International Black Doll Show 2009

I attended the International Black Doll Show today. The bulk of the show was "art dolls." Paper bags, ceramic, cloth, and various other materials formed these dolls. Interesting to see, but not much I would take hone. I missed my plastic and vinyl people. No Princess Zara line or Mixis or new ethnic playscale, plastic dolls or action figures.

I had visited this show before a few years ago so I was not surprised by the doll types. At that time, there were no playscale figures. Today, about four or five vendors had at least one Black Barbie or Black Barbie-clone doll. One vendor had a display of Black Barbie-clones dressed in formal gowns. (That vendor did not allow me to take a photograph.) Another vendor had a decent group of modern fashion dolls, including Black Barbies, Christies, Nikkis, and the larger scale 16" fashion dolls. The most impressive table though was by a visitor-exhibitor from Chicago who showed three dolls from the Byron Lars' Chapeaux Collection: Sugar, Coco, and Pepper.

Seeing the Byron Lars dolls in person, I could appreciate the details and the lovely hatbox cases. That gave me an idea: I could store some of my dolls in similar hatboxes or cardboard boxes sold in A.J. Wright, Ross, Conway, and other discount stores. On the other hand, I wouldn't want the Lars dolls since they struck me as show dolls and not play dolls.

Since none of the modern dolls shown were particularly thrilling ... a Ballet Black Barbie and Kelly set and a Cool Lookz Trendy, Bendy Christie, I didn't ask to photograph them. Here are two photos I took.






Overall, I enjoyed attending the International Black Doll Show. Seeing different doll types. Perhaps someday I'll rent a table at the Show and put up a modern doll and action figure display. Someday.

International Black Doll Show Saturday, May 23

I almost missed this event. Thanks to the Happily Ever After Special Event page, I have time to consider.

The 2009 International Black Doll Show will be at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th & Arch Streets in Philadelphia, PA on May 23 from 10am-5pm. General admission fee is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children under 12 and seniors.

Here's a PhillyFun blurb about the event. You can also contact Barbara Whiteman of The Philadelphia Doll Museum at (215) 787-0220 for additional information.

Angelic Dreamz Announces New Dynamite Girls

Late June or early July, Angelic Dreamz will have two new Dynamite Girls dolls - Feeling Fierce Jett and Canadian Exclusive Feeling Fierce Dani:

Dynamite Girls

I like this more realistic looking Jett with her silver "leather" jacket and over-sized sunglasses. Okay, I love the silver jacket. It's a short belted trench. The Dani doll reminds me of the Caucasian Valentine TJ doll. Dani wears a black moc-croc jacket, hot pink tiered tulip skirt, and black fishnet stockings. She leads her small black poodle on a gold chain leash. Sigh.

I haven't bought my earlier 2009 Integrity Wish List dolls and here they add more dolls. Love you too, Integrity.

Other sources for these dolls are Maddie's Dolls and My Favourite Doll.

America's Next Top Model Dolls Part 2

Points about the America's Next Top Model Dolls

* Bigger heads than most fashion dolls

* Pierced ear holes

* Two-toned ("highlighted") hair for blond and brunette dolls

* Tilting upper body like the Pivotal Barbies

* Arms froze-posed either to bent position or to hanging down straight

* Straight waist, narrower than Pivotal Barbies

* Exaggerated back curve

* Narrow hips, painted on white underpants

* Straight legs (no bend)

* Bigger feet like the Bigfeet Barbies only ANTM's feet are arched for heels

* Defined big toe (separate from other toes)

See these photos for visual comparison.

Want Clothes for Your 8" Mego Female Figures?

Grandma Walton is on a shelf at my eye level. She inspired this post.

For those seeking "everyday" fashions for your 8" Mego figures - the female ones - try the Only Hearts Club doll fashions. The shoes are too large for those Mego figures, but the pants "just" fit if you cuff them (i.e., roll up the extra pants length).

Happy re-dressing!

Found: Twist Tie Receiver

Some time ago, I had asked if anyone were interested in receiving the twist ties from doll and action figure packaging. Well, I am happy to report that after submitting a message on Yahoo Group, Phillyfreecycle, someone asked for them. Yay!

(Phillyfreecycle is a local Yahoo Group where members list items that they want to give away or to receive.)

So if any other collectors have hoards of twist ties that they cannot use, you might want to check if there is a similar online Group or website. Good luck!

Francie Clothes and Visitor

I mentioned Francie clothes the other day, but I only photographed the Barbie & Francie double doll case and some of my Mod dolls in the case. In the following photos, Twiggy and Meg (Bend leg Francie) spread some Francie outfits for a visitor who borrows one of the dresses, "Fresh as a Daisy."


Francie had bright, fun coats:





Clear Out! deserves a photo of its own




A few mod dresses:




Who is the guest visitor? Ibizia Susie!