Doll Collection Cycle - Numbers 12, 13, and 14 Jamieshow Muses

Last year I broke the first guideline for my collection - "Guideline 1:  Focus My Collecting.  If I don't already have some, I don't need one."  I was feeling sad because I had not gotten a ticket for the past two years to the Integrity Toys (IT) Convention (even though I had gotten through the purchase hurdle both years and was told later, "We're sorry we oversold; it was a glitch in our website.")  Add to that "feeling sorry for myself" moment the fact that IT factories were experiencing quality control and production issues relative to the pandemic, and I was quite vulnerable to the lure of an alternative source for my collecting addiction.    

I found myself seduced by the newly released Jamieshow/Owensu Muses doll line.  I fell in love with the quality of these resin ball-jointed dolls and their clothing and accessories.  They even claimed the top spot in my Best of 2021 countdown (the first time ever for a non IT doll).  

There was no denying the lure of their fall line called "Dangerous Love".   They offered four females (two new characters and two new faceups for collector favorites) and four MALES!  In addition there were 26 ensembles, several accessory packs, and new wig caps for both the males and females.  It was like Christmas!

These dolls are not cheap, so I had to be very selective in my purchases.  (Each doll costs $425 and comes with one wig cap, a robe, and undergarments.)  The clothing ensembles are truly amazing!  So here are some photos of my "stash".   

Number 12 of 2022 is Jamieshow/Owensu Muses Dangerous Love Orlando.  That's right!  I broke Guideline 1 even again!  I now have a male doll living here.  But I just couldn't resist him.  

Isn't he just amazing?  In the promo photos he reminded me of Spike from Buffy, The Vampire Slayer.  He is quite handsome and my girls are totally smitten with him.  I would show you more photos of his incredible body blushing, but he is very realistic right down to the "naughty bits".  According to collectors he can wear much of the Integrity Toys homme clothing, and vice versa.  I can neither confirm nor deny this as I don't have any other male dolls here.  I did purchase three of the male ensembles and one of the accessory sets that was offered in the Dangerous Love collection though.

Next up is Number 13 of 2022, Jamieshow/Owensu Muses Dangerous Love Ginnie.  I purchased the Summer Kisses version of Ginnie thinking she would be my favorite from that line.  Since she has been deboxed, I've struggled with bonding to that version.  I've not found just the right look for her yet; whereas, I've fallen hard for the Alexis, Grace, Nicole, and Sasha dolls.  Dangerous Love Ginnie is a whole other story!  This doll is one of the most beautiful dolls in my collection.  Those dark smoky green eyes and nude makeup is just gorgeous.

Several of the ensembles from the Dangerous Love collection were created with versatile mix and match possibilities.  I love using my imagination and combining pieces from different ensembles.  Merging Jamieshow/Owensu Muses and Integrity Toys is bliss!  Here Dangerous Love Ginnie is wearing the skirt from Jamieshow/Owensu Look 22. I have added several items, coincidentally all from 2017, of Integrity Toys: Poetic Beauty Blair Twins booties, blouse and belt from Merveilleuse Agnes Von Weiss, hat and scarf from Exquise Adele Makeda.

And here is a closeup, just because she is so beautiful.

One Muses mold that has been very consistent is Sasha.  Number 14 of 2022 is Jamieshow/Owensu Muses Dangerous Love Sasha.  

When I saw look #25 from the Dangerous Love Collection, I got so excited to see black gloved hands!!!  Fortunately, the ensemble is my favorite from the collection ... but those gloved hands are just everything!  I finally released the IT Wicked Narcissism from her box (so I could steal the lace cuffs from the ensemble).  I just knew those lace cuffs would be perfect to wear with the gloved hands to create short day gloves.  Dangerous Love Sasha is wearing the IT Royal Blood ensemble from the 2020 Legendary Style Lab.  This ensemble has gotten a really bad rap with some collectors because the fabric is stiff.  I don't care ... I think Sasha looks fabulous!

This photo was an "after thought" and happened as I was undressing Sasha.   Here is the closeup that I took from the planned photoshoot.

So I added three dolls from the Jamieshow/Owensu Dangerous Love line, including my first ever male doll.  I have enjoyed redressing them so much.  The fact that they can share wigs from earlier lines is a bonus since it changes each doll's look considerably.  There is a lot of play value here even if the cost of the dolls is a little steep.

Another favorite from the Dangerous Love collection is Look 14.  My Summer Kisses Nicole wanted to model this ensemble, so I changed out the cream colored top to the IT black lace bodysuit from 2018's Luxuriously Gifted Natalia Fatale.  This pantsuit is so dramatic and beautiful.

It came with incredible gold pumps, the little black "chanel" bag, jewelry, and fascinator.  I think Nicole really looks great in this.

As you can see, there is a great deal of play value in this line and the quality is exceptional.  I'm pretty sure more and more of Jamieshow/Owensu Muses is in my future.   As a matter of fact, collectors are waiting on the arrival of the "Enchanted Collection" within the next few weeks.  Stay Tuned.

Doll Collection Cycle 2022 - Number 11 Dangerous Curves Zuri Okoty

Eight of the first 10 additions to my collection of 2022 have represented dolls from the 2021 Obsession Convention.  Most were added after seeing "real life" photos of the dolls.  The strange thing about the Obsession Convention photos was that the dolls that looked best in the promos, looked least appealing in production and those that I wasn't interested in adding to my collection were the best.  I took a chance on Sovereign Adele Makeda and A Doll's Life Vanessa Perrin because those are two of my favorite molds - and I'm glad I did because they were amazing when received by collectors and prices continue to climb.   It has been strange watching how secondary markup prices have reversed with most dolls!

As someone who photographs and posts pictures of my dolls, I know there are many considerations during the production.   Lighting, camera, and software editing can make a tremendous difference in what is captured of each doll.  Personally, I try to use natural light and minimize software editing as much as possible.  I try my best to have my photos represent the doll in front of me.

For some reason, IT's promo photos have gotten off for the last few months.   I'm not sure if the photographer or the software has changed.  Regardless, many of the dolls received by collectors aren't representative of the promo photos.   One of the most obvious examples was Gorgeous Poppy Parker (shown in my last entry).

Another example is Number 11 added to my collection in 2022.  When the new Meteor dolls from the Roaring 20's Remix Collection were promoted, they were an easy pass for me.  I don't actually collect Meteor dolls, although I have a couple that I plan to re-body soon.   

One of these dolls was Dangerous Curves Zuri Okoty.   Here is her promo photo by Integrity Toys.

And IT's closeup ...

I can see where they are going with the concept, but I just don't like anything about this doll.  It tries to merge the 1920's with modern styling.  I don't like the hair.  I don't like the makeup.  I definitely do not like the ensemble.  

But then ... collectors started posting photos. Some collectors were disappointed and were stating, "This doll doesn't look like the promos."   My response was, "No, this doll does NOT look like the promos.  This doll looks REALLY GOOD!"

Here is a closeup of the actual doll in the box.  The hair actually doesn't have that burnt henna color from the promos.  It's not as frizzy either.  The bangs are actually parted into two separate "pom poms" (some collectors have been taming them with product and making them lie down like the promo).

And a full length photo.  The dress is actually much better in production and the color is quite lovely.

When I saw the first "real life" photos of this doll, I immediately saw Whitney Houston.  I was a young adult in the 1980's, so I have many fond memories of dancing to her songs and watching her videos on MTV.   Here is my interpretation of Dangerous Curves Zuri Okoty as Whitney Houston.

This doll looks so good in more casual attire.  It takes a little handwork with the hair, but it's actually quite nice when manipulated into a more modern style.  Here she is wearing one of my favorite playline dresses.  Her hair was produced pulled back into a big ponytail.  I pulled the hair down more to give it a modern look.

I'm so glad I caught on to the post production potential of this doll early.  I was able to still pick her up from an IT dealer at original retail price!   She should become more popular as more collectors receive her and post photos.  I think she is definitely a "keeper" but will need a FR2/Nuface2 body to be perfect!  Number 11 of 2022 is Dangerous Curves Zuri Okoty!