When I saw this photo for sale, I didn't realize that the doll she was holding was so large. What a great-looking photo! It's faded, but I colorized the closeup, below, in the hope that you can see more detail. I love this photo!
Pierrot and Pierrette Flapper
Posted by bayan
When I saw this photo for sale, I didn't realize that the doll she was holding was so large. What a great-looking photo! It's faded, but I colorized the closeup, below, in the hope that you can see more detail. I love this photo!
Picture of the Week Award ~ February 28, 2010
Posted by bayan
This wonderful scene was created by Alejandro Torres. I asked him to describe the picture and here is a summary of his response:
"With one snap of the camera, I justified not throwing away years worth of assorted plastic crap. I think like all of us, I have more Polyvinyl Chloride lying around the house than is probably healthy. I'm minimal about everything in my life except when it comes to my dolls and anything to do with them. When it comes to dioramas, I always see things as what they can potentially be in respect to a doll display. In the picture in question you see Fashion Royalty wig stands, the block bottoms of FR doll stands with Fashion Fever packaging parts in repeating patterns. The large mannequins were purchased for their wigs and then I was able to use them in another way. The walls are foam board and the elevator door was constructed by me."
This is more justification for us pack rats who are buried under stuff!
If you go to Alejandro's Photobucket album you will see not only photos of his dolls but more dioramas with and without dolls and other wonderful photography. I highly recommend taking a look.
Congratulations, Alejandro, on the Picture of the Week Award!
Will there be a W Club camera?
Posted by bayan
"High Fashion World Inspires New Exclusive Digital Camera Line"
Read about the collaboration between General Imaging Corporation and Jason Wu at this link:
GIC
More about → Will there be a W Club camera?
Read about the collaboration between General Imaging Corporation and Jason Wu at this link:
GIC
Little Girl, Revue Girl
Posted by bayan
Finni and her German boudoir doll (sofapuppe), also known as Revue Girl.
I was told this photo is from a collection taken by artist, Ludwig Munich, who coincidentally was from Munich, Germany. The photo was taken in 1928, and was part of a portfolio entitled "Erinnerungen aus der Jugendzeit" (Memories from Childhood), and came from his daughter's estate. The photo is mounted on cardboard, and has his daughter's name, "Finni" (nickname for Josefine), and his monogram signature & date of 1928. Ludwig was a watercolor artist (botanical & landscapes) and, apparently, he was a photographer. Ludwig served in uniform during WWII, but in a non-combat role with the German Red Cross (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz).
Sweetness and Light ~ Puki Ruby in Boneka
Posted by bayan
It's time for a break from the world of sophisticated fashion dolls. Here's a picture of my tiny bjd, Puki Ruby. She's from Fairyland and joins her sister, Puki Puki. I know; it's such a silly name.
Tiny Puki dolls are just under 4.5 inches - pocket sized. They stand very easily on their own and their articulation is wonderful without kickiness. Ruby's wig is a FairyLand product. (Bobbie/Black/$21) I've ordered several less expensive tiny wigs and none of them fit as well.
The dress is felt and is a Boneka product as are the shoes. Denver Doll offers a nice selection of Boneka dresses for these dolls. Prices range from $17 to $42.
The shoes are handmade leather and certainly worth $18.
Basic (nude) Pukis cost $138. If you purchase directly from FairyLand, you will pay a hefty shipping fee. I buy from Denver Doll Emporium. Their response time is excellent. If an item is in stock, it often ships the same day you order.
Check out FairyLand's website and then go to Denver Doll Emporium to buy.
More about → Sweetness and Light ~ Puki Ruby in Boneka
Tiny Puki dolls are just under 4.5 inches - pocket sized. They stand very easily on their own and their articulation is wonderful without kickiness. Ruby's wig is a FairyLand product. (Bobbie/Black/$21) I've ordered several less expensive tiny wigs and none of them fit as well.
The shoes are handmade leather and certainly worth $18.
Basic (nude) Pukis cost $138. If you purchase directly from FairyLand, you will pay a hefty shipping fee. I buy from Denver Doll Emporium. Their response time is excellent. If an item is in stock, it often ships the same day you order.
Check out FairyLand's website and then go to Denver Doll Emporium to buy.
Gerb's
Posted by bayan
Untagged, but definitely a Gerb's. Her face does have a flocked feel to it.
Untagged, but I believe her to be Gerb's too. She has dark brown mohair wig. Her face also has a soft "flocked" feel to it.
This doll has only a remnant of her tag - is she a Gerb's?
More of the Same?
Posted by bayan
This doll is tagged, yet does not have the Gerb's name on it. The address is different too. Is it a Gerb's? I've thought it is, but now I wonder....
This doll looks like a Gerb's, and I believe it is. The doll, below, is just like it except she wears pink and is tagged Kungsholm, West Indies Cruise. It was sold on a cruise ship.
Tagged Poupees Gerb's
Posted by bayan
Sue sent me the following information:
"The only reference I can find is Coleman's (vol, 2 p 462). Coleman says Poupee Gerbs were made between 1927-30 and later. They were created, made and exported cloth dolls. However, Coleman says these dolls had flock faces, white silk hair, composition hands and feet labelled " Poupee GERB"S, 29 Rue Gauthey, PARIS'."
I have seen some Gerb's that have soft faces that could be thought of as flocked, but I don't think they actually are. And, as can be seen in my previous post, the dolls had black silk hair as well. In fact, Gerb's made dolls with a variety of hair color, both silk and mohair, including pink, lavender, etc. I will post more dolls that I believe are Gerb's although they are not tagged.
As always, if anyone knows differently, let me know. And, any information you can give regarding Gerb's, or any other French maker, would be greatly appreciated.
"The only reference I can find is Coleman's (vol, 2 p 462). Coleman says Poupee Gerbs were made between 1927-30 and later. They were created, made and exported cloth dolls. However, Coleman says these dolls had flock faces, white silk hair, composition hands and feet labelled " Poupee GERB"S, 29 Rue Gauthey, PARIS'."
I have seen some Gerb's that have soft faces that could be thought of as flocked, but I don't think they actually are. And, as can be seen in my previous post, the dolls had black silk hair as well. In fact, Gerb's made dolls with a variety of hair color, both silk and mohair, including pink, lavender, etc. I will post more dolls that I believe are Gerb's although they are not tagged.
As always, if anyone knows differently, let me know. And, any information you can give regarding Gerb's, or any other French maker, would be greatly appreciated.
Brilliance Monogram Doll Pictures
Posted by bayan
As I photographed her, I began to like her more although this is one Monogram doll who will have her outfit changed along with the wig. She has great potential. I find her to be beautiful but conservative.
The wig fits very well. It's the same style as the recent Avantguard dolls...center part gathered at the nape of the neck.
There are annoying issues with the outfit. The shoes are way too long which is a shame because I love the style. Is this going to be the problem of the year? The skirt is just the right length and the jacket fits properly. In couture dressmaking, lining up stripes and patterns across a seam or jacket front is a sign of fine workmanship. It would have been nearly impossible to do this on a doll fashion that wasn't completely hand made. In addition, the white machine top-stitching on the black fabric of the jacket is out of scale. Sewing machines can make shorter stitches.
I'm not sure how to put the hat on and I didn't want to mess up the wig so I didn't even try.
More about → Brilliance Monogram Doll Pictures
The wig fits very well. It's the same style as the recent Avantguard dolls...center part gathered at the nape of the neck.There are annoying issues with the outfit. The shoes are way too long which is a shame because I love the style. Is this going to be the problem of the year? The skirt is just the right length and the jacket fits properly. In couture dressmaking, lining up stripes and patterns across a seam or jacket front is a sign of fine workmanship. It would have been nearly impossible to do this on a doll fashion that wasn't completely hand made. In addition, the white machine top-stitching on the black fabric of the jacket is out of scale. Sewing machines can make shorter stitches.
I'm not sure how to put the hat on and I didn't want to mess up the wig so I didn't even try.
Tagged Gerb's
Posted by bayan
All three boudoir dolls are tagged Gerb's. Gerb's is a French manufacturer. Unfortunately, I know nothing about this company except that they made some really super boudoir dolls.
Beauty Marked Germany
Posted by bayan
This boudoir doll head is stamped Germany on her back. She has a large beauty mark on her right cheek and reddish mohair wig.
"Dribbling Information and Internal Misunderstandings"
Posted by bayan
Members of the W Club were sent an apology for not having been informed that the FR Monogram Brilliance doll is wigged. I'm quite certain it was not anyone's intention to conceal this information.
The excuses? This is the funny part.
1. "dolls have been mistakenly sent to dealers" (To whom were they supposed to be sent?)
2. "accidentally shipped to dealers early due to an internal misunderstanding" (What is an internal misunderstanding? I thought they ship the dolls as soon as they're ready.)
3. "information...dribbled out due to this shipping error" (Dribbling information is not the same as dribbling lack of information.)
So they made a mistake or a few mistakes. Fessing up is good.
I'm glad the doll is wigged. It will be fun to have a wigged doll in this line.
More about → "Dribbling Information and Internal Misunderstandings"
The excuses? This is the funny part.
1. "dolls have been mistakenly sent to dealers" (To whom were they supposed to be sent?)
2. "accidentally shipped to dealers early due to an internal misunderstanding" (What is an internal misunderstanding? I thought they ship the dolls as soon as they're ready.)
3. "information...dribbled out due to this shipping error" (Dribbling information is not the same as dribbling lack of information.)
So they made a mistake or a few mistakes. Fessing up is good.
I'm glad the doll is wigged. It will be fun to have a wigged doll in this line.
NEWS FLASH!!! "Brilliance" Monogram Doll is a Wigged Doll!
Posted by bayan
Was this supposed to be a secret? This fact was never revealed. The doll was shown with her hair and no information about her being wigged.
These are Integrity Toys' images of the doll:
I previously made a comment about the doll's hair looking messy. Who knew?
More about → NEWS FLASH!!! "Brilliance" Monogram Doll is a Wigged Doll!
These are Integrity Toys' images of the doll:
I previously made a comment about the doll's hair looking messy. Who knew?
City of Paris Store in San Francisco
Posted by bayan
Dominique sent me this photo of the store where the chenille-haired Ring Lady doll was purchased. She told me the owner of this store, Felix Verdier, was French, and he sold silk stockings in France. Click on the photo to see the Wikipedia information on the store.
on eBay - French Rosalinde Boudoir Doll
Posted by bayan
Jenny is selling this beautiful French Rosalinde on eBay. Click the photo to view auction.
Leave a Message......
Posted by bayan
Not only was the store tag left on the doll, but 20 or so years later, Winnie Gage was nice to sew a note on the chenille-haired doll to let future owners know that she redressed the doll. Wouldn't it be nice if everybody would put a note on their dolls so you'd know what changes were made? Something to think about........Coincidentally, Jenny and I wrote an article last year that we hope to be published this year about this very subject......stay tuned.....
Ring Ladies Uncovered!
Posted by bayan
Sue sent me some great photos to show you what Ring Lady bodies look like. Another typical Ring Lady trait is a pearl necklace. Notice the tags on the back of the chenille-haired doll. 
This silk floss haired Ring Lady has remnants of her original outfit. It must have been gorgeous by the looks of the top. She must have had a hat that was tilted to the right side of her head or else that part of her wig disappeared. I think a hat would have been stunning.
Bird, wee friend and workshops
Posted by bayan
When Mr. Gingo and his pink headed girlfriend were done, I felt like taking a rest. It is difficult to describe how much energy the making of my sock dolls (with all their details) can sometimes consume.
I felt completely exhausted, so the next morning I spent some time doing nothing; just staring at my computer screen and reading stupid news.At noon, I went to take something from the studio, and then this bird reminded me that I had promised that as soon as the sock couple would be done, I would take care of her.
When she was done, she asked for company.
So she has a wee friend as well.
Now I would like to invite those of you who happen to live in this part of the world to my upcoming workshops:
The first one is for my wrapping technique, and will take place on Friday, March 5, 2010.
The second one is the Sock Dolls workshop, on Friday, March 12, 2010, and Friday, March 19, 2010.
*Just a reminder that if you would like to get updates about my workshops, you are welcome to join my mailing list.
תזכורת - לגבי רשימת התפוצה של הסדנאות, אם אתם מעוניינים לקבל עדכונים לגבי סדנאות, שלחו לי מייל.
Ring Lady Hairdos
Posted by bayan
This may also be a Ring Lady, but could be made by another manufacturer. I'm not sure. I wish someone would find a tag on these dolls to know for sure. Her face paint is different and yet, she is very much like them. I have seen silk floss versions of this hairdo on the other type Ring Ladies which leads me to believe they're the same, but it's been discovered that competitors would create a similar doll.......more mystery, but for now, she's also referred to as a Ring Lady.Her new owner discovered a tag or note on her body which helped to know that the doll came undressed, and the outfit was made for her a long time ago. I added the newer shoes.
Oh, and the most interesting thing to me is her hair is made of chenille yarn. I've also seen these dolls with metallic thread in the same hairdo design.
Notice that the faces and hairdos are the same. The one, below, has the metallic thread. Very unusual.