Back To The Basics - Numbers 24, 25, 26, and 27 of Collection 2023 Cycle

Back in 2021, Integrity Toys tried something new for their collectors; they created a "Basics" line of open-edition dolls.  The dolls were released in production runs until they ran out; then there was another run offered.   The dolls were priced at $99 and were packaged less elaborately.  They came in swimwear or work-out clothes and had minimal accessories.   They represented the five main lines of Integrity Toys:  FR2, NuFace, Poppy Parker, Meteor, and East 59th.  This allowed collectors to add new versions of favorite characters at an affordable price.  I think it introduced Integrity dolls to more collectors, but the market wasn't big enough to entertain such seriously large edition sizes even though the dolls were actually quite extraordinary.  This "Basics" line showed up in my 2021 End Of Year Countdown at the #2 spot.  Here is the link to those dolls:  Integrity Toys 2021 Basics Line.

After saturating the market with these dolls, Integrity Toys made the smart move to retire the first Basics line and introduce a new set of dolls in 2023.  The edition size for these dolls was 5000 and all versions are still available for purchase on the website.  (If you've not been an IT collector but have been curious about these dolls, now would be a great opportunity to check them out:  Integrity Toys Web Storefront for Basics Dolls.)

The 2021 Basics versions of Agnes Von Weiss and Lilith Blair have become favorites with collectors.  Personally, I think they are fantastic versions of these characters, so it was a no-brainer when Integrity Toys opened the sales links for the 2023 Basics line.

Erin Salston was one of the original characters that introduced the Integrity Toys Nuface line in 2006.  Her mold was "refreshed" in 2012 to be "less cartoon-like" and mold 2.0 has been a collector favorite ever since.  My very favorite NuFace doll is actually 24k Erin Salston.  2023 Basics Erin Salston retailed for $110 to W Club members.  The price reflected the fact that the doll had a more elaborate ensemble.  To give collectors a choice, there is a "completer" accessory package called Bow-tique Details that goes with this doll and retailed for $65 to W Club members.

2023 IT Basics Night Out Erin Salston became Number 24 added to my collection this year.   

Natalia Fatale mold 2.0 is one of my favorite IT characters.  She isn't as popular with collectors as some of the other molds, but she is has been gaining ground over the past few years.  I was so excited when she was added to the Basics collection this year and this screening/skintone/hair color is extraordinary.  Number 25 of my Collection Cycle 2023 is Bombshell Beach Natalia Fatale.

I have a very complicated relationship with Poppy Parker.  I was on-board with the line when it debuted in 2009.  I fondly remember the early years when you could grab these girls on clearance sales!  (Yes, that is actually true.)   I owned many of the original versions, but only a couple managed to stick around in my collection as I prefer dolls with attached eyelashes.  Over the years Poppy Parker has developed a very strong fan base and has attracted a lot of scalpers on the secondary market.   It has become increasingly difficult to get Poppy Parker versions at retail price outside of the W Club.   Still, there are Poppy Parker dolls that have permanent spots in my collection.   At first I resisted the 2023 Basics Island Time Poppy Parker.  Then collector photos started showing up on the internet. I caved and added her to my collection.   Number 26 of 2023 is Island Time Poppy Parker.

Fortunately for my bank account and storage/display space I do not collect Meteor dolls, so I passed on this Basics offering of Pose Like An Egyptian Amirah Majeed.  Since I limit the males coming into my collection, Basics East 59th Street Honolulu Sunset Augustus Blake was also a pass.   I considered not purchasing the East 59th Street female doll, but I have such a weak spot for Victoire Roux mold 2.0 that I caved and added her to the cart.  Number 27 is Aloha Waikiki Victoire Roux.

As you can see from the photos of these dolls still in their boxes, there is nothing "basic" about the actual dolls included in the 2023 Integrity Toys Basics Line.  They are all very beautiful and worthy of spots in collections.  The price is just an added bonus!

Oh no! Here We Go Again - Numbers 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 of Collection Cycle 2023

After the great deluge of dolls that arrived in January, I was really not looking forward to the arrival of my order from the Jamieshow/Owensu Go East collection.  When I first saw this collection advertised, I thought it would be too costumey for my personal tastes.  Here is the promo photo.

It's actually a very modern take on Eastern couture!  There were six female versions this time around.  Three were newly released 12" molds (Sakura, Lan, and Natalie) which were included with three new versions of Lilly, Bella, and Sasha.  

Here is a full length photo to see how they came dressed (but wearing different wig caps).

I had made up my mind that I was going to try and get at least one version of each Muses character, so that made the purchase of the new girls an easy choice.  I did not have a previous version of Bella, so she went in the cart also.  Enchanted Lilly is one of my very favorite Muses, and I didn't think Go East Lilly was at the same level, so that was a pass.  For some reason, Go East Sasha just kept calling to me.  Her screening is not traditionally something that I would like, and I already had three other versions of her.  In the final days befor pre-order cutoff, I broke down and added her.  That meant, five new Muses from Go East was joining my crew!  I needed to start saving money!  

Surprisingly, Go East Sasha is my favorite from this collection.  There is something sexy but innocent about this doll.  Here she is in her production ensemble.  Number 19 of 2023 is Jamieshow Go East Sasha.

I am glad I waited for this version of Bella.  She is quite striking.  NOTE:  Bella's and Lan's production ensembles "stain" their bodies.  I put quotation marks here because the color doesn't actually absorb into the resin.  If you use the little magic sponges that come with the dolls, you can carefully "sand" away the color.  But you have to be careful not to "sand" away the body blushing.  Jamieshow stepped up and offered replacement bodies to any collector that requested them.  Great customer service, don't you agree?

Number 20 of 2023 is Jamieshow Go East Bella.  She is wearing an early IT Fashion Royalty ensemble, 2004's Shanghai in Bloom.

Although it has been a struggle to bond with Lan's eyebrows, she is a very striking doll.  She is wearing a Hoang Anh Khoi ensemble with Mattel's Spring in Tokyo's hat.  Number 21 of 2023 is Jamieshow Go East Lan.

Natalie was not only a new sculpt, she was a new skin tone for the Jamieshow Muses ladies.  She is wearing a wig cap from the Go East collection and is modeling an oriental fan.  Number 22 is Jamieshow Go East Natalie.

The final doll I added from this collection is Sakura.  I haven't been able to spend enough quality time with this striking sculpt.  Here is a photo in a custom wig and her original ensemble.  Number 23 belongs to Jamieshow Muses Go East Sakura.  I apologize but I didn't even get a chance to redress her before packing her away.   

I felt deja vu back to January with five dolls arriving at one time.  Fortunately, when you preorder these dolls you put down a deposit of about 25% and are billed the remainder when they are ready for shipping.  It gives collectors time to save money and sell other dolls to make room for them.  Jamieshow/Owensu Muses are just incredible to own; however, the quality is reflected in the price.  Each Jamieshow Muses doll retailed for $475.  Ouch!  But when you see Sasha so stunningly re-dressed in a silkstone ensemble and a different wig cap how can you deny them?

Collection Cycle 2023 - Numbers 16, 17, and 18

I apologize for the long lapse between blog entries.   My husband was in a terrible car accident this past summer and has some chronic medical problems.  He has been requiring more personal attention from me and I've had less time for doll play.

Before his accident we had decided to move forward with our plan to sell our home in an effort to "down size".  Since the passing of my mother-in-law, we realized we didn't need so much house to maintain for just the two of us (and almost 1000 dolls).  I've packed up my dolls' rooms, so that has also prevented redress opportunity.  It's also seriously affected my sales since those came to an abrupt halt!

So ... on with the show.

If you collect Poppy Parker, you know how difficult it is to obtain them at retail price.   Scalpers have aggravated the situation and the prices on some of these dolls are just ridiculous.  I try to keep to my Collecting Guidelines and avoid purchasing Poppy Parker on secondary market when at all possible.  Unfortunately, a Poppy sometimes sneaks up on me.  This was the case with Golden Glow Poppy Parker from the Palm Springs Collection.  I didn't think I needed this doll with so much hair.  Then collector photos started showing up.  I tried my best to resist ... but, in the end, I wound up getting one at close to retail price.  Here is a full length photo.  

Even though she had to be packed away for my move, I do not regret ordering her.  Her hair is such a beautiful shade of blonde and her eyes are just the palest of blues.  Golden Glow Poppy Parker is gorgeous and represents Number 16 added to my collection in 2023.

One of the reasons to join the W Club is that there are always at least two versions of Poppy Parker made available to W Club members only.  There is the upgrade doll and they guarantee that one of the exclusives will also be a version of Poppy Parker.   

Another exclusive of the W Club this past year was Primary Subject Giselle Diefendorf.  I have a weak spot for Giselle.  I really do love her mold and the fact that she is a relative of Agnes Von Weiss.

I was on the fence with the purchase of Primary Subject, but that cute little jacket lined in the dress fabric pushed me over the edge.  I'm not crazy about how small her eyes look.  I have several other fantastic brunette versions of Giselle:  Glam Addict, AKA Gigi, and Wanderlust.   I'm not sure if Primary Subject will be staying (I may sell her nude), but she's here for now.

Number 17 of my 2023 collecting cycle is Primary Subject Giselle Diefendorf.

In the world of Poppy Parker, Poppy is considered to be a retro doll living in the 1960's - 1970's.  Integrity toys tied The Industry line of dolls with Tulabelle True and now it represents current fashion trends with Tulabelle True being Poppy Parker's granddaughter.   Another doll offered to W Club members as an Integrity Direct purchase was Trending Tulabelle True.  The Industry/Tulabelle True dolls can share much of the same clothes with Poppy Parker (and even some NuFace dolls).   I really like the Tulabelle True sculpt and own the first two versions (both brunettes).   Trending Tulabelle True with blonde locks was a no-brainer for me.

I really like this version quite a bit.  She has this snobbish look to her which I find somehow very appealing.   Arriving in 2023 and becoming Number 18 in my 2023 collection is Trending Tulabelle True.