The crux of the site is good old fashioned voting for your favourite Tonner Doll photo out of the two presented to you on the screen, hense the nature of the ‘duel’! However don’t worry if you can’t decide, you do have the ability to call off the fight and declare a ‘draw’. The best thing about this site is the fact that all the doll photos are submitted by Tonner Doll fans and lovers themselves.

So be sure to check it out dollduels.com

An analysis of the ‘States 75 most-popular Christmas gifts found that a total of 2,598 shipments of Barbie products were received in the US throughout August and September, when retailers receive Christmas stock.

Barbie’s popularity continues to rise despite competition from other doll brands. Recovering from a slip in 2008, US sales of Barbie went up 4 per cent in 2009 and 14 percent in 2010.

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She is very much in the same vein as the American Girl dolls and as such is a historical doll, taking her place in the court of Henry VIII with a thoughtfully designed period costume and backstory.

Toy maker Frances Cain believes the fashion and music industries are stealing little girls’ childhood forcing them to grow up too quickly. This means there are no toys for the tween age group. As an antidote, Frances Cain has created a doll specifically for eight to twelve-year-olds.

Matilda is the first in a series of tween dolls being launched by Frances’ boutique toy company Daughters Of History. Themed to Tudor times, she comes complete with a range of period clothing and accessories. The aim being to allow girls to play intelligently and femininely without feeling pressured to be skinny and fashion conscious.

Frances takes up the story:

“It was impossible to find a doll for my daughter when she reached the age of ten so I decided to create one. Matilda has a young teenage figure to deliberately challenge aspirational fashion dolls like Bratz and Barbie.

The doll is not just about play. As well as introducing history to young girls, Matilda helps children to get to grips with some real life issues such as coping with loss”.

Standing 16 inches high, Matilda is beautifully crafted out of high-quality vinyl. Whilst looking like a porcelain doll, she has been made with play in mind and has fully-jointed arms and legs. Her extra-long hair will withstand endless brushing and styling.

Frances Cain has also extended the range with other Matilda products. As well as costumes, there’s also a keepsake book brimming with unique ideas such as a Tudor sleepover or making a pre-execution wish list. Matilda’s Secret is the accompanying novel which tells the story of her role as lady-in-waiting to Katherine Howard at the court of Henry VIIIth.

Matilda comes in her own sturdy carry case and costs £89.99 from www.agirlforalltime.com

That changed when I came upon their St Tropez range of dolls earlier this year. The dark beauty of Angelica took my heart and, credit card at the ready; a pre-order was eagerly made. So from this point the wait was on to receive her and after what seems like an eternity and a rude visit to customs, she finally arrived a week ago (see my reveal video below to savour the moment). The long wait between pre-order and delivery was certainly worth the wait for I was far from disappointed and have found myself a little bit in love!

Angelica came in an exquisitely packed box with lots of quality details such as welcome note and finely printed postcards. The doll herself comes packed minus her wig cap and wearing her dressing balled hands, which is a slight shock for the uninitiated. However what a revelation both of these technologies are!  The dressing balls put an end to struggling to get dolls fingers and hands through tiny sleeves (especially for those of us with chunkier fingers lol) and the nightmare pulled sleeve seems. The actual hands which come with Angelica are finely and realistically sculpted as well as surprisingly easy to change and attach. Separately sold hand sets can be purchased from Angelic Dreamz.

The wig cap is also easily attached and gives the doll a smooth and neat hairline without the slightest hint of unsightly plugs. The hair is very long and thick and a variety of separate wig caps can be purchased from the AD site. As if this wasn’t enough JAMIEshow dolls also come with a skull cap so that they can wear conventional wigs. I tried a number of Superfrock wigs on Angelica with great success, although I do find that due to her colouring and exotic beauty darker tones seem to work best. Angelica’s face-up is realistically done with expressive eyes, with applied lashes, as well as sensual pink and glossy lips. She is also able to wear earrings, although the basic dolls do not ship with any.

And now to the body sculpt and what a joy it is! Exquisite resin which is matt and wonderfully hand blushed, yet feels substantial in the hand and not scarily delicate as some BJD fashion dolls can be. This is a doll to be played with, posed and loved! Her 19 points of articulation are stiff enough that she isn’t floppy, yet loose enough that she poses easily and holds the pose well. She feels as if she could even stand unsupported, given the right shoes perhaps! The nuances of her pose-ability make her amazingly realistic, and  I am sure I have only just begun to discover all she can do. Her body is overall is lithe and well proportioned.

As she is a basic doll she comes wearing a 2 piece bikini, sandals and sarong. With the St. Tropez basic Angelica the bikinis come in randomly selected colours of blue/green/purple or orange. I had hoped for blue but my Angelica came wearing orange, but this is rather a minor set back in the scheme of things! I also purchased the separate St Tropez outfit consisting of crisp white shirt, denim pants and matching sandals for those evenings after the beach!

Overall I am mightily impressed with the JAMIEshow range and I am sure this will not be my last foray into this new Fashion Doll territory.

The ability to change wigs adds lots of dimensions to JAMIEshow

I have never fallen in love with a face sculpt for a doll more than Ellowyne’s ever before. She is Robert Tonner’s best. I just love her profile and her huge Anime eyes, pouty lips and sad eyebrows.  The doll’s character bio says that she lives in San Francisco and suffers from chronic ennui! I lived in that great city throughout my 20′s and, (sigh) …let’s just say the doll is very endeared to me. lol , She has the perfect amount of camp and class!

The wonder of Mark's artistic talent

Any tips for any members thinking about taking up sewing for their dolls?
Well, when I decided to start suiting up my Ellowyne dolls, I just bought some beautiful and affordable patterns made just for ellowyne on Ebay, got a used sewing machine from a friend, and taught myself how to sew from reading the instructions. Then, with some natural creativity, (I like to think, lol) started making my own custom patterns too. It’s addictive once you see what you can get yourself create.

I once took a personality test in which the question was to list your 3 favorite animals in order and why. the Answer ended up being that;  the First animal is how Others see You, the Second is how You see Yourself,  and the Third is what You really Are. My animals were,  “Cat,  Skunk,  Horse”.   I always thought that pretty much summed it up 

“The BEST doll site on the web” – Mark, USA

DollObservers.com is the social network site for Fashion Doll Lovers. Whether your passion is Barbie, Tonner, Sybarite, Fashion Royalty or all of the above! Or whether you prefer your dolls Vintage or New, then this is the site for you. This is a true community of doll lovers and together we can discover a whole world of Fashion Dolls!

Once you sign up you will be able to enjoy and join in with the following activities and features:

• Have your own ‘My Page’ which you can customise, rearrange and choose from a range of cool apps to add right there on your page
• See a member you like? Add them as a friend! The more you engage with other members the more friends you will make. Invite your non-member friends to join you too!
• Active members stand the chance of being nominated as a Superstar Member!
• Connect DollObservers.com to your Facebook and Twitter accounts and post to all 3!
• Add your Doll Photos and arrange them into albums. Other members can comment and socially engage with them
• Upload Doll Videos or embed YouTube movies. Other members can comment and socially engage with them
• Read member Fashion Doll Articles (blogs) and add your own
• Join in and engage with the fashion doll discussions in the Forum
• Join a specific Doll Groups such as ‘Barbie”, “Buy & Sell’, ‘Tonner Dolls‘, ‘Moxie Teenz‘ and more. Don’t see a group for you? Then create and maintain your own!
• Do you run or know of Fashion Doll events? Then add them to our events page and invite your friends too!
• Follow all the action in the Activity Feed on the front page in order to keep up with members’ posts. Add Photos, Videos, Articles, Discussions and Events as well as Status Updates right there in the feed
• Every month we have a different Doll Theme. Previous themes have included ‘Science Fiction’, ‘In The Sun’, ‘Love’ and lots more. Members can enter a theme pic for a chance to win a $20 cash prize! It lots of fun and a very popular feature
• Look out for occasional offers and competitions to win cool Fashion Doll prizes!
• Our site is ever evolving and new features are added all the time.

Phew, as if that wasn’t enough, DollObservers.com is absolutely FREE to join. All we ask is that you consider donating an amount of your choice in order to help with upkeep and running costs. The suggested donation is just $11.95 for 12 months of membership. That amounts to less than $1 per month!

Regardless of whether you donate or not, everyone who joins or signs up for our newsletter will receive a FREE Barbie eBook. Cool!

Still not convinced? Then check out some Member Testimonials:

“When you join DollObservers, as I did one year ago, you find those people, you got those friends all over the globe, and you share the passion, the friendship, the fun” – Lilly, Superstar Member, Spain

“I want to share my joy over dolls with others, and in real life I just can’t. And right here it works in two directions; I can post photos of my dolls that I’m proud of and receive comments, and I can enjoy other people’s beautiful dolls and be inspired ” – Evelien, Netherlands

“Users can enjoy the camaraderie of doll collecting with a multi-faceted group rather than just one certain doll being in the spotlight. You can be exposed to dolly joys you wouldn’t otherwise notice through the eyes of their admirers and maybe even fall in love with a new doll yourself… And of course, my favorite: “Theme of the Month Group” allows you to fully participate with other collectors in a healthy and friendly competition in which you can show off not only your favorite dolls & collections but their wardrobes, accessories, props and dioramas that go hand in hand with doll collecting!” – Mark, USA

“It’s really great to meet doll lovers from all over the world. As for me, the atmosphere is very important. Of course there are people who collect fashion dolls, BJD, reborn dolls and antiques at the same time but generally I see the collectors with strong preferences for one type of dolls over the others. My own collection is 95% fashion dolls, so I love being among people with the same doll preferences. Thank you Simon, for giving the fashion doll lovers from all over the world the chance to unite on such a website!” – Katie, Russian Federation

Following the January announcement of the 2011 Doll of the Year® (DOTY®) Industry’s Choice® awards winners at IDEX Premiere in Orlando, Fla., 83 dolls went on to compete for the esteemed DOTY®Public’s Choice® awards. Over the last few months, readers and members of the collecting public were asked to select their favorite dolls from this pool of Industry’s Choice® winners. And so, DollReader proudly presents the 2011 Doll of the Year® Public’s Choice® award winners.

Check out pictures of all this year’s award winners in the August/September issue of Doll Reader magazine, and stay tuned for the October issue where interview each award winner about their prize-winning doll and what’s next for them.

Children’s Play Doll
Black Velvet – Adora, Charisma Brands

Collectible Baby Doll
Amy – Doris Stannat, MasterPiece Dolls

Collectible Fashion Doll
Ava Gardner Hearts Ablaze - Tonner Doll Company

Collectible Ball-Jointed Doll
Alice - Ashton-Drake Galleries

Collectible Vinyl/Plastic Doll, Less than $175
Little Red Riding Hood – Joanne Flitton, Heartstring Dolls

Collectible Vinyl/Plastic Doll, More than $175
Jethe - Heidi Plusczok

Collectible Porcelain Doll
Journey – Karen Alderson, Charisma Brands

Collectible Miniature Doll, 8 Inches or Less
Tiny Bundle - Camille Allen

Collectible Manufacturer’s Artist Doll, Less than $250
Flame Blue Vanessa Perrin Dressed Doll – Jason Wu, Integrity Toys

Collectible Manufacturer’s Artist Doll, More than $250
Victoria Rose – Luciana Miglioranzi, Babies N Bubbles

Artist Ball-Jointed Doll
Mia – Lorella Falconi, Lorella Falconi Dolls

Artist Baby Doll
Sweet AlyMarie – Lori Ivanovic, Silver Spoon Nursery

Artist Miniature Doll
Katherine – Anna Hardman, Anna Hardman Dolls

Artist Doll, Less than $1,250
Apolonia - Zawieruszynski Originals

Artist Doll, More than $1,250 + BEST IN SHOW!
Little Red Riding Hood - Hildegard Gunzel

One-Of-A-Kind Doll, Less than $1,250
Karley - Annette Hermann Originals

One-Of-A-Kind Doll, More than $1,250
Little Apache - Lynn Cartwright

Image via Wikipedia

This morning at Integrity Toys W Club breakfast time webinar there was a grand unveiling of a brand new line of dolls tied to the movie classic, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Suddenly the breakfast time event made sense (well breakfast for those of you in the east of the planet!).

Now BAT happen to be one of my favourite films, not least because of the devastating beauty and iconic performance by its leading lady, Audrey Hepburn in her role as the kooky, gal about town, Holly Golightly. The doll boasts a brand new sculpt and for the first time feet made just for kitten heels à la Miss Hepburn in the original movie.

The webinar gave a fascinating insight into the way the collection was researched and put together and I for one am looking forward to its release.  The dolls also boast a miriad of authentic accessories which were painfully researched and manufactured including the mask Hepburn wore for the ‘five and dime’ scene. The webinar also revealed that dress for the doll representing this scene was made as a result of a candid on set photo as it is hardly seen in the real movie. Now that’s dedication to authenticity!

Doll Observers member Lilly is our first Superstar Member

In this, the first of a new regular feature, we take a closer look at Doll Observers member Lilly, July 2011′s “Superstar Member”.

Lilly has been with us since the very beginning and has been winner of the monthly theme photo competition no less than four times! Little wonder with her creative know how and a knack for dioramas.

Lilly is always quick to share her tips and support others. She recently won the accolade of “Official Greeter” here on Doll Observers and recently started her own group Sew Much Fun.

I hope you enjoy the interview and that it inspires you to be our next “Superstar”!

What made you join Doll Observers?

I discovered “Fashion Doll Amigos” while browsing the web for new information about the latest dolls and registered in August 2009. Then when (Simon) started “Doll Observers” it was the logical move for me. I had found a warm welcoming group of friends I did not want to loose.

When did you start collecting/playing dolls?

In 1989, Hubby and I arrived in Edmonton (Canada) in the University student housing. I found an old Barbie doll in the laundry sharing bin (place were people left items they did not want/use anymore to be freely shared with other students). She was a beautiful black lady and looked like Dance Club Devon Barbie. I brought her home and started hand sewing a dress (with fabric from the same laundry bin). After this, I looked for more and brought home all the Barbie’s I could find and dressed them. When a charity event occurred I was asked for help and I presented some of my dolls. I was very pleased with the response.

I started buying new Barbies (basic ones) dressed them OOAK and sold them at doll events and craft shows. Later on I did the same in Mexico City and Quebec. Then, in Alberta, the leader of the Barbie Club of Alberta asked me to join and I gladly complied. In 2000, following a design from my good friend Glenn Mielke (himself member of the Barbie Club of Alberta), I created the Doll Club outfit.

After being part of the Barbie club for a number of years, some friends and I started gathering on a regular basis, and when one of them brought Gene (from Mel Odom) I fell totally in love. The face did not seduce me at first, I should admit, but the size, proportions, the elegance! How wonderful she was! After that I bought Tyler from Robert Tonner. I was and still am totally hooked!

Tell us about the dolls in your collection.

I have about 30 dolls in “My Gang”. The first was a Basic brunette Gene Marshal. Gene not being a name that suits her (from my point of view) she became Marie (Lilly’s mom). However Tyler is my favorite. She’s Lilly and she is my muse and inspiration.

Later on, I bought other male/female Mel Odom dolls and other Tonner dolls. Then Mme Alexander dolls caught my heart with their articulated bodies! I bought two Sandra Bilotto dolls because their faces inspired me, and more recently a Horseman Vita doll arrived in my Gang and became Lizbeth Smith-Evans.

More and more my Gang took life and as I needed a little “world”, it became natural to look for different ethnicity and body shape. Olga (Elle Jakks doll) with articulated legs, Davina (Emme by Tonner) with her full body. Then blonde, brunette, red haired, male, female, African, Asian and all I could think of was a new doll with a new history, a new background. So thanks to my friends and Hubby “My Gang” kept on growing.

Of course nowadays the body of the doll is definitely more articulated, but My Gang members have whatever (few) articulations dolls had in the time of their arrival. Now indeed I would love them all to be articulated, but I love them as is, even if they are not perfect.

Your dolls have a life of their own with the names and stories you give them. Where do you get your inspiration?

I know what doll I need, I do not know why. Right now I need Russell Williams (Tonner) because I don’t have any African guy in “my Gang” I do not know his name, neither his story nor profession. I will know this when he arrives. It’s like he came with it, he tells me when I open the box. I did try before to imagine a name/job/story about a doll before she/he comes home but when I opened the box… it didn’t “go with it”. I cannot explain why.

My dolls have their own taste/favorite colors/pet/profession/address/hobby etc and I just “listen to them” (and no, I do not hear voices!!). I do keep an ID journal though.

We know you love to craft and sew for your dolls. What got you started?

My mom being a dressmaker I had to learn to sew (not really my choice but…) so I have a French sewing certificate of aptitude (after 3 years of study). Even if I didn’t like this too much when I was younger, today it comes naturally to me to sew for my Gang. I still need patterns though.

As for the craft, I try, I make mistakes, insult myself, then try again until I am satisfied. But I rarely do the same thing twice as I get bored quickly.

Any diorama tips for our members?

Scale is a must.  Choose small patterns for the furniture, add little tiny objects as they will bring life to the décor.  Look around everywhere when shopping and you will find tooth picks, shampoo caps, pill boxes… they will become BBQ picks, bowls, light fixtures…etc You do not have to spend a dime, but as you are going to spend time doing it, have fun, and it will do.

What do your family make of your love of dolls?

My Hubby, was and still is the most supportive of all. He knows my dolls by their names; he knows their origin and profession as well as their character traits. He is well informed about their value. Some times this is quite important as he is often the one buying them on E-Bay

For the rest of my family my Mom, being the most interested, asks for pictures of my latest diorama but being a dressmaker herself she is more interested by the outfits. My two children were always very supportive and now my five grand children are in on the “secret”. We have fun creating stories of princesses saved by glorious knights at the dusk of a dull day!

Other than playing with dolls what else do you do to relax?

• Reading: mystery, murders investigation, fantasy, (right now, Inkheart trilogy by Cornelia Funke)
• Scrap-booking; basically card making as me and my Canadian/Chinese best friend challenge ourselves.
• Photography. I am a “photoholic” really. I take hundreds of pics anywhere, of everything. I am just hooked. Thanks digital!
• Sewing/knitting/cross-stitching/painting/sculpting (clay) I even put my hands on tiling my house floor and walls. I hate being unoccupied and I love to learn and prove to myself that I can do it.

Lastly how would you describe yourself in 3 words?

Resourcefulness, Imagination, Patience!

Thank you Lilly for a wonderful interview and insight into your world. Let’s see who is next month’s “Superstar Member”!

If you aren’t a member of Doll Observers yet then what are you waiting for? Join here!

http://www.dollobservers.com/page/win-a-palm-beach-swim-suit

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