King of the Crystal Cave Ken

Well. He's finally here.  King of the Crystal Cave Ken, first male and fifth doll in the Faraway Forest series. (photos are not mine, downloaded from Barbie Collector)

King of the Crystal Cave Ken is available for order now HERE for $100 

Right now, he is on backorder until April 29, 2017. 

at BarbieCollector.com  There is a special going on right now with orders for $100 with free shipping. 

The controversy surrounding this doll has been a little upsetting to collectors of the series. Collectors were patiently waiting for news from the designer at convention, since usually, new dolls are usually unveiled at Convention. We expected this doll to come in time for Christmas, actually. Still no news or sneaks. 
This year, we finally got some sneaks of his boots, armor, sword, and a blackened out silhouette. I checked back on the forum literally for weeks & going into months waiting for any news when this doll would be released so I could plan. I literally browsed into the thread on the forum and saw that collectors had two days- the 18th and 19th, this was referring to the Barbie Collector members- to order him before he was released to the public. I had not received the email until later that afternoon. Luckily, I had browsed the forum that morning. So I went ahead and ordered him, after reading the news from members on the forum who said they ordered and he was already 'backordered'. 

Mattel is strange. Why they for the life of me cannot just admit they are taking pre-orders is beyond me when they do not have the doll in hand, but they prefer to call it 'backorder'.  What is great is they do not charge you until the date prescribed on the date , so now I have two dolls from Barbie collector- Black & white Tweed Silkstone, and King of the Crystal Cave Ken both backordered until April 29th. There must be something magical about this date. Either, way, I am glad I am getting this doll. He will be here in time for a late birthday present for me. 

King of the Crystal Cave Ken comes with these specs:

• Body Type: Articulated Muscular
• Facial sculpt: Tango
• Fashion Sewn On: Yes
• Fashion: Sculpted armor, faux leather belt accents, cape
• Accessories: Sword, crown
• Doll Stand: Yes
• Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 15.5“ x 3.3“x 9.5“

Many people are disappointed that his fashion is sewn on and he has a clenched fist, as they want to redress him. I think he looks really great, myself. So much better than monster high water sprite. I love the fact that his hair is rooted instead of molded, big plus. If it is possible to get another one to re-body and re-dress, that would be terrific, but not necessary. 

Can't wait for this doll to arrive and get really great pics of him with the Dark Queen and the Lady of the White Woods!

Wonder Woman Barbie - Collector and Playline versions visited

Today I had to run by Walmart and had the mistake of going by the toy aisle as I always do. The new playline versions are out. They run in the $12.88-29.99 depending on what you get. Walmart has its own exclusive gift sets, as I imagine Target does as well. I purchased the Diana Princess of Amazons in the blue gown for $12.88 as I couldn't resist her. 

Here on one shelf they had the Wonder Woman in single paks, the Diana that I purchased, then the gifts sets, with the horses. One of them is the Queen Hippolyte, and the other is the Diana with the Steve Trevor, which is a Walmart exclusive. 

The boxes were beat up on some of these. I intend to go ahead and add all of them to my collection. I have seen someone put the doll I purchased on a made to move body, which looked good. I like her body, which is an action figure body. I may do that for dioramas, as I like her face. 

On the endcap of this shelf were the 'action' Wonder Woman' dolls, that if you push a button on the back of the box, the doll moves its shielf or bow. 

Then I got some closeups of the gift sets

Out of all the pics I took I could not get a good photo of WOnder Woman and her horse without all the glare. I got a far better photo of Queen Hippolyte and her horse than the Wonder Woman set. 

This is much better. 

I never purchased the Wonder Woman that came out earlier in 2016 with Batman and Superman, Battle for Justice at Barbie Collector. I am going to purchase them all later when funds are better. 

For refreshers, here are some photos of the dolls that came out when the movie debuted last year-

Each of these dolls retailed for 39.99 at Barbie Collector or select dealers. I have been slow in getting them because of other dolls on backorder. 

As I am a real Wonder Woman fan, and grew up watching the 70's TV cult classic show as a kid, it has started me looking at all the different Wonder Woman dolls. 

Mattel is coming out with new collector versions. These playline versions are NOT made by Mattel that I have just shown you, except for the ones debuted in 2016, based on the movie above. The playline versions I believe are by Hasbro. 

The new dolls coming out in April, on the 29th, are: Wonder Woman. Slightly different, has a long cape, which the first one didn't

General Antiope

Queen Hippolyte

From the news on the doll blogs I have been following, these are the three that will be debuted at Barbie Collector on the 29th this month. They will average anywhere from $40-50 so the rumor mill goes. 

Now for my playline Diana. 

The Graphics on the box are clear and concise and tell you what other dolls to shop for. It shows the action figure dolls and the plain, regular, Battle ready Wonder Woman doll. 

The doll is fastened to a cardboard insert with plastic staples. You will need scissors or an exacto knife to gently cut them from her gown and sword.

Remember that 'hidden sword sheath'? Well it's nothing more than a ribbon strap on the inside of the velcro stripping of her gown. The gown is very cheaply made, stretch material

Her boots are heavy gold plastic. They do allow her to stand by herself a little bit. 

She is on a very muscular action figure type of body, however I do like how realistic her hands are sculpted. 

Her hair is not bad either. I have seen someone take her head off this body and swap it out for a Made to Move Barbie body. I like her hair, though my doll's hair was going a little kerplooey . 

Overall, I am pleased with the playline version of the doll and while many other people on the collector scale do not like these versions, I think they are a nice addition to a comic book / superhero doll /action figure collection. Not all of us that collect dolls and action figures necessarily use the dolls as playline- they have great bones for dioramas. I see great potential - when was the last time female roman warrior dolls were produced with armour for under $30? And this doll with the roman style gown is too much to ask for with a price tag of $13. 

I have been meaning to post about these dolls here, and my visit to walmart prompted me to. Hopefully we will be able to bring the collector dolls home and do some closeups of them as well. 

News: Barbie Collector 2016 Membership extended

So, the big NEWS from Barbie Collector on January 6th, yesterday in an email, 

was the above. I copied it but it did not transfer very well. Collectors had mixed feelings from the posts on the Barbie Collector forum who have been wanting sneaks of the new dolls, news of what is to come for 2017, and so on. 

What's new for 2017? They've extended our 2016 membership. Yeah, that's what's new. 

Show 'em what you get!

*Extended use of the forum!

*The oppurtunity to purchase as many direct exclusive dolls while they last!

*First look at sneaks at new dolls, accessories and lifestyle items

*Access to members only content, including designer interviews,

exclusive avatars, wallpapers, & years of archived content. 

So yeah. Whoopee. 

I have only stayed a member of BarbieCollector.com because of the four rewards throughout the year. That is $80 that I get off of expensive dolls, which is the Faraway forest line or other dolls that appeal to me when they have free shipping deals. I admit the Faraway Forest line is the only reason I am staying a member. It certainly isn't because of their marketing skills. The dealers give a better marketing sneak or leaks of what is to come than Mattel. 

Though it sounds like I won't join again, I certainly will because I like this fairytale line of dolls. I just wish more of the dolls had the elf ears like the first one. She was incredible, and I missed out on her. The last doll, Water Sprite I was not happy with as her look is too Monster-High/playline and I am hoping they don't re-do that debacle again. Shudder. 

The new Barbie Collector memberships may not be out until Mid-February or even March. Too soon right now to tell. 

~Lisa

Barbie Collector's 50th Anniversary Star Trek dolls

Barbie Collector is now doing its 50th anniversary celebration of Spock, Kirk and Uhura as well. Their face molds are uncanny, especially Lt. Uhura, she is just amazing. 

My reward is going to expire soon, so I went ahead and ordered Spock yesterday. I will have another reward starting July 1st, so hopefully I can get Kirk and Uhura together in one go. I would love to get all three together, but right now dolly funds are tight and I really shouldn't be ordering anything but I don't want to take the chance of losing them altogether. 

These dolls are on pre-order, so when you get your notice they are 'backordered' until July 7th. Sigh get with it Mattel. They are slowly learning. 

At the San Diego Comic Con, they will unveil the famous Green Girl from the Star Trek Pilot Episode 'The Cage' 

Here are the photos-

She is available for pre-order from MattyCollector  however, the catch is you must pick up the order IN PERSON at ComicCon. SOB. 

She is so gosh darn AWESOME. This one will be going for big bucks on ebay. Halfway tempted to beg Integrity to take a Colorinfusion doll and do this to her. 

Live Long and Prosper!

Queen of the Dark Forest on sale today at BarbieCollector.com!

This doll was just announced today, rather late in the day with free shipping- whoo hoo! when collectors have literally been begging to know when she would be available. (I know, I've been one of them.) Dark forest elf grabbed me, but didn't grab me last September/October because I had the Fashion Royalty convention to attend and couldn't spare the dough for a doll with a model muse body and no articulation even IF she was the goddess sculpt with elf ears! (I need a little more oomph! to spend three digits...lol) 

The second doll, Lady of the White Woods, well, she blew me away with that sculpt, the skin tone, the makeup, the jewelry. I wasn't crazy about the poofy dress but I loved the hair and she did look out of this world. That's when I began to want Faraway Forest Elf but wasn't willing to pay secondary ebay prices. 

Today I went in and ordered this little lady on Quick Shop and she is already backordered like her previous sister- until July 9th. Luckily I had saved my June reward, but didn't get free shipping. She will look stunning with my haunted dolls and Dracula. She's got a evil look about her like there's some dragons lurking about behind her, and some little sprites ....She will look awesome in some Halloween dioramas. 

Happy ordering to those that are looking forward to this little lady!~Lisa

Suits Me Fine.....

I haven't done much except take down the antique store diorama and try to go through the stash to re-do the windows for LaBelle's for Easter. Yesterday I did a little de-boxing of Suits Me Fine outfit by Mattel that I purchased of of my good buddy Karon of Va. who I went to the Fashion Royalty convention last year. She is still cleaning out her Barbie convention and every now and then brings out a jewel of an outfit. She doesn't really collect Victoire as much as I do. And this outfit screams Victoire. Sous les Troupiques loves it.

Here is the outfit in its box if you are interested in hunting it down on ebay. She is not wearing the gloves, purse or hose and shoes as her feet will not fit in the shoes. I am pretty sure it will fit on a silkstone. The gloves and purse for some reason are red.

Here are some more pics of Victoire enjoying her window shopping with Poppys mother in her new outfit. 

They look so relaxed and so deep in conversation...I wonder if Poppy's mother is talking about the wedding and her daughter's engagement? lol...

Now onto a new little find that I had to grab off of Amazon recently. One of my diorama buddies posted about it a couple of weeks ago on Facebook, I forgot who. But I jumped on oppurtunity. 

I have been wanting to do a murder scene in my town for a while now. Kill off a doll who no one knows who he or she is. I have been collecting different props and have a hodge podge of stuff but didn't know how to put it together. Putting together a crime scene calls for a variety of items....such as.........

CRIME SCENE TAPE!

The vendor I purchased this from had only one left but here is a link to another on AMAZON and if you look for others you can find them. There is even biohazaard tape as well which makes all kinds of cool end of the world disaster scenes come to mind, with dollies bunnied up in mini bunny hazaard suits with hazmat clean up things going on. Ok I am weird but so many dioramas are done with shopping in mind...aren't we in the mood for a little breaking bad?? lol...

So still working on the scene and deciding how this scene will unfold and how the tape will be used and what characters will be used. I may have to acquire some other items. I could go all out weird, or all out Sherlock holmes. Sky's the limit. I have always wanted to do this since reading about this lady-

Francis Glessner Lee 

The link in her name explains her work. She was a Chicago heiress who took actual murder scenes and turned them into miniature scenes with the clues replicated into miniatures, and used the roomboxes to teach students in homicide investigation in the 19th century. This was a revolutionary concept. Her background made for interesting study as well and she was an even more remarkable woman. I like to think of doll and dollhouse/miniature collectors as overly remarkable people who are overlooked as people vastly misunderstand the amount of education and patience and attention to detail and understanding of scale and math it takes to do the hobby well, or to take it to an art form. I heard of this lady many years ago in Nutshell News publication and couldn't find much about her but with the power of the internet she resurfaced and I was able to find more about her. My own secret desire to do a murder scene and having worked in security and trained in law enforcement I understand the obsession. Hence, the mini crime scene tape purchase!

All for now!~Lisa