The Drama of Eugenia

First, I have a funny story.  My husband and I visited a nearby town this past spring; we were looking for antique iron plant stands.  As we were driving through,  a mural on the side of a building caught our attention:

(The bottom says "See Great Falls")  We decided to come back to explore these when the weather got warmer.  This week, we loaded up the car with the camera and some wine, deciding to pick up some sandwiches on the way.

We went into the store where the mural was painted to look around because they had some beautiful Amish outdoor furniture for sale.  We asked about places to pick up a sandwich.  The sales lady was very nice and pointed us in the right direction.  My husband asked, "Will there be someplace nice to eat at the water?"

She looked at us strangely.  "There's a little area outside the cafe with tables and chairs."

We thought she misunderstood.   "We want to take the sandwiches down to the waterfalls," my husband explained.

She shook her head in comprehension.  "I'm sorry ... they made a movie here last year and painted that on the side of the building.  It looked so nice, we just decided to leave it up.  There isn't any waterfalls around here that I know about."

We were so embarassed; we hurried out of the store.  "The movie comes out this weekend ... it's that American Pie movie," she called after us.

So, if you go to the American Pie movie and you see this mural, you can get a little chuckle at our expense!


This week's photos were taken with architectural backgrounds to celebrate our mistake.  I thought a great way to help organize my dolls and get control of my collection would be to FOCUS on a different character each week.  Since I "found" Going Public again and love re-dressing her so much, Eugenia will be the first.

It was 2007 when Eugenia Frost first appeared in the doll world as Spectacular, Spectacular.  She was introduced as an FAO exclusive and was one of the most expensive dolls in the history of Integrity Toys because she was wearing a miniature version of an actual Jason Wu gown.  Her retail cost was $250.  Even with that price point, she sold out immediately and appears on many "Holy Grail" lists.  I was able to snag her nude, from a doll collector who posts on Doll Diva.  I paid $100 for her and was ashamed that I spent that much on a nude doll.  She does get a great deal of re-dress time in my collection.

There were three four more versions of Eugenia released in 2007.  Face Time was created for the regular retail line-up.  In Full Regalia and High Drama were convention dolls.  High Drama remains on my list of "most sought after" dolls.  She was a Table Centerpiece with only 150 of her produced and remains the smallest edition size for any Eugenia.  One of my followers, Gatsby, reminded me that Overachiever, a fiery redhead, and the only redheaded Eugenia, was also produced in 2007 as a dealer exclusive for My Favourite Doll in Canada.  I believe I left this doll off my list because I owned her at one time and sold her NRFB to a fellow collector.  It's a mistake I regret as I will never be able to afford to replace her with secondary market prices!  Thank you, Gatsby.

In 2008, Eugenia's popularity continued to soar.  Sporting a tan, she became the first "premium" doll for the W Club that year.  Going Public holds the record for the highest W Club edition size with 1300 being produced.  Even with this high number, GP is on many grail lists and continues to command a high price on the secondary market.

Another version made it into the regular retail line, Most Desired.  I owned this doll, but she has moved to another home.  The convention Table Centerpiece, Fine Jewel, is probably in the top 10 of best all time Integrity Dolls ever produced, with only 160 in the edition.  Raven hair and red lips is always a winning combination.

In 2009, Eugenia found herself as another W Club Exclusive.  Deconstruction Site picked up on the raven hair/red lips combo.  This time she had a mod asymmetric hairdo.  I decided to trade this doll with Kazue for Red Riding Hood Yuri.  (Since I own Fine Jewel, I thought I wouldn't miss her.  When I see fantastic photos of DS, I have sharp pain.)  Once again, Eugenia made it to the convention.  This time as Diamond Society.  I still haven't taken this doll out of her box.  Her presentation is so beautiful.

It seemed that Eugenia was one of the crown jewels in the Fashion Royalty crown.  Every version was sought after.  But we collectors are a fickle group.  In 2010, Eugenia tumbled from her high position among collectors.  Another W Club Exclusive, Spring Forward, was released to less than warm reception. (If you are keeping up, 1/3 of W Club Exclusives from 2007-2010 were Eugenia.)  After switching her head to a NuFace body, I finally bonded with this girl.

The main retail line presented us with a mesh of styles that collectors couldn't get behind with Tricks of the Trade.  The hair was kinked and tied in a severe ponytail; the outfit looked like something a street walker might go out wearing.  Her face up was very strong with eyelashes hooding her eyes.  It took some work, but I boil permed that hair straight and removed the eyelashes.  When she is redressed, I think she is an attractive doll.

Other lukewarm receptions that year included two versions that appeared at the convention:  A workshop head used in a hair class and a dressed doll called Fine Romance.  The only doll collectors clamored for in 2010 was an exclusive Venus Secret.  This doll remains on my "would-love-to-have-but-will-never-be-able-to-afford" list.

In 2011, Eugenia continued to struggle.  The retail line doll, Pencil Me In, quickly became a clearance doll.   Fortunately, Integrity realized they needed to get back to Eugenia's roots.  The convention "build-a-doll" was Point of Departure.  She came in two versions:  a brunette and a redhead "helper" doll.  Both dolls were popular but suffered from poor wardrobe choices.  I have her re-dressed in my collection.

Eugenia has been unable to reclaim her popularity from 2007-2009.  Recently, Integrity previewed their 2012 Spring Collection.  Again, Eugenia is mish-mash of ideas.

I wonder why Integrity is struggling so with this mold.  She was so perfect in her earlier versions.  (I believe the hair is rooted a little too low on the new one.)

These photos were sent to members of the W Club by Integrity who owns the right to them. 

Needless to say, I did not pre-order this doll.  Seven versions currently reside in my collection.  They will have to work hard for me to include another in this group.

Attention Deficit Disorder and Doll Collecting

As an elementary school teacher, each week I work with children who are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).  As a doll collector, I find myself on the other end of it.

Recently, I came to a serious epiphany.  I am feeling out of control with my collecting habits because I AM actually out of control with my collecting habits.   When I look at my bookcases of dolls, I am as confused as the student who cannot read the words on a page.  Instead of the letters being all over the place, my types of dolls are over the place!

There are the Vintage Barbie dolls.  They remind me of my childhood.   I seem to be unable to resist the purchase of a pristine vintage doll at a good price.  A 1970 Go-Go Cocoa Standard Barbie all-original was added to my collection and cost less than what new Fashion Royalty dolls are selling for.

I also have Basics and Silkstones.  I got sucked into the Monster High craze.  My Walmart recently had the Skull Shores Frankie (black and white) for $4.13.  I purchased five of them because I thought I could use the torso for the kit dolls I have.  It took some patience, a dremel tool, and some mild cursing, but I got it to work.  I decided to paint the torso white to match the limbs.  Here is "Boney" for you.

As far as cute dolls I enjoy playing with, I guess my very favorite Integrity Line is Misaki.  I have several of them but haven't purchased one from the past three years.  Here is my punk miss!

When Poppy Parker came out, I thought she would be the ideal friend for my Misaki dolls.  They have the same body and can share the same clothing.  Unfortunately, Poppy has become too popular.  I don't have the energy to fight the masses for this doll. I still have six of them in my collection.

Another line that I enjoy playing with is the Dynamite Girls.  I love their "street clothes" and the modern feel to them.  Recently, I was able to snag Cruz for retail when Mary T's went out of business.

Integrity has a way of pulling you into their different lines.  I also collect the Monogram dolls.  They are so sophisticated!  I got Fascination from Mary T's sale for 50% off retail.  (Who would've resisted such a sale ... not me, anyway!)

And then Integrity had an IDEX unveiling of dolls, and I purchased a couple from that line.  They are now producing these dolls with eyelashes.  Just when you think you're finished collecting a group of dolls, Integrity goes and does one better.  Here is Allure.

I also have the NuFace dolls and two Mini-Genes who have similar bodies to the Monograms.  I have a couple FR2 girls and dolls from the Integrity Direct line.  Then there are the Fashion Royalty dolls.  (If anyone is counting, I am up to over one dozen different types of dolls 12 inches or under.)

 

The Fashion Royalty line makes up the majority of my collection.  I think having too many different lines and so many dolls released everyyear keeps me from appreciating my old favorites.

I recently purchased a fabulous hand-crocheted romper from Jessica of Cozy Couture.  I fell in love with this from the moment I saw it.  I wanted to try it on a tan girl.  I had completely forgotten that Going Public Eugenia lived here.  When she first arrived she was my very favorite doll.  She got more re-dressings and photo shoots than any other girl .  When I put the romper on her, I remembered how much I enjoyed this doll. It made me sad, that I am so overwhelmed with new dolls, that I've missed that joy I feel from some of my older dolls.

Tomorrow Integrity is unveiling its new line.  I am excited by the anticipation of what will be shown and fear that I will become even more overwhelmed than I currently am.  When I return to school, I will be quite a bit more compassionate with those children who suffer from the disabling effects of ADD.  I definitely understand how they feel.