart set on one thing – a Cabbage Patch Doll. After opening a series of small gifts on Christmas morning, my mom presented me with the box I had been waiting for all year. As I tore through the wrapping paper, my excitement immediately turned to disappointment when I discovered that the doll of my dreams was brown.
I was just five at the time, so I took no pains to hide my displeasure with Santa’s choice. In fact, the painful moment is caught on VHS, when I turn to my mom and ask “Why Didn’t I Get the White One?” Although it was nearly forty years later, it was an episode straight out of the famous Kenneth Clark experiment form the late 1940s, when an overwhelming number of black children were found to show preference for white baby dolls.
Despite the fact that I was raised by a strong black woman and grew up on the West Side of Detroit, media and other outside forces had a powerful influence on my perceptions of beauty.
In 2005, Mattel, Inc.’s Caucasian holiday Barbie doll sold out so fast that the company had to issue rainchecks to those who were not lucky enough to get their hands on one. Meanwhile, the African-American holiday Barbie doll stayed on the shelves for most of the holiday season. Brenda Wade, a family psychologist, says its not completely surprising that black girls still favor white Barbie as study after study has shown that a significant number of young black girls still associate white dolls with beauty, purity, and goodness.
The fact that the African-American dolls bear little or no resemblance to the target market serves to further complicate matters. Many buyers often complain that black dolls appear to be nothing more than white dolls with brown skin or too ethnic, to the point of not resembling black children.
This year, I have had the opportunity to travel all over the country and to parts of Africa promoting my new book Thank God I’m Natural: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Maintaining Natural Hair, and yet I still find that many of our black and Latina daughters, mothers, and grandmothers have not come to grips with the fact that their brown or black is beautiful. This holiday season, my message to you regardless of how old you are, is that you are beautiful just the way you are.

Hello Dolly

2010-12-23T10:55:00.000-05:00

Parents may have noticed there's no new version of Tickle Me Elmo this year, but that doesn't mean popular dolls are lacking this holiday season. In fact, they're among the scarcest toys on store shelves.
Mattel Inc.'s $24.99 Monster High dolls — the poseable offspring of famous vampires, werewolves and more — are hard to find, analysts say.
Other popular dolls include MGA Entertainment's $29.99 Lalaloopsy with button eyes and brightly colored hair; the $49.99 Disney Princess dolls, and Fisher-Price's Dance Star Mickey, a $69.99 Mickey Mouse that dances and sings.
Most of these dolls sold out during the busy Thanksgiving Day weekend a note to investors, BMO Capital Markets analyst Gerrick Johnson said, despite the fact that most of them weren't on sale.
"The increase in sell-outs should be considered a good sign for overall toy demand," Johnson said.

Chimps and Dolls

2010-12-22T11:21:00.000-05:00

In a fashion similar to human girls, some young chimpanzees seem to play with sticks as if they were dolls.
The findings, reported in the Dec. 21 Current Biology, are the first documented evidence of boy and girl primates in the wild playing differently with their toys. Though these patterns’ origins will surely be argued, they add to the constellation of behaviors shared by humans with our closest living relative.
“We find that juveniles tend to carry sticks in a manner suggestive of rudimentary doll play and, as in children and captive monkeys, this behavior is more common in females than in males,” wrote anthropologists Richard Wrangham of Harvard University and Sonya Kahlenberg of Bates College.
Wrangham’s group has studied chimpanzees in Uganda’s Kibale National Park since the late 1980s, following in the methodological steps of his mentor, Jane Goodall, whose exhaustive, patient fieldwork first revealed that chimpanzees use tools and are more like humans than once thought.
The Current Biology paper is based on observations made between 1993 and 2006, and represents hundreds of thousands of hours spent trailing individual chimpanzees from dawn to dusk, recording their use of sticks.
Kibale’s chimps used sticks to probe holes containing water and honey. They used sticks to hit and threaten each other. They played with them. And, finally, they carried sticks — holding them under their arms or in their laps, for hours at a time, even while walking and climbing and feeding and resting.
“Regular stick-carrying has no discernible function,” wrote Wrangham and Kahlenberg, yet it accounted for more than one-third of all stick use.
Carried sticks were shaped differently than sticks used as weapons or probes, and “unlike other types of stick use, carried sticks were regularly taken into day-nests … where individuals rested and were sometimes seen to play casually with the stick in a manner that evoked maternal play,” wrote the researchers.
Stick-carrying was also most frequent in juveniles, particularly juvenile females. With parenthood it invariably ceased.
Wrangham, best known for proposing that cooking meat jump-started hominid evolution, thinks the stick-carrying habits resemble how human children play: Regardless of culture, girls seem to play more with dolls.
Explanations for this invoke both sociology and biology. Wrangham sees the latest findings favoring the biological. “We suggest that sex differences in stick-carrying are related to a greater female interest in infant care, with stick-carrying being a form of play-mothering,” they wrote.
The study’s implications may, however, defy easy analysis. Though a few anecdotal reports exist of captive chimpanzees treating sticks like dolls, the behavior has never before been reported in the wild. For now, Kibale’s chimps are unique in their invention and culture.
It’s also tempting to think of chimpanzees as snapshots of an earlier stage in human development. But chimps have also evolved, culturally and biologically, in the 3.7 million years since our branch of the primate tree split.
Maybe the Kibale chimp dolls don’t represent an echo of ourselves, but an example of cultural convergence, with two species separately developing the same behavior, just as biological features like wings and eyes have evolved in similar but independent ways.
Whatever the origins of playing with dolls, it seems to be — along with tools, grief, love and warfare — one more thing that humans and chimps have in common.

Barbie - A Rare Beauty

2010-12-21T11:07:00.001-05:00

For more than 50 years, the Barbie doll has been a beloved toy and fashion icon. The leggy blonde debuted at the American International Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959, and has come a long way, traveling to over 150 countries and becoming a nearly $2 billion brand. The book, from doll expert and collector Sandi Holder, is a guide to everything Barbie, showcasing photos of vintage dolls, fashion sets, prototypes, and many never before seen items.

Dolls Grow Up A Little - NPR

2010-12-20T16:00:00.002-05:00

Follow this link:
http://www.npr.org/2010/12/09/131853392/dolls-grow-up-a-little-for-the-holidays

for a nice Holiday message.

W Club Exclusive!

2010-12-16T13:04:00.000-05:00

We are super-excited to introduce the second Fashion Royalty 2010 W Club Exclusive Doll available only to W Club members... Presenting Anja "Regal Solstice":Making her first appearance at the 2010 Dark Romance Convention in Pittsburgh, new collector favorite Anja makes her debut in the regular FR collection as the W Club Exclusive Doll!Wearing "the grand finale gown" of the Von Weiss 2010 fashion show, Anja is elegantly dressed in one of Giselle's most regal creations to date and is composed of multi-layered, intricately embroidered chartreuse organza and navy blue tulle. The gown is accented with navy blue satin for a total dramatic effect. Anja sports a refined fiery red hairstyle and comes complete with a delicate beaded necklace and earring set, gorgeous hot pink and navy strappy pumps, doll stand and certificate of authenticity.

Marvel at Tonner

2010-12-16T12:32:00.002-05:00

RENOWNED TONNER DOLL COMPANY IS SET TO RELEASE TONNER CHARACTER FIGURES BASED ON MARVEL SUPER HEROES Tonner Doll Company, Inc. has just been granted the license to create collectibles based on iconic MARVEL characters.
KINGSTON, NY- 12/15/10- Tonner Doll Company, an award-winning designer and manufacturer of high-end collectible dolls and figures, will team up with MARVEL to create character figures based on classic MARVEL characters.

"We were fortunate enough to work with Marvel a few years ago and I am thrilled to be back working with them," Robert Tonner, CEO of Tonner Doll said. "We are looking at all of the classic characters like Captain America, Storm and Jean Grey," he added.

Tonner Doll Company, best known for its unique ¼ scale, will offer MARVEL characters that are approximately 16"-17" tall with multiple articulated joints for expressive movement and mobility. In the wide world of collectibles, the ¼ scale is highly sought after for it's unmatched distinction and posing ability.

In keeping with the fine detail and high-end quality of Tonner's other popular product lines, they will feature hand-painted facial features, rooted hair; and authentic costuming inspired by the character's life from origin, and secret identity to hero.

Join us at IDEX!

2010-12-09T12:45:00.000-05:00

NEw Fairy by R. John Wright

2010-12-08T16:55:00.002-05:00

We are pleased to introduce the Lavender Fairy™
from the exciting Flower Fairies™, Collection! She measures a
diminutive 11 1/2" tall and is fully jointed and shoulders, hips and neck
with new ball and socket jointing system with internal wood mechanism.

The Lavender Fairy has delicately hand-painted features and a wig of the
finest imported mohair. She has a sculptural molded felt body
and limbs and her graceful hands are sewn with individual fingers.
Her lovely fairy wings are sewn, molded and hand-painted out of fine organza.
This Garden Flower Fairy comes holding a detailed, realistic stalkof lavender made out of felt and silk crepe fabrics. Alighting on theblossoms is a tiny white butterfly made of organdy and felt.

Retail Price: $795
LE 250
ESTIMATED SHIP DATE: December, 2010. Call 215-627-5790 or email heastore@aol.com to place your order.

Ken To Turn 50 in 2011

2010-11-30T10:47:00.001-05:00

Following his famous ex-girlfriend, Barbie, who turned fifty in 2009, Ken is finally celebrating the big 50 himself. With a new movie and a new twitter page, the world’s most famous boy toy remains on top and shows no signs of slowing down!

Ken Carson, named after his creator’s son, was first introduced to the world at the American International Toy Fair as Barbie doll’s boyfriend March 11,1961. The Wisconsin native was donning plastic hair and a red bathing suit but that wouldn’t last. Just like Barbie, Ken became a style icon, adapting to the times with fabulous looks. By the 70’s Ken’s hair was rooted and he was sporting a golden tan. Ken’s ever-changing look took many more turns. Some of his most memorable styles include Rapping Rocking Ken, Cutie Ken and in 2006 when famous stylist Phillip Bloch gave him a Hollywood makeover!

Stylish and smart, Ken has taken on so many roles throughout his years including businessman, Olympian and pilot. It doesn’t look like Ken will retire anytime soon because he has just taken on a new title: movie star. In Toy Story 3, Ken starred as himself and true to character had a total of 50 costume changes!

With so much going for him, this Pisces man has the ability to charm any doll. But Ken still holds one lady close to his heart, Barbie. The couple that first met in 1961 on a commercial set had a love affair that lasted more than four decades. It wasn’t until Valentines Day, 2004 that Ken and Barbie announced they were going separate ways and Aussie Blaine took Ken’s famous spot on Barbie’s arm. No need to worry, rumor has it that this famous couple may be rekindling their romance after being spotted during New York Fashion Week in 2009.

Ken is turning fifty and he’s as fabulous as ever. He’s definitely a far cry away from his $3.50 original version that was available in blonde or brunette. Just this year he has launched his own Facebook page and is making appearances at fashion events like Fashion’s Night Out in September. With so much going on what more could Ken wish for this birthday except Barbie back!

Colliii Award Winners

2010-11-18T14:42:00.000-05:00

2010 Colliii Awards Winners Announced!The winners of the world’s largest online dollmaking competition, the 2010 Colliii Awards, have been announced. This year saw 300 registered participants and new OOAK fantasy and adult, reborn and doll kit categories. Click here to read more

There's a New Man In Town

2010-11-17T16:27:00.002-05:00

"Sebastian" by Doug James
He's 18" of manly resin. Holds a pose like a dream!

Contact HEA for more info: 215-627-5790 or heastore@aol.com

Holiday Guide

2010-11-13T16:14:00.000-05:00

It’s Finally Here…

The 2010 Holiday Gift Guide

Doll Reader and Teddy Bear & Friends partnered to bring you the best holiday gifts of the 2010 season. With stocking stuffer ideas to the latest creations from your favorite teddy bear and doll artists and even crafting projects, this 60-page resource has something for everyone—and just in time for the holidays!

Categories include:

• Dolls on the Smaller Side
• Bear Friends
• Dolls for Artist Collectors
• Bears in Limited Editions
• Do It Yourself
• Stocking Stuffers
• Dolls & Bears for Kids

Click here to view the Holiday Gift Guide or visit dollreader.com

Human Dolls by Alex Sandwell Kliszynski

2010-11-13T13:13:00.001-05:00

Alex is a wedding photgrapher with a twist…when asked about his work, he had this to say:
My work deals with aesthetic, personal and social themes. Recently I have been exploring, amongst other subjects, notions of sexual fantasy and the objectification of the body.
Well,ever which way you look at it. Great work Alex, would love to see some more of these!

Robots

2010-11-12T12:27:00.002-05:00

Sideshow Collectibles has a few good . . .robots! http://www.sideshowtoy.com/?page_id=4489&sku=900932&source=111110news&utm_source=newsletter-pers-111110news&utm_medium=email

Dolls Magazine

2010-11-11T12:54:00.000-05:00

Dear DOLLS subscriber,
Your December 2010 issue of DOLLS is now available. Click here to get instant access.
Turn to page 20 to read about and see the stunning beauty soul survivor Joe MacPhale creates from listening to the whispers of his heart.
Keep flipping to page 26 to key into the debate about what is and isn't doll art.
And be sure to check out the far-out art of Jill Penney on page 36. You won't believe your eyes.
Hope you enjoy the latest issue of DOLLS!
Sincerely,
Carie FergAssociate Publisher/Editor DOLLS

Rothman Doll Show This Weekend!

2010-11-10T12:18:00.000-05:00

http://www.jmkshows.com/20101114_dollshow_fdu.html
Follow the link above for discount into the
Rothman Doll Show
Sunday, November 14th from 10am to 4pm.

Creepy Porcelain Dolls

2010-11-06T11:54:00.002-04:00

This will be an irregular feature . . . a creepy porcelain doll of the week.

Artist Jessica Harrison made a macabre series of porcelain dolls that will make a great Christmas present for your nightmares. If “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” had action figures, they'd probably look like this.

New Tonner Releases

2010-11-05T14:31:00.002-04:00

Jacqueline Frost

Andromeda

Perseus from "Clash of the Titans".

Tiny Betsy Wicked Witch

Tiny Betsy as Glinda!

Call 215-627-5790 or email heastore@aol.com for info. We're offering 15% off and free shipping within the continental US!

Check Out Doll Making by Wright

2010-11-04T11:27:00.000-04:00

Follow this link

http://www.rjohnwright.com/prodhnf.html

Fashion Royalty Convention Dolls

2010-11-03T10:37:00.005-04:00

For those of us who were unable to attend the fabulous convention by Integrity TOys, here are the convention dolls to drool over!

Ask Any Girl Poppy Parker Gift Set

Shadow Of Your Smile Poppy Parker

Tears Go By Poppy Parker

Wild At Heart Lillith and Eden Gift Set

Scarlet Woman Adele Makeda

Provocatrice Anja

Night Vision Count Adrian von Lamberg

Fine Romance Eugenia Perrin Frost

Always Polished Dasha

Paper Dolls

2010-11-02T10:56:00.000-04:00

Meet Violaine, dark-hearted heroine and one of 20 misfit characters in Emily Martin's "The Black Apple's Paper Doll Primer," due out Tuesday from Potter Craft books.
Martin's 160-page paper-doll extravaganza is loaded with tongue-in-cheek figures such as the conjoined twins Hazel and Olive and the mysterious Tom, who "might vanish for days at a time and then suddenly appear at the very diner where you just so happen to be having a cup of coffee and a piece of pie."

"All of these characters are facets of my own personality," the illustrator said from her studio in Portland, Ore., this week. "Violaine represents a time in my life when I was holed up in my darkroom, listening to the Cure and crying about no one understanding me."
An obsessive crafter who is a top seller on Etsy, Martin wanted to create a book unlike any other. "The thing that attracted me to making the book was that it was such an excessive idea," she said. "The average picture book is 32 pages long."

Included in the mix: apparel and accessories, beautifully painted scenes to use with the Black Paper Theater, a flip book and stationery.
Obsessive? Perhaps. Fun? Definitely. The book inspired my 12-year-old daughter to invent her own cast of misfits.

"I hope people are drawn in by how different it is," Martin said.
Curious to see what a character like Violaine might wear? Keep reading ...

Ken Gets Own Web Series

2010-10-30T10:39:00.001-04:00

Mattel is about to put the spotlight on Ken, the former beau of Barbie, giving the doll his own online reality series, "Genuine Ken: The Search for the Great American Boyfriend," to be hosted by "The Hills" and "The City's" Whitney Port.

The series, which bows exclusively on Hulu starting Jan. 18, will become the latest media property that showcases Ken after his high-profile role in Pixar and Disney's "Toy Story 3," this summer and now on DVD, and leads into next year's 50th anniversary of the character.
A redesign of the Ken doll is in the works to go along with the recent launch of his Facebook page and Twitter feed, and he'll have a bolstered presence in upcoming animated DVD movies. All of the activity is the first big push for the character since he broke up with Barbie on Valentine's Day in 2004.

"He's getting a makeover to make sure he's still as culturally and visually relevant as Barbie is," said Stephanie Cota, senior VP of Mattel Girls' brands. "He's getting a little work done to get ready for his 50th anniversary."

Hudsun Media (Bravo's "Pregnant in Heels") is producing the reality show, which will unspool over eight 22-minute episodes. Once Hulu runs through the episodes, it will eventually be distributed to other dot-coms.
Hudsun CEO Michael Rourke and Max Benator, VP of digital for the shingle, exec produce with Lauren Stevens.

In the reality show, eight men between the ages of 21 and 30 will compete in a series of elimination challenges to prove that they possess Ken's qualities in order to be "the ultimate boyfriend for every occasion," including being able to surf, design, have a sense of fashion and show a romantic side.

Mattel said creating original content for the Internet is the latest entertainment effort, outside the TV shows, made-for-DVD features, videogames and events to get the Barbie brand in front of more consumers.

In this particular case, Mattel hopes to attract older auds to Barbie.
"With a 50-year history, you have people who have been embracing (Barbie and Ken) from day one," Cota said. While those consumers may never buy another doll, they may buy a T-shirt with Barbie on it or a Ken-themed bow tie.

The digital series "is a great way for us is to have grownup girls and boys stay connected to the brand," Cota added. Read more: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118026504.html?categoryid=1009&cs=1#ixzz13qxqHDAr Visit Variety.com to become a Variety subscriber.

Japanese Robot - So Real

2010-10-29T10:58:00.003-04:00

Follow this link:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/ashleybaccam/creepy-realistic-robot
to see a video of an incredibly realistic robot. Will our dolls ever achieve this?

Halloween Kitties

2010-10-28T10:31:00.003-04:00

38 Facts About Reborns

2010-10-27T13:00:00.001-04:00

Follow this link:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/38-facts-about-reborn-dolls

to read 38 facts about Reborns - and see darling photos!

Vera's Doll Stories

2010-10-26T16:34:00.000-04:00

Our Customer Vera has been having fun creating stories with photos set in Philly! The photos are set in PHilly, not necessarily the stories. You'll enjoy recognizing the dolls!

Doll Devours Damsels Do

2010-10-23T11:20:00.001-04:00

Chewing doll nearly consumes girl's hair (1996)

A battery-operated Cabbage Patch doll that can chew had to be taken apart piece by piece this week when it munched a 7-year-old girl's hair up to her scalp and would not let go.

Rothman Doll Show November 14th

2010-10-22T13:18:00.002-04:00

http://www.jmkshows.com/dollshows.html

Follow the link above for more info on the Rothman Doll Show in Hackensack, NJ on November 14th from 10am to 4pm. Wilde Imagination and Doug James of CED will be there!

LGBT Doll Meet Up

2010-10-21T15:07:00.000-04:00

Please join us for Philadelphia's first LGBT Doll Meet Up.

We will be holding monthly meetings on a Sunday from 1pm to 3pm at the
William Way LGBT Community Center 1315 Spruce Street
2nd Floor - The Community Room
right here in Philadelphia.
RSVP: 215-627-5790
heastore@aol.com

A Dollhouse Fit For a Queen

2010-10-20T12:29:00.001-04:00

It was Princess Marie Louise, Queen Victoria’s granddaughter, who first thought 'on the impulse of the moment’ of asking her friend the renowned architect Edwin Lutyens to design a dolls’ house for Queen Mary, the consort of Marie Louise’s first cousin King George V. Queen Mary was an obsessive collector of objets d’art, most particularly of 'tiny craft’, and most passionately of those with a family connection, which she amassed with an acutely knowledgeable eye. There could be no better gift for her than a dolls’ house filled with diminutive treasures. What more suitable tribute, too, for the Queen’s steadfast presence throughout the Great War? With its English eccentricity, this miniature yet monumental scheme was spot-on to capture the world’s imagination.

The Queen’s Dolls’ House, which now belongs to Queen Mary’s granddaughter Queen Elizabeth II, is a creation unlike any other: an exquisite little building filled to its royal rafters with the work, in miniature, of the finest artists and artisans, craftsmen and manufacturers of early 20th-century Britain.

These were the years of post-war convalescence, when the largely unemployed nation needed help to stand on its feet again, in a country 'fit for heroes to live in’. In 1922 the British Empire Exhibition of Arts and Manufacturing, conceived to boost spirits and to stimulate trade, was given the go-ahead, and this tiny masterpiece of an English house, displaying the very best that the United Kingdom could offer, would be its centrepiece. So this remarkable creation, which could have become a mere plaything, a fantastical toy subsumed into the wealth of the Royal Collection, was to become instead a beacon of national importance. Indeed, within days of its inception it was seen as a flagship of endeavour to ease the nation’s woes.

Lutyens regularly began to hold what he called 'Dollyleuyah Dinners’, which would lead to more than 1,500 individuals becoming involved in the Dolls’ House. It was a formidable force: 250 craftsmen and manufacturers, 60 artist-decorators and 700 artists, 600 writers and 500 donors, many of them still household names today.

When Lutyens took on the Dolls’ House, he had been working on the building of New Delhi for nine years. It gave him particular pleasure to be simultaneously applying himself to 80 square miles of Imperial buildings and a house measuring 5ft high. Lutyens created lofty royal chambers along with mezzanine levels, and ensured that every room had a window, with either casement or real sliding sashes. From the outside, what initially appears to be a podium supporting the house is in fact the basement quarters. Let down rusticated stone flaps and reveal, to the north, the water tank and machinery for the lifts; to the south, the wine cellar and food stores. Most ingenious of all are the revelations in the great drawers at either end of the building. With the flaps pulled down, to the west you haul forth a fully fledged five-bay garage housing a fleet of royal limousines; while to the east, a garden by Gertrude Jekyll – empress of garden design in her day – leaps into life.

There can surely be few more splendid last salvos from Edwardian England than the decoration applied inside the house, with its woodwork, plasterwork and damask-hung walls; its superbly imaginative ceiling paintings; as well as the murals by such giants as William Nicholson and Edmund Dulac. There is a wealth of rich-hued marble. In a letter to Princess Marie Louise, Lutyens had wondered whether 'government would allow us to tap maharajahs for Dollyleuyah 1) Would the Queen mind? 2) Would the Viceroy?’ Whatever he eventually did, there is Indian marble on the walls, floors, door-cases, dados and ceilings, and fashioned into fireplaces which then decreed the decorative colour scheme of the rooms.

When the shell of the house was finished, it was moved (the wall of Lutyens’s office in Apple Tree Yard, St James’s, London, had to be torn down to get it out) to Lutyens’s house in Mansfield Street. There it was to stand, taking up half his drawing-room, for nearly two years. The elite of the nation’s talent poured through the door: Sir Alfred Munnings (1878–1959) with his miniature painting of the King’s charger, Delhi; Alfred Dunhill (1872–1959) with his tiny cigarettes, cigars, pipes and tins of 'My Mixture’ – tobacco custom-made for the King. Ursula Ridley, Lutyens’s daughter, told me of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) arriving with his diminutive, hand-written and leather-bound story How Watson Learned the Trick. Queen Mary, enjoying every development, came to Mansfield Street several times.

In 1924 the house was finished. 'The most perfect present that anyone could receive’, wrote the Queen to all those involved in its creation. During its seven months at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley the Dolls’ House was seen by 1,617,556 people. A year later, it was taken off again, in 45 boxes weighing four and a half tons, to the Ideal Home Exhibition at Olympia in west Kensington. Finally, in July 1925, it was put on show in Windsor Castle, in a room specially designed by Lutyens. There it has remained ever since.

You Great Big Beautiful Doll

2010-10-19T13:04:00.000-04:00

VERNON HILLS, IL, October 18, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Chicago doll artist Cyndi Safstrom has been creating action figures of everyday people for the past three years. Just send good pictures of your loved one's face, and she can turn them into a doll, display box included. The face is sculpted from polymer clay, then integrated in to an 11" doll body. Add the clothing of your choice and you have a unique and personalized gift that will be a huge hit on Christmas morning.

When Ms. Safstrom created an action figure of a fellow YouTuber for his birthday in 2007, she didn't expect it to turn into a new career. "I had lost my corporate job earlier in the year. Zipster08 put up a YouTube video showing off his doll, and the orders started coming in."For the first year, YouTubers kept Cyndi busy making action figures. Surprisingly, most of her business came from men wanting figures of themselves.

In early 2008 she created a website and opened her talents to the rest of the world.Be A Doll has now shipped personal dolls/action figures all over the world, mainly as gifts for wives, husbands, parents, siblings, and friends. "I love doing something creative for a living and helping people express their love for each other."Be A Doll creates 11" dolls of real people like YOU. Action figures for everyday heroes.See samples of our work at http://www.be-a-doll.com, or email beadoll55@aol.com.

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Halloween

2010-10-16T11:15:00.002-04:00

Here's a look at our display windows. I like to change one of the two every two weeks. Hmmmm, wonder what the theme is this week?

A Reason To Do Your Own Cleaning

2010-10-15T17:42:00.002-04:00

NEW PORT RICHEY — A cleaning lady is accused of taking a collectible doll worth $3,000 from a client's home.

Deborah Ann Jelicks, 40, admitted to deputies that she took the Hummel doll this month, according to a Pasco County Sheriff's Office report. She returned the doll to deputies.
Jelicks of 7525 Mallard St. was arrested Thursday and charged with grand theft. She remains at the Land O'Lakes jail in lieu of $500 bail.

In addition to working as a cleaning lady, Jelicks completed training in August to serve as a substitute teacher for Pasco schools. After the arrest, the district temporarily removed her from the substitute pool, and will revisit her status after the criminal charges are resolved, human resources director Renee Sedlack said.

Tonner - New York Comic Con exclusive

2010-10-15T17:38:00.001-04:00

Tonner vient d'annoncer la poupée exclusive qu'ils présenteront lors de la Comic con de New York.NYCC EXCLUSIVE ARTEMIS OF BANA MIGDHAL (limitée à 200 exemplaires)

Ride the Flyer

2010-10-14T11:11:00.001-04:00

How many of us have fond memories of their Radio Flyer wagons? Follow this link for an incredible site!

http://www.ktuu.com/news/ktuu-radio-flyer-car-092910,0,1784245.story

Check Out R. John Wright

2010-10-13T12:13:00.002-04:00

Follow this link: http://www.rjohnwright.com/prodrcf.html to see how a Flower Fairy is made!

December Dolls Magazine

2010-10-12T17:36:00.001-04:00

Keep flipping to page 26 to key into the debate about what is and isn't doll art.
And be sure to check out the far-out art of Jill Penney on page 36. You won't believe your eyes.
Hope you enjoy the latest issue of DOLLS!

$500,000 Barbie - I'll Take Two

2010-10-12T17:16:00.002-04:00

A one of a kind, custom Barbie doll will be auctioned off at Christies auction house in New York on October 20th and the accessories on this doll will make any girl jealous. This particular Barbie will come with a necklace featuring a real emerald cut 1-carat pink diamond designed by jeweler Stefano Canturi.

The doll is expected to fetch anywhere between $300,000 – $500,000 and that would make it the record holder for most expensive Barbie ever at auction. All proceeds will benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The doll’s black strapless dress, stilettos, hair and other features were also designed by Canturi.

For more information please visit Christies.com

10-10-10 Bratz Return

2010-10-08T13:03:00.002-04:00

TORONTO, Oct 7 /CNW/ - This year, 10-10-10 takes on a fashionable new meaning by marking the return of the beloved, fashion-forward Bratz® dolls that have been stealing the hearts of young girls around the world for a decade. MGA Entertainment, the toy company behind Bratz® and other popular brands like Little Tikes® and Moxie Girlz™, is celebrating the brand's 10th anniversary by introducing 10 all-new Bratz® dolls on October 10, 2010.

"Bratz is not only back, but better than ever this fall," says Diane Goveia-Gordon, President of MGA Entertainment Canada. "We are thrilled to be celebrating a decade of the popular fashion doll with the unveiling of ten new characters and we expect to see an even bigger increase in popularity with the new lines slated for release over the next year," adds Goveia-Gordon.
The new Bratz® 10th anniversary line welcomes Carrie™, Adri™, Shira™, Shadi™, Tyla™, Ashby™, Lydia™, Joelle™, Lilliana™ and Leora™ as they join the world's favourite Bratz® pack - Cloe™, Yasmin™, Sasha™ and Jade™ - on October 10, 2010. Each doll, complete with an individual personality and unique outfit.

MGA Entertainment also unveils the new Bratz® Party Dolls line. Each doll is decked out in full party mode and ready to strut their stuff with two fun outfits - one for daytime and one for parties. The new dolls feature multiple points of articulation, including knees, wrists, head, shoulders, waist, hips and elbows. The perfect gift for children ages six years and older, Bratz® Party Dolls are available at major retailers across Canada for a suggested retail price of $19.99.

'Speaking' of new Bratz® dolls…the new Bratz® Let's Talk™* dolls can not only speak, they can also ask questions and understand responses. Bratz® Let's Talk™ dolls feature a 12" fully articulated, pose-able body and voice recognition technology that allows the doll to talk and understand. And they have plenty to say, with 500 phrases and a variety of games and other activities like quizzes, fortune telling and secret sharing.
The girls with a passion for fashion™ first exploded onto the scene a decade ago, and young girls everywhere are still keeping up with these stylish dolls. Multi-ethnic, sassy, and chic, the Bratz® became instant icons, with style that not only kept up with, but often set the pace for emerging fashion trends. Inspired by their message of self-expression and individuality, pre-teen girls couldn't wait to get up close and personal with the new style stars. These trendsetting fashion icons have unleashed something in young girls everywhere - the passion to be who they are! For years to come, the Bratz® will always be there exploring new fashion trends to inspire girls around the world. For more information, visit www.Bratz.com.

Integrity Dolls To Appear in Film

2010-10-06T12:41:00.000-04:00

http://www.jackbootsonwhitehall.co.uk/
A few Integrity dolls are making an appearance in a new movie, Jackboots on Whitehall. Check out the website here: http://www.jackbootsonwhitehall.co.uk/ Under characters, click on Daisy. Also, check out the backgrounds for other gals appearing as movie "extras".

Bieber Doll

2010-09-29T14:11:00.002-04:00

The time was going to come sooner or later and it looks like it’s sooner. Justin Bieber the doll is heading to stores near you!

Justin already has his own toy and doll line!
According to J-14, Bieber dolls will hit stores Dec. 4 just in time for the holidays.
The 16-year-old pop star doll line also includes a singing version and the dolls will include miniature instruments and microphones that can also play clips of his songs.

Bboy Joker

2010-09-24T15:50:00.000-04:00

NINJA'S UNBOXING

2010-09-24T15:49:00.000-04:00

Making of Bboy Joker

2010-09-24T15:48:00.000-04:00

See how it's done!