The very talented Lisa Gates has repainted a Wilde Imagination Sad Sally. With her new face and grown up earrings, Sally is no longer an innocent little girl. She now looks like a teenager. It's quite a transformation!
Visit Lisa's website here: http://www.dazzleemrepaints.com/
I love my original Sad Sally although I do believe her face could use a little blushing.
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While we're on the topic of a quirky little doll, I was browsing through pictures of Monster High dolls last week. I went through a period of buying and displaying them. To say the least they are unique and clever. Personally, I lost interest in them rather quickly. They are cute play-line dolls and what you get for your money is enough but I found them to be nothing more than decorative characters. I used some of mine to decorate one of my smaller Christmas trees.
In spite of all that, this particular one caught my eye. Her name is Wydowna Spider. She's a ToysRus exclusive. Mattel categorizes Monster High dolls as fashion dolls. Well, she does come with two additional fashions although I'd call them outfits.
Apparently, many collectors do consider them to be fashion dolls so I'm out-voted. I posted the question on a Facebook board last week. Six out of 29 respondents said no, they do not consider them to be fashion dolls.
Some of the more interesting answers:
-Yes but only because don't consider them to be baby dolls
-I consider them more Playline fashion dolls like barbie Fashionista dolls - though i do have a few and a few Ever After High dolls
-Yes! The details on their fashions is incredible. If you're not a collector, take a closer look next time you see one. You'll be amazed how the purses, jewelry, & shoes are all different for each character.
-Yes!! They are actually amazing little posers and for an inexpensive doll they are very detailed
-Yes, sure they're playline but still fashion dolls.
-I think the difference is Monster High is a Playline fashion doll. The 16 inch dolls like Tonner, Sybarites, Kingdom Doll, Fashion Royalty 12 and 16 inch are collectible higher end dolls.
-Yes, fantasy fun fashion dolls of a sort.
-No, though their premise might be fashion forward off springs of the our favorite ghouls, monsters and ghosts, but still they're character based, and the movement of their clothing leans on costumes more than fashion.
-Yes a fashion doll is a doll that comes with fashions! So yes it would be considered a fashion doll so thought many collectors say no because the consider realistic type dolls as being fashion dolls.
Other items I stumbled upon in the MH line that are appealing are the Monster High Monster Maker, the Monster Maker Primary Extension Pack, and the Monster Maker machine. There are multiple add-ons and design packs. The Monster Maker is $49.97 (Amazon) and the Primary Extension Pack is $13.99 (Amazon.) The Mattel Shop lists the maker for $129.99 before a 20% Easter discount, way more than Amazon's price.
Here is the description:
Bring Her to Unlife!
Monster High® fans can create their own unique monsters using the ultimate customization tool: Monster High® Monster Maker. Simply select a style from the design software (desktop or app), then start creating your doll’s unique look using a variety of graphics and patterns or draw your own design. Transfer your scary-cool creation from your tablet or computer onto individual doll parts using the Monster Maker machine. Best of all, you can watch the whole design process as it unfolds.
Monster High Monster Maker comes with Monster Maker machine, Monster Maker software (desktop and app), body part adapters, nine colored markers, three doll stands, an eraser, three blank fashions, a rooted wig, two wig caps and three “blank” bodies ready for monster customization.
These items are certainly not for young children to play with on their own. The machine requires that one installs the included software and is connected via USB to your computer be it PC or Mac. I recommend reading the reviews of the products on Amazon.com and watching the instructional video prior to purchase.
Fascinating tech! I'd love to play with this toy.
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My Monster High tree in the process of being decorated 3 Xmas' ago.
A photo from a piece I did for FDQ's Vacation issue: