Cutie Pie Felt Doll

Another Cutie Pie Felt Doll
Originally uploaded by Reyney

I haven't made any felt goodies in a really long time! Happy to share this cute new dolly with you.

She's the second lone like this. Inspired by my collection of vintage Japanese pose dolls and bunka dolls! Topped off with vintage embroidered trim and a polka dot ribbon.

I've also included a red crocheted basket with a little blue paper flower!

She's available here in my Shoeflower Etsy shop!

xoxo

Katie: A Pose Doll Collector

Yay for interview # 3!!

Name: Katie Barker AKA ...Posh Totty Designz

Age or Birthday: yuk...........38

Location: Surrey, UK

When did you start collecting pose dolls? 15 years ago approximately

Why do you collect pose dolls? They annoy my husband!! No seriously....I had always wanted to collect something and tried collecting other bits but I was never drawn to anything like I am to these. So many beautiful, quirky, funny faces with THE MOST equisite clothes. Maybe I should have been born in the '60s but I do love the clothes from that era. I also seem to be the only Brit who does collect them so I guess its a little unusual and I have never been one to follow a crowd!

How many pose dolls do you own? That is a scary question and one I will struggle to answer honestly. Ummmmmm, errrrr.....250..300 ...perhaps more...yikes A LOT!!!

Where do you buy your pose dolls? Wherever I can find the little beauties. I have purchased a great deal directly from Japan. I spent most of my young career working for Japanese companies so I guess I got lucky here...so I do have contacts. I also have a very super lovely Japanese friend who buys special beauties for me if I ask her sweetly. I owe her a massive massive hug! I sometimes find a cutey on Ebay...but you can bet the seller is in the USA so I am forever paying large shipping costs!!!

Where/how do you display your pose dolls? I am going to be struck down now by many pose doll collectors. I display a number of them in our lounge...I keep telling my husband..."Oh that one...oh don't worry darling...I am selling that one" or the classic "That one...I've had it for ages". We also have a lovely conservatory where many of them go. Its not altogether ideal as I worry the sun might discolour them but they seem to be amazing little things and put up with a lot before they show any damage or wear. I also have a number of ones I bought a long time ago in the loft...I know its criminal but I literally do not have the space in the house with 2 children and many toys to get them all out. Occasionally I swap them around with ones I have on show and more often I sell them on.

What was your first pose doll? A Bradley bride ready for the nackers yard!

What is your favorite pose doll? I have "favorites" but its hard to find just one. I think it would have to be my Brinn's doll Brynna.

What is the most amount of money you have spent on a pose doll? It was somewhere in the region of £200-£250. I felt quite sick once I had paid for her..I remember thinking...gosh I hope she has a clean face for that price!!!

Do you sell your pose dolls? Where? Yes I do Etsy, Ebay and privately.

Any interesting stories about pose dolls you'd like to share? There is a lovely pose doll seller who often invites me to purchase her dolls privately. This one time she asked if I was interested in a particular doll and she had obviously won it a week before on Ebay as I had actually been bidding on it and been outbid by her. I couldn't bring myself to purchase it from her at the higher inflated price. Made me smile though.

Any interesting pose doll photos you'd like to share for the blog? I laid on the floor so long trying to get this photograph just right that I had to sit down for about an hour after taking it to stop myself from being sick. I felt as rough as a dog.

Are pose doll collectors crazy? Hee Hee No they just have impeccable taste and are amazingly friendly.

Do you collect anything else? Cranberry glass. If I could afford to I would like an original Mark Ryden painting.

Thoughts, questions, comments? Anything else you'd like to add? Thanks Renee...I look forward to hearing from all the other pose lovers!

Thanks so much Katie!!! XOXO

Juan: A Pose Doll Collector

Here's interview #2!!! YAY!!!

Name: Juan

Age or Birthday: 22

Location: Singapore

When did you start collecting pose dolls? Just last month!

Why do you collect pose dolls? Fell in love with them after seeing so many lovely pictures on flickr! A pity I was born in the 80s when pose dolls were not popular then, or maybe not found in the shops.

How many pose dolls do you own? Erm...currently 2 only. Hope to collect more!

Where do you buy your pose dolls? Both were from Ebay

Where/how do you display your pose dolls? In my room!

What was your first pose doll?Dakin Dream Doll (my buddy icon)

What is your favorite pose doll? Big head pose dolls! Love both of them alot, but if I were to choose it would be this one:

What is the most amount of money you have spent on a pose doll?About 40 usd

Do you sell your pose dolls? Where?Just started collecting so no selling at the moment

Are pose doll collectors crazy? Hee Hee I wouldn't think so when it comes to collecting things that you like. But sometime I do feel that it's not really worth paying so much especially from ebay.

Do you collect anything else?I used to collect kawaii san-x stationeries (I have a whole big box of collection!), animal plushies from Japan, but now becoming more of a dollie fan--Vintage pose dolls & dollies!

Thanks again Juan!!! You can find pictures of her handmade pose dollies here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40834622@N04/sets/72157621958969907/

User Sunnydaffodils on Flickr!!

Do You Collect Pose Dolls?

Hello friends,

Do you collect pose dolls? I know there are alot of us out there and we all manage to find each other online somehow. I thought it was so cool when I found out that another pose doll collector half way around the world has the same birthday as me!! Kooky, right?

So, what makes us tick? Why do we obsess to no end about these little beauties? I've created a bunch of interview questions for all of us crazy collectors. If you're interested, please send me your answers to the below questions. Odds are you probably already have my email address. If not, you can leave a comment, find me on Etsy or on Flickr.

I will then feature you and your answers in my blog!! XOXO Renee

Name:

Age or Birthday:

Location:

When did you start collecting pose dolls?

Why do you collect pose dolls?

How many pose dolls do you own?

Where do you buy your pose dolls?

Where/how do you display your pose dolls?

What was your first pose doll?

What is your favorite pose doll?

What is the most amount of money you have spent on a pose doll?

Do you sell your pose dolls? Where?

Any interesting stories about pose dolls you'd like to share?

Any interesting pose doll photos you'd like to share for the blog?

Are pose doll collectors crazy? Hee Hee

Do you collect anything else?

Thoughts, questions, comments? Anything else you'd like to add?

Thanks so much!! I hope we get to learn a little bit more about one another!!

XOXO again,
Renee

My First Bunka

My First Bunka
Originally uploaded by Reyney

Whenever I obsess over something, I always try to see if I can make it myself. A few years ago, I was obsessed with my pretty mohair sweaters! I taught myself how to crochet, and now I can crochet anything, with or without a pattern.

Now, I have been obsessed with Bunka dolls from Japan. They're really really hard to get here. So, this is the second doll I have made on my sewing machine.

I made her based on the traditional Japanese instructions. But, since the instructions were written in Japanese, I'm not sure if I followed them precisely.

Thank God for Fabri-Tac!

She's tooo lovely in my eyes. AND I am thrilled that I made her!

XOXO
Renee

I Finally Made Something on My Sewing Machine

I've had my sewing machine for 2 years now. I never really knew what to do with it. I attempted to use it once, and then I just let it collect dust.

I don't know what inspired me, but I took it out a few days ago, and began messing around with it. After a few setbacks, and almost losing a finger, (LOL, J/K) I made my first dolly! I named her Missy, (aka www.boopsiedaisy.etsy.com )after a dear friend of mine, who, well, makes the most wonderful dolls in the world. AND I know how much she loves dollies with blue hair!

The dolly is far from perfect, but I am soo impressed with myself! AND so happy too. Part of me still actually can't believe that I made something with a sewing machine.

A Pretty Girl and Her Friends - Zine Coming Soon

A Pretty Girl and her friends - Zine
Originally uploaded by Reyney

A Pretty Girl and Her Friends - zine coming soon!

I'm too excited to type how wonderful I feel right now. But to sum this up quickly - a 14 page zine (16 with front and back) includes lot's of illustrations of my Pretty Plushie characters!

Just need to tweek some of the illustrations and get copies made, of course! And mailing envelopes too!

Check back soon in my shop: http://www.shoeflower.etsy.com

Bunka Bunka

Bunka Bunka
Originally uploaded by Reyney

Ok - my latest obsession is the Japanese Bunka Doll. I don't really know much about them. I believe there is some specific method to making them and there are definitely vintage ones out there.

The one thing I do know is that they are not for sale in the US. I don't know why. I wish someone from Japan would market them here.

So, I placed an Alchemy order on Etsy. (Alchemy is a part of Etsy that allows you to order something that you would like to be made).

3 bids were placed on my order and I accepted one from http://www.kollectionbyketura.etsy.com/. She actually made 3 different ones, and well, because I love them so much - I bought 2! Aren't they so cute! I named them Marci and Macy - my American Bunkas!

I also just purchased one from http://www.boopsiedaisy.etsy.com/ It's on it's way - so no pics just yet.

AND I am working with the lovely Gretchen of http://www.shop66.etsy.com/ to acquire one from Japan on Rinkya.

My my my - when it rains it certainly does pour! I love them!

Cleaning House - Dollies for Sale

Cleaning House
Originally uploaded by Reyney

Well, it's come to the point where I have to let some dollies go! I'm planning a July 2009 wedding which means I need space and $$. My new hubby will be moving into my apartment so I don't want him to feel like there are thousands of little eyeballs staring at him. J/K He really doesn't mind my collection at all. I just need to clean out a bit for new ones - hee hee!

These dolls will be listed randomly in my ShoeFlower Etsy shop. Three have already sold. A few are currently for sale. Some are waiting to be listed!

http://www.ShoeFlower.etsy.com

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you are interested in anything!

HUGS! Renee

More dolly-ness! Yay!

My collection just keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger! Love this little girl with the pink fro!

Two Sakura dolls - they have different faces than any of the other dolls in my collection!

I call these my Pixie Chicks! They're ready to start a rock and roll band. One of them already has the green hair!

I think the one with the red stripes was supposed to have a dog. Now she has a baby instead! (c;
This doll is perfect - her hair, her face, no flaws here! She's my little knitter!

My blonde Osyalle Style doll finally arrived from Japan! They are the bestest of friends!

More on the way, as always...

Lot's and Lot's of New Stuff!

This dolly is attached to the front of a phone book. I was thinking of taking her off, but decided to leave her. There's some numbers in there - but they have letters - a little bit before my time!

The next is a precious find. Mini Ayumi Uyama pose doll figurines . They're new but look like all the dolls that I have been collecting lately!

My mom found these two Bradley type dolls at a flea market. They're a bit dirty, but they were $1 each. I have some cleaning up to do!

Again- my mom found these for me at a flea market! The big one was a $1 the little one $2. The little one has a Dakin Dream Pets tag but she looks like a girl scout to me.

I had the blue dress doll for a couple of weeks now. I just got her red dress sister a few days ago.
What a darling darling rag doll! She's a huge 18" and one of the most interesting things I have ever seen! Perfect condition! So sweet!

A cute little geisha pose doll! Her head wobbles side to side, but I still love her!

My most prized possession! LOL So excited to have found the Takara Osyalle Style doll designed by Ayumi Uyama! I just bought her blonde friend! I'll post her as soon as she arrives. She's coming directly from Japan!

Another Japanese find...Ayumi Uyama's Girl's style book! TONS of pictures of the cutestet things ever! Lot's of vintage pose dolls too! (c;

Thanks for checking out my collections and obsession! (c;