Wednesday, July 11, 2018

What I Have Been Up To... Dolls Galore!



Hi there!

I tendered my resignation from my job during the last week of May and today, June 12th is supposed to be my last day. However, I was asked by the company HR to stay and I have agreed to extend until the end of August 2018. I cannot stay longer that date as it will certainly mean pushing back more of my plans.

Doc M and I are setting up a business. As of this writing, we are almost complete with the documents, which by the way were a pain to accomplish, and we are just at the final preparation for our proposed store opening on July 24th, Tuesday.

In addition, we already have planned trips on September in Singapore (for his birthday) and one in December (Davao) to attend a seminar that is a required for our business. There is a certain service that we will not be able to offer until we are done with the said seminar.

Anyway, so much of my blabbering about personal stuff that are not dolls and toys-related. So after laying out my future plans, part of it is being able to focus on my hobby, which is toys and doll-collecting.

Lately I have been so engrossed in acquiring second hand dolls from online sellers. It’s overwhelming on the number of used, quality dolls in the local online market. I even have joined several Facebook groups, both international and local, that focus on doll collecting. Joining these groups has tapped my curiousity in finding out more about dolls throughout the years and I did not expect that there are a lot. Literally a lot! It also have encouraged me to collect more and more dolls.

You see, I started with Barbie dolls, then bought the ones that are available in the market. I used to prefer buying brand new ones with little bit of used ones.

Now, I have several vintage dolls already that goes as far as the 50’s I think. I am surprised on how these dolls have survived over the years, but thinking about their age and what they have gone through somehow gives me the creeps with the possibility of these old dolls being haunted. The thoughts, though, do not stop me from getting these dolls.

My storage problem, which I have mentioned several times over my previous blogs has not been resolved but actually have gotten worst. Our family house has been literally turned into one big dollhouse, with dolls all over the place. My mom’s console table situated at our entrance door is now filled with dolls, one of our sofas is gone on sight as it’s covered with dolls, my dad’s bar has several Barbie dolls on stands, half of my room space is occupied by dolls in boxes, my parent’s room also has dolls, and I won’t even mention the rooms at the second floor of the house plus the attic, but I guess at this point you are now getting the picture.

The addiction is not stopping and I am even now involved in trying to restore dolls. Lately I find joy in cleaning up the dolls and gives me sense of accomplishment when they have been finished – all cleaned, fixed and dressed up. I will be creating another blog entry with regards to how I clean up my dolls.

Going back to my decision to resign, one reason as well is wanting to dedicate days to clean up my clutter, which includes dolls and toys that I am no longer interested in keeping. I have started selling online, but it’s a struggle to have consistent sales. Add to that is the annoyance coming from buyers who are persistent in getting my dolls for almost free. I definitely want to earn money from these dolls.

I also would like to have time to fix them once and for all and perhaps even set up sort of a museum where I can showcase my collection. If the said ‘museum’ pushes through, I am thinking of placing in one of my dad’s houses outside the city. I have plans already, but execution is another story. My other option is fixing our attic.

I also want to travel more, and write my experiences through blogs. Besides exploring new places, my search for dolls is always in the itinerary. That holds true during my recent trips in Taiwan. The first time we went in September 2017, I hoarded Licca dolls and fashions, which required me to add baggage allowance, just to be able to bring them home. The most recent one in May of 2018, I bought a DC Wonder Woman doll, a You & Me talking doll, and 2 Mell Chan dolls, which I find rather expensive.

That’s about it so far I guess. I haven’t written for a long time so this entry somehow gives a summary of what I have been up to the past days that I was silent.

I wish to draw more readers to my blog, which obviously requires consistent entries, and be able to interact to others who also appreciate my passion of doll-collecting. Wishes do come true!

Till next! Ciao!

In the meantime, I am sharing with you the set of dolls that I have acquired the past few months.





Monday, March 26, 2018

A Productive Weekend Plus American Doll

It's Monday, start of the Holy Week. It's quite slow as a lot has already started their vacation leaves. I am working until Wednesday as I have filed my leaves during the 3rd week of April, my birthday week. Family is scheduled for a Vietnam trip.

My Saturday and Sunday was productive as I was able to finish off cleaning most of my adopted dolls from the past weeks. Approximately about 15 dolls, combination of big and small dolls. As of this writing, I left them at the windowsill to air dry.

It's an accomplishment really, as I have been wanting to clean them before letting them join my other dolls.

Since they are second hands, I have to be sure as most of them weren't from original owners. One doll actually had a stain on the shoulder, which seemed to me like a blood stain. Some, especially dolls that are semi-plush had mixed stains, which I am thinking might be pee from the kid who originally owned them.

My boyfriend was actually kinda creeped out when I told him that I've been buying second-hand dolls. He supports me with my doll hobby, but those are for new ones. He's not too informed yet with my current addiction to preloved ones.

Anyway, the highlight of my weekend was my American Girl doll, whom I have been wanting to somehow restore for the longest time. She's  been in the attic until yesterday.

So here are her photos. I let her wear Dora's Birthday fashion, which fit her perfectly!

Friday, March 23, 2018

Latest Thoughts, Latest Dolls

I haven't written in a while. My brain have somewhat froze back there due to 'real world' stuff that I need to attend to.

Despite that, I haven't stopped getting the dolls I encounter in stores and online.

They are quite a lot now and my problem of storage space remains despite deboxing several dolls already.

The "Attic Project" is still ongoing. I have made quite a space already, but still not enough to be able to totally renovate the room as it still contains so much stuff.

We are thinking of setting up a garage sale for 2 weekends in April. Mostly for household stuff that are no longer being used. I don't think I'd be able to part with my other toys. Not yet.

Although after I have sorted things out, especially my toys,  I will be setting up an online shop to sell the ones that I am no longer keeping. I do have lots of them!

The issue is that since I started getting dolls from Facebook, I got introduced to more types and brands. I have gotten a number of vintage pieces already. I also have bought several baby dolls as well. It's so varied now which added to the challenge of doing inventories.

This is truly an addiction as I can't seem to stop wanting to acquire more dolls. Doll collecting is happiness, but it also comes with great responsibility.

I have set up an FB account that is a bit easier to maintain as it doesn't need much writing.

So here are some of the dolls that I have adopted over the past few months.





Friday, February 16, 2018

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year! Peace and prosperity to each and every one of us.

It's a holiday today and didn't have work. I took this chance to go to the nail spa, which I have been postponing for the past few weeks. O finally had my 'me' time.

Strolled a little at the mall afterwards, which includes the toy store of course. However, nothing was interesting enough to be brought home. I ended up buying 2 dresses to update my wardrobe instead.

I might have not gotten any doll from the mall, but I did through the online shop Shopee.

Interestingly, I found another "Holly" doll, which increased my curiosity about her and I am no so eager to know who she is.

In addition, I also got a Mattel baby doll.

The seller didn't have the COD option so I chose over the counter, which proves to be inconvenient as I had to wait in queue for a while. It's a backward process if you ask me. I really hope they'd have Paypal option, which is so much easier.

Anyway, here are the photos. Note that these are the sellers' photos.

The one on the right wearing black is what I ordered today while the one on the left is from another seller. They are expected to arrive next week.




Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Another Batch: Bratz, Cinderella Toddler Dolls

It's Thursday but feels like Friday. 😁 Tomorrow is a holiday because of the Chinese New Year .

I have colds for 3 consecutive days now and it's not the happiest feeling! Having to sniff all the time partnered with headache is pain. Despite that, I still go to work.

I am just glad that I have dolls to shift my mind to, which are actually happy thoughts. I am also glad to be able to write more often. Thanks to smart phones.

Well, I said I'd stay away from buying 2nd hand dolls until next month, March. However, it's quite difficult not to look so when another batch of dolls was uploaded by the online seller that I have been following, I browsed... and found good stuff.

I got 3 Bratz dolls, since I have quite a lot of stocks of clothes and shoes. Besides, they are bo longer available in the market so I think it's already good buy.

There is this black doll as well, who's so cute to resist. I know I saw her before but I can't remember anymore. I will have to wait until I get her. I also liked her yellow clothes.

There is a La Dee Da, who's not available in the market anymore. It's my first time to buy 2nd hand and she has bitemarks. I also do have fashion packs so I'm sure I'd be able to find one that will fit her.

There is a Cinderella toddler doll released by Playmates in early 2000. I liked the toddler dolls then as I see them cuter than the ones being released today. They are also more proportioned if you ask me.

One doll is also unknown for me, but I like her unique face and her red, long hair. She seems like a Tinkerbell friend.

Last is a doll that has Holly stamped on her nape. I can't find her at all, but would take a chance on her.

Unfortunately, I missed the chance of having  Pepper doll from the 60's, sister of Tammy doll by Ideal. Someone got her first.

So here is the group pic of dolls that I am expecting to arrive in the next few days.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Doll Stands, Shoes and Accessories

First of all, Happy Valentine's Day! I don't really celebrate but I'm greeting you anyway. 😄

Days have melted immediately after my last post. It's already Wednesday. I am actually glad with the pacing as weekend is near.

Weekend - something that I usually look forward to... Friday is a holiday because of Chinese New Year so it's better.

Anyway, I'd like to share with you today the stuff I got from the mail yesterday. I got a total of 50 doll stands... yahoo!  That's additional dolls to display.

I also got few accessories, plus shoes for my newly-adopted 18" dollies.

Online shopping is such an addicting, wallet-draining activity.

So here are my new stuff:


Monday, February 12, 2018

More Monster High Dolls!

Monster High dolls have been pulled out from the stores with less chances of being restocked. I think they have stopped production.

I see some online but they are being sold at crazy prices. The ones I've encountered from recent warehouse sales were in extremely dented boxes.

Just imagine the glee I had when I stumbled upon a store that still carries them. And just like a kid who just saw candies, I grabbed each and every doll that I still so not have and few pieces that are duplicates. I don't know how much longer then can hold on, but I'd rather get  extra supplies than end up saying "I should've gotten it".

The shop's shelf is almost empty when I left, only about 5 dolls left. But the sales lady was surely happy. She said that she already got notice for the pull out of dolls but she opted to let them stay longer.

Seems like the girls really waited for me, huh!

My MH haul includes:
* Clawdeen Wolf in Boo York, Boo York
* Howleen Wolf in Ghoul Fair
* Clawdeen Wolf in Freaky Field Trip
* Operetta in Freaky Fusion (duplicate)
* Frankie Stein Basic (duplicate)
* Spectra Vondergeist in Ghoul Spirit
* Venus McFlytrap in Ghoul Spirit
* Operetta in Dance Class
* Howleen Wolf in Dance Class
* Spectra Vondergeist in Ghouls' Getaway

So here is their group pic: