Hunger Games Costumes at C2E2!

I am excited to see these in person!!!

THE HUNGER GAMES COSTUMES EXHIBIT TOUR COMES TO CHICAGO!

Blacksparrow Auctions' Hunger Games Costumes Exhibit Tour arrives at Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) this weekend from April 26-28 at McCormick Place. The Exhibit will be at Booth #1209 and will feature original screen-worn costumes of Katniss, Peeta, Effie, Haymitch, Cinna, President Snow, Rue and many more. A special "Reaping" scene will be on full display to greet fans and attendees.

As a C2E2 exclusive, Blacksparrow will unveil the "Fire Chariot" costume worn by Academy Award-winner Jennifer Lawrence.

The Hunger Games Costumes Exhibit Tour was previously seen in Seattle at Emerald City Comicon. After C2E2, the Tour will end at New York Comic Con in October, where a live auction of the costumes will take place. This is a must-see for Hunger Games fans, as this opportunity is one of only a few times fans can see the costumes up close on public display!

To celebrate the Tour, Blacksparrow is conducting two free Hunger Games raffles, one online and the other in-person at C2E2. Participants are welcome to enter both contests, but you must be present to enter the in-person contest. To enter the online raffle, go here: https://apps.facebook.com/sweepstakeshq/contests/316920.

The prize is a collection of two Hunger Games movie companion books and six posters. The books are The Hunger Games: Official Illustrated Movie Companion and The World of the Hunger Games, both by Kate Egan. Also included are character posters for Peeta, Haymitch, Rue, Cinna and Cato, and a Catching Fire poster.

For more information on the Hunger Games Costumes Exhibit or about the raffles, please contact us at: blacksparrow@haxbee.com.

James Dean & Marilyn for $139 at Tonner

For a limited time only...  *Ends Wednesday, 4/10 at 5pm  Eastern    -  The Golden Hollywood Duo-  Now just $139! Buy a Gift Set & Enjoy Free GROUND Shipping* on your whole order- Use promo code MMJD4EVERat checkout.  *Ends Wednesday, April 10 at noon eastern.  Good only while supplies last. Free Ground Shipping is domestic only, and you must use the promo code to get the free shipping.  As long as a Gift Set is in your cart you will receive free ground shipping on your entire order!  International friends, email your order number totonnerdirect@tonnerdoll.com for a $9.95 credit.  Not to be combined with any other offer. No returns or exchanges on the gift set OR the Secret Surprise.

Golden Hollywood Duo NOW On Sale:  $139       Take a trip down memory lane to the Golden Days of Hollywood with ourGolden Hollywood Duo!  Featuring beloved Hollywood icons Marilyn Monroe and James Dean, this gift set will please the most discerning collector.  In keeping with our rigorous standards for quality, these figures include the hand painted facial detailing and high quality vinyl.  One set includes (1) 16" Marilyn Monroe as Pola Debevoise and (1) 17" James Dean. *Please note there are no returns or exchanges on this collector's set.

Petition for Mattel to offer party supplies featuring Barbie's of Color...

Sign it! https://www.change.org/petitions/mattel-offer-party-supplies-featuring-barbies-of-color#share

Support my Theatre - Strawdog Theater Company - 25 years!!!

Dear Friends, blog readers, weird stalkers (you know who you are)...

I am writing today to ask you to donate to Strawdog Theatre Company's annual appeal, $25,000 for our 25th Season.  As you know, I have been an ensemble member at Strawdog for over eight years and working here has helped me grow as an costume and makeup designer as well as a writer.

Like many arts organizations of our size, we have hit a few bumps in the road but we are determined to finish our 25th season with bang. And to do that we need your support.

Ticket sales only cover about one third of Strawdog's operating costs and we depend on individual donors to create shows at Strawdog with the high standards for design and world-building that our audience has come to expect.

Even though times are tight, we continue to produce top-notch theatre with our current show, Improbable Frequency, which the Chicago Tribune gave 3 stars and called “…a welcome blast of gooniness to kill the winter blahs.”    And that’s not all! Kill Shakespeare just opened in our cabaret space, Hugen Hall, which The Fourth Walsh called “a bloody clever twist on the classics.”

Strawdog Artistic Associate Matt Hawkins, director of The House Theatre’s Cyrano and Strawdog’s award-winning smash hit Red Noses returns (triumphantly) to our mainstage with Charles Mee’s poetic, madcap riff on love, violence and gender roles. Big Love promises to be big fun.

Please consider donating to our $25,000 for season 25 campaign. Any amount will be very appreciated and will help to guarantee our survival.

To donate please go to this page which can also be found on the Strawdog web site.

Network for Good

https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=363602224&vlrStratCode=b%2f%2f%2fSiWn53ULgqr9ZLpcgaSa9Buz7ghjXDDVdV1ZHepev9K3NH8J7AKHoCk8c7B1

Please put my name in the memo so everyone knows how awesome my people are!

Or you can send a check the old-fashioned American way by sending a check to:
Strawdog Theatre Co. 3829 North Broadway, Chicago, IL 60613, Attn: Annual Appeal

I look forward to seeing you soon and thank you so much for considering a donation.

Tonner Tuesday Deals- Vampire Diaries..

Tempting stuff...they have all of the Civil War versions of the Vampire Diaries characters on sale.  Also Marilyn and James Dean.

Integrity 2013 Premiere Convention Sold Out!

That was fast right?  I am very pleased that I am going.  I have the registration paid and the hotel booked...along with two roommates from Spain!  Just waiting for Southwest to let me book the flight.  Southwest is always my preferred airline for doll conventions mainly due to the lack of checked baggage fees...it makes everything less stressful and generally saves money too when you aren't shipping a ton of junk home.  Plus I can feel free to bring a few more things for room sales. I have been making TONS of tiny little hat confections and some outfits for the 12" divas and my new FR16 doll.  Weee.

If you missed registration...you can get on the waitlist now.

https://www.integritytoys.com/shop20/product.php?productid=1231

Lana Lang...cocktails with Lex

I always love red heads in lavender.  This is part of the masquerade giftset from the tonner convention and Lana's original skirt.

Undercover Lois Lane

I went on a redressing binge and decided to have fun with Lois.  I imagine this as Lois going undercover at Metropolis University to break a big story. I think this skirt will look adorable on Tullabelle when she arrives. 

Diana Prince...at your service.

I bought this outfit last month and just got around to putting it on Wonder Woman today. This is Red White and You from the Anne Harper collection. It really is a gorgeous outfit and perfect for Diana.  Supergirl also looks great in this old Tyler outfit...palm springs maybe?

Great Gatsby fashion article....

I was interviewed for this fun article about fashion and The Great Gatsby....

Dolly Eviction Sale Continues...

Prices do not include shipping. All items from a non-smoking home. 

Integrity Dolls: 
Mais Oui Giselle Nude $100 
Rebel Spirit Amelia Nude $70 

Integrity Clothing: 
-Sweet Confection Poppy Outfit only (complete, strap on one shoe is broken) $40 
-Style Counsel Giftset Complete (no dolls) in original box...mostly NRFB and never displayed $175 
-Iconic Convention Power Game Giftset Fashions only complete mostly NRFB $200 

Wilde Imagination: 
-Convention Phineas raven hair nude $75 
-Convention Thea raven nude $75 
-Theadora red head nude $55 
-Phineas brunette nude $60 HOLD 

Tonner DC Stars/Revlon 13": 
-13" Supergirl $100 
-13" Black Canary $100 

Tonner Movies/TV: 
-Clash of Titans Andromeda Nude w/Conv. Feet $60 
-Twilight 1st Bella Swan Complete Teen Body $175 
-Twilight Alice Cullen complete $100 
-Pirates Angelica NRFB $100 
-Serenity/Firefly Captain's Chair $175 
-Serenity/Firefly Captain Mal w/ coat $200 
-Serenity Inara Sara NRFB $300 
-Tonner Fess Parker Davy Crockett Nude $100 


Tonner: 
Hide and Go Creep Viktor Dreary Complete $50 
Feather in Her Hat Anne Harper Complete $75 
Antoinette Tranquil Doll Complete $125 
Tiny Betsy Choo Choo Chick $75 
Antoinette Honey Mannequin Pink Hair $60 

Trades Wanted: Integrity Hollywood Jem, Funny Fashion Wu Club Set or fashions, Sabrina Chaffeaur's Daughter giftset Fashions, FAO Wonder Woman Trunk & Fashions (yeah right...pipe dream). 

$20 off $100 at Wilde Imagination. New Items In Stock

That Grand Despair, Too is very tempting.  I love the hairstyle on her.

SAVE $20 On Orders of $100 or More   It's Our Biggest Sale Ever!

[includes Evangeline Ghastly, Ellowyne Wilde and Amelia Thimble items]

Just Enter Promo Code SMILE22 at checkout to receive the savings.  It's our way of saying:   Thank you!

Don't wait! Offer expiresFeb. 23rdat Midnight (EST)

Fashion Illustration with markers.

I'm not the best with markers but I think this try shows a real improvement for me. I also used soft pastels on the top to add texture and show the print.

Happy Ash Wednesday!

Damon & Stefan On Sale Today $129

http://www.tonnerdoll.com/vampire-diaries  Toy Fair Special....

American model goth...new muse

I just deboxed this beauty.  I have not had one of these for awhile. I bought the 22" Amazon wonder woman last year but she still languishes in her box. But two weeks ago I saw this girl on Tonner's site and decided I had to have her. Well of course she is sold out. I managed to get lucky on Ebay and found her for a good price.

Well sewing for her is a dream.  Obviously the larger size is a huge advantage. I look forward to recreating some complicated period garments for her. Today I whipped up a simple lace dress for her that goes nicely with her original outfit. I have enough lace to make maybe two more of these to sell at the Tonner convention. I plan to add some little appliques and beads as well.

  I just need to get her some more wigs.  Normally I hate wig dolls but in the larger scale it does does not seem to bug me. I might try making her a wig myself.

New Atlantide Fashion Designs

Here are the finished fashion illustrations from my first project.

The inspiration board with swatches and an editorial board. Drawings coming shortly.

2013 Tonner Doll Mainline Release!

The newest offerings are up and for me, it is a bit of a mixed bag.  Now mostly that is because my particular tastes have either changed or rather, I am forcing my tastes to be my mindful of my lack of space and money.     The price points on this lineup are hard swallow...but we knew that was happening.  Still, it is hard not to think of the work Integrity did with Tullabelle and be a little less than enthused when you see $199 on a doll that does not even have a purse or a necklace.  Le sigh.


Here are my picks and complaints....

Classic Elegance Tyler-gorgeous haircolor and style on the original Tyler mold.  The dress has an interesting sweetheart neckline combined with an empire waist and a cascading skirt in what looks like velvet.  She reminded me a bit of Sargeant's Madame X.

Enticing Outfit- I like this Antoinette outfit with its nice color and fun mix of textures.
Summer Swing - I bet this one sells out in a jiffy.  I like the flame hair.  Had this been on the lily skin-tone, I would be getting it.  Still at $169 dollars for a simple summer dress...I will have to wait.  At least it has a cute tote bag and sunglasses.

Purple Haze Outfit- Fun statement necklace, nice color, and great shoes.

Night Delight- Sculpted heels!  I love the colors here and I am a sucker for those rust tights.  But I have issues with ruffles.  I plan to keep an eye out for this one on sale and attempt a rufflectomy.

All Star Liu Liu- Cute face but I don't like wig dolls. I am not fond of these outfits either as they look like kids clothes to me  But they do offer a little more in way of mix and match potential.

All Vintage Peggy- I repeat that I don't like wig dolls, but the undies on this one are fabulous and that wig style seems really nice.

Tamed-Pretty colors and nice face paint.  Again, wigged though.  I am not sure what is happening with the outfit though.  The shoes are cool and I love the gloves.

Julie & R- Both the warm bodies dolls are kind of fun.  The sculpts seem pretty good and I like having another open mouth sculpt out in the world.  I especially like the distressing work done to the costumes and shoes.  Another thing to note, R's boots are sculpted plastic. It will be interesting to see the actual factory dolls.

Wood Nymph- Beautiful costume and I am wild about the new Odel #6 sculpt.  So pretty.  WAY outside of my affordability range though.  I wish they had also come out with a new basic Nu Mood doll with this sculpt. Also...why would you use the Tyler bustline for a ballerina doll? And why not give her the changeable nu mood legs?  Still...I would love to have this one.  The haircolor is gorgeous along with that face paint.

22" Poison Ivy- Her outfit is almost an exact copy of the Deluxe Poison Ivy save for a flouncy sheer skirt...why not give us a little something different? Though the glass eyes add a little something extra.

Still waiting on images for the new Bella Cullen and a couple of other dolls.  

The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Cloche

The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Cloche

Oh I just loved this hat and had to share.  Look at the gorgeous ribbon embroidery!

Fashion Illustration

I'm taking fashion illustration again at the college to get some more practice and learn some different techniques. Fashion drawings are very different then costume renderings.  The figure is slimmer and more stylized and I am very realistic with my costume style usually so making the switch to fashion has always been tricky.

So here is my first project in progress.  The theme is New Atlantide.  I choose to combine the idea of ancient civilizations like Greece and Rome with the decadence of the twenties.

Dolly Eviction Notice!

Prices do not include shipping. All items from a non-smoking home. 

Integrity Dolls: 
Mais Oui Giselle Nude $115 
Rebel Spirit Amelia Nude $75 
2011 Dynamite Girls Design a Doll Jasper nude $60 HOLD 

Integrity Clothing: 
-Sweet Confection Poppy Outfit only (complete, strap on one shoe is broken) $45 
-Style Counsel Giftset Complete (no dolls) in original box...mostly NRFB and definitely never displayed $175 

Wilde Imagination: 
-Convention Phineas raven hair nude $85 
-Convention Thea raven nude $85 
-Theadora red head nude $60 
-Phineas brunette nude $60 

Tonner DC Stars/Revlon 13": 
-13" Supergirl $100 
-13" Black Canary $100 

Tonner Movies/TV: 
-Clash of Titans Andromeda Nude w/Convertible Feet $60 
-Twilight Bella Swan nude(15"teen body) $75 
-Twilight Alice Cullen complete $100 
-Pirates Angelica NRFB $100 *fundraiser for my theatre 

Tonner: 
Hide and Go Creep Viktor Dreary Complete $60 
Feather in Her Hat Anne Harper Complete $75 
Antoinette Tranquil Fashion Only $75 
Tiny Betsy Choo Choo Chick $75 
Antoinette Honey Mannequin Pink Hair $60 

Trades Wanted: Integrity Hollywood Jem, Sabrina Chaffeaur's Daughter giftset Fashions, FAO Wonder Woman Trunk & Fashions (yeah right...pipe dream), and Wrapped In Decadence FR fashion. 


Items from a non-smoking home. I have feedback on ebay under alyrenee. Cheers!

SADNESS! No lottery win for me....

This is me finding out that I did not get selected for the Funny Face Lottery doll.

I really hope I can get this set later on.  Sometimes they end up with a few extras.  Fingers crossed

Stand down...All Pre-orders confirmed

A feeling familiar to all Integrity collectors...the dreaded wait.  From the moment that you see the gorgeous new dolls and then frantically email a variety of dealers (trying in vain to optimize your W Club dealer coupons while also trying to be loyal to your wonderful local dealers)....then you have to sit and wait....and wait...and wait...and squirm...and then wait some more.  Some get back to you in a jiffy and you can take a small breath in relief...others are longer.  Now during this wait, you start to second guess yourself...What if you miss out?  What if they sell out while you are waiting?  Why did you order so many to begin with?  Ugh. Then finally, you get a pleasantly worded confirmation email.  Down payments are placed.  You can finally sit back and relax and spend a restful night dreaming of all the new beautiful things coming to you shortly...

UGH!  Coming TOO shortly...now you have to worry about paying for all these darn pre-orders which will most certainly arrive during the same week that you just had to replace the transmission on your car.

Doll collecting is not for sissies.

So the final aftermath for me:

Yeti To Wear
Pomp & Circumstance
The Holograms
On How to Be Lovely...

Fingers crossed on the W Club set...now to sell some girls to make more room.

Dollmarket Valentine's Day Sale- Doctor Who Ladies

Oh so tempting sale at Dollmarket has both Gwen Cooper and Martha Jones on sale for $99.  If I weren't trying desperately to reduce the doll collection, I would be all over these as I think the sculpts are really nice and the outfits have some nice basic pieces to them.

Dolls Magazine Feature: Driven to Create!

If you haven't picked up the latest issue of Dolls Magazine February 2013...well I am pleased to let you know that they have featured me and my little hats in an article called "Driven to Create".  I also contributed a millinery project to the issue.  Very exciting.  I will be putting some of my hats up for sale shortly so keep an eye on the blog for future announcements.