A Philly Collector of Playscale Dolls and Action Figures

Step One: List of DAFs Received in 2009 to Date

2009-12-08T19:59:00.009-05:00

Manufacturer and Doll or Action Figure (DAF) Name

Aoshima/Skynet Girl's Mission No. 4 Mai
Haschel Toys Olga Tanon
Integrity Dynamite Girls Heartbreaker T.J.
Integrity Fashion Royalty Bewitching Hour Luchia
M & C Toy Centre World Peacekeepers Combat Engineer Power Team Elite
M & C Toy Centre World Peacekeepers E.O.D. Technician Power Team Elite
Mattel Ballerina Barbie
Mattel SiS So in Style Kara
Mattel SiS So in Style Kianna
Mattel My Scene Lindsey Lohan
Mattel Beach Party Nikki
Mattel High School Musical 3 Graduation Day Ryan
Mattel High School Musical 3 In the Spotlight Sharpay Evans
Mattel High School Musical 3 In the Spotlight Tiara Gold
One2Believe Tales of Glory Esther
One2Believe Tales of Glory Noah
Play Along Ltd. Cheetah Girls Growl Power Dorinda
Revell GmbH& Co. KG Kick-O-Mania Hamburger SV Benjamin Lauth
Spinmaster Bollywood Legends Hrithik Roshan
Spinmaster Bollywood Legends Kajol
Spinmaster Bollywood Legends Priyanka Chopra

These are the DAFs I have received for 2009 to this date. Please note: any other DAFs received but NOT shown here are gifts to be given to me at Christmas. Those DAFs are not in my possession yet.

Preparing for a Top 10 DAFs of 2009 Post

2009-12-07T20:45:00.010-05:00

Shaun Wong issued an invitation to collectors to submit a Top 10 list of favorite dolls and or action figures received in 2009. The challenge has been accepted by Corsetkitten among other collectors.

I've decided to post about my Top 10 Dolls and Action Figures (DAFs). Now while I hope that I have not yet exhausted my purchases for this year, for this article, I am going to draft a post based on what I have now. If I need to amend the list, I'll do so. But for now, here are the steps that I am taking to produce my Top 10 list.

1. List the DAFs bought in 2009
2. Note the DAFs I most enjoy having from that list
3. If more than 10, go through that list a second time. Do any have back stories?
4. Determine the Top 10 by liking, back story, and times handled
5. Rank the DAFs from 10-1
6. Photograph the Top 10 in one photo
7. Photograph each of the 10 individually
8. Provide the DAF name, series if any, and where available if available still
9. Discuss why/how each gained DAF that position
10. Type and proof choice responses then upload to my blog

These are the steps I imagine taking to produce my Top 10 list.

Reminder: Mixis Sunshine Dolls $29.99; Outfits $15.00

2009-12-06T14:43:00.013-05:00

Great news for Mixis fans who want to complete their Sunshine Doll set OR their Inspired Clothing collection: the sale at the Mixis web site AND at Dolls Like Me* continues.

The Sunshine Dolls - Emerald, Houda, Opal, and Rosa - cost $29.99 each while the Inspired Clothing outfits costs $15 each. The sale lasts til the year's end or the supply runs out. Note: the Dolls Like Me website shows Rosa and Houda and the eight outfits; Emerald and Opal are not up on that website. So to receive those two dolls at the sale price, you will need to place your order through the Mixis web site directly.

If you order through the Mixis website, please remember when you reach the Mixis store splash page, that you need to click on the Promo Login choice and then to enter the promo code 'mixisrock' to reach the sales page. Otherwise, you will see the Mixis items at the regular price of $49.00 for the Sunshine dolls and the outfits from $17-25 each.

For me, the Mixis are the dolls I would have asked for when I was a child, were I able to imagine them at that time. The Mixis just lack the twist waist that was introduced in my childhood dolls. The Mixis dolls have attractive, ethnic faces with NOSES that have bridges, fuller lips, and normal-sized feet. Feet they can STAND on, depending on the shoes. They have a more natural, wholesome build - so they promote a more realistic weight than most Barbies and most Barbie clones. Even overlooking their decent quality clothes and their fine, fine, fine footwear and handbags and backpacks, these dolls would bring instant class and coolness to any doll and action figure collection.

For photos of the Mixis undressed and compared to other larger dolls, check this link and this link from previous posts.

So happy hunting! May you get the Mixis or Mixis plural of your choice.

*Note: I bought my first Mixis dolls from Dolls Like Me at an Expo; I had no problem. However, there have been complaints about customer service and problems receiving items from this vendor so you might want to make your purchase in person, if possible. A collector has shared her negative experience in the comments section here, and I have read about problems with employee theft at Dolls Like Me on a Yahoo Group.

Five Hot Toys Gentleman Plus a Majestic Studios Guest

2009-12-06T16:00:00.004-05:00

I realized that I did not have any photos of my Hot Toys guys together. There are only five of them, but I thought, it would be pleasing to see them in one photograph. Usually, I have them with other figures. Today, I brought them together for a "family" shot and then added a figure from Majestic Studios. Can you guess the outsider?

The outsider stands out easily for me, but then I know his origins. But even if I didn't know his action figure pedigree, I could guess by his facial screening. Different companies have different face rendering. As I collect, I have learned the style of different companies so if I see a doll or action figure on a shelf, I can usually guess the manufacturer. I wouldn't confuse a Fashion Royalty doll with a Mattel doll or a YNU Group Mixis with a Get Set Club doll or a Susie with a Momoko.

Action figures, though, can be trickier. Bbi and Dragon figures are trickiest for me to distinguish. Hasbro Joes and Power Team guys though are easier.

Okay, I confess: I just wanted to photograph some HOT Hot Toys LOL.

Kari Mitchell by M & C Toy Centre

2009-12-05T09:43:00.012-05:00

Usually when I refer to M & C Toy Centre products, I discuss the PowerTeam action figures. However, M & C Toy Centre also produces fashion doll lines like Paula, a Kelly-doll clone, and Kari Mitchell, a Barbie clone.

Collector MSJ has photos of a new M & C Toy Centre doll shown here. Her post reminded me that I had seen some new Kari Mitchell clothes set - shown below - recently at Big Lots. The doll included in the clothing set has been seen in older sets, but the clothes and the accessories are new.

Additional information about Kari Mitchell dolls can be read at this John Medeiros article for Master Collector Online. More current information can be found at the Power Team Yahoo Group.

P.S. Sometimes this series is spelled "Kari Mitchell" and other times, "Kari Michell."

Graphic Novel About 1:6 Scale Vampires

2009-12-05T07:36:00.004-05:00

Want more vampire stories? What about a modern vampire series that has humor AND pathos? There's a new graphic novel that covers that bill.

Men With Dolls regulars will need no introduction to Elizabeth Allen's Love Has Fangs photo stories, but for other doll and action figure collectors, here is the back story. You can view the series online, but the graphic novel has these scenes recast with doll and action figure actors. Whooo hooo!

You can buy the graphic novel from Lulu.

Fun reading for the YOUNG ADULT and the ADULT doll and action figure collector. Note: I mention young adult and adult because Love Has Fangs, like Roville in recent years, has adult themes.

MGA Entertainment Dolls at Walmart

2009-12-03T22:17:00.005-05:00

Additional Walmart finds include MGA Entertainment Bratz and a new wave of Moxie Girlz:

Basic Bratz

Smart Lexa

I don't follow the Bratz dolls, but I thought that the boxes looked different. The Moxie Girlz Lexa with the "I am ... smart" banner on her box also seemed like a new wave. I didn't see either of the other two standard Moxie Girlz or the Special Guest Star Sasha Moxie Girlz. Shrug.

Spanish Ken Blog! New 12 Inch Guys!

2009-12-03T06:23:00.003-05:00

Universoplástico is a Spanish language blog maintained by a Venezuelan Ken collector.

Whether you know Spanish or want to learn it, you can enjoy the Ken and the other male fashion doll photos like Ricky Martin clones, etc. by viewing this blog. (As if we need to see more desirable dolls?) If you don't know Spanish, you can use a translating service like Google Translate or Yahoo Babel Fish.

¡qué lo paséis bien!

Yes, There is a [Black] Nikki Candy Glam at Walmart!

2009-12-01T19:45:00.007-05:00

I was seeking the Barbie Basics at a Walmart on Roosevelt Boulevard when I saw a Black Candy Glam doll. Hmmm ... something odd here. Click. Charles. Dollstuff dot net. Aha!

As Charles wrote, there was NO Black doll in the original Barbie Candy Glam series. The four regular Candy Glam dolls each represent a different candy flavor and that candy's "smell" and "look." There was Cotton Candy Barbie, Rock Candy Raquelle, Lemon Lime Teresa, and Cherry Vanilla Summer; there were no Black or Asian dolls in that series. So seeing this lone Candy Glam Nikki in Walmarts for $5.00, I knew she had to come home with me. Sure, I have Asha-faced dolls erupting from nearly every flat surface - well, maybe not just Asha-faced dolls - but this one wanted to be with my sixth scale crew. Why?

She has a normal-sized head. Instant points.
She's clearly a last-minute doll because she has the same dress/candy theme as Barbie; the other Candy Glam dolls have unique outfits/different candy themes. What, Nikki doesn't rate her own candy? Tsk.
I walked away and looked at other things then came back, and she was still there. Waiting for me. The nail in the coffin, I thought.

So, of course, I had to take her home.

Cyber Monday Bust but Visitors Up!

2009-12-01T07:03:00.002-05:00

My first Cyber Monday Sale fell flat. Pfft. No takers.

But because I "advertised" on various doll boards, my visitor count was higher than it has been. Over 140 page views! I haven't been that high in some time. Guess that means I need to "advertise" more often LOL. Remind people that I am here and provide interesting content. And good photos.

Additional FS: Mod Dolls, Janay, Clothes, and Accessories

2009-11-30T13:08:00.013-05:00

Here are some more things to look at or to buy if interested:

Stylin' Zone Janay with white & red straight hair and green eyes, $20

TNT Barbie, Straight leg Midge, TNT Francie, and TNT Twiggy, $60

Mod fashions, $25

Plastic backpacks, handbags, and clutches - over 30 items, $5

Remember: no returns - please ask any and all questions before you order. Postage NOT included with these prices.

CyberMonday Specials - Today Only

2009-11-30T08:50:00.005-05:00

Okay, here's my first CyberMonday Sale.

1. See photos of For Sale dolls and action figures in my DAF folder

2. Today Only and for Blog Viewers only, these prices on these dolls and figures:

Mattel
MIB Highland Fling Barbie $25
NRFB For Sale My Scene Shopping Spree Delancey Target $10
NRFB Japanese Exclusive Schoolgirl Reina $22.00

Hasbro
NRFB Maxie's Friend Kristen for $30

Sekiguchi
NRFB Nine to Five Momoko $60.00

Note: for these sale price, no returns and PayPal payment due today (after checking on postage). Please note CyberMonday Sale in any e-mail query sent to d7cooper @ hotmail.com .

Thanks for looking. Happy shopping!

Cyber Monday

2009-11-29T21:19:00.002-05:00

Wikipedia defines Cyber Monday as the first Monday after Black Friday. Whether you believe that employees return to work after a long weekend and log in to their work computers to shop online, you might find the phrase-affiliated site, CyberMonday useful. I have not shopped there before, but if anyone reading this post decides to try it, please write here to let me know about it.

Happy Buying, All!

And to All, Great Buys!

Target Barbie Holiday Exclusive(s) 2009

2009-11-29T08:28:00.005-05:00

I first read about the Target Exclusive Happy Holidays Barbie at Charles' Doll Diary. Cute doll and cute holiday accessories like a Barbie-sized Christmas stocking to match any doll ornaments you might get. Charles' photo showed a doll in a red-white dress. So when I checked the doll remainders yesterday (the Black Friday leavings) and saw a pink-white dressed doll as well, I thought, photograph the pair.

Does anyone know if there are other variations on this doll? And are there ever any ethnic Target Holiday dolls? Curious, I am. There are ethnic Halloween Kellys so .... Eh well.

Mattel Barbie Basics Seen in Philly Today!

2009-11-28T21:39:00.004-05:00

Yippee! Saw the Mattel Barbie Basics in Toys R Us today!

Models 005 Lea, 007 Gia, 010 Christie, and 011 Teresa impressed me, but my favorite of all was 012 Shannon. If I could only get ONE doll in this series, that would be the one. It's not that the others I mentioned lacked anything as much as it was that I only have one other doll with the Shannon mold - the 2005 Fashion Fever Shannon wearing blue metallic pants. But this new Barbie Basic Shannon has more realistic eyes and stunning honey brown hair and complexion. While beautiful, I could point to similar dolls I already own to match the others - except Gia. And while the Barbie Basics Gia is gorgeous, I could pass on her. Couldn't I?

Because I Do Collect Other Dolls and Action Figures ....

2009-11-27T20:13:00.003-05:00

Lately, my posts have been Barbie, Barbie, Barbie. Mattel, Mattel, Mattel,

Yes, half my collection is by Mattel. Roughly. But that doesn't mean that they need to have the lion's share of my posts. So I present this fashion doll by Jakks Pacific, Taylor Swift, modeled after the young country music singer.

And no, I do not follow Ms. Swift's music any more than I did the Cheetah Girls. I just saw a new doll series. And the outfit and guitar looked cute. And she was on sale last year ....

Happy 90th - 6 ABC - IKEA Thanksgiving Day Parade

2009-11-26T11:23:00.005-05:00

Poor Kerstie lost her shoe! She was to be on a float representing the denizens of East Philly in this mornings Thanksgiving Day Parade. Click "Thanksgiving" for highlights on the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Thanks for following my blog and for submitting inspiring, insightful, and fun comments.

Which Rebelde Doll to Buy? Schoolgirl or Concert?

2009-11-25T07:50:00.005-05:00

Mattel issued two versions of the Rebelde or RBD female dolls: the schoolgirl one and the concert one. Is there a difference between the two? Yes, Virginia, there is.

The Schoolgirl RBD dolls are on the shortened "Hobbit" body while the Concert RBD dolls are on normal-Barbie bodies. Yay Concert dolls!

However, the hair styles on the Roberta Schoolgirl and the Roberta Concert dolls differ. I think the Schoolgirl doll has a prettier face - she has a right side part. The Concert doll has short bangs. Guess who's going to play Frankenstein and swap heads? Ah, you know me well LOL.

Here are the photos for comparison:

Mattel Barbie Bond 007 Girls - Photo Link

2009-11-23T20:25:00.006-05:00

George of Angelic Dreamz has photos of the Black Label Barbie Bond Girls at Angelic Dreamz. These three dolls will be available this December - and for $34.95 EACH:

* Bond Girl Dr. No Honey Ryder (actress, Ursula Andress)

* Bond Girl Goldfinger Pussy Galore (actress, Honor Blackman)

* Bond Girl Die Another Day Jinx (actress, Halle Berry)

I'm not a Bond fan - the Bond movies are fun and pleasantly ridiculous, ranking as a B or a C movie choice - so I could take or leave dolls based on the Bond franchise. However, the strong resemblances of the dolls to the actresses might prove the "take" for me. Sometimes Mattel gets a good likeness.

Check this link for more information about Bond girls.

Wonder if a series of Bond Kens is in the works. Now that would be exciting. Too ;-D.

Inexpensive DAF Furniture

2009-11-22T14:02:00.010-05:00

The Jonathan Adler Happy Chic Set couch sells for $49.95 - from the BarbieCollector.com site. I have nothing against Wintergreen Canada mint pink or Jonathan Adler or Barbie, but I prefer my doll and action figure (DAF) furniture in neutral colors. However, realistic DAF furniture tends to be pricey. Had I money enough, sure I'd happily buy it. But at this time I am scrambling for DAF funds let alone DAF accessory funds. What can I do? Shop the jewelry and gift departments of Ross, Burlington Coat Factory, A.J. Wright, and similar discount stores for soft-sided jewelry boxes in couch, love seat, chair and chaise boxes.

As you can see in these two examples, the colors are bright, vivid, but neutral. Bye bye Day Glo glare. The proportions suit playscale figures. The pieces are sounder than the flimsy pieces packaged with dolls and action figures. AND they have wood components and hardware. Moreover, the cost per piece is usually under $20, if not under $10. Half the cost of the designer couch.

Below I show two examples of jewelry box-turned-DAF-furniture I own.

Hasbro G.I. Joe on red

Momoko and Hasbro Star Wars Lando on wine

Dr. Who Fan Alert! Playscale Tardis and Tardis Console

2009-11-20T20:58:00.003-05:00

For the Dr. Who fans, a British company is working on a Dr. Who Tardis and a Dr. Who Tardis Console in PLAYSCALE.

Eeekk! (Translation - I shriek and jump up and down for a bit.)

I wouldn't describe myself as a big Dr. Who fan - I only followed one of the Doctors after all - but I thought the Tom Baker Dr. Who episodes were fun. Sarah Jane was a drip, but Leela was cool. Leela was the warrior woman. Sarah Jane would be considered smarter, I suppose, but Leela could kick butt. And she was brave. She tried to rescue the Doctor. Mostly though, I watched to see Tom Baker loom over the set. He seemed larger than life in height and eye rolling and with gorgeous, bouncy, big curls. Not conventionally handsome or subtly sexy, the Tom Baker Dr. Who was enthusiastic. Fun.

The only Dr. Who figures I have is Martha Jones by Character Options. Alas, I missed getting the David Tennant Dr. Who action figure. Shrug. Possibly someday ....

But let me provide the link for the playscale Tardis. No price is mentioned so I imagine that it will be expensive. Sigh. Eh well, it will be fun to see and to imagine.

Playscale Samsons: Long-haired Males

2009-11-19T07:09:00.008-05:00

My guys - dolls and action figures alike - felt left out. So I offer this post as sop to them and as a photo theme contrast to my recent photos of female dolls and action figures. I gathered my long-haired guys and aimed the camera at them. For your viewing, the Samsons of East Philly:

Back row: customized Mattel Blaine, Toy Biz Gandalf, Bbi Tyr, Jakks Pacific Oliver, Jakks Pacific Van Helsing

Second row: Mattel John Smith, Dragon Ekin Cheng, Jakks Pacific Chris Jericho, Takara Chinese Tom, and Mattel Kocoum

Front row: Mattel Harley Davidson Ken 1, Mattel Legolas, Mattel Li Shang, and Hasbro Prince Moses

More Decisions ... Asha Head Mold

2009-11-18T19:12:00.019-05:00

As seen in previous posts, I have Shani's friend Asha as well as swimsuit dolls and a ballerina produced from that head mold. I should be tired of the Asha face by now, right?

Wrong. Okay, I won't be keeping the AA Holiday Joy Barbie. There's no click, no story generation. (See, some of them really will be leaving ;-D) Here she is along with a Chilean Barbie, also to go, go, go.

But. Such a weighty word in the English language. Looking at these five dolls created with the Asha head mold, I realize, I don't want to give up any of them. It's some magical voodoo that Mattel artists do to take one head mold and give it different looks that cause a reasonably sane adult to plunk down money time after time. Let's pause to applaud the Mattel artists and painters for making us collectors feel richer even as our wallets grow slimmer.

Behold these beauties and tell me, could you turn aside even one of them? Alas, I cannot.

Holiday Party Nikki, the first doll from the left, has lovely coloring and a beautiful face paint job. The dress is cute, and the tiny gold plastic purse fits the occasion and the outfit. Traditional, understated chic.

Next Rocker Nikki beside Holiday Party has pink hair streaks, bending arms, and a black tulle mini skirt. What in that description should I want to miss? Throw in another lovely face paint job and the gavel pounds, "She stays."

Glam Nikki in the center was a surprise choice for the "Stay" group; true, her outfit is bright and attractive. But why keep her when I have sooo many other Asha-faced dolls? What's my refrain? Beautiful face paint job. Lovely complexion, too.

Really Rosy Christie is next. Check that creamy complexion, the light brown eyes, and that streaked hair. Streaked hair! On a Barbie, no, on a Christie? Definitely a KEEPER. How often does Mattel do natural-toned streaking on doll hair? Got to keep her since I can.

Last but certainly not least is Purple Panic Christie. I wasn't a 100% sold on this doll when I first got her. Why did I buy her then? I liked her coloring and her pose-ability. I didn't have a story for her then, but that happens a lot. Something makes me buy the doll or action figure and then, years later, the story unfolds. Shrug.

Quick story threads: well, Holiday Party Nikki is an administrative assistant. Rocker Nikki is a rock singer in need of a guitar and a group. Glam Nikki is a model. Really Rosy Christie is a journalist, and Purple Panic Christie is a kindergarden teacher.

Other Asha headed dolls remaining: AA Ballerina Barbie, Harley Davidson AA Barbie, 2 Cali Girl Christies, Generation Girl Nichelle, and possibly, the Fashion Fever Christie doll wearing the Barbie tee shirt.

Decisions: Shall They Stay or Should They Go? Part 2

2009-11-18T19:03:00.006-05:00

I wanted to include the photo that shifted my thinking from "this one is going" to "oh, I have to keep these two."

Don't these two look related? Single parent, lingerie model Mom and her confident-in-my-body, free-spirited daughter. (Remember, pictures speak 1000s of words to me ;-D) How could I separate them once I knew their relationship. No such monster am I.

Gavel pounds once. Decision: they stay.

Decisions: Shall They Stay or Should They Go?

2009-11-17T22:18:00.006-05:00

There are dolls that I look at and instantly note: that one is NOT going anywhere.

Then there are dolls that make me wonder why I got them in the first place. Sale? Temporary insanity? Safe passage out of a dangerous story?

More though are the puzzlers - dolls and action figures that I am not sure I want to keep. Should they stay or should they go? Here are some dolls that fall under that category and here's the reasoning I used to reach a decision.

I thought that these 3 Summer-face mold dolls would be easy. Check them here:

Okay, the first from the left is a Fashion Fever Raquelle doll. Surely I would let her go. She's on the dreaded Hobbit body for starters. The middle doll, Courtney, I like her eye screening. Keeper. Even if her head is a little big. But she's on a standard Barbie body. Finally, the Fashion Fever pajama doll ... lovely. Keeper.

Then, I shifted the dolls around. The Fashion Fever pajama doll was first in the new lineup. Next to her was the newer Fashion Fever Raquelle and to the far right, Courtney. Uh oh. I could see a relationship between the two Fashion Fever dolls ... mother in lilac nightie and teen daughter in black denim mini skirt.

I decided to keep all three.