collecting — Page 3

Prudence

November 1, 2023 at 9:19 am by Claudia

I felt very poorly yesterday – I think the sudden change in the weather from summery to 30 degrees colder and windy was behind it. I seem to suffer for a day or two and then I’m back to normal. Still, I tested myself for Covid yesterday given my upcoming trip to Wonderland of Play. Negative. It was just ‘the crud.’

Tonight, it’s going down to 27 degrees. Tomorrow, the same. So some of the porch plants will come inside for 48 hours. The impatiens are pretty scraggly, so I might just let them go. I will save the rest because temperatures will soon be warmer for a week or so. It’s my yearly struggle: when do I give in and let nature take its course?

I succumbed again. I saw this girl was up for adoption and was able to negotiate a very very good price. The original owner lives in Amsterdam, so she had a long journey to my little cottage, with the usual obsessive checking of the tracking number. For a few days there, I couldn’t get a consistent status. But she arrived safely on Monday.

First photo was taken late Monday afternoon:

She was customized by Dragonfly Blythe, the same person who customized Nina. Right after I made the decision to buy her, I read that Ola was no longer customizing. I’d been trying to message her for a while because I hadn’t seen any activity on her IG account and I was worried about her. And then, since she lives in Israel, I grew more concerned. I do hope the decision to stop customizing is only a temporary one because, to me, she’s a truly unique artist – there’s no one like her – and I adore her creations. (Someone did get in touch with Ola, by the way, and she and her family are safe, but she has friends who lost family members in the recent attacks by Hamas.)

Anyway, this is Prudence. I didn’t come up with a name until I opened her box and saw her up close – that’s a first. I’ll call her Pru. She has no shoes on because I’ve run out of shoes, but I rather like the barefoot look.

The next day, after a hair trim:

I love her eye chips. All four pairs are striking and perfect. That’s a rarity. There’s usually at least one pair I don’t like.

My only quibble with Ola is that she does something weird to the body and neck, She adds some sort of cement-like covering to the upper chest and neck to strengthen the body and therefore, if you want to add a different neck joint, you can’t. It doesn’t work. In this case, her head is wobbly, so a friend of mine is bringing a new body to Wonderland of Play. Nina needs a new body as well, with a proper neck joint as she can tilt her head.

But it’s a small quibble. I can change out the bodies/neck joints. Pru’s need is a bit more urgent than Nina’s so she’ll be fixed first.

If you’re able to zoom in on her face, you’ll see a gorgeous face up. Tiny, subtle little freckles, shadows under her eyes, beautiful lips. I love the way Ola paints a face.

Pru is now sitting on the edge of the shelf where Lily sits on the bed.

Don is quite impressed with Pru. (I think she’s one of his very favorites.) Thank goodness for a husband who fully supports this passion of mine. When he saw Sophie, my first girl, he immediately said “she’s a work of art.” Also, he understands that I’m happier when I can ‘play’ and that these girls have brought much-needed joy to my life, especially as I struggle with anxiety and a bit of depression.

Grateful.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Gene Marshall Dolls

August 16, 2023 at 9:31 am by Claudia

A little doll story: I’m not sure just how I came upon this line of dolls but it was most likely in a Barbie collection search or a Robert Tonner doll collection search because I love nothing more than seeing what people collect. I saw these 16 inch fashion dolls called Gene Marshall dolls and I was intrigued. As always, I started to research them.

They were designed by a lovely man (whom I’ve since chatted with) named Mel Odum. They were sold from 1995 to the about 2013. Mel, who is an artist and illustrator, wanted to design a doll and he came up with the idea of Gene Marshall, a fictional movie star from the 1940s – 1950s. She had a story as to her start in Hollywood, what movies she made, and every doll came with a story card. Mel enlisted designers to come up with fabulous ideas for her clothes. He gave her a dreamy eyed look based on old black and white movies, an impossibly small waist, and an elegant body.

Well, I fell in love – especially with her clothing. I love that period of design. And I found out that the dolls were highly affordable on the secondhand market – much more affordable than Blythes, which I find are becoming too expensive to collect these days. (That’s a story for another day.) I can find a fully dressed mint Gene for around $40 – $45.

I found a couple of Gene Marshall groups on Facebook. I started to learn more about the dolls.

Meet the girls.

On the left, Gene Marshall “Teatime at the Plaza.” She’s wearing a fabulous coat dress and hat.

In the center, Gene Marshall “Simply Gene” a basic doll in a bathing suit. (The first girl I purchased.)

On the right, Gene Marshall “Hello Hollywood” – the suit that Gene wears when she first travels to Hollywood.

They have accessories. They wear those great chunky shoes from the forties (my mom had a pair that I would wear when I played dress up.) Their hair is fabulous. There’s a lot of it and it’s beautifully styled.

Now, here’s the ‘life is so interesting’ part: While I was researching, I discovered that my best pal from college days, Doug James, designed lots of her outfits (there were several designers working on the line.) I knew Doug had designed his own line of dolls, of course, but seeing his name crop up as a Gene designer was such a delightful surprise! He designed that ensemble on the right. I had to get her in honor of Doug. (He told me he had a story to tell me about that outfit and, since we’re supposed to chat today, I’m looking forward to hearing it.)

Mel commented on a post of mine in the Facebook group and said that Doug was one of his favorite designers.

Anyway! I love these gorgeous dolls. There have been books written about Gene and her story. And there are books that list all of the clothing and dolls – collectors’ books.

I know, I’m getting older, but I’ll always be a collector. It’s a bit like breathing to me. – I started collecting when I was about 10 years old. I love the search, the research, all of it. Slow and steady of course, especially since I have limited space. I’ll be very picky. But they can be sold when I kick the bucket and they, along with the Blythes, will bring in a modest amount of money. Not to mention the McCoy and Roseville. And the vintage dollhouses. Do you know that I have had offers for the vintage dollhouse in the kitchen more than a few times? Two different collectors/designers have reached out to me because they want that house. One is an architect who collects that kind of thing. The other, I believe, is a designer and has a shop. I said no to the first offer. and when I got the second offer, I broached the subject with Don and heard a very forceful “Absolutely not! That stays right where it is.” But I did tell them if I ever considered selling it, I would let them know.

The Genes, the Barbie repro, and a Robert Tonner doll will live upstairs in the office/studio – along with my mom’s vintage Shirley Temple, my baby doll with two left feet, and my very old Tiny Tears-like doll that live on top of the cabinet. I don’t think Don really needs (or wants) to see more dolls in the den!

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Shelf Study

June 15, 2023 at 9:18 am by Claudia

Groundhog update: Yesterday, there were four of them hanging out by the tree and they were up to their old tricks; trying to get in the big garden, getting into my little garden next to the memorial garden. I had to make an appearance several times. They used to head for home around 5:30, but they’re staying later. And, frankly, I’m not sure if they go back to mom and the burrow at the rear of our property, or stay the night under the tree.

They’re growing and they’re still adorable, each of them with slightly different markings.

Shelf study:

This is the top shelf in the pink cabinet, which is located in my studio/office. On display: mostly Roseville pottery with a few additions.

From left to right, starting with the back row:

A blue vase in the Clematis pattern.

A children’s plate with bunnies. (I’ve always loved Roseville’s Juvenile children’s line and I was thrilled when I finally snagged a piece.) It says “Baby’s Plate” on the rim.

One of my favorite pieces – a large pink vase in the Peony pattern.

A green vase with a large curved handle (called a basket vase) in the Clematis pattern.

And a blue vase in the White Rose pattern.

Front row:

A blue vase in the Cosmos pattern.

A sweet little juice glass that was given to me. It reminds me of glasses from my childhood. I think it might be a Swanky Swig.

A console bowl in the Zephyr Lily pattern.

A green bud vase in the Clematis pattern.

A sweet little pink vase in the Bleeding Heart pattern.

A silver napkin ring with an inscribed “Claudia.” My dear friend Lynne found this in Canada and sent it to me.

And a brown transferware plate that Don broke. (I cannot tell you how many times he has broken my things. It drives me nuts.) I glued it back together and stashed in this cabinet for safekeeping.

You well know my love for Roseville pottery, specifically the flower designs. The shapes, the art deco touches, the beautiful use of color and lines and patterns – it makes me so happy. They’re so lush, so beautiful. I couldn’t collect any Roseville for years because prices were outrageous. I lusted after it from afar. Then, most likely due to eBay, the prices went down and I was able to collect affordable pieces. There are still some pieces that I will never be able to afford. In fact, it’s time to check in on eBay and see if prices have gone up or down. I’m curious.

I love doing a post like this because I get to know the pieces all over again. It’s far too easy to ‘not see’ them on a daily basis.

Whoops! I was looking at my Roseville collecting guide on the navigation bar and started to read what I had written several years ago and forgot I hadn’t finished this post!

It’s sunny and breezy today. We had some rain yesterday, but not as much as was predicted. Still, I’ll take it.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday,

Prudence

Gene Marshall Dolls

Shelf Study

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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