Barbie Basics - Target Exclusives

Barbie Basics LRD - Target Exclusives, originally uploaded by tru_fashionista.

Hang onto your hats--this adorable set of three Barbie Basics will be a fun Target exclusive available in the fall of 2010. The set will also include a red and white accessory pack and a second accessory pack.

Additionally, the Barbie Basics line will also release two more shoe packs and another Fashion accessory pack.

(Eeek--one of these ladies is Steffi, no bangs! And we actually don't have either of the other two dolls in black dresses yet, either. Love them--all three!)

Photo property of Mattel.


  

New special offer dolls from Doll-Collectible.com

A new addition which is limited in supply is available now from Doll-Collectible.com:

• 2009 Ex*Cute Lien/Angelic SighIII by Azone. Only four pieces are available. 11,550 Yen (about $124.96 US)

There was another limited edition Amelie (Tokyo Doll Show), but the only two pieces available are already sold out!

Photo property of Azone International.

Finding older Barbies at the price you want to pay.

Perhaps you're like me--an adult collector who has decided to remake her childhood collection, and add the dolls she always wished for as a girl. In my case, it's 1980s-era pink box Barbies, which were made in copious supply. But these days, it's rare to find a NRFB pink box Barbie, and those can be priced fairly high. So, what to do? What is the best way to find a doll like this? I'll share my tips with how I found Crystal Barbie.

• First, I had to decide what condition I would settle for in my collection. Crystal Barbie was a doll I never owned as a girl, and one I had always coveted. Ideally, I wanted a complete and mint doll. Non-smoking home was a must.
• Next, I started my search on Google. It helps a lot if you know the doll's year of issue. Crystal was originally released in 1983. It just helps because there may be other dolls with a similar name, and this will help narrow your search. I entered "crystal barbie 1983" in the search box.
• Amazon often has third party sellers that carry vintage dolls. They currently have two listed. One for $99.97 and one for $30. Be sure to always check the sellers' rating before purchasing from a third party seller. And because the price range differ so much (when I was looking, I only saw the $99.97 doll for sale), be sure to do some comparison shopping, too.
• Sure enough, on the first page of the Google listings, there are some Shopping Results. Again, pretty big price range, the lowest is $40 from Ruby Lane. Unfortunately, the doll listed there is missing her right drop earring (and her hair isn't exactly mint).
• Don't forget about the wonderful DollPage Show and Sell site. It's free to post your ads for dolls there, and all listings are only for dolls. Do your homework (on price and also on seller feedback!) before making an offer on a doll, however.
• Next, check out eBay. Make sure you ask relevant questions before you buy (for me, that question might be, "Does she come from a non-smoking home?") And also, be sure the seller has plenty of positive feedback. You may bid on more than one doll at a time, but you run the risk of winning all of them, or none of them. Also, you can do your own search on eBay as well. Here are the results of "crystal barbie -jubilee -rhapsody -splendor -elizabeth -holiday", which will show you mostly Crystal Barbie (and still some others you're not looking for, too). It's a good way to gauge going prices. Also look on Completed Listings as well, though you will have to log in to eBay to see the results.
• If you're looking specifically for a Barbie, be sure to stop by the Doll Lounge. They often have dolls here at reasonable prices. They also have a selection of celebrity dolls, Crissy, Glamour Gals, Jem, Tuesday Taylor, She-Ra, Rainbow Brite, Masters of the Universe, Smurfs and more.
• Also, don't forget to check Joe's List, Joe Blitman's website. His inventory is updated regularly and is worth checking out. He knows all there is to know about vintage dolls and collecting. I bet if you can't find a particular doll, he might be able to help you.
• Doll club meetings and doll shows. Sometimes, you'll find the doll you've always wanted in someone else's collection. So don't be shy--bring up the fact that you're on the lookout for a particular doll. Lots of people are looking for a specific doll. Who knows? Maybe someone has one of your favorites up for sale or trade!

Edit:

• Nancy, one of my regular readers, left a comment with three other terrific sources for hard-to-find dolls that I forgot to add: your local thrift stores are the first. I found a wonderful 1970s era PJ in excellent condition quite recently, and now, I'm bummed if I drive by and the stores aren't open.
• Her second suggestion: yard sales! Another wonderful resource. I have an aunt we sometimes call the yard sale queen. She finds wonderful deals without even looking. I need to put her to work for me. 
• Nancy's last suggestion: Craig's List. You can even post Want to Buy posts on there, I believe. It's all free. You can look at local listings or national listings (if you know someone in the area, it's ideal, just for references and so you can pay cash). And thanks, Nancy!

Finally, I'd like to invite you to post a comment on this article, if you're looking for a holy grail or hard-to-find doll.  I'd love to help you out. Maybe one of my other readers can help you, as well. And don't forget to subscribe to the comment thread, in case someone gets back to you. Good luck with your search!

Glimmer of Gold Barbie

Glimmer of Gold Barbie, originally uploaded by PrinceDonte.

The first Platinum Label™ Barbie Fan Club Exclusive, Glimmer of Gold™ doll will go on sale tomorrow, April 14, 2010 at 9:00 AM PST. The doll was created exclusively for fan club members, and is available at the price of $84.95. Items are limited one per fan club member.

She's dressed in Grecian-style draped ivory cocktail dress embellished with gold embroidery, gold shoes and coordinating purse and earrings. The listing on BarbieCollector states that the fashion is actually designed for Silkstone® dolls, so she must be using a new facial sculpt. I think she's gorgeous. Almost pretty enough to make me join the Barbie Fan Club!

Those lucky W Club members!

I knew I would regret passing on the W Club this year! They recently were given the opportunity to enter a special lottery for a limited edition, lemon-colored hair Valia Pivione doll. I just adore her neutral make-up.

The cost of $275 may seem outrageous at first--until you hear that the price also includes a second doll! Each order will include either the brunette Valia Pivione or the Valia Raison d'Etre. Wow!

So jealous am I! I just think she is amazing.

Photo property of Integrity Toys.

Festive Decadence Agnes Von Weiss W Club Doll

If you've seen the gorgeous real-life photos of this doll on Shuga Shug's blog, and you've decided that you do, after all, need this girl, Festive Decadence is available new from Marl & B, and she's in stock for $215.99.

I've also heard rumors that this doll isn't as popular among Fashion Royalty collectors as some of the other club dolls, so you may also be able to get her for less from a private collector or from the secondary market.

Photo property of Integrity Toys.

Three exclusive Poppy Parker dolls

Integrity Toys has officially announced the release of three exclusive Poppy Parker dolls that will be sold at three different Integrity Toys dealers beginning next month. Each is a limited edition of only 100 dolls and retail for $80. All go on sale February 2, and it's first-come, first-serve.

• The redhead is dressed in a teal dress and is a Canadian exclusive to My Favorite Doll online.
• The blonde is dressed in a pink dress and an exclusive to Gigi's Dolls & Sherry's Teddy Bears and will be available at 773-594-1540.
• The brunette is wearing a purple dress and is an exclusive to The Doll Peddlar and will also be available online.

Photos are property of Integrity Toys.

Playline dolls at Target today...

I saw some dolls at Target today while I was shopping. I went to the Target in La Mesa, California (at Grossmont Center, for the curious), and I found several items of interest.

First, Kana, from the Juku Couture line, was listed at a clearance price of $6.98. If I'm not mistaken, I think these dolls originally retailed for around $10, since the signs listed everything as 30% off, but I think I've seen them maybe as high as $14.99 retail. So she seemed like a pretty good deal. They had several dolls, but I only saw Kana.

Next, for $10.99, I saw several Target exclusive dolls. They carried two versions of "Modern Princess," dolls, which were kind of pretty--particularly the brunette.

Then, I saw a caucasian only ballerina with her hair in a fancy curled up-do, which I thought was fun.

And finally, also for $10.99, I found a glamorous evening-wear Emmy awards Barbie. This girl was also only available as a caucasian blonde, unfortunately.

The last exclusive item was $12.99 for a set of two exclusive fairy dolls. One doll has pink hair and one has blue hair, and the set included a doll hair brush and a necklace as well. It was pretty cute, I have to admit.

Exclusive designer fashion Fashion Royalty dolls at Joe's List!

For you die-hard fashion doll fans out there, Joe's List has received seventeen really unique one-of-a-kind Fashion Royalty dolls. These would be awesome in anyone's collection, and even better for those with a passion for fashion! Here's the scoop:

These are one-of-a-kind creations, 12" Fashion Royalty dolls (donated by Jason Wu of Integrity Toys), wearing outfits created by the actual designers in their own workshops. Sometimes the doll has also been restyled to match the runway model's style as well. How amazing is that? Most of the creations are miniatures of items from the designers 2009 runway collections.

The dolls were created to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Jeffrey's, a fashion forward US clothing store. The dolls were then auctioned off to benefit breast cancer and AIDS charities.

Above you can see Versace's model and the accompanying runway model. The one I've posted below is Valentino. Go check out the others! They are amazing.

Photos are courtesy of Joe's List.

The W Club - 2010 registration is open

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that Integrity Toys has opened the W Club registration through 2010. I haven't decided yet if I'd like to join--but there is a doll I really like. You can read all about it on their website, and see the registration brochure here.

Here are the details. Club membership entitles you to the following benefits:

• sneak peeks at upcoming dolls and fashions
• member-only forums
• VIP customer service
• purchasing right to Club-only dolls (including two Fashion Royalty and one AvantGuards doll)
• discount coupons from Integrity dealers and Club exclusive dolls
• VIP invite to online Toy Fair event (with exclusive event doll available to purchase)
• priority convention registration
• Q&A sessions with Integrity staff
• online subscription to one year of Dolls Magazine 

There are one membership level for 2010, with several upgrade options:

1. $50 will get you the base membership, which includes all the perks listed above.
2. $210 will qualify you for the base membership and the AvantGuards "Freeze Frame" doll
3. $125 will qualify you for the base membership and the "Spring Forward" Fashion Royalty Eugenia Frost doll
4. $285 qualifies you for the base membership and both "Freeze Frame" and "Spring Forward" dolls.

I love the Freeze Frame doll--she includes a brunette wig with a "hair bow," styled a la Lady Gaga. She's amazing. Almost enough to make me want to join the club this year!

The dolls are both scheduled to ship in May, with the other portion of the payment due in April.

Registration closes at 10 AM Central Standard Time January 22, 2010, so I should make up my mind before then, I suppose. And as the W Club is an on-line club, you must have a valid email address.

Two sales of note...

BIC is have 20% off all in-stock dolls (including FR Nippon, Momoko, Azone, DollyStyle, and other hard-to-find Japan exclusive dolls). The refund comes only after you pay, however, I have it from another collector that this is an excellent and reliable source for overseas shopping. This offer is valid only through December 14, 2009, 1:00 (Japan Time), so don't wait! (Thanks for the tip, Susan!)

Additionally, BarbieCollector is still offering its $1 standard shipping (with no minimum or maximum order) through December 14, 2009, 11:59 central time, as well.

Just thought I'd pass these along to you!

Barbie Loves Rachel Zoe

charitybuzz | #109507 - Barbie® Doll Loves Rachel Zoe

This one-of-a-kind set of two dolls was created for a charity auction by Mattel designer Stephen Sumner for the Divine Design event. When I checked, the next bid was for $300 for the set of two dolls:

• Barbie, wearing a pink, Chanel-inspired one-shouldered silk charmeuse gown with a train, which is attached to the crystal bracelet.
• "Glam bohemian" Rachel Zoe doll, dressed in a Missoni -inspired sweater dress over wide-leg jeans, accessorized with a sequined beret and an orange Hermés-inspired Birkin Bag.

Proceeds from this auction benefit Project Angel Food, and you can place your bid today. The auction closes on December 14, 2009 at 12:10 PM. Personally, I hope to see Rachel Zoe make another appearance. She's adorable!

Pewter & Platinum via Shuga-Shug's Blog

Check out the latest post on Shuga-Shug's blog for news and information about the new exclusive dolls to the W Club, Pewter Jordan and Platinum Natalia.

Barbie Loves Mimco accessories - more gift ideas

I found this link from one of Barbie's Tweets. (Yes--Barbie has a Twitter account. Are you in the know?) This site, Mimco (in Australia), has a fantastic (and pricey) selection of wonderful and exclusive accessories for the Barbie fan (or drama queen or princess) in your life. A few of my personal favorites:

• The Glamour Barbie Traveller Tote: This is available in several designs: Bedside Barbie (white with baby pink dots), High Flyin' Barbie (yellow with white dots), Sunshine Barbie (hot pink and black stripe) and Glamour Barbie (classic black with gray stripes). Choose your favorite! Retail is $120.45 USD.
• The Cambridge Ballet Flats feature an exclusive polyester satin print with faceted zebra buttons on the toes. Retail is $215.77 USD. Dress up your feet like Barbie would, if she didn't have to walk in heels.
• The Barbie Wish Upon A Star Charm is another must-have for the girl who has everything. One side is fuchsia, the other black. Both are decorated with Swarovski crystals, so you can sparkle like Barbie herself. Retail $129.12.

Images courtesy Mimco.

Philipp Plein Barbie - European Exclusive

She's gorgeous, she's exclusive, and she's designer. But is she worth her $385 retail price? I'll let you decide.

I'll be the first to admit that yes, I have paid that much for a doll before, but no, not for Barbie (or for any vinyl 11.5" doll). However, when you look at her face, and her gorgeous outfit and faceup with applied eyelashes, and consider her platinum label (only 999 were ever made), maybe she'd be worth the price. (Maybe? Or is that just the optimist or the compulsive shopper inside me?)

Her designer gown is truly lovely: elegantly embellished with hundreds of Swarovski crystals. She also includes earrings, a matching wrap and shoes. Plus--her hair. I'm mesmerized by that fantastic updo. --Sigh--

I've found her at retail from Joe's List (he's great to buy from), Marl & B ($.99 over retail, but close enough), and FAO Schwarz (which used to be more fun to shop from when you could earn cash back from Ebates).

Photos courtesy Mattel.