Kingdom Doll Star and Turn on Your Lights

The third in a series of three Kingdom Doll "Angel" dolls, Star, arrived last week and I am very happy with her.

She is super photogenic. Here's a shot taken with my iPhone.

She is wearing her own lingerie and wig. Her necklace had opened which escaped my eye during the picture taking.

Her beautiful silver shoes zip up the back. I have a vague memory of being told these are her 'signature' shoes. They are the same style that Liberty came with and the pink suit from the Liberty event also used this style.

 I never leave my gals dressed in lingerie and Star's first redress was into this beautiful, slinky dress from one of Sandra's conventions. It's a favorite of mine and looks great on many of my girls.
The wonderful, curly wig is a Cheryl Wood creation. You may recognize Tonner's Snow Leopard from his Golden Compass line.

 The whole scene is very jungle-tropical. I really didn't plan it this way. These days most of my studio photos use very simple backdrops and props. I'm too lazy to do elaborate dioramas.  But I do have a bunch of different artificial greens and in this case, I just pinned a few to the huge bulletin board I have in back of my shooting table. There were some empty spaces and I Photoshopped that away. I also used PS to darken the background because I thought it competed too much with the foreground. I kept the focus on the doll's face to draw the viewer's eye there.

I see loads of indoor photos in which there is barely any light on the dolls' faces. So many people with beautiful dolls don't know how to light their photos. I just want to scream, "Turn on the damn lights!" You don't need professional equipment.

There is a false belief that using a flash is anathema. Seriously? Have you ever been to a professional studio? We're not aiming for Annie Leibovitz here; we just want to see your dolls!

As I stated, the top photo on this page (and the shoe shot) were made with my iPhone - using it's built in flash. In many cases, the phone's flash doesn't do what I want it to, but there's a way to make it work. Admittedly, it was daylight in room - actually it's in the bedroom. I opened the shades and the room was pretty bright but I knew I'd need some highlights and the only way to do that was with some direct light. I didn't hold the camera directly aiming at the doll, instead I angled it a little off to one side.

Here's a shot that did not work:

 The angle is all wrong. Her hair is too bright. It's a discard.

The beauty of digital photography is that you can keep going until you are satisfied. You get instant feedback. In my studio, I constantly move the lights and change their power and/or the settings on the camera until I'm happy (or until I'm so tired I can't go on.) You can take multiple shots with your phone as well. But do us all a favor, don't post all of them. Pick out the three best,  then toss two of those.  I look back at the last 15 years of my own doll photography and really should toss 80% of the images but I'm keeping them as a record of what I've had in my collection. Of course there are days when I can't take a decent picture no matter what.

EDIT, EDIT, EDIT.

There are websites, books, ezines and loads of information out there. The problem is, you may not even know you need one.

A great all around source of tips and tricks:  http://www.digital-photography-tips.net/

Tom in CA's Convention Oona

Tom in CA posted this stunning photograph of an equally stunning 'convention' Oona in honor of Sandra Stillwell's convention which is taking place now in Chatanooga.

She is wearing a wig by the uber-talented Ilaria. Tom got the luggage from the collection of Ben Grundfast.

Upcoming Events and Conventions 2015

I kept staring at this picture in an email that was sent from FDQ and then I realized that the photo of the doll in the red dress was mine. She is Milou wearing Sandra Stillwell's "Tree" gown.

Read about Milou here.

The email announced several events.

I will be atttending UFDC's 2015 convention in Kansas City in July.
Below each logo is a link an event.

MAY 22-24, 2015

Chicago, IL

Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel

Saturday, September 5th, 2015

The 66th UFDC National Convention

Kansas City, Missouri

Thursday, July 16th – Sunday, July 19th, 2015

May 29-31, 2015
Dallas, TX

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Iselin, NJ

The Studio Commissary Board's Fifth Anniversary

Although I would not classify myself as a big collector of the Gene Marshall line I have been a participant at The Studio Commissary since it's beginning five years ago.  I discovered Gene dolls after I was already collecting Tonner's dolls and heavily into Fashion Royalty.  I did start buying a few here and there after meeting Mel Odom at FAO Schwarz during a W Club event. Little did I know of the depth and history of the doll.

By the time Integrity Toys was ending it's relationship with Gene, I was very interested. I had joined the Gene W Club which would be it's last year. Collectors did not know that. In 2009 it was announced that the 'end' was near and there would be one last convention in 2010 in Philadelphia. It was a wonderful convention. I'd love to do it again - I would not change a thing.

Sandra Stillwell had (some of) her immense collection of Gene dolls on display.  There are only some of the photos I took in that room (which had terrible lighting. ) I didn't even know Sandra back then and had no idea what her history was with prior Gene events.

Anyway, this post is supposed to be about the Studio Commissary and has turned into my own history with Gene Marshall. 

What inspired me to post this today was the anniversary celebration which just ended on that board. The last "game" played was a question which asked: "What do you love about Gene?" 

Here are parts of the answers.

The people I've met, the friends I've made & the places I've gone because of Gene! 

Her soft, beautiful face, calm expression and the variety of outfits she has. - 

I don't think I can add a thing to what's already been said... I love her lovely vintage world! I>> 

It was love at first sight. And each time I see her it is like that first time 

She's a 3-dimensional version of Mel's unique art--and her sculpts have so much character. -

Her wholesome good looks, peaceful expression and, of course, those clothes! 

She wears the clothes society no longer appreciates and aren't appropriate for my workplace! -

She lets me spend time in a world which contains only kindness and beauty. - 

redressing her - she looks great in everything! 

She take me back to my childhood days of sitting by the fire and making clothing for my 

I love the vintage fashions, and it reminds me of my mom; she was a young woman in the 30s-50s. 

Her beautiful beautiful face which can become so many different personalities 

Her classy outfits and big eyes! 

that a tiny plastic woman can engender so much creativity in so many different people! 

She has the "It" factor as compared to most fashion dolls! 

I love the outfits her and her pals wear.

I have always loved the Golden Age of Hollywood, and she reflects it beautifully. 

The fact that she gives me an opportunity to enjoy elegant, vintage fashions in miniature scale; 

Everything everyone else has said plus a fun stress release for me after long hours of work. glamourous age and she gets to wear -

I'm echoeing the others: vintage fashion, vintage movies, and learning to "play" , and the people >> tory, the fabric, the hats.

To me she represents a world of grace and beauty. I've enriched my knowledge of fashion, history, 

The friends I've made because of her! 

the fashions and vintage hollywood 

Hollywood's Golden Era with the studios creating movie stars!

I love the 30s and 40s era and the movies made during those decades. - 

I love vintage Hollywood and Gene represents that perfectly for me! - 

The vintage style and grace of the dolls and fashions; quality of fashions; 

She was a friend when I needed one very badly.

Her glamour, style, story and her fans - all of us!

Representation of an era of class, sophistication, glamour, and gentility that is 

The fact that she represents a wonderful time period for fashion and glamour. 

I love the people who collect her! When I got involved in this community >> - 

Her connection to the Golden Age of Hollywood & the decades of fashions - 

The glamour and detail of the fashions, and the active "customizing" community>> 

I love every inch of her... -

The era s of fashion she represents. The accsessories! -

The 'Hollywood Glamor'! 

The fashions! -

I can dress & redress her with lovely outfits. No hands-off! -

She reminds me of my mother. I have photos of her as a young>> -

The world of movies she represents and her wonderful fashions! - 

Love the 40s fashions and that she represents the heyday of the big Hollywood stars. -

Her Iconic look & that time period in fashion -

She is the re-creation of old Hollywood glamour and the fabulous >>> - 

Her versatility: she can go from innocent to Hollywood Icon with the change of an outfit! -

The details in her clothing and hairstyles for the eras she represents. -

Gene is the epitome of Hollywood style and glamour! -

She taught me how to love dolls! -

The eras of fashion....I especially love the 30's and 40's. -

The world of fashion, friends & fun she offers.Playtime is COOL! - 

The eras that she represents....especially love the '50s fashions - 

The chord she's struck in all her admirers: love of -

The Studio Commissary 

 

Back in the Doll Room Again

I'm happy to report that today was the first full day without a horrible back spasm. I did not miss them at all.
Yesterday I kept busy by photographing an assortment of new and redressed dollies.
Two of the latest Tiny Kitty dolls arrived and they are lovely additions to my TK collection.
Besides the rise in price, I do notice a lack of detail and accessories. Tonner always impressed me with his handling of fabric in that there would be some sort of embellishment be it embroidery or beading or something. That's not included with these gals. There are no purses and the shoes are the kind that has the twisty elastic. But I do love their faces and hairstyles so I'm happy with them. First up is "Dinner Dance."

Below is "Pink Champagne." She is also seen in the third photo along with the TK from MDC.

They did come with earrings but I took the pictures before inserting them. One of these days I am going to set up all my TKs with their furniture and other props for a big photo shoot. One day.....

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Before an Integrity Toys convention there is always a flurry of great sales. Luckily I'm not particularly in the market for any of their products but when someone offered this two piece outfit from A Fashionable Life Gift Set, I snapped it up. I sold mine so long ago and I thought it would look divine on one of my Silkies. I was right. 

The quality of design and construction was so good under Jason's helm. If you didn't already know, all of the fashions made to fit the dolls prior to the "tall body" fit Silkstones perfectly-including the shoes. So if you see a gorgeous fashion from that "era" buy it if the price is right. Your Silkies can show it off to it's best advantage. They can also wear "Monogram" doll and "NuFace" doll clothes as well as shown below.

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One of the outfits I purchased at Metrodolls, "Smoking," fits the Tyler body best of all.

The pants and shoes fit the resin Gene body beautifully but the rest of the fashion (halter, bustier, jacket, skirt) fit Tyler (Sydney, etc.) best. 
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A new Cissette joined the tribe. She is The White Witch of Narnia. So cute!!!!

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The Ficon doll known as Miss G White arrived. I am very happy with her. I have her in her sister's outfit and a wig by Ilaria. 

She is posing with Toxica who is wearing part of an outfit from Every Day's a Holiday. 

Toxica's wig is by Chewin and was made to fit a JamieShow male. Unfortunately that male is not Alejandro and I have no other wigged males. Soooo, I heated this wig in a heating pad a few times to shape it and I trimmed it a little. I like it on her - for a change of pace.

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Violet was also in the doll room trying on one of Sandra Stillwell's fashions from Radio Days.

I'm not thrilled with it. The background is too busy anyway. It is a busy room!

Now you want to know who that handsome Devil is, don't you? He's Devil Damon, an Integrity Toys' doll. Yes, I do still buy some of their dolls if they are extraordinary. He is definitely not ordinary.

They say the horns are removable but I don't think I'm taking them off just yet. 

He is a dangerous character having already attacked one of my Elises.

Well that's about all I'm going to stuff into this overly long, run-on post tonight. 

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Wait.....I forgot one thing. Here is a picture of the largest sunflower head I ever grew. It  measured 14" across (not counting the petals or anything.) Do you believe this? We have the worst fricking soil and this thing grows 12' tall and 14" across. And it's not the only one. 

New Stuff

The week after a convention is usually chaos in my house. My doll room was piled with packages. I had to set up a card table to provide more space for redressing, sorting and arranging. Dolls spilled out into the rest of the house as well.  I was lucky my suitcase came in 2 pounds under the maximum when I checked in at the airport. It was 14 pounds under when I left for the convention. My carry-on was also stuffed to the brim on the way home.

In the photo above, I show the fashions we were gifted with at every meal. Amazing, isn't it? This isn't all we got - there were handbags, shoes, accessories, paper miniatures, gifts from tablemates and things I'm sure I don't even remember. Those of us that went on Thursday's tour will also be getting a replica of a TWA stewardess outfit from the late 1940's.

I purchased several (ahem) additional ensembles and pre-ordered some that weren't ready yet.

This is one of several felt circle skirts that were available. It was too cute to pass up with it's felt appliques and embroidery.

This confection is called "Delicate Bloom.' It is one of two color variations, the other being white with pastel embroidery. The hat was a table gift.

Purchases to be continued but first I want to show you two of the gifts from other attendees.

This gorgeous pink dress above was a gift from Marilyn Hook (Marilyn in Syracuse.) The hat was made by Susan Conners (Sue/ABQ) who also made the following outfit.

This is but a fraction of the ensemble Sue gave us as table mates. It comes with a load of customizing parts and accessories using the basic white silk sheath as a foundation. Every piece was constructed with skill and artistry. I have yet to photograph the rest. Stay tuned.

Sandra Stillwell has several fashions available for purchase to collectors right now. Click below to see them.

http://sandrastillwellpresents.blogspot.com/2013/09/announcing-holiday-collection.html

I am selling some of my goodies from the convention, too. See the sidebar of this blog for links to the sales pages. (Not eBay)

Pictures from Every Day's A Holiday - Kansas City - Part V

Pictures from Every Day's A Holiday - Kansas City - Part V:  Toy and Miniature Museum; Union Station; Kansas City Museum
I have about 300 photos to upload so I am going to do them in segments. I'm uploading here in small size. If you want to see enlarged images, just click on the image you want to see. 
The Toy and Miniature Museum was beyond belief. I can't begin to express to you the quality and quantity of miniatures contained therein. I could have spent two days there. At every turn in the glorious former mansion were rooms filled with the finest displays you can imagine. If you ever get the chance, you must visit.

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Yes, this is a Charles James

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WWI Museum - We did not visit. This is across from Union Station

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