Wednesday 29 October 2014

Happy Birthday to me - Part 1

Who says that you have to be a kid to get toys for your birthday? When my birthday arrived a few weeks ago, I got to open up many boxes that contained dolls. None of these particular ones were surprises (I bought them for myself) but I was excited, anyway. Here is what I gifted to myself :)

A lot of mini Lalaloopsies
Over the summer, I started collecting mini Lalaloopsies. Lalaloopsies are dolls that are fashioned after rag dolls. The story behind these dolls is that each is supposed to be sewn out of some leftover household material.



Tinny Ticker is a metallic silver color because she is made from a tin can. The concept for her is obviously inspired by the Tin Man of the Wizard of Oz. She is silver from head to toe except for her black button eyes, pink cheeks, and red heart. I thought the color was really unique because most of the Lalaloopsies seem to have orange or pink hair. 
 

 
Cloud E. Sky is made from wisps of a cloud. She has a halo on her head and detachable angel wings. What drew me to her was her swirly pink cotton candy coloring. She even comes with a cone of cotton candy.
 

 
Pickles B.L.T. is sewn from a waitress uniform. She has a sassy personality. The write-up for her is as follows: “She's a fast-talker with no time to spare. She loves to chew gum, call everybody Sugar, and carry lots of plates at once, even though she sometimes drops them.”
 
I love her details and the accessories that accompany her. She is wearing roller skates and comes with a plated sandwich, ketchup, mustard, and a pet hot dog.
 
 
 
Berry Jars 'N' Jam is sewn from a farmer’s shirt and overalls. She has splatters of batter all over her face and clothes. I love miniature food and what sold me was the gigantic stack of pancakes that accompanies her.

 
 
Mittens Fluff  ‘N’ Stuff and Bundles Snuggle Stuff are sisters who were sewn from a scarf. I love the fluffy looking texture of the winter clothing they wear. They are described as being warm and cuddly. Bundles, the younger sister, likes “catching snowflakes on her tongue, making snow angels, and eating icicles.”
 

 
Sisters Bea Spells-a-lot and Specs Reads-a-lot
I like the fact that these sisters like to read and spell. They are sewn from a school girl's uniform.The younger sister, Specs, wears glasses.  Bea is known as a “smartypants” while Specs is bashful and a “super-genius”.
 
Cake Dunk 'N' Crumble is a food-inspired Lalaloopsy. She is made from a donut, which is obvious because her mid-section is a donut. She comes with a pink box of pink donuts. Two of these donuts have bites taken out of them. She also comes with a little cup and carafe of hot chocolate. I love the description of her personality: “She's easygoing with a well-rounded personality. She's a morning person who likes to rise with the sun and thinks everything tastes better dunked in hot cocoa.”
 


Choco Whirl Swirl is another food-inspired Lalaloopsy. She is made from a piece of marble cake. This is probably one of my favorite Lalaloopsies. She has red hair and her dress is a rich chocolate brown with pink globs of cream dripping from her neckline and waistline. She also has a piece of chocolate cake with dollop of whipped cream on her head. This is a very unusual color scheme for a Lalaloopsy because, as I mentioned earlier, most of them seem to be in orange or pink colors.
It was apparent that my niece also favored Choco as she kept eyeing it every time she visited my collection. So I purchased one for her when I found another one at Target.

 
I like the description of Choco's personality which is appropriate for the duality of marble cake: “She has two sides, one sweet and one mischievous. Even though she can be a bit moody, everyone loves having her around.”

 

Mint E. Stripes is another one of my favorites. She seems to be Christmas –inspired. She is made from a candy wrapper. Her accessories include a striped candy cane and a purse in the shape of a mint.

I think that the description of her personality is so funny: “She's a cool blast of fresh air who loves to spin in circles really, really fast until she falls down laughing. You always know she's on her way because of the crinkle in her step.”




Blossom Flowerpot and Charlotte Charades were packaged together in a funhouse themed box.
 
 
Blossom Flowerpot is made from a pair of gardener’s gloves and comes with a balloon twisted in the shape of a butterfly. I really like this accessory.
 
Charlotte Charades is made from a mime’s gloves. Her face paint is a dramatic white and her outfit is black and white with red accents. Charlotte is another one of my favorites. She comes with an invisible pet, which is a leash with nothing in it. I love her personality description: “She's a real performer who never talks, but always has a lot to say. She loves the colours black and white, but her favorite colour is see-through!”
 

Snowy Fairest was sewn from Snow White's Dress. I love her black hair and her little candy apple on a stick.

It is really amazing how much variation can be created in something so small. These mini dolls are only 3 inches tall. The different details in choice of hair color, hair style, “sewn from” or “made from” materials, clothing color, clothing style, and accessories can produce so many fun dolls. I have really enjoyed collecting Lalaloopsies.

Monday 20 October 2014

Yee Ma opens her first blind boxes

After watching numerous videos on YouTube of blind bag openings, I decided to give into the craze. Tonight, I will open up my very first blind boxes.

Blind bags or boxes are also known as "mystery minis". These are toys packaged in such a way that the identity of the exact item inside is unknown. Blind boxes are very popular with collectors, who like the surprise element of finding out which toy they are getting and whether it is a new addition to their collection or a duplicate. All the possible toys are pictured on the back of the box.


But where do I find these blind box collector items? I didn’t want to order online because I wanted to select them myself.

I searched in several card stores and Target. There were some Funko brand figurines at the card stores but I didn’t have any luck finding what I wanted.

I ended up in a store called Gizmos Galaxy, which is where I should have visited in the first place. Gizmos is one of those stores that I always pass by without going inside. This store has a wall that is plastered with Funko figurines. If there was any place that would have what I wanted, it's a store that has a whole wall of Funko figurines.

The Hallowe'en style Hello Kitty figurines were at Gizmos Galaxy! Each was priced at $6.95 or you can buy five for $30. I purchased five.

This is what Hello Kitty normally looks like:

What makes these collectibles so appealing is that each Hello Kitty is dressed in a different Hallowe’en costume. Some even glow in the dark. There is one that is Hello Kitty dressed as a cat. A kitty dressed as a cat. That is SO funny.

On the front of each box, Hello Kitty is pictured dressed as a mummy and also as a green zombie, complete with stitches on her head and ripped clothing. On second thought, maybe this green zombie is supposed to be Frankenstein?


On the back of each box, the possible figurines and their respective probabilities are displayed. Some of the most common ones are: ghost, vampire, and skeleton Hello Kitty. Each of these is listed as a 2 in 24 possibility. The rarest figurines are glow in dark zombie (Frankenstein?) and Hello Kitty dressed as a devil, with rarities of 1 in 144 and 1 in 72 respectively.

Picture courtesy of http://thenerdfu.com/funko-reveal-halloween-vinyls-coming-in-august-september/

In the excitement of choosing my five boxes, I forgot to check for serial numbers at the bottom of the box. Sometimes you can make sure you don’t get duplicates by making sure you select ones with different serial numbers. I did check my boxes and couldn't find anything resembling serial numbers.

Let`s open up the boxes!

This is the first one I got:


I'm not sure what this is. It is a 2 in 24 so it is a common one. I tested it out by turning off the lights. It is not glow-in-the-dark.

Second box opening … it’s a witch! This is so cute.



Here is my third figurine, which does glow in the dark:




I’ve decided to save my last two boxes for another time.

Each of these figurines has a head that can turn and swivel on its body so you can pose them. I think the best thing about these is seeing Hello Kitty with an unusual and unexpected appearance. In addition, opening these up is liking having a mini Christmas.

Speaking of Christmas, I hope that they come out with Christmas themed ones. I will be on the lookout for them but I’m sure that if there are any, I will find out via YouTube.

Monday 6 October 2014

You too can be on YouTube


YouTube is another forum for doll fans to express their enthusiasm. The video aspect of this website provides a richer experience for all involved. Those who watch the videos get to see the faces and hear the voices of the people who post their doll review videos. Some doll reviewers receive fan mail and gifts from channel subscribers. Perhaps most importantly, those viewing at home are able to experience the dolls in a more real sense than if they were to see just pictures.

There are a few things that I have learned from my time on YouTube. First, My Little Pony is very popular. There is even a term to describe adult men who love the show: Bronies. BronyCon is an annual convention for My Little Pony enthusiasts. Despite the name, it is open to fans of any age and gender.

Another thing I have learned from YouTube is that people love opening up blind bags. Blind bags are toys packaged in such a way that the identity of the exact item inside is unknown. It seems collectors like the surprise element of finding out which toy they are getting and whether it is a new addition to their collection or a duplicate.

Not only do connections develop between viewers and reviewers but also between members of the YouTube community. Members watch each other’s videos and post comments. In some cases they meet in person. In an earlier post, I mentioned witnessing some YouTubers meeting up at BronyCon 2014.

Members of the YouTube doll community come in all shapes and sizes. The following are a few YouTube channels that I like to visit regularly:

Jason Robert Keef  https://www.youtube.com/user/jasonrobertkeef/videos
Jason was the first doll guy I stumbled across in YouTube land. I remember watching a video of him doing a late night toy hunt. He filmed himself in his car and also in the toy aisles of Toys R Us, Walmart, and Target. I thought to myself, “people film themselves shopping and other people watch this?” Little did I know that this was just the beginning for me.

Mike N’ Elio  https://www.youtube.com/user/elmoscookie83/videos
This duo provides video reviews of dolls. The dolls featured are primarily those in the Integrity Toys line. Known for being outspoken, they will not hold back on poinmating out flaws and voicing dissatisfaction or complaints. The video footage shows close-ups of the dolls. Since Integrity Toys are known as high end with prices to match, this is beneficial for those in the market for these types of dolls.


dollastic https://www.youtube.com/user/dollastic/videos 
Upbeat and positive, this toy reviewer is refreshing because of her budget-conscious shopping style. We see her visit local thrift stores as well as the big name stores such as Toys R Us and Walmart in her toy hunts.

Chad Alan is known for his motto “We are B.O.L.D.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YltNUH3uMsc B.O.L.D. stands for Boys Openly Liking Dolls. He posts craft videos in addition to toy reviews.

A mother and daughter team known for being goofy and humorous. You can really tell that they are family.

“My Froggy Stuff” is known for making videos of amazing craft ideas that viewers can then try on their own at home. She also reviews dolls.

Many YouTube channels, including the ones mentionned above, are of professional quality. Introductory graphics, music, and clear audio and video are common elements of these "shows" of high production value. In addition, entertaining and informed hosts keep viewers coming back for more.

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Doll lovers, unite!


I’d like to highlight a few of the specific places I have discovered where doll fans have been able to express their enthusiasm.

This blogger provides detailed and lengthy doll and toy reviews.  This site will be appreciated by those who are trying to decide on whether or not to buy a certain doll. She compares dolls of similar type and will also look at old and new versions of the same doll. She is not afraid to take toys apart in order to determine the make and quality.  She provides plenty of photos. I found this blog useful when deciding upon whether or not to purchase my first 16” fashion doll. She has a post that contains discussion and pictures of 16” compared to Barbie-sized dolls.  http://www.toyboxphilosopher.com/2013/06/poppy-parker-fashion-teen-spring.html


Inside the Fashion Doll Studio https://www.flickr.com/photos/42498300@N07/
This is partially a blog but mostly it's a photography site that features doll photography by Rebecca Berry.  Rebecca seems to be on hiatus so I have provided a link to her Flickr page.


The Art of The Doll – Photography by Sharon Wright https://www.facebook.com/dollpics  
While “Inside the Fashion Doll Studio” features mainly scenes of style and glamour, this site has more of an eclectic bent. The photos range from fashionable to humorous to bizarre.  The dolls featured are not always your typical fashion doll.  The latest photos posted are of the doll version of Sharon in various scenes such as an airplane, bar, and the office. In the scene at the office, doll Sharon is being pursued by a robot doll.  Mini Sharon is not impressed by her suitor.  The photos on this site are always entertaining.  I highly recommend that you check this Facebook page out.


Dioramas for Barbie and All Fashion Dolls https://www.facebook.com/groups/117299611785147/

One does not have to be as talented as Rebecca Berry or Sharon Wright to join in the doll photography fun. This site is for anyone to post their own diorama creations for others to enjoy. It is also a good place to ask for tips and help from those whose work you enjoy.  What kind of doll is that?  How did you make that flooring?  Where did you get those lamps from?


My Dolls. For the Love of Dolls http://papusilemele.com/en   
My go-to place for doll news.  Here you will find the latest on newly created dolls and upcoming doll conventions all over the globe.

 
National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention www.barbieconvention.com
A gathering for those who wish to meet in person with other Barbie fans. Activities include dinners, workshops, and a fashion show. There are also auctions and salesrooms where you can purchase dolls, doll clothing, and other paraphernalia that may not be available to the general public.  The convention for 2015 will be held in Arlington, Virginia and is limited to 800 conventioneers.

 
For fans of My Little Pony (MLP): Friendship is Magic. The 2015 convention will be held in Baltimore, Maryland. Although not a brony, I thought I’d mention this convention since I had just recently learned about it from my time on YouTube. A group of people from the YouTube doll community had recently met up at the 2014 convention. There are several videos of their time together, posted on YouTube, of course.