I knew when I saw the No Reservations Kyori Centerpiece Doll that she belonged in my collection. She looks very "old Integrity" to me. I grabbed a NRFB one during the Convention weekend off e-bay. There were only 180 in the edition size and that included the ones on the tables. I like her so much, I don't even want to remove her from her box because she is presented so nicely!
I definitely wanted one NRFB and have seen Centerpiece dolls from previous collections go for ridiculous amounts following the convention. Unfortuately, for some reason, this doll turns out to be less popular than I expected. She has been showing up for over $100 less than I paid for her. Should've waited and saved some money.
There were 39 dolls released at the Integrity Convention this year. I have already added Point of Departure Eugenia and Workshop Imogen to the fold. In addiiton to NRFB Kyori, I have Vivid Impact Agnes (whom I'm not sure what to do with).
Vivid Impact has caused me to add a new rule to my list of rules, "Rule 6: Never buy a doll before seeing actual photos (even promo photos count) of that doll. I look at Vivid Impact and am speechless. I was tempted to purchase her simply because she was an Agnes and I was afraid I'd not be able to get her later. Horrible mistake. She is still available through Integrity for about 25% less than I paid for her. She does come with a nice dress and accessories. Patience would've paid off. She'll probably be for sale in the near future.
Supporting my other rules, I have been very careful to limit impulse buying. Other dolls from the Convention that had caught my eye were Style Counsel Adele and Veronique Giftset and the Les Silhouette Collection Fauboug Saint-Honore Victoire Roux doll and the accompanying ensemble Avenue Montaigne. (Photo from Integrity Toys)
Integrity often sells the "extra" dolls from a convention after everything has settled down. I got an e-mail and found that the Style Counsel Giftset and the Avenue Montaigne Ensemble would be sold on a "first-come" basis this past Tuesday. Both at much discounted prices compared to what you find on e-bay. (Integrity Photo of Avenue Montaigne).
Realizing that the Victoire Roux doll had sold out at the convention, I hurried over to e-bay and found one at an excellent price NRFB. (I had been patient, but now had to act; I expect she'll be hard to get later because her edition size was only 300 dolls. This collection is based on retro chic fashions.) Now, it is generally known that when a doll is sold out, the prices on e-bay tend to soar. Since only the W Club members had been notified of what was available, I was able to purchase the one I got for a fraction of some of the current offering prices. Patience paid off ... I took advantage of waiting for the right opportunity, but not waiting until it was generally known she would not be available during the Integrity Left-Over Sale. (Integrity Photo)
This past Tuesday was ANOTHER frustrating purchase day for collectors. At one time there almost 400 non-registered users in the Integrity Shop and another 300 registered users. (Which makes me wonder how 400 non-members even knew there was a sell since members were not supposed to share that information!) Well, they were in for a surprise because you had to have a link to purchase any of the items available. Kudos to Integrity for that one!
IT's site locked several times. Collectors spent hours trying to purchase items. Fortunately, I was able to go on at work ... we have an incredibly strong computer system here ... I just sat back, worked, and waited for each screen to load. Within 40 minutes, I had both the Style Counsel Giftset and the Outfit. I had seen some awesome photos of these dolls on The W Club, Pink Parlor, and Doll Divas with their hair "de-bumped". So patience paid off again.
To help curb a melt-down, I am going to follow a suggestion from a friend on the doll boards, Vanessa. I am going to make a list of what I'm looking to purchase and stick to it. Here it goes:
The only dolls I am looking to purchase:
AFL Platinum Vanessa
Luxe Life Vanessa
Haute Luxuries Veronique
Graphic Language Adele
Center of Attention Poppy
Portrait In Black Poppy
Outfits I need (notice the word "need" not "want")
Soir de Paris
Lustrous Silhouette
Todd Oldham
She Means Business
Will Consider Vintage Outfits, Bubble Barbie, or American Girl.
Must Have: Silkstone Mirror, Silkstone Screen.
I've been very good this year. (I feel like I'm writing to Santa Claus. I also feel like I am prefacing some bad news.) Actually though ... I'm just making a statement, I have been very good this year. 44 dolls no longer reside here and only 29 dolls have taken their places. But as usual ... I am always desperately seeking dolls ... and diorama pieces ... and clothing ensembles ... and .... and ...and ....
2 comments:
Hi there. I am your newest follower:) love all of your finds at the doll show! That outfit looks way better on Chaundra! Great post! Thanks for sharing.
Hello! Just found your blog. Just an FYI, "unregistered" users only means those people who were on the Integrity store site showing that way were not logged in yet. It doesn't necessarily mean that they did not have an account at all nor that they were not a wclub member [but you knew that (= (= (= ]. Carry on! (=
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