Saturday, November 22, 2014

Is it 2015, Yet?

Color Infusion Janay wearing Monster High shoes

I have been scouting around online for shoes for Color Infusion (CI) Janay to complement her wardrobe.   IT Direct has another shoe pack for $30 plus shipping that I have delayed purchasing.  It includes three pairs of shoes and a felt hat.  The shoe pack with boots, also at IT Direct, is already here.

Shoes made for Monster High, Jakks Pacific, and America's Next Top Model dolls have been suggested by other collectors, but I have not been able to find styles suitable for Janay's "taste."

There are international eBay sellers who carry more fashionable shoes that fit CI Janay.  The warning in the description regarding some dyes possibly bleeding onto the doll's vinyl was enough for me to continue searching elsewhere.

This past Thursday I found an online seller who carries three different shoe styles in a variety of colors for CI Janay for $13 each.  This price is comparable to the eBay seller's without the dye fading potential.  Before making a visit to the thrift store yesterday, I had planned a shoe order of four pairs in different colors from this seller.  I wanted more, but at $13 each, I decided when I placed the order, I would only order four.

On weekdays, the thrift store prep area is open during normal business hours and workers constantly stock the floor with new items.  Items without price tags must be taken to the prep area for pricing.  Questions about merchandise can be answered in that area as well. Saturday shopping is usually less fruitful than on weekdays and the prep area is closed on weekends. 

Monster High dolls found at thrift store

On Friday, the fashion doll area of the thrift store was well stocked.  I found five Monster High dolls and purchased four of the five.  The one left behind was nude and without shoes.   Janay needed shoes.  Give me those shoes! (A line from the 1950s movie, The Bad Seed.)

Additional dolls found at thrift store, LIV Alexis x2 and Hawaiian souvenir doll

In addition to the Monster High (MH) dolls, I purchased two LIV dolls for their articulated bodies.  One is fully dressed; the other is nude.  A cute little Hawaiian souvenir doll pulled at my heartstrings, so she came home with me, too.

The MH dolls were marked $5.99 each, a little more than I wanted to pay, but $5.99 is a better price than $13 for shoes only (I thought).  So I grabbed the ones I wanted before inspecting each bagged doll carefully.  On close inspection, I discovered the MH dolls only have upper arms.  The forearms are missing on all but one, and the hands are missing on all!  It's a good thing I only wanted those shoes!

I believe I have the dolls accurately identified as:  Draculaura, Clawdeen Wolf, Frankie Stein, and Cleo de Nile, who has one of her lower arms.  All are missing their hands.  With the exception of their missing lower arms/hands, the dolls are in relatively good condition and were probably donated by the same former owner.

LIV dolls and Hawaiian doll, de-bagged

Since the LIV dolls were $3.99 for the fully dressed doll and $2.99 for the nude one, I took the MH dolls to the prep area and asked if the price could be reduced due to the missing forearms and hands.   I was prepared to show them the completely dressed LIV doll for $3.99 to suggest that price.   Instead of $5.99 for each MH, I only paid $2.99 each.  I was a happy camper and would have been even happier had I printed out and taken the coupon I had in my email for $5 off a $10 purchase. 

For a total cost of $23.74, I just knew Janay would have four extra pairs of shoes to wear. This did not prove to be the case.  Only one of the four pairs fits her properly, Draculaura's pink and yellow heels that Janay is modeling in the first picture of this post.  I really hoped Clawdeen Wolf's boots would fit Janay.  Maybe a dip into some boiled water will loosen the vinyl enough for them to fit her. 

I am still pleased with the find.  Never in my life, however, did I think I would buy a Monster High doll to keep or do anything with.  If I cannot get Clawdeen's boots to work for Janay, I will fashion some hands to attach to the long sleeves of Clawdeen's jacket.  Her fangs will be painted and her hair styled to cover her ears.  I am not sure what the fate will be for the other MH dolls just yet, but I'll probably make arms for them as well and make them look less monster-like. 

Alexis and Alexis in Sparkle Girlz clothing

The two LIV Alexis dolls are now dressed in Sparkle Girlz clothing.  (Yes, I said the purchase was for their bodies, but the bodies can be dressed until I need them for different proportionate heads, right?)  Alexis at left wears shoes made by Paulette of Limbe Dolls

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Janay took a quick full length photo to end this post.  She knows the shoes do not match her fashion.  She also knows she looks good in anything, even if the colors are not coordinated.

Maybe I should have adhered to my original plan to "not buy another doll before next year," but don't blame me.   The dolls just happened to come with the shoes I purchased for Janay and one can never have enough articulated bodies on hand.  I have no excuse for the purchase of the souvenir doll except for the fact that she was there and she is the most complete of all that followed me home. 


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23 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. You could always put Clawdeen on one of those Liv Alexis dolls. You could also remove the bright pink and yellow paint on those shoes so they would go better with more clothes lol.
      (and whoops i entered my comment way too early)

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    2. Great suggestions, Jawn. I think I might already have a fix for Clawdeen, but your suggestion to give her one of the LIV bodies is excellent! The darker Alexis appears to be a perfect match should I choose that route.

      Janay actually has pink leggings and a yellow tank that the shoes will work well with, but painting them a more neutral color is an option. What would you suggest using to remove the paint? Will acetone work?

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    3. I can't wait to see what's the eventual fate of your monsters lol.
      Since the shoes are vinyl and not hard plastic, acetone should easily remove it, but test it out on the sole first to see any ill effects...

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    4. Thanks again, Jawn. I will test the undersurface as you have suggested, if I decide to paint the pink and yellow shoes.

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  2. Fantastic thrift haul. I never do that well, but I also rarely get to go during the day on weekdays...

    Where did all the lower arms go???

    I have one thrift store Cleo missing one forearm, who is officially my doll representation of persons with physical challenges...

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    1. I was pleased with yesterday's catch, Smaller Places. I rarely make time to go during the weekdays. I am going to try to do that more often.

      The arms must be very easy to detach through posing and regular doll play. Who knows what really happened, but I thought it strange that all were missing portions of their arms.

      Your Cleo probably makes a good representation of a special needs person. Clever idea. Creating casts and slings is a possibility, too.

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    2. The MH dolls seems to be showing up at the thrift stores lately. I guess parents are getting rid of the old to make room for the new. This is my favorite time of the year to shop thrift stores because of that.

      Jana looks lovely in anything she models. Oh congratulations on getting the Living dolls. The are rare nowadays. Lol!

      Happy Sunday!

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  3. I don't know if you have any of the Mattel Star Dolls, but their shoes are a good fit for the Color Infusion dolls feet. You did pretty good on your thrift store finds. I will be very interested to see what you come up with for the MH Hands and forearms!

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    1. Thanks, Phyllis. I had one StarDoll but I donated it along with some other Barbies last year to someone gathering dolls to send to children in the Caribbean. I do have one StarDoll fashion that I purchased separately. My Prettie Girls Lena is wearing it now. I did try the ankle boots that came with that fashion on Janay, which were a good fit. Thanks for the reminder. I'll look for Stardoll fashions on eBay in addition to biting the bullet and ordering the $13 shoes for Janay.

      When trying to force her foot inside one of the MH doll's pumps, I stressed the vinyl of one of her big toes causing the vinyl coloring to streak and me to have to repaint it. So I've learned my lesson: If the shoe doesn't fit, don't try to force it.

      There was a Moxie Teens doll at the thrift store yesterday, complete except for wig. When I went back today, she was still there. I was tempted to buy her for the shoes alone, but didn't want to pay $5.99 not knowing if they would fit.

      I'll do a write-up on the fate of the MH dolls. I am surprised how well I actually like them, but those fangs have to go and Clawdeen's wolf ears will be hidden.

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  4. Great finds, the pair of yellow/pink shoes are elegant! I look forward to your make-overs. I looked at the Give me those shoes video, brrr, I would give them right away to that scary girl :-D!

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    1. Thank you, Night Owl!

      That movie, The Bad Seed, is a classic. The little girl was a sociopath and would turn on her charm and act like the perfect child to get what see wanted. If crossed, she'd use drastic measures to get what her little twisted mind wanted. The full-length movie might also be on YouTube, if you're interested.

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  5. Another nice haul from the thrift store! I have that same Clawdeen and no, the boots don't fit. Sorry, I should have pointed that out in my Janay post where I was trying different shoes and outfits on her. That Clawdeen is the first one, so you could probably sell her outfit alone on eBay and make the money back that you spent on the dolls.

    I would've been thrilled to find those LIV bodies! Which reminds me, I have a thrift store LIV that I need to behead. Perhaps today will be the day. The Hawaiian doll is cute, too. Can't wait to see what you will do with your monster dolls!

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    1. No problem Roxanne. Several people recommended MH shoes for Janay.

      I don't plan to sell Clawdeen. In fact, had I purchased any of the dolls after they debuted, Clawdeen would have been my first choice. What you did with your doll's hair will be my inspiration when I restyle my doll.

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  6. wow you really cleaned up at the thrift...great finds:-D

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    1. Thank you, Nykole. I really think the entire haul came from the same person, even the Moxie Teens doll that I left behind.

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  7. All I have to say is tsk, tsk, tsk.

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  8. I don't know why, but I totally giggle snorted at those doll having missing arms. I definitely would not have been amused when I opened the bag. Other than the lack of limbs their clothing and heads look pretty good.

    I have seen people simply cut off Clawdeen's ears. Her hair is usually thick enough to cover the opening or you could have your resident doctor hollow open the ears and then super glue the back of the ear forward to cover the gap if you don't want a hole there. Monster High dolls are insidious. At first you think they are freaky and then they start to grow on you. Be careful.

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    1. LOL at your snorting, Muff! I am glad I discovered the limb and hand loss before purchasing since all sales are final.

      Thanks for the warning. After giving them a little attention today, I understand their potential to be captivating.

      I have solved Clawdeen's wolf ears issue and am really pleased with the result. More to come.

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  9. If you liked Clawdeen you'll love Cedar Wood from Ever After High.

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