|
BLACK
DOLL-E-ZINE |
|
Doll Collecting News |
|
Index | Welcome | Mailbag | About the Editors | Collecting News | Profile of a Collector | Profile of an Artist | Doll in the Spotlight! | Doll Care Basics | Resources | FAQ | Closing Words | |
|
Spring has sprung and like beautiful flowers, black dolls are
showing their lovely faces. Following in the wake of IDEX, and Toy Fair,
this is one of the best times of the year to take delight in new
creations. |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Children
of Africa by Annette Himstedt
A well-known name and favorite, Annette Himstedt has certainly outdone herself this year by creating 4 beautiful African dolls. Last year she gave us Midori who sold out before most people could see her. These new dolls show every indication of following suit. Samili, a little African girl, is part of Annette's porcelain Masterpiece Collection. She is 33 1/2" tall, has a mohair wig, and is limited to only 25 pieces. Her price is around $5125. There are three black dolls in her Himstedt Kinder series for 2003: Sveva, Sibi, and Kuki. All three have mohair wigs and tiny freckles that Annette has "hidden" on various parts of their faces.
All of the dolls in this year's collection have new molds. Annette personlly designed the footwear and outfits, using vintage fabric from her own collection. Each doll wears a choker made of African glass gems. |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard
Simmons
Another African doll being introduced this year is Makeba by Jody and Richard Creager for Richard Simmons' Collection of the Masters series. She stands for tradition. Proudly holding her right hand over her chest; this beautiful African American doll is outfitted in customary African clothing with three necklaces draped around her neck and a water bottle in her left hand. Exclusively sculpted in resin and designed for Richard Simmons by doll artists Jodi and Richard Creager. She is a 15 1/2" tall resin doll and retails for around $150. She is available from QVC. |
 Desiree |
Helen
Kish
Desiree is a 16" vinyl doll from the Americana Series. She is limited to only 75 pieces and retails for $399. Have you always wanted to own a doll by artist Helen Kish but couldn't afford it? Well, this year Helen also introduces a series of resin dolls called "Kishlets". Evie is 5" tall and retails for around $60.
|
|
|
|
Jan
McLean Jan McLean returns with more Lollipops. This year's doll is named Neena from New York and she will be available in a 20" porcelain doll and also as one of the 12" vinyl Mini Lollipops. New fashions will be available for the Mini Lollipops and will be selling for around $9.99 each. |
|
|
Tatu
Barbie
Byron Lars never ceases to amaze and tempt us. His 2003 addition to the Treasures of Africa™ Collection for Mattel is Tatu. Third in this series, Tatu is Kswahili for "three". The first and second dolls in the series are Moja ("one"), and Mbili ("two"). Tatu is wearing a black and tan woven jacket lined in tricot, and accented with five silvery buttons down the front. The back of her jacket is bare with a silvery cord that laces and ties. Accompanying her jacket is a bronze green shantung skirt that splits at the side. A golden chain belt accented with an African mask draws attention to her skirt. Draping across this doll's left arm is a leopard print stole backed in a lace print. Her dark brown hair has tight curls with beading accents. Accessories include an intricate necklace, earrings, and a bracelet, all accented by golden quill extensions. Tatu retails for around $79.
|
|
|
My
Scene - Madison
There's a new doll on the "scene" that has been giving the popular Bratz dolls a run for their money! From Mattel: "If fashion is your thing and you can't live without the latest looks, then you're a My Scene kinda girl. Sophisticated and cool, Madison stays on the cutting edge of what's hot and what's not. This fashionable teen on the city scene comes dressed in the hippest outfits. Check out her low-rise denim bell-bottoms, dark denim jacket and lacy halter-top. She also comes with a denim skirt and sparkly-striped top as well as two pairs of chunky shoes, purse, sunglasses, earrings and a doll stand. Doll measures approximately 12 inches tall." |
|
|||
|
Dinner for Two: Paris Williams is all set for some fun in her faux suede jacket with lace up sleeves. She wears this over a white lace blouse and black pants with front and back seams. She carries a beige, brown and tan shoulder bag that matches her tan mules. Her short red hairdo is the perfect look. Madame Alexander improves on this 15" Paris with 18 points of articulation...even her toes are jointed! This will make it possible for her to wear both flat shoes and heels. Sold Out Show: Made of white lace appliqués, this awesome dress is sleeveless and has a handkerchief hem. Her accessories are a white and pale blue beaded necklace and earrings and a white beaded bag. She wears white ankle tie shoes with beaded straps. Her hair is worn long and wavy. Murder Mystery Weekend: Paris is dressed in a liquid gold gown and wears a gold tiara and gold beaded earrings. Even her hair is colored gold as is the candlestick she carries. The sleeveless dress reveals only her beauty. Did she do it? |
|
Other dolls to look for:
|
|
The popularity of CED dolls is growing daily. More and more collectors are discovering the joys of owning these 19", articulated dolls. They are fun to pose and design for. The 2003 version of Colin will be introduced later this year. CED dolls will also be available from select stores online. Sadly, Laura Meisner, co-founder of DLT Dolls and one of the designer/creators of the CED dolls passed away suddenly in February. Her creativity, enthusiam, and friendliness will be remembered and missed.
|
|
Upcoming Doll Shows
|
