Tuesday, May 31, 2016

DollCatch Jade head before I wiped it


This head is on his way to eBay, so I wiped the whole thing.  It wasn't the best faceup, and the topcoat had taken on a crazed texture, so it went.  I'll be happy just to be rid of the thing.



I bought it from the company's opening sale back in 2009, it was a spin-off of Custom House.  One of my aunts was terminally ill back then, and I thought a pretty new doll would give me something positive to think about.  It took about three months to ship, and when it arrived, it was junk.  The two heads I chose were both roughly sculpted, lumpy in places, carelessly made.  Both had specks of black detritus embedded in their resin, the body had even bigger ones.  It cost over $300 including shipping.  Both Dollcatch and Custom House, rebranded as Aidolls, have since changed ownership and then closed.  Quality problems and shipping delays dogged them to the end.


It's not hideous, but it carries such an aura of disappointment, I can't keep it.  I wanted to turn Jade into a serious, tomboyish girl, but that's not how things worked out.  I suspect that DollCatch was really a way for Custom House to sell off their factory reject bodies.  At least they gave me a free wig, it's actually one of my favorite wigs.

















Sunday, May 29, 2016

2015 Fashionistas LA Girl

She was another doll I thought I had missed.  I wasn't sure if I "needed" her, but sometimes you only get one shot.  Once I had her home, she grew on me.  I guess I could have popped her out of the box, but she still had to go to storage for a few months, anyway.

Like almost all the new Fashionistas, I really want a new outfit for her,  Until I get a display case of some kind, I don't feel like opening any more dolls.












Saturday, May 28, 2016

2015 Fashionista pale Desiree


Here's a girl I didn't think I would get.  Whenever they were first released, I only saw one, and it had pretty messed up eyes.  I found this one in a picked-over display after Christmas, and decided it was doll fate.  I love her sunny, shining face.  Her lower lip has a ding on it, but I couldn't be too choosy.  I still haven't got her out of the box yet, I don't want to ruin her hair.  The 2015 swim doll and Barbie Basics 10 are my only other Desiree dolls.













Tuesday, May 24, 2016

2015 Fashionistas denim redhead


Mattel's site calls her Western Chic, although that is nowhere on the box.  She showed up at the same time as Plum Plaid, I went back a few days later and bought her.  I mostly wanted her boots and purse, but if I get the chance, I would like to use some clear blue watercolor to add an upper eyelid shadow to her eye.  All the new Fashionistas are missing that, I think that's why the eyes look flat.  But right now she's in storage, I won't even see her again until September.


The dress is cheap cheap, but the retail is only $1 more than a beach doll.  I guess it's a miracle that it resembles real clothing.  I had a similar dress in 1995, I wore it with Candies hiking boots and it was my favorite.  I don't really have nostalgia for it, I'd never wear a similar one again.  It felt pretty at the time.