Re-use Plastic Boxes for DAF Collector Organizing

As I was deboxing my dolls for Project Emigration aka Refining the Collection, I noticed that the clear plastic boxes used for My Scene and other Barbie dolls and the clear plastic tubes used for the pre-Hobbit bodied Fashion Fever dolls could be re-used to hold items. I like the tubes for holding heads and accessories - separate, of course - and the boxes for holding bodies.

Aside: why do I have head tubes and body boxes? Sigh. I don't always like the head-body union that manufacturers provide. So I find a more suitable body and set aside the original body. Oops, got an extra head there. Or I want the doll to have more pose-ability so I body-swap. A discard body there. Solution: head tubes and body boxes.

These plastic boxes and tubes allow me to see what I have better than if I put the parts in an everything drawer or box. Plus, I can tuck them aside so that they aren't in my way when I don't need them. I don't have to buy organizing stuff and waste doll/action figure/accessory funds. I re-use stuff that would otherwise fill landslides.

Here's a photograph showing my new organizing aids:



I'm a happier collector ... and I didn't have to buy a thing.

Memorial Day Photo - Nadja, Lukas, Mai

I may retake this photo again ... but I like it for now so I'll leave it.



Nadja is balancing on a log while Lukas and Mai watch.

Maybe next time, I'll take them outside. Hmmm ....

FS: Barbies and Other Dolls/Action Figures

I've put some dolls and action figures up for sale. Postage NOT included unless stated. For more information, email me at d7cooper at hotmail.com. Photos shown on this web page:

DollPage

The emigration begins.

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.