November is Native American/American Indian Heritage Month

Hmmm ... the Census uses the term, "American Indian and Alaska Native Populations", to describe the U.S. population I had thought were called "Native Americans." Wonder when the title reverted to "American Indian?"

November remains American Indian Heritage Month though. Which American president signed a joint congressional resolution designating November as “National American Indian Heritage Month?” President George H.W. Bush in 1990. So there's a bit of modern American history for you.

Representing American Indians from my collection, Mattel's Eskimo Barbie and Mattel's Twilight Jacob pose together. Eskimo Barbie is a favorite -- I love the facial screening for this face sculpt. She's borrowed the little wine dress that belonged to Aoshima/Skynet's No.24, Woman doctorTanaka Miina and a Fashion Fever Navaho-themed belt. Jacob wears his original jeans and sneakers. He believes that having strong abdominal muscles makes up for formal clothes. Thinks, he. Tsk.

New Barbie Series Found at Burlington Coat Factory

I don't know if this particular Barbie series is a Burlington Coat Factory exclusive or not, but that is where I saw them. The line seems to consist of Barbie, Summer, and Teresa: here are their thin cardboard boxes lined up with the side of one box that shows the [possibly] three dolls in the set:

What I find interesting is that we have 3 blond Barbies (different hairstyles), one red-haired Summer, and one brunette Teresa. No Black or Asian dolls in this series -- shown on the box or among the dolls. I know, I know; there are the So in Style dolls. There are the Barbie Basics. So, there are Black dolls in other Barbie series. I suppose that there is one Asian doll in the Barbie Basics line. Not a single Asian doll shown here though. What happened to Lea? Lea come back! And is Grace Barbie's only Black friend? What happened to Christie and Nikki? Yes, I am greedy ;-D

Actually, I should not complain. There are more than enough Barbies and related dolls and similar-sized dolls and action figures. So I should not complain. Mattel really doesn't want me to be overwhelmed.

Riiiiggghhhhhtttt.

Justin Bieber Anyone? New Dolls

While I was searching for online information about the Burlington Coat Factory Barbies, I came across this news: a Justin Bieber doll will be sold by Toys R Us. Now I can just recognize this singer's name, but those of you who associate with teenagers and pre-teens may recognize him. (How do I recognize the name? A local disc jockey, Danny Bonaduce, mentions Justin Bieber. And I've seen young Bieber's poster at Walmart. Don't know what he sounds like. Don't particularly care to find out. Must be [my advanced] age because I look at him and wonder why him.)

He looks as if he might be Barbie-scale, so we might have another young male figure to add to our collection. Maybe ... I'll wait to see the actual doll.

A new male figure anyway!

New Blog(s): Reality Forest and Diorama Details

I was reading a post at Ms. Leo's blog when I saw a comment by another blogger. Clicked on the link and WOW!

Diorama heaven. And outside scene diorama tips. I love blogger and artist Matthew's explanations as to how he obtained the forest look for his story blog*, Reality Forest. There are such talented artists and storytellers among doll and action figure collectors.

*I should note though that Reality Forest seems an "adult" story.  There is some doll nudity and mention of recreational drug use. I mention these to avoid offending any of my readers. (Oh and I know that my blog has some doll nudity, too. And I have mentioned body parts by name. Some readers probably scream upon viewing yet another nude doll comparison. But seriously, how will you know if I don't occasionally show?) The companion blog, REALITY FOREST : HOW IT'S MADE, seems to have detailed diorama creation notes.

Happy Blogging Anniversary to Ms. Leo and to Matthew. Many more years blogging!

T.J. and Two Vampires

T.J. has a skeleton in her hands. She's setting the stage for the 2010 EPDAF* Halloween Party.

Barnabas recounts events past to T.J. while [No]Angelus prepares to tweak her hair. Or does she sense him ready to grasp her ponytail?

Happy Halloween to All!

*East Philadelphia Doll and Action Figure

Are All the Asian-Produced Dolls Slim Like Momoko? See Lady's Mission

You’ve seen how many produced-for-Asian-markets fashion dolls have small builds. If you are familiar with MaBa’s Barbie and Takara’s Jenny, you might think Asian market fashion dolls all have small body frames.

Blant! That’s the buzzer ringing. Wrong. Some female Asian market action dolls or articulated fashion dolls have sturdy frames. The Aoshima/Skynet Ladies Mission and Girls' Mission action dolls as well as the Takara/BBi have definite weight to them. Nothing missish or delicate about them. Plus, they have poseability.

The Lady’s Mission action dolls have full names, numbers, and occupations. Their faces are usually bland. Their hair can be smooth and flat like No. 21 shown below or rough and coarse like that of Kelly Jackson, Lady's Mission Slim Body, No. 4 Basic Infantry. Let’s look at Aoshima/Skynet action doll from Madam Ryu Reika, No. 21 who is a “Street princess.”

 

P.S. Madam Ryu Reika comes with two formal dresses, one a blue print mini and the other a long red Qi Pao (cheongsam or mandarin gown) and two pairs of high heeled shoes. The "leather" underpants she wears in these photos is part of her original outfit.

Additional photos of this action doll are here in my Webshots.

2011 Ken Previews - See Charles' and Jef's Websites!

Charles of Charles' Doll Pages has some gorgeous photos and updates about some of the 2011 Kens. Do check his website.


Next, Jef at Keeping Ken has information about a Sweet Talking Ken who wouldn't appeal to me, but who might appeal to some. This Ken repeats in his voice, what the person "playing with" him wants Ken to say. I always thought the thrill of being with another person was to have that person's comments, etc. I could always tell myself whatever I want to hear without using another person as a puppet. Poor Ken.


Then again, Ken tends to break some expectations of how a man should act.


Shaving Fun Ken, though, I would snap up as soon as I could. Who can resist a bearded Ken?