You're No Body Til Some Body Loves You

Some collectors have coined the phrase "Frankendolly" to refer to dolls that have been "body-switched".   I guess that makes me Dr. Frankenstein.   I've always been someone who can't leave well-enough alone.   Even as a kid I was taking things apart and putting them back together ... thinking I had improved the original design.

When I started collecting dolls as an adult, the most I could expect from a fashion doll was a twisting waist, turning head, twirling arms and clicking knees.   Now we have girls with pivotal ankles, wrists, rib cages, etc.  It's amazing the poses a doll can make!

Recently, my sister became interested in fashion dolls.  (Ashamedly, I must take some of the blame because she started reading my blog and is now headed toward Fashion Doll Financial Ruin.)  Shout out to my sister, Debbie!   This blog is dedicated to you because I was trying to find dolls to send to you  to keep you out of retail establishments.  This is a doll I created for her.

When I was doing this, I found it interesting to look at the different versions of the bodies that worked with 11 1/2 inch dolls and allowed them to still wear most of the same clothes (namely the smaller bust).  Here is a group picture of four dolls.  The girls kindly offered to wear bikinis to show the body types.

The doll on the far left is the new Barbie Basics 2.0 Denim Steffie doll.  I changed her to a fashionista body.  The pros/cons.  To quote Hannibal Lecter, she's "a little roomy in the hips."  This means some of the clothing is a tighter fit there, but it is not usually a problem.  Big PRO is the price.  They cost about $10 at most retail stores like Walmart, Target, K-Mart, Big Lots, etc.  (Unfortunately, they are becoming more difficult to find as Mattel puts its full weight behind "Swappin' Styles".)   But you need to remember that you get what you pay for.  They are not the best quality.  I didn't use a pivotal Barbie body like Jazz Divas or Pop Life because they are all similar.  You just add some more skin tones.  This is the biggest CON.  The fashionistas come in only two skin tones right now.  You have the light AA and the light tan Caucasian.

The next doll is the actual Model Muse body that is used for the Barbie Basics currently.  It is a very stylized body and is quite attractive to the eye. I like my girls to be able to get around, so the obvious drawback is the lack of articulation.  These dolls are a little thicker in the waist and may be hard to dress (especially when you have to get things over the arms and hands).  They are very attractive however, and many collectors prefer them.  BTW, the head on this body is a FR Dominique head.  More to come on this subject later.

 The third body is the Liv doll body.  I'm not sure which Barbie head this is.   [NOTE:  Thank you to reader Maya for identifying this doll head as the Grand Entrance Barbie that came in the blue gown!]  I had purchased some Liv dolls when they were on sale for half price last week at TRU.  My girls wanted to steal their cool casual wear.  Since I had a body, I thought I would see what results I could get.  The cool thing is that the doll is a light skin tone which is hard to find in Mattel or FR dolls of this size.  One bonus is that you get the pivotal ankles, but the feet are BIG.  It's hard to find shoes for them.  They are a little shorter than the other dolls and not quite as curvy.  They come across as a teenage sister, but they do pose very nicely.  The torso pivot is at the waist instead of the rib cage.  They are well-balanced in their design if you can get past the less mature body structure.

The last body type is my personal favorite for many reasons.  And the doll head is one of my personal favorites as well.  It is the Louboutin mold Denim Basics doll.    She has a Dynamite Girls body by Integrity Toys.  There are several things I prefer about this body.  First, the shape is very nice.  The best feature, though, is that the hands come out so it is extremely easy to dress them.   They come in several skin tones and are heavier and better molded.  The problem is the price.  The DG girls are usually $40 - $55.  However, Integrity has had them on sale for $20 each.  I bought several of them at that time for body donors.  I believe many of them are still available on their site.

Here is another group photo of the girls ... all wearing the new basic jeans.  I wanted you to see how they looked wearing clothing.

Even though I usually change Mattel Barbie Basic heads to articulated bodies, I began to wonder if I could do this in reverse.  Put Integrity heads on Model Muse bodies.  Sometimes I had to change the neck knob for it to work.  Here are two of my school girls.  A DG Dayle and a NuFace Erin:

I thought these looked pretty good!  I got into a body switching frenzy by this time.  How about switching a Mattel head to a NuFace body.  Well here is one of my very favorites.  Model of the Moment Urban Hipster Nichelle.  I LOVE this doll and wanted her to have articulation.  As it turns out she fits beautifully on an Integrity Toys NuFace Nadja body.

Okay, it appeared that I was cooking with gas by this time (which, by the way, when you boil water to change the heads and you have a gas stove top, make sure you don't allow the doll's hair to touch the side of the pan.  TOTAL MESS!)  Now, it was time to see if I could make the transfer to the tall, more ample, girls.  Top Model Nikki made a wonderful transition to a Fashion Royalty Josephine Baker body.

When I asked my favorite girl how she felt about all of this, this is what she had to say ... this is Chaundra's quote.  "As someone who has benefited from the transplant process, I can say that I appreciate the doll who gave this body for my use.  Without your generous donation, I wouldn't be able to move and be so animated.  I would also like to thank all of my fellow housemates for the wonderful photo shoot ...."

"Oh, did someone say 'photoshoot'?   I wasn't aware we were having our picture made.  I hope my hair looks alright,"  Carli enters the scene with faux innocence.

"Some dolls just cannot leave well enough alone.  This girl is really beginning to get on my nerves. Where is that box to your sister?"

Bare Nekkid Ladies

There is always excitement when a new doll arrives in the mail.  When I called home at lunch time, my husband informed me, "There's a doll box."  I couldn't wait to get home.  The rest of the afternoon just dragged on and on and on.  I think I may have even broke the speed limit a little on the way to release my newest acquisition.

As everyone knows by now, I have some difficulty taking dolls out of their boxes.  At least that's true with expensive or limited edition dolls.  I know it's crazy, but I have this phobia about it.

That's why it is so liberating to purchase a nude doll.  I don't have to worry about lowering her value or "messing" her up.  She doesn't have a "presentation".  She's NUDE.  BARE NEKKID! 

I recently purchased one of my grails from a poster named Adam on Vinyl Lounge/Pink Parlor.  I couldn't believe my luck.  She was nude, but she had already been placed on a tall articulated body.  SCORE!  And the price was fantastic.  I have been looking forward to her arrival all week.  Here she is ... Bodacious Adele.

When she arrived, I was so happy to see that she still had her original hairnet sewn into her hair.  Her hair had never been combed or touched.  What a beautiful doll!  I dressed her immediately for her first photo shoot. 

I love receiving a nude doll in pristine condition.  I went to my collection to review what other dolls I had purchased nude.  The first "nude" doll I ever purchased was Poesie Sans Coleur Vanessa.  I got her on e-bay.  The seller just wanted the wedding dress.  They had a collection of Silkstones ... all wearing wedding gowns.  They didn't want the doll.  I was so lucky ... I got her with "Buy It Now" at an incredible price.  I later upgraded her to a new tall body when I learned how to transfer heads.

The next doll that came to my home nude was Spectacular, Spectacular Eugenia.  I got her from Dawn on Doll Divas.  She was reducing her collection and listed Spectacular with several other dolls for sale.  I was the first to respond ... right place, right time.  I love this doll.

I got Firefly Agnes from someone on the doll boards as well.   The individual had removed her eyelashes, but I don't mind.  This doll is one of my very favorite dolls ever produced.  Her eyes are so intense.  She is probably my most photographed doll.

I was on e-bay one day, and Most Desired Eugenia came up.  Again ... she was nude and the Buy It Now price was super.  I had not considered adding this doll to my collection until I saw Jon's photos on Doll Divas.  He took such fantastic photos of this girl that I couldn't resist adding her to my collection.  At a nude price, I couldn't pass her up.

When I got divorced I had to sell many of dolls.  One of the dolls I sold was Diamond Dusted.  She was NRFB  and one of my very favorite dolls.  I had been wanting to add her to my collection for a long time and she came up on e-bay ... just her head.  It was being sold by Ann in Florida.  I knew her from Pink Parlor/Vinyl Lounge.  I got the head and put it on a replacement body.  I guess that would count as purchasing her nude.  I'm going to list her anyway!

The 2008 Integrity Convention theme was "The Heist".  One of my favorite dolls from that collection was Shirred, Not Shaken.  I believe she is a very under-appreciated doll.  That fire engine red hair is to die for!  For some reason, when I look at her I am reminded of Ann Margaret.  Another nude doll added to my collection.  I was beginning to be an old hand at buying nude dolls.

This year I had the worst purchasing experience of my doll collecting life.  A doll dealer in Australia offered an exclusive doll for sale.  It sold out quickly on line.  I got up at 7:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning to buy this doll.  I got my order in and everything seemed alright.  The dealer later canceled my order because she said she couldn't get my credit card information to process.  This has never happened to me before.  I wasn't even offered the opportunity to correct the problem, if there were actually a problem to begin with.  She said that the doll was sold out and that I could not buy one or go on a waitlist.  I don't understand this because the dealer is still selling these dolls on e-bay for $100 more than the retail price.  I can't believe Integrity is allowing this to happen.  I reported it and was told "Thank you for comments, we appreciate your input."  Yeah, right!

Anyway this doll was shipped and mold was discovered on many of the dolls when they arrived.  Then Integrity replaced dolls.  I was able to snag a replaced doll, NUDE, of course.   This is Regal Estate Agnes.  I believe she is one of the best Agnes dolls ever.  Agnes is my favorite character and this face-up is especially beautiful.

Following this year's convention, I fell hard for one of the table centerpiece dolls ... Smoke Screen Dania Zarr.  Found her nude on the doll boards and quickly added her to my collection.

I was surprised by how many dolls I had added to my collection as "nudes".  I had three blondes, three dark haired dolls, and two redheads.  How fortunate that I got Bodacious Adele ... another redhead ... when means I have an equal number of each. 

But what happens when I add another?  I guess I will need one of each of the other hair colors to compensate, right?  Naturally!

Happy Birthday, Miss Lucy

Today would've been my mother's 69th birthday.  I miss her terribly and couldn't let the day pass without some sort of celebration.  So ... Happy Birthday, Momma.  I love you and miss you.

Put Up or Shut Up

I have been snowed/iced in for a week now.  I'm tired of it.  Even my dolls are tired of it.   They may not look like it, but they are.

Well, I'm looking directly into the face of one of my New Year's Resolutions.  You know how it is.  We have good intentions when we make those.  We review our life, consider the future, and jump in with both feet!  This year, one of my resolutions was ... "No new doll will come into this house and remain in a box for more than two weeks.  Either she will come out of the box, or she will be re-sold."

My first doll of 2011 was purchased from a kind collector who posted some dolls for sale on the W Club.  I had been watching for this doll for a very long time.  Here is the stock photo from Integrity.

She is Blue Blood Elise Jolie from the 2009 Fashion Royalty Convention.  She was the actual convention doll that everyone got for their $350 registration fee.  She was a limited edition of 350.

When she was first released, it seemed feelings were very strong about her one way or the other.  Many people loved her.  Some disliked her stating that her eye makeup was too dark and dramatic.  I don't believe many remained on the fence.  When individuals started redressing her, others realized her potential.  Some brave collectors actually took her hair down.  Here is a photo used by permission from a W Club member.  The individual who posted this photo is Desiree "Des" Hussfeldt from Alicante, Spain.  She posts under the name "leiameow". 

After seeing this photo, I have always wanted Elise Jolie.  Unfortunately, her cost has always prohibited my purchase of her ... until the first week of January.   Here is the actual photo of my doll.  She is number 033 of 350.  I believe she has a beautiful presentation.

I'm not sure what Integrity was thinking when they included this?  I believe it is supposed to be a necklace.

I really like the shell.  It is a lovely color.

This suitcase was a wonderful addition.  I really like it.

I have the Successful Ascension ensemble from the same convention.  It had a cute little train case that is very similar.  I don't know why they would choose silver metal for the suitcase and gold metal for the traincase, but they did.  Not a good attention to detail.

Also included (in the bottom compartment are a pair of well-made shoes, a pair of black gloves, another set of hands, and a simple pair of black earrings.

Here is a closeup of Elise.  Those cheekbones could cut paper!  But ... now I have a decision to make.  I really like her ... but do I like her enough?   Does she come out of the box?  Or does she get re-sold? 

The hunt is over.  I have acquired my prey.  Do I release her back to the wild or mount her in the case?  I have another week to make up my mind.  Until then ... I am already on the scent of the next doll!

Being a Doll Collector is Definitely Not Easy

This morning I awoke to quite a display from nature.  We had 5 inches of snow.  We don't often see snow in the south, so it was awe-inspiring.  Work was closed today.  It was a glorious morning.  Here is a photo of our home in the snow.

I immediately went upstairs and chose one of my very favorite dolls from 2010 for a photo shoot.  Smoke Signals Dania.  I love this doll. 

I especially love her up-do which allows her to wear coats, turtlenecks, and other clothing with collars very easily.

Here she is ...you can see snow falling on her coat.  I loved this photo.  I took about 50 photos and only about 5 were usuable.  It's not as easy to take doll pictures outside in the snow as I thought it would be.

I had a great morning.  Then rushed upstairs for the computer.  Like so many Poppy Parker fans, I spent the whole afternoon trying to log in and get the "opportunity" to spend $150 of my hard earned money for an exclusive doll for which only 300 were made worldwide.  Am I insane?  It appears so.  Along with hundreds of others around the world.

Dolls Magazine was selling this doll and their website crashed immediately.  The doll was supposed to go on sale at 12:00 CST and did not come back up.  They posted a message that the website would be back up and running at 2:00, but due to traffic and all of the refreshing going on by rabid collectors, they couldn't get it fixed.  So they offered the doll through e-mail on a "first come basis".  It was a total feeding frenzy.  I believe they were doing the only fair thing they thought they could do.  It wasn't their fault.  I remember this happening with Holiday In the Hamptons and anything sold by FAO Schwartz. 

First, why does a toy manufacturer create such a stressful situation for its customers and retailers?  When I go to a retailer and get treatment similar to this ... I just don't go back to that retailer.  Why then should this be so different?  Yet, somehow it is.  Am I a masochist? 

I think I need to re-evaluate my collecting habits.  I entitled this blog "Desperately Seeking Dolls" because I think the "hunt" is just as important as the acquisition.  But when the hunt sucks the joy out of collecting, then maybe I should invest my energy into something more positive.

Something that was a positive experience for me this weekend was that I finally got articulated bodies onto all of the Barbie Basic Denim dolls.  This is a quick photo ....

I think Mattel really hit a home run with this collection.  I love their face-ups.  Their eyes are lovely and their lips are neutral.  Just nice, clean, beautiful faces.  

I've been asked numerous times which body #14 (Louboutin face) was put on.  It is a Dynamite Girl Electro Pop Rufus Blue.  It is the closest I could find to her skin tone which kept her height the same and body proportions similar.  I love this doll.

They look so wonderful in casual wear that I wondered if they could pull off evening wear or gowns.  Most of my girls do not wear gowns often.  I have many ... but the girls prefer their day wear.  Here is #8 in a Bill Blass gown.  I think she looks very nice.  I may have to pierce her ears for her to have jewelry to help pull off the look.

I think she is lovely.  I'm not sure that I'm head-over-heels in love with it, but I think it works alright.  I am going to try the other dolls in evening wear soon.  I will update my blog when I have photos. 

I had such a great time playing with my BB Denim girls.  Dolls that with articulation cost less than $40 each.   I enjoyed redressing Dania and taking her outside for her photo shoot.  Why did I allow this Poppy Parker issue to cloud my day?  

I guess I'm just always "desperately seeking dolls".



"Out With the Old"

This was a very difficult blogpost for me.  It's a time of reflection.  A review of my life and collecting during 2010. 

First, I believe that every ending leads to a new beginning.  Sometimes with promise and hope, sometimes with sadness and despair. 

I said "goodbye" to my single life in 2010, but I am now married to a wonderful man who shares my life and loves me for who I am.  So, that was a good ending.

I also said "goodbye" to my mother in 2010.  She was diagnosed with cancer in August and passed on October 26.  I am still struggling with this tremendous loss and the grief is sometimes overwhelming.

In my dolly universe, 2010 will be known as "The Year of Joyful Play".   It was the year I discovered the Fashionista Body and learned how to switch heads between dolls.   I also discovered Dynamite Girls and found that their bodies could easily be used for Barbie skin tones not found in Fashionistas.  My friend and I joke that I am going to have to have a "Bastille Day Sale" for all of the heads I have just lying around.

... And 2010 was the year that Chaundra came into my dolly world.  She is the main character in "Robyne Town".  My favorite three "frankendolly" girls right now are shown below.

Lara, my first transplant, is a Model of the Moment "Pretty Young Thing" Marissa on a Fashionista Body.

Chaundra is the Target Exclusive Barbie Basic on a Dynamite Girl Electro Pop Dayle body.

Carli is the Barbie Basic Denim #4 on a Fashionista Body. 

Taking these dolls and adding articulation has brought them to life.  Chaundra is my sassy girl.  Carli is my socialite.  Lara is just the peacemaker right now. 

Here they are showing their "playability":

"What's that odd thing you have there?"  Carli peers at the table looking as if the item had a rotten smell.

"It's a big ol' fat nun-o-ya!"  Chaundra replies.

"What exactly is a nun-o-ya?"

"It's nun-o-ya business!"  Chaundra laughs.

Lara tries to make peace, again.  "It's a record player we found in my grandmother's attic.  You put these vinyl disks on this platform and when you turn it on, the platform spins.  Then you put this arm on the disk and music comes out this box.  It's fascinating."

"Really?"  Carli can't believe what she's hearing.  "Wouldn't it just be easier to dock your i-Pod?"

Chaundra rolls her eyes.

When I got married this year, I had to move my dolls into our new home.  My husband was awestruck when he asked, "Are all of these boxes dolls?"  I was a little embarrassed.  He made a very good point when he said, "Why don't you take the ones you love most out of the boxes and display them.  Any those you don't want out of the box, try to sell them."

I was resistent, but I couldn't argue with this logic.  After many years of dolls arriving with none leaving, I had amassed quite a fortune of dolls.  So this year, I said goodbye to the following Silkstones:  Movie Mixer, Blonde Debut, Pretty Pleats, Preferably Pink, Palm Beach Breeze, Red Hot Reviews, and Hollywood Hostess.  And the following Fashion Royalty Girls found a new home as well:  In Bloom Vanessa, Overachiever Eugenia, Night Warrior Vanessa, Festive Decadence Agnes, Cruise Control Vanessa, Hot Property Natalia, Bewitching Hour Luchia, High Tide Vanessa, She's Arrived Poppy, and Lady Thriller Pierre.

Even though 17 dolls left, quite a few arrived on the scene as well: Bergdorf Goodman Poppy, Disclosure Monogram, Head for Glamour Agnes, Hourglass Kesenia, Spring Forward Eugenia, Lady in Waiting Dania, Private Goddess Natalia, Tricks of the Trade Eugenia, Flame Blue Vanessa, and The Queen Tatyana.

This leads me to my favorite dolls produced in 2010.  I discovered Dynamite Girls and opened a whole new can of worms.  Not only did I get Vinyl Vintage Sooki, I got Chill Factor Aria and Neve.  Then I had to get my favorite DG of all time Feelin' Fierce Jett.  (I'm sure there will be more DG's in my future.)

The line that impressed me the most this year from Integrity were the Nuface Girls.  I got all three:  Mais Oui Giselle, Great Pretender Lilith, and Perk Colette.  Integrity really did a fantastic job on this line.

This leads me to my all-time favorite girls for 2010.  Without a doubt my favorite dolls this year were Smoke Screen Dania and Regal Estate Agnes.   I believe them both to be perfect in every way.

Well ... unfortunately, it seems that the number of dolls that came in last year was 19.  I'm not doing the math for my husband.  I'm sure glad I didn't marry an accountant.