Monday, March 23, 2009

The Photo That Inspired a Custom Sofa

I love the colors in this photo: the dark, peppery red, the tawny-gold pants, the Power Team figure's dark brown hair and his warm, ruddy-tan coloring. Cute as he is, sprawled across the wine tapestry rug, he deserved better.




A black leather sofa, I think. Yes, that's what he needs. So I bought a leather-like remainder piece and set aside two of the Fashion Royalty shipping boxes. Just need to set aside time to put the sofa together.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Customizing Projects - Improving DAF Aesthetics

In addition to repairs needed - and the mentioned Joe and Roxy are just the most prominent ones - I have some customizing projects.

1. Find a washer that will allow me to keep Mattel Flavas P Bo's head on the Bbi Johanna Dark body. I thought that the head for Flavas P Bo was too big for her body. I had a Johanna Dark figure whose head didn't thrill me. While the Johanna Dark body is a little sallow for a perfect complexion match, P Bo's head fits that body much better than she did on her original body.

2. Find replacement bodies for the twin sisters from the 12 Dancing Princesses, Hadley and Isla. Their heads are way too big for their bodies.

3. Repaint the Babysitter Courtney head that I have on a poser My Scene Barbie body. Another case of big head on a small body. I'm thinking of cutting her hair, too.

Customizing dolls and action figures is fun, but even more, you can adjust the figure to reflect your taste and interests. I might create a new photo folder at Webshots to show my customized dolls and action figures. If I do, I'll send notice here.

Mending a Doll and an Action Figure

I've got two Hasbro figures: Misfits Roxy and Adventure Team G.I. Joe that need to be put together. Roxy's inner ring-connector that attaches her upper torso (head, bust, and arms) to her lower torso (hips and legs) broke. I don't think I can glue the broken bits together: the glue might not keep the plastic parts together - or doing so might freeze her to one position. I'll check online DAF boards to see if there are any tips on how to fix this problem.

Joe is a more difficult case. He's one of my childhood Joes, and he's been broke for years. His stringing popped. His head lopped off the silvery nail inside his neck. His arms fell off, and I only have the right one. His left calf unconnected from his left knee. Joe, I might have to send out. Sigh.

I don't like the idea of sending any of my figures out for repairs. I should be able to fix them myself. Or re-body them. But this AT Joe - African American and vintage - would probably be costly to replace. Hmmm ... will need to see what repairs I can do.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Welcome Barbie, Dolls of the World - Spain!

Lovely Pink Label Barbie - Spain, Dolls of the World Collection - arrived today. My Mom saw her at A.J. Wright's for $14.99 and got her for me. She's the first doll of this month.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Copyright Text

I've added a copyright notice to the bottom of this blog. Being a modest person (cough, cough), I doubt that my text or photos are snatchable. Then again, it is better to be safe and to be "protected" than to meander about like the Tarot card Fool. So I added the notice.

Deep shrug.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

New Doll Review of YNU Group Mixis Opal SE

Earlier today, I submitted a doll review on Amazon.com for Mixis Opal Sunset Edition with Curly Hair by YNU Group Inc.

I was pleased to see that there was another review for the Limited Edition Opal. The reviewer for the LE Opal is Debbie Behan Garrett, author of Black Dolls: A Comprehensive Guide to Celebrating, Collecting, and Experiencing the Passion.

Here's to the continuation of the Mixis dolls.

10 Series of Barbie Doll Alternatives, Past and Present

Barbie, Barbie, Barbie.

Sigh.

The playscale fashion doll scene seems to revolve around Barbie. Shorthand: fashion doll = Barbie. Non-collectors describe dolls not produced by Mattel or under the Barbie brand as "Barbie." Collectors compare other fashion dolls to Barbie: cheap playscale dolls are called "Barbie clones." Clone in this case is a negative. But is every playscale figure a Barbie clone? Usually, clones are cheaply made, poor quality dolls like some of the dollar store offerings. What about decent quality or even better quality playscale fashion dolls? Do they exist?

Yes, they do. Here are ten playscale doll series that "correct" or "improve" on some aspect of Barbie. They are less sophisticated, more ethnically "correct" or physically realistic, more brazen in three cases, more "intelligent," or otherwise ANTI-Barbie.

1. Ideal - Tammy the Doll You Love to Dress

2. Various companies - Sindy the Doll You Love to Dress

3. Hasbro - JEM

4. Hamilton Designs - Candi Girl / Candi (later designed by Jason Wu and Integrity Toys)

5. Get Real Girls

6. Get Set Club

7. Lanard - I-Girls

8. Smartees

9. Mattel - Flavas

10. MGA Entertainment - Bratz