DAY 80

Without sounding redundant, I have located valuable information on someone else's blog that I find extremely helpful in collecting dolls.  Wise words of wisdom.   http://aboutdoll.blogspot.com/2009/06/dolls-collectible.html.  Check it out!

DAY 79

I can not say enough about the dolls I posted yesterday.  there are truly and awesome doll.  I mean awesome in the sens that they are indeed extremely affordable.  If I were a doll expert I would boast about this doll in every magazine possible.  To obtain one of these dolls is $25 or less.  To dress it you could have a whole wardrobe for less than $10 making this doll by far the most affordable today.  My thoughts were confirmed when I walked into a Goodwill store to day to see a cheaply packages doll priced at $21.00.  This doll came with some clothes and accessories but if you are looking to change its' clothes that would cost at least another $12.00 if you were a thrifty consumer and knew big lot or Walmart could help you.  NO hands down my dolls can't be beat in price, especially when they fit into newborn and preemie clothes and they can be obtained in any yard sale and or thrift shop.  I love these dolls and so far am very loyal to the brand.
Here are two before shots of Soren and Kaysa in original clothes and below you will find them sporting new duds and for less than $3.00.

DAY 77 and 78

Today was the day to do hair.  I was able to buy a big bag or hair products for little girls for $5.99 at a goodwill store.  When the rain came down and all electronics off, what better to do then start fixing some hair.  The Berenguers that I collect have a strange hair rooted pattern not to be messed with if at all possible.  If the original part in the back is toyed with it can be quite a task to reestablish the original look that hides the lack of hair and the bald scalp that lies beneath.  So after much heavy handed hard work and thankful the kids aren't real lest the be screaming from all the hair pulling, you will see how creative you can get when you have the right tools.  Remember though as India Aire sang..."I am not my Hair"!

GAY 76

GAY DOLLS....is the topic for today.  LET me just say ....should you be younger than 18 you should not be reading this.  And I am an equal opportunity seeker of doll knowledge.  SO, that being said read on, a little piece of doll history. 

"A brief story of Billy:

In 1994, John McKitterick created fashion drawings featuring a beefy and well proportioned character he called "Billy." After the character became famous with his friends, 1,200 specially handcrafted Billy's were created and sold during an AIDS auction in England. Noticing the potential his creation had to put the spotlight on Gay issues, McKitterick decided to mass market his creation Billy in 1997. Billy was mass produced to great acclaim in the United States. Billy was marketed at $49.99 in the United States by London based Totem International as the first out and proud gay doll.  The doll sold more than 45,000 units in the first 6 months, and was a big hit.

A marketing sensation in its own time, Billy had everything: His own fan club, a website, a book, and even his own soda pop by Jones soda called "Billy Pop." Later, he got a boyfriend named Carlos, and those two received a friend named Tyson. McKitterick created the doll based on sketches he drew while living in London. Billy is 13 inches (330 mm) tall. It was introduced in a number of versions based on stereotypical gay characters, including Sailor Billy, Cowboy Billy, Master Billy and San Francisco Billy. Other dolls in the Billy line include Carlos, Billy's Puerto Rican boyfriend, and Tyson, their African American friend. Billy is anatomically correct. The Billy doll was the subject of a 1998 exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art in New York City. Several dozen fashion designers created custom outfits for the doll in support of a benefit auction for AIDS charity LIFEBeat. Also in 1998, Billy and Carlos served as the basis for a film, which featured segments based on the Master Billy, Cowboy Billy and San Francisco Billy figures. When he was first launched in the US, Carlos and Tyson soon followed, and there was a flurry of moral panic. But their makers always stressed their anatomically complete dolls were not suitable for children.

And the rest is history!"  This info was taken from the internet.  Thank you to "lovepeaceinc"

DAY 75

BK DOLL, Today I went to the flea market to find some dolls.  There I found a BK doll.  It has gorgeous face with beautiful eyes and eyelashes.  This doll seems to be in its original outfit which is very dirty.  Baby is naked now while clothes are in the wash, perhaps photos will soon follow.  In the meantime here is some info on how the company moved into the doll market. 
http://www.brass-key.com/rev2/about/history.asp

DAY 74

What do you do with a doll you gave to someone but the have passed away?  RIP MAMA FOX
www.mymunecaproject.webs.com.

DAY 72/ 73

Was really Wednesday.  I am a little behind.  But I stayed up very late attempting to bid on a doll.  Now through shopgoodwill.com.  Different from eBay better and worse at the same time. 

DAY 73
NEW DAY NEW DOLL...The one with brown hair on the bottom left "Soren" is the latest addition.  This doll, affordable, to buy and clothe a bargain for any doll lover.  The only down side of these babies is redoing hair and space to store them.  Here they are....

DAY 71

This is an interesting article.
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/the-dearth-of-black-and-hispanic-dolls/
Some of my research I have found such dolls to be more expensive and then sometimes non existent in some doll shows and then others just simply not selling.  I came across this article today and thought it worth posting here.  ENJOY!

DAY 70

I am so excited that I received my cards today that give my contact info to My Muñeca Project.  Yeah.  So today I was able to attach them to 21 dolls and now that I have off this coming week I am hoping to pass them out to those who need or want them.  How exciting.  Well off to find appropriate storage for the dolls I am keeping.  CIAO

DAY 67 68 69

DAY 69 MARCH 20th
Today I worked on the new Berenguer's hair.  If you notice in the last pictured posted the girls have hair parted and braided.  This is great if they come that way but if not the hair has to be redone meaning you have to take hair from each side over lap it and crisscross the hairs to cover the bald spot that runs down the middle of the cranium.  Wow this was hard to do but the more I play with these dolls the more I learn about them on my own having no help at shows except for m\one lady did tell me Berjusa brand came before Berenguer.  So off I go for some research. 

DAY 68 MARCH 19th
Wake up at 6 am after a night of little sleep due to extreme excitement about the doll show.  I had a good feeling about the show in general and knew it would be better than the Lakeland show and I was right.  Four babies later and a good amount of clothing I was in and out of the show in one hour and a half record time.  But very successful I must say adding an Effanbee, two Berenguers and my very first Ashton drake to my collection.  Only to come home and find another doll from Berenguer at my door step. 

DAY 67 MARCH 18th
Getting ready for the doll show.  Must take inventory of what I need must take money out of the bank must have a great day off playing hookie from work!

DAY 66

HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY.  YES even in doll world we are celebrating.  The twins got a new brother today!  Happy B-day baby! 

DAY 65

Today as I gear up for Saturday's doll show I would like to talk about Stack dolls... I have some myself although these belong to someone else, they were brought in for me to see. 

Check the web at....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matryoshka_doll
for more pictures and info.

DAY 64

Today with the tragedies that the word is facing and some personal stresses that I am dealing with here at home, I am more inclined to hide in my own little doll world.  There I do not think and just do.  There I am not concerned with the well being of Japanese and there I stay out of my own head and stay calm knowing all I can do is nothing near worth while.  To be a better me I am wrapped up in the fun that keeps me positive.  And a positive me is a happy me, and there, in a positive state, I can benefit the world.  This is why it is important to say I love you everyday, take time to play and leave the dishes to the nighttime creatures (just kidding).  Here is a cute face that should be coming home to me shortly. Don't forget to play everyday!

Day 63

I should of taken before and after pictures.  Have you ever thought that but only after it is too late?  Well I did just that.  I opened up a new box of toys for me.  Guess what they were?  Yes you guessed it, dolls!  They were all Berenguer and low and behold one looked as though he had a black eye, which is fine I pegged him for a boy anyway but when I cleaned around his neck area ( you know the parts you may forget on a baby until you hold the neck fold just right and find surprises in there) and that is where I found black and I knew immediately it was mold.  So I popped his head off and sure enough there it was.  So after cleaning that all up.  I found a number on the base of the neck I thought it may have some indication on when the doll was made instead of a bunch of random numbers.  So I popped all my Berenguers' heads off and there they were, numbers that looked like years!  I finally felt like I was unlocking some Berenguer mystery.  If there is information on them please send me some as I can't seem to find it and am left to my own imaginations which can be a scary thought if you think about it.  Just saying.  So wait till I show you some pics. 

Day 62

 Today I donated a bunch of dolls to a couple raising money to travel to China in the summer to finalize their daughter's adoption.  I was so delighted to be a part of their cause and to hear their amazing story.  Of course while I was there I bought some clothes for the twins.  Oh yes I must show you their picture.  But that will have to wait until tomorrow.  Today I am tired of all the driving.  Over 200 miles this weekend but I am all the happier for it because while I was so far north I was welcomed by an old friend into her lovely home and for the first time in a long time I felt the connection we had established so many years ago.  A truly awesome friendship that has outlasted two husbands, major losses, many miles and having children.  A good friend indeed to sit and talk over midday coffee on a beautiful day, just what I needed. 

DAY 61

   Well I guess not all doll shows are alike.  After a poor night's sleep thinking and hoping and thoroughly excited I drove an hour and thirty minutes to be greatly disappointed.  I was not making several doll purchases as I had hoped but instead learned about high prices and  cramped spaces.  I did however use my time wisely and networked with others and bought some clothes for the eBay dolls arriving on Monday.  The drive was not long and good practice as I plan on going to Venice next weekend.  I am curious to see what happens at my third doll show since starting this project.  Doll vendors I talked to today said the shows are not all the same and although you see some familiar faces the ambiance does change a bit because of geography.  So I am anxious to see what next weekend brings.  Until then I go where I normally haunt to find more Limoncello.  I did have fun dressing my old babies with new clothes and my new one babies with old clothes.  Thank you Dorthy Smith for making my two new dolls, I appreciate them even if no one else does.

DAY 60

GETTING READY FOR THE DOLL SHOW TOMORROW!  Yeah,  I have learned a lot in the last couple of days and my head is swimming with a mix of excitement and wonder and determination on what I need to focus on.  I have a list in my head of what I would like to buy tomorrow but I fear that those things won't be there.  So I vacillate between purpose and openness to the experience.  I am also very fearful that my partners in crime may spoil the fun by their current attitude.  I am so Hyped up I must calm down lest I spoil it for me and others.  Anyway I have a small budget of $60 the same as last time.  I want to be able to go to the one in Venice next week and at the same time am running out of room at home.  Well gotta go to bed.  ciao. more to report tomorrow. 

DAY 59

WIN WIN situations.  Got to love em.  Looking up different dolls that are anatomically correct for a potential client at school, I came across Furga dolls.  Never hearing about them before I noticed it looked like JOJO, a Jesmar had a child with Berenguer.  Italy and Spain, very nice.  That prompted me to do research on Furga and here is what I found....http://dollreference.com/furga_luigi_dolls.html.  I was impressed with the info that Furga would use so many different mediums to make dolls.  I like these and hope to find one at the doll show this weekend.

DAY 58

Today I actually get to play with dolls.  Everyone is in bed and I am going to dress all the new dolls up in clothing to prepare for their new homes.  Peace out and don't forget to play everyday. 

DAY 57

DOLL CLUB!  A little different than FIGHT CLUB, I hope.  Today I contacted a member of the St Pete chapter and I think I am in!  I can't wait. It is the first Sunday of every month and at 12:30 yeah.  I have never been in any club nor did I have a desire to.   But today I am elated and it is making me a better parent if I say so myself.  Along with playing everyday I need to show my child how to look forward to life and the positives it has to offer.  And the reward we earn after a hard day of surviving a long day in school.  3 weeks until spring break.

DAY 56

Today I met up with shop owner Cheryl Hukle of
Cheryl's Dolls & Collectibles

5520 Wilkins Road

Tampa, FL 33610

813-626-6817

daisy6clyde15@yahoo.com

www.cherylsdolls.com  

     She is helping me in my quest to find more info on my "New Favorite" Berenguer 16" or 17" (depending who is measuring) Baby Steps Toddler.  I was lucky and bought another one today on ebay!  Yeah.  Of course it was no where near the first cost of $3.00 I paid for Limoncello.  Oh well, too late I am hooked on the little fatties!  After chatting a bit about this doll, she told me her favorite are the Tonner dolls.  Go to her website to see more info and a short bio on Mr. Tonner the genius behind these ball jointed beauties.  The first time I ever heard or saw anything about a ball jointed doll was at the Largo doll show.  Someone had made a 26" doll.  She was amazing in movement but did not move me in the look department to spend the small fee the seller was asking.  Although I know little about these dolls I think of them as inexpensive elegance waiting to be captured in the look of the doll.  They are amazing and beautiful and surprisingly to me come in a variety of male and female characters.  Some say you can even play with them, I may need Cheryl's feedback on that to know for sure since I have none in my collection.  But whatever doll you choose, Mr. Tonner and I agree to "Believe in the Power of Play® "  http://www.cherylsdolls.com/abroto.html

 

DAY 54 and 55

On day 54 I met someone in Orlando off of Craigslist to pick up 15 dolls and some accessories.  I was so excited.  The dolls were in good condition and I don't have to clean and scrub them like I have done before.  I only have one with a red dot on the side of it's head and that is an easy fix.  Meantime back at the ranch it is clearly time to start giving some away.  I just need to make those connections.  I also need to get the cards done and printed.  I want that done by Spring break so I can hand some out by then.  However we are up to our ears over here with dolls and now I need to begin to arrange some shelving to assist me in organizing what I have. 

Day 54...

Day 55, I am cleaning clothes and looking over what booty I managed to collect yesterday.  The most interesting doll was a Goldberger Doll.  This doll comes with a liftime guaruntee and a website to get all the information.  I am interested to see if this works.  So today's pick is a goldberger air baby.  Check out www.goldbergerdoll.com

DAY 53

Dolls, where do I begin. I dream about them I see them in the faces that inspired the creation of them, and I try to buy them cheap whenever possible for http://mymunecaproject.webs.com/.  I lay awake at night thinking of ways to pass them on to people.  Tomorrow I am buying a lot of dolls for $20 in Orlando.  Such a sweet hubby I have to detour from our trip to see his family, so that I can buy dolls.  I have a friend that has a connection in Mexico but I am not sure that is where I want to go with my project.  I am excited about the things I am trying to offer people.  Even more excited to see if I can find another great deal like Limocello who was only $3.00 and not one that I have found since has come close.  Ebay offers them much higher and not as nice.  I dare say I am spoiled by the one good find and am hard pressed to locate an equal.  Nevertheless I continue on.  Patiently waiting the Lakeland doll show. 

DAY 52

You know when you really want to try something new but you are not sure you have explored everything you were doing before?  Well I felt that way about Berenguer.  I love these dolls.  I like them more than AG Dolls.  First of all I like the price.  I also like the way they smell and the fact that they are affordable to dress, especially Limoncello.  See pic above.  Because she takes 0 to 3 months clothes and you can buy them in a thrift shop, or yard sale cheap, she is the best play doll for kids and adults.  Well if you are on a budget that is, but I think I have said all this before.  The important thing to learn here folks, is this.  There are a lot of dolls out there and I have quite some time left on this project so I am not getting into rag dolls just yet and want to explore my options in the Berenguer market further.  This sat I hope to get a few more dolls for MY MUNECA PROJECT, and sell off one of my AG dolls to make way for a few more Big baby toddlers like Limoncello.  So here is some info I found about Berenguer....
http://www.dollreader.com/archive/v33i9/coverstory.html  And remember to play everyday.

DAY 51

Today I am learning about doll buying self control.  Not an easy task, so many dolls, so little time.
     I also am learning that one man's junk is another person's overpriced doll that they think is worth 3 times the amount that you can buy one new if you just price shop and look around for it.  I guess the seller was let in on the hint that her dolls really weren't worth $225. because as of this posting she lowered it to $175.  At any rate I have a doll show coming up and i have learned that I can get more bang for my buck which is what i need considering I am just going to give them away.  But some dolls are for me and my collection so back to the self control.  I do pride myself however in finding what i was looking for on the internet, only to have sensible hubby tell me to wait for something better.  OH! I hate it when they are right.  So I am waiting, Waiting for the seller of one doll to return from vacation to accept or decline my bid.  Waiting for me to get outbid on a doll no one wanted and was re-listed.  Waiting for this doll with fried hair to be bought out from under me while I do the sensible thing and save money for the doll show.  OUCH, I hate being responsible.  In the meantime I am looking for me people to give dolls to.  Do you know anyone?

DAY 50

TODAY... I made a better website than the last.  A work in progress but awesome and better and best of all easier to locate and remember the url  www.mymunecaproject.webs.com.  Way cooler.  Now, finally, I can get cards made to attach to the dolls when handing them out.  Yeah I am really moving along here.