Tamica a Customized Doll by Shasha

Barbie Fashionista Nikki holds a Nikki head customized by Shasha of atelier ni Shasha.

In July 2016, Shasha introduced Tamica as her first doll repaint and reroot.  I-fell-in-dolly love! (See the post that exacerbated my doll-want-itis here). Shortly after seeing Tamica, I recall communicating with Shasha by email to express my desire to own one of her customizations, if not Tamica, should she ever desire to sell. Several months later, Tamica has now become part of my collection along with the little black dress she modeled that Shasha named after her.

I am quite impressed with the repaint; the realism is phenomenal.  The reroot is flawless!  See another photo of Tamica taken by Shasha, here.

As you can see, I purchased the head only.  An articulated body would be the only type desired for this lovely lady.

I chose one of the last Nikki fashionista bodies that I purchased about three years ago upon learning Mattel was discontinuing articulation in that line. Because the doll had been stored, never removed from box, until opening for use with the customized head, I did not realize one of the fingers was ringed -- with a hole in the ring finger to accommodate the plastic ring Mattel use.  I had to employ a workaround for Nikki's unappealing, toy-looking, heart-shaped ring.

Tamica, now whole, holds Nikki's head.

Before removing Nikki's head, I was a little apprehensive, but with ease and slow tugging from side to side, it popped off without damaging the neck prong, which had been my concern.

The fashionista fashion was quickly discarded and replaced with the Tamica dress.

Tamica models the dress named after her, which is worn with black closed-toe shoes.  A box chain bracelet and leaf-shaped brass-tone earrings, made by Shasha, are perfect accessories.

As shown above, Tamica looks stunning in the little black dress.  She posed for several additional photos, all of which are shown below because we could not decide which ones not to include.

One additional close-up of her lovely face shows that she exudes realism.  The closeup also provides a better view of her two-strand twists, which I love!

Temporary holiday redress

Because I wanted to incorporate Tamica into my Christmas decor, I redressed her in a Barbie fashion to match the colors I used this year.

A wrapped present for Tamica to hold was added (it is actually a present-shaped ornament).  I used shimmery bronze fingernail polish to give the ring a more realistic color and also to match the color of her other jewelry.  For bling, an eyelash art, adhesive-backed crystal was added to the center of the ring.

After the holidays, the plan is to rebody Tamica one final time.  A followup post will be published after that has been accomplished.

Thank you again, Shasha, for 1) deciding to sell this lovely customized head and 2) for offering it to me first!  I am honored to be the proud owner of your first-ever repaint and reroot.  Your creativity never disappoints.

Other dolls customized by Shasha can be seen here.

******

Tamica enjoys being part of the Christmas table display.

Tamica and I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy, Peaceful, and Wealthy New Year!



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An Interview by Shasha

In one of her new endeavors, to feature collectors on her blog, the wonderfully creative and talented Shasha recently interviewed me. I am honored.  The results of the interview have been published on her blog. Please check it out here.

If you are a playscale collector whose dolls may be in need of fabulous fashions, check out Shasha's, Etsy shop, "which brings you doll collecting and accessories that are fun, fresh, sassy, and sometimes dramatic."

Thanks again Shasha for all you do!

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How To's on Collection Storage, Display, and Organization

NRFB dolls are stacked against a wall; others
are displayed to the left and behind the computer
monitor.  For a collector, every bit of space counts.

In part 1 of Collection Storage, Display, and Organization, Shasha polled fellow collectors and shared their collective tips on this topic. Each contributor offered great ideas to organize and save space.

Thank you again for allowing me to contribute, Shasha!

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Quick and Unusual Afternoon Post - Pazette's Redress (Actually 2013 Holiday Barbie)

2013 Holiday Barbie preparing for a well-deserved redress

2013 Holiday Barbie was one of my doll Christmas gifts from a a friend.  I wanted this doll because of the Pazette head sculpt, which was first used on Stephen Burrow's doll of the same name (in ebony complexion).  My plan was to give her an immediate redress.  Plan completed.

Cardboard was used to line the skirt of 2013 Holiday Barbie's dress.  Tsk, tsk, tsk.

During the deboxing process, I was shocked to discover the cardboard Mattel tacked underneath the front of the skirt.  I call this cutting corners to the extreme.  They probably feel most "collectors" will keep the dolls boxed and will never know. 

Color Infusion Janay "allowed" Pazette to borrow her tribal chevron-print dress.  She is wearing shoes from a Barbie fashion purchased from Target prior to the holidays.  (See next photo.)

The clutch she holds was made for Janay earlier this year.  (Yes, Janay allowed Pazette to borrow that, too.)  Her earrings are her own, but they will be replaced soon.

Pazette models the tribal chevron-print dress made by Shasha.

I think she looks lovely in her borrowed things (not as lovely as Janay), but lovely enough.  

A possible additional plan is to upgrade her ModelMuse body to an articulated one.  I have not made a final decision on whether or not I will follow through with this, but more redressing will definitely be done.


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Color Infusion Janay's Second Photo Shoot

When last seen, 2013 Color Infusion Janay wore a black and white striped tunic and black textured leggings (scroll down here).  After the chevron dress arrived from Shasha of atelierniShasha, we made time for another photo shoot.

Janay styles and profiles the chevron dress, which shows off her long, shapely legs.

As evidenced above, Janay looks stunning in the chevron dress.  We wanted to see where the length would fall on shorter legs.  Guess who volunteered.

Halle models the chevron dress.

We all agree they both wear it well and lengthwise, it appears to fall in the same upper thigh area on both.

Janay tried on her slip dress next, but we found it to be a little short.  So she refused to be photographed wearing it.  (She can be a diva, too).  Once again, Halle volunteered to model it.

Halle models the slip dress made in beach colors that match her PopLife Christie jewelry. 

Since the slip dress is the perfect length for Halle, Janay allowed her to keep it.  Halle wears a pair of pewter Mixis shoes, which are a little long on her, but they work well with the dress.

Happy to have finally received a redress, Halle returns to her chair with other shelved playscale dolls.  Janay continues mixing and matching.

Yellow tunic combinations:

The yellow tunic pairs well with the royal blue sparkly leggings and Janay's own royal blue pumps.

Here she tries on gray leggings and black high heels.

In the same color combination as before, Janay decides to sit a bit.

White Tunic:
 

White tunic with gray leggings and black high heels

Taking a risk with four different colors, Janay adds a yellow belt to the white tunic worn over hot pink leggings with her blue pumps.

She realizes the versatility of the white tunic and decided to skip modeling it with other leggings.

Gray tunic combos:

Gray on gray with black boots and faux diamond choker

More splashes of color are done with gray tunic, yellow belt, animal print leggings, and black heels.

Same combination as before but with borrowed jewelry from Darla Daley (earrings, bracelet and belt made by Shasha).

Janay and Darla await the arrival of another friend.

Until the next redressing session, Janay now stands on the corner of my desk with her current BFF, Darla Daley, who has borrowed Janay's felt hat, faux diamond earrings and choker. 



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Janay's New Fashions, a Mini Photo Shoot

There is so much mixing and matching that can be done with the tunics and leggings I ordered for Color Infusion Janay from Shasha of atelierniShasha.

The items purchased were revealed in a previous post, seen here.  Janay has tried on the textured black leggings, which fit her like second skin.  She wore the red paisley tank with these for about a week before trying on additional tanks, with and without the black leggings, this past weekend.  Her photo shoot follows:

Red paisley tunic is paired with black textured leggings and Janay's black high heels.

A yellow tunic is worn with black textured leggings and Janay's black boots.  I made a "temporary" black belt for her waist.

The tunic is actually long enough to wear as a mini dress as shown above.  It looks great with the boots which have a strip of faux leather in front center with black mesh sides.  The books conveniently have a back zipper.

Black and white striped tunic is worn as a mini dress with black knee-high boots.

Black textured leggings look great with the black and white striped tunic.  Janay wears her black heels and has added a faux diamond encrusted, bow-shaped choker.

In this final photo, Janay wears her black felt hat as she waits patiently on my desk for her next photo shoot.  She is accompanied by Darla Daley who has been waiting patiently on my desk for over a year to be joined with two of her sisters who arrived after her.  Darla just happens to be wearing another Shasha fashion that I won in a contest by Shasha in February 2013.

Janay has many more fashion options with other leggings and tanks that have yet to be tried on.  Let's not forget her slip dress in beach colors or the black and white tribal chevron dress, which should arrive soon. 

***

 

As mentioned in the previous post about Janay's new clothes, Halle attempted to get my attention with the hand gesture illustrated above.  I incorrectly assumed she wanted to borrow some of Janay's new clothes, which still might be true, but I discovered yesterday that her earrings had fallen out.  One was on the shelf below her chair.  The other had fallen into a box of doll items purchased for my niece that was on the floor in front of the shelf where Halle is displayed. 

Now that both earrings have been found and replaced in her ears, Ms. Halle is content and so am I.  (Yeah, the shelf below Halle is mostly used for storage; ignore it.)


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Future Redressing Fun for One, Maybe More

New dolly fashions from Shasha

Three beautifully presented envelopes arrived from the Philippines this week from Shasha of atelierniSHASHA.  Unfortunately for me, I have absolutely no time for doll play until after October 15th or shortly thereafter.  Color Infusion Janay's tribal chevron dress, which is Shasha's 2014 dress of the year, should be here by the time I am able to  go into full play mode. 


The Reveal

Because I think tunics and leggings are nice wardrobe staples (for playscale females, certainly not for me), I ordered several.  I also purchased Shasha's 2013 dress of the year.  I had it made in beach colors.  I did order a tunic made from the black and white striped material used for last year's slip dress.

I am looking forward to mixing and matching these pieces; and perhaps, if Janay does not mind sharing, some of the others will have an opportunity to wear a piece or two.

***

Shortly after photographing the clothing, I noticed Halle's hand gesture (shown above) and wondered if this was her attempt to get my attention to let me know she's long overdue for a redress.  I know I didn't position her hands like this.  Maybe the others put her up to it.  See a full view of Halle and some of her co-conspirators below. 

They all look a little guilty to me, as though they were secretly scheming something with Halle, whose hand gesture blew their cover.  Bob probably knows what's been going on.  Look at him, sitting in the corner, trying to look innocent.  


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My Contest Winnings Arrived!

To refresh your memory, I entered the Welcome, 2013 contest hosted by Shasha of Atelier ni Shasha and was one of the three winners of a fashion from her Etsy shop.  I chose a beautiful, one-shouldered animal print jumpsuit.  It arrived delightfully presented, as usual and as shown below:

The fashion was enclosed inside this heavy card stock paper that has been folded in half and tied with a sheer ribbon.  Shasha's contact information is handwritten in pink and silver ink in the lower right-hand corner.

The jumpsuit and chain-link belt with bead accent and accessories of beaded drop earrings and bracelet were attached to the inside of the card with handwritten notes from Shasha as shown above.

Darla Daley was thrilled to model the beautiful ensemble, as shown below:

Darla Daley in Rebecca Jumpsuit by Shasha of Atelier ni Shasha

A standing photo of Darla, who loves taking photographs near greenery

Thank you again Shasha for your generosity.  Darla thanks you, too!

☺

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