Vintage

As with most doll collectors, I've had that wonderful dream of "accidentally happening upon a dream collection".  You know the one.  You walk into a store, a thrift market, a yard sale, and there is the mother lode of all your hearts desires in dolls ... and it's always priced where you can afford it from the money you are actually carrying in your purse on that day.

With me, it is a dream.  I've always hoped to find that yardsale with the trunk of vintage dolls and clothing in mint condition.  Yesterday was the closest I've come.  I went to one of the local antique/vintage malls that I frequent.  As I was walking around, the following caught my eye.

Yes, it's a vintage titian bubble cut. Although her lips have started fading and she needed a bath, her faceup is fantastic.  She is on the correct "Barbie" only hollow body.  She came in the zebra bathing suit (but this one was odd and had shoulder straps?).   I cleaned her up and redressed her.  She's a darling.  And for the remarkable price of $30.  (I know that is still a far cry from the $1.63 I pay for the #1 NRFB Brunette Ponytail in my dream, but when I woke up this morning, this cutie was still modeling the lovely dress in my cabinet.)

This afternoon, the mail person brought me another treasure.  I have been patiently waiting for Integrity Toys to get Darla Daley "right".   Somehow, IT consistently misses the mark with dolls of color.  I've been eager to see the production version of Bus Stop Darla ever since she was unveiled this spring.  I can honestly say I am thrilled with this doll.

Here is a close up of her in her box.

I guess Vintage was my theme this week because Darla's outfit is an obvious copy of a Twiggy ensemble.  This photo was taken from Google.  I know the doll will be purchased for this outfit by many Poppy fans for the Twiggy looking Poppy that is coming out later this summer.  Once collectors get the doll in hand, I bet they'll decide to keep her. 

I love this Darla Daley.  Her shoes are extremely well made.  She can even stand without assistance while wearing them. They fit over the white fishnet pantyhose comfortably and stay on.

I love the orange purse.  She comes with an extra set of hands - they are white gloved with lovely detailing.

Here is a photo of her on the stairway. 

It looks like she is ready to go shopping!

I am very pleased with this doll.   Everything is extraordinary.  Add to that the fact that the faceup is just about perfect, and you get a "keeper". I was lucky enough to acquire this beauty NRFB for $72 on e-bay.  Quite a deal!  (And by the way, YES, those are applied eyelashes you think you are seeing!!)

The problem with guidelines ...

I have tried very hard to follow my guidelines this year.   Let's review:

Guideline 1:  Although Mini Lalaloopsy dolls look cute and Sybarites are extraordinary, no new type of doll has come into my collection this year.  Integrity Toys tried tempting me with their 16 inch line, but it was no go.   

A good way to continue focusing your collection is to work on diorama items.  I had purchased a plastic privacy screen at a flea market for $9 and decided to paint it black.  I added it to the sofa and coffee table from the 2010 Barbie Convention that I picked up at the May Doll Show in Atlanta. What do you think?  Working on dioramas for the dolls you currently own definitely keeps your mind off other doll lines.  And after putting so much time and effort into a diorma, you want to make sure it is used.  (Isn't the little clown on the table cute?!)

Guideline 2:  This one was a challenge.  I had originally only purchased three of the Back to Brooklyn Dynamite Girls/Guys.   When collectors started posting actual photos of Neve and Auden, I caved.  Fortunately, I watched the retail websites and was able to purchase both of these dolls at retail from a dealer.  I stayed away from e-bay and impulse buying.  Those are the only "new doll" purchases that weren't pre-ordered through retail.   I have managed to pick up a couple outfits at reasonable prices though. 

Here is Heart of Glass Aria wearing Louboutin's Forever Barbie outfit.

And I just knew that the silkstone Darya outfit would look great on Firefly.  NOTE:  The boots are borrowed from Perk Colette.  She looks very Alexander McQueen, wouldn't you say?

Guideline 3: I have sold twenty-six dolls so far this year (thanks to the help of The Committee + Agnes).  There are a dozen more listed on The Doll Page, and I'm about to list some more in the near future. At this point, I am running close!  My problem seems to be that I have trouble resisting a good buy:

A W Club Member who posts on the doll boards was trying to get money together for the IFDC and posted a couple of my grail dolls at a great price.  How could I resist Luxe Life Vanessa? 

She is now a favorite.

And I have such a weakness for dolls with black hair and red lips.  I've had my eye on the DG 2011 Convention Workshop Dani for months. 

She has such lovely lavendar eyes!

"Wait ONE MINUTE!"  Chaundra was looking over my shoulder as I was typing.  "The committee is working and fretting over decisions about which dolls leave and YOU bring two more dolls INTO the collection?  What are you thinking??  We cannot work like this!   It isn't fair!"

Please calm down Chaundra.  You know "grail" dolls are exempt from the rules.

Guideline 4:  I have been unable to keep this guideline.  Many dolls are not in their boxes, but I have decided to not unbox any more dolls until The Committee (+ Agnes) and I have finished finalizing the collection.  I'm comfortable with this decision.  I'm not violating the guideline as much as I am postponing the release of my recent purchases.

Guideline 5:  This guideline had to be revised to include the term "or Exclusives".   I recently entered a W Club lottery for the second Victoire doll and did not get chosen.  Victoire is my favorite Integrity line.   I had to pay secondary market for this doll; however, I did purchase her from a retail doll store.  I felt that I was supporting a dealer, so it wasn't the same as buying the doll on e-bay.  Here is the photo Integrity Toys released in their e-mail to club members. 

Guideline 6:  My husband (dearest man alive) and I are going to Fashion Royalty Convention this year.  It will be our very first doll convention.  We just got the convention packet which encouraged us to pre-order the convention collection of dolls.  After last year, I guess I'll wait.  There were no photos.   
Staying on track isn't easy.  Especially when you visit flickr pages, the doll boards, blogs, etc.  There are many talented photographers out there who enable one to part with their money too easily.  Having a plan really does help quite a bit.  I seem less anxious about my collecting habits and manage to make better decisions about what I buy and how much I'm willing to pay for an item.