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Marie Osmond Celebrates Christmas in July! | |
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Falling in love with the latest offerings from Dolls by Berenguer is, well, as easy as falling in love with a newborn baby. From collectible cuties to precious play dolls, there is something for everyone in this year’s collection of beautiful baby dolls. Charming poses and sweet expressions, combined with adorable accessories, make the company’s current creations simply irresistible.
One of the newest arrivals to Berenguer’s collection of specialty play dolls, Lily, is sweet as a flower. Just try to resist the 18-inch doll’s sweet expression!
“Each doll’s expression and theme combination is unique,” notes Salvador Berenguer, who creates each of the original sculpts for Dolls by Berenguer and JC Toys. “Many other doll companies design few faces and dress the dolls in different outfits to add range to the collection. Dolls by Berenguer, on the other hand, designs many faces and gives each doll its unique look without much, if any, repetition. Our 2008 line of collector and specialty play dolls displays more than 50 different doll sculpts!”
Read more about Berenguer's adorable babies in September DOLLS.
Zwergnase: a Commitment to Quality and Originality
By Carie Ferg
“The conventional lends the world its existence. The unusual gives the world its value.” So reads the Oscar Wilde quote on Zwergnase’s Web site. Indeed it’s the quirky nature, combined with superb quality, of designer/owner Nicole Marschollek-Menzner’s dolls that imbues them with the magical appeal collectors seek.
The 2008 Zwergnase line includes an eclectic array of quirky cuties.
Marschollek-Menzner’s unexpected combinations of material, colors and patterns delight the senses. (“Lenibertha” with her brown-and-pink flowered dress, orange-and-red striped knit stockings, green-and-white striped knit scarf and brown leather boots is an excellent example.) But it is her use of realistic expressions that absolutely characterizes her dolls, setting them apart from the doll “pack.” Whether in felt or vinyl, she captures moment after poignant moment in her idiosyncratic sweeties.
Get the full scoop on Zwergnase dolls in September DOLLS.
As the wind blew through Lombard, Ill., last May, it brought with it a world of wonder in the form of Robert Tonner’s Dreamscapes Collectors Convention. And the dreams included fairytale endings, superhero adventures, tales of unrequited love and wishes upon a star coming true.
Collectors were welcomed with an opening program featuring ice-cream sundaes and a stunning pink costume for the “Ultra Basic” doll that came in the convention tote. The room buzzed with the excitement of old friends reacquainting themselves with each other.
A fairytale beginning to the second day brought collectors to re-imagine Mother Goose at the breakfast event. Everyone received a souvenir resin “Tiny Betsy Re-imagined” ball-jointed doll and could purchase a companion Tiny Betsy. The very limited, 125-piece edition “Lady G” was also available.
It was an action-packed breakout lunch at The Daily Planet with Lois Lane and Superman in attendance. The long-awaited “Lois Lane” character figure went home with attendees as did “Krypto,” who was a faithful and attentive table favor.
Seminars and competition-room browsing filled the time between events. Convention-goers learned about doll design, the changes at Tonner Doll Co. and how to replace a doll’s eyes.
The festivities reached their pinnacle with the Ellowyne Wilde souvenir event. The well-appointed hall featured balloons and a “Rufus Rutter” centerpiece. (For those unfamiliar, Rufus’ love for Ellowyne remains unrequited.) “Ellowyne, Lonely Heart” was the souvenir doll—an offering that brought audible appreciation from the crowd. The crowd was also appreciative of the jazz quintet and its rousing parting rendition of “Sweet Home Chicago,” following which they dispersed to shop the salesroom and prepare for the PJ Party (pajamas required).
Crystal Jennings (from left), Debra DeForte of Wilde Imagination and Linda Perry showoff the Ellowyne, Lonely Heart, souvenir doll at the Saturday dinner.
The weekend closed with the Pinocchio breakfast Sunday morning. The “Blue Fairy” in Gepetto’s workshop formed a charming centerpiece; the Blue Fairy alone was presented as the souvenir doll. Winners of the competitions were revealed as photos of the competition and exhibit dolls were displayed on a large screen.
For those wishing for more, Tonner announced their dreams could come true—Tonner Nightmares 2008 is taking place Oct. 17-19 in Massachusetts.
- View Brand-New Fashion Doll Line Niki á la Mode
- Refresh or Learn for the First Time What Makes an “Antique”
- Visit Germany's Premier Doll Festival
- Take a Ride with Horsman, Past to Present
- Discover Dolls from Around the World
- Sneak a Peek at Fall Releases
- Read about Antiques of Tomorrow!
- Meet Danny and Barrie Shapiro, The Toy Shoppe Owners