Showing posts with label Dolls for Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dolls for Christmas. Show all posts

Saturday, December 17, 2022

Minneapolis congregation mobilizes to give kids of color dolls that look like them

An Internet-captured photo illustrates dolls and toys to be donated by Greater Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis.

The congregation of Greater Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church is collecting Black dolls — baby dolls, princess dolls, doctor dolls — this Christmas so little ones can see themselves in the presents they unwrap this year. Read the full article here.

©Black Doll Collecting/dbg

There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

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Monday, October 28, 2019

As Seen on the Shelves of Walmart

My Sweet Love Playsets from Lots of Love Babies; smiling and looking curious, respectively, one has a bathtub, the other has a baby bed.

I decided to take the above and the following pictures to share here while browsing the doll aisles at Walmart. 

The first dolls that caught my eye were the mini babies and playsets, My Sweet Love dolls from the Lots to Love Babies line.  I believe Berenguer is the manufacturer.  They are all-vinyl, 5 inches tall, and have different facial expressions.  They were priced at $4.88 each.

My Sweet Love with a green and purple scooter and another with a rocking horse.

The one on the left has a baby seat with tray.

The one on the right sits in a pink infant carrier.

This close-up provides a better view of the My Sweet Love baby seated in an infant carrier.

There were other My Sweet Love Babies with different head sculpts than the ones described above.  Sold as dolls only, they have a light-brown-to-tan complexion, shown next:

These cuties were priced at $3.98 as shown.  Dressed in colorful pastel shirts and panties, they are all-vinyl with molded hair.  They share the same facial expression.

Also available were a dark- and medium-complexioned Keyara (Kenya's Baby Sister) and a dark-complexioned Sparkle and Shine Kenya.

Sparkle and Shine Kenya is shown above in a medium complexion.
Also from the Kenya line is Sparkle and Shine Styling Head Kenya.  She has a lovely head sculpt.

I checked to see if the 18-inch My Life [cancer] Survivor doll was there, but none were in stock.  The following three My Life dolls were available.

My Life as an Everyday Girl and My life as Class President
My Life as a Vlogger
There were three different Princess Tiana dolls seen.  I almost regret not getting the mini-doll...
and/or the one on the far left above.  They are Comfy Squad Tiana (she has a kooky expression), Royal Shimmer Tiana, and Petite Tiana (the mini-doll that is about 4 to 5 inches tall).  If she's still there, I will probably bring her home the next time I shop (but there were only two!).

Sparkle Girlz fashions priced at $1.97 each
I sifted through the above Sparkle Girlz fashion display box and picked out the following for myself... I mean for my Barbie-sized dolls with slender bodies. 

A one-piece dress with dark pink bodice and multicolored straight skirt includes a pair of pink mules; and a one-piece dress with a red knit bodice, white collar and cuffs, denim skirt, and silver box purse.

On the left, a green/orange/tan top pairs well with an ombre-green separate skirt and red high heels; white blouse with embroidered neckline and flared sleeves and Aztec patterned leggings and a red handbag are on the right.

I also saw the #Snapstar dolls, one of which I purchased months ago but returned.  A few #Snapstar wigs were available.  I purchased a red one for one of my other dolls to wear if needed.  The wig was $4 and change.

The wig looks great in the box graphics.

The wig quality, unfortunately, is poor.  The ends are quite rough and uneven.  It sheds when combed.  The very thin plastic wig stand and comb were included.

This image was taken from the back after I combed through the wig to remove most of the loose fibers.

This wig fits LIV Alexis well, but she opted to return to her own wig as seen here with #Snapstar doll I returned months ago. 
There were lots of Barbies on Walmart's shelves along with the holiday Barbies (white and black versions), which I forgot to photograph. 

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A few weeks ago, my husband called me from Wal-Mart, all excited about a "black Barbie in a wheelchair" and a "boy with plastic cornrows," wanting to know if I wanted them.  I was hesitant about the wheelchair Barbie (because I just like dolls and have no room for accessories, none), but I did want cornrowed Ken, which is actually the same doll as Classic Cool.  The newer version has a deeper complexion.  He talked me into getting Fashionista #133.  "Your collection needs to include unique dolls.  This doll even has a ramp."   I said, "Alright! Get that one, too."

So here they are, Fashionista #133 and #130.

Fashionista #133 shares the same head sculpt (and hairstyle) as Fashionista #80 (Cheerful Check).  Dressed in a multicolored striped blouse with cold shoulders, denim pants, and low-top white sneakers, she wears silver shades on her head.  Her hair is styled in two Afro puffs.  Her multiple points of articulation allow her to sit in her turquoise wheelchair with ease.  Her wheelchair ramp is Barbie pink. 

Fashionista #130 will have a makeover of his cornrows as soon as he is released from the box and as soon as time permits (probably not before the Thanksgiving holiday or Christmas break).  He wears a black and white jersey with the number 4 on the front.  Los Angeles is repeated around the hemline of the jersey.    Light blue denim pants and low-top white sneakers complete his casual look.


dbg


There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.
__________

Thank you for following, commenting, and sharing using the share button below.

Check out what I am selling here
Check out my eBay listings here.
Please follow my sister blog Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black.
Donate here to support this blog. Thank you!

Monday, October 21, 2019

Shop for boy dolls, baby dolls, rag dolls, black dolls, biracial dolls – Best Dolls For Kids

Shop for boy dolls, baby dolls, rag dolls, black dolls, biracial dolls – Best Dolls For Kids

In response to my post on Where to Buy Black Dolls, I received a message from the Pattycake Doll Company regarding their mobile- and tablet-user-friendly site devoted to dolls for children.  I have revised my previous post Where to Buy Black Dolls to include the link to their new site and have also included a few other sites of interest.  Happy Shopping!


dbg





There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.

__________


Thank you for following, commenting, and sharing using the share button below.



Check out what I am selling here

Check out my eBay listings here.

Please follow my sister blog Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black.

Donate here to support this blog. Thank you!

Monday, October 14, 2019

Where to Buy Black Dolls


This post includes a list of companies and websites in alphabetical order that sell black dolls and other dolls of color suitable for children.  These companies either sell black dolls exclusively or they have an inclusive doll line (with at least one doll of color included in their current lines).  The dolls will vary in price.  Trinity Dolls Inc. carries dolls made for adult collectors but will soon have dolls made for children.  Bookmark their website.  Names followed by an asterisk (*) are not US-based companies/sellers  Names followed by two asterisks (**) sell handmade dolls that are suitable for children.  AAC (denotes dolls suitable for adult collectors and children are available). The initials NH denote dolls with natural hair (all or some are sold at the site).


A Girls*  (NH)

Adora Dolls 

Adora Dolls Amazing Girls Sienna (an Amazon exclusive)  (NH)


American Girl (Addy, Create Your Own Doll, Gabriela, Melody, Truly Me; 18- and 5-inch-mini-dolls)


Barbie (some w/NH)

Beautiful Blessings (12-inch full-figured fashion dolls with a touch of elegance)


Creations by Ba'ucham (hand-crocheted dolls)**

Coloured Goodies* (NH)

Detroit Doll Show occurs annually the 2nd Saturday in November  (AAC)

Festival of Black Dolls Show and Sale occurs annually the 2nd Sat. in Nov. in Oakland, CA (AAC)

Fresh Dolls and Positively Perfect (NH, 12-inch fashion dolls, baby and toddler dolls)


Harperiman (NH) Makers of Black cloth dolls "that help reinforce how beautiful our children are by providing them with positive affirmations of themselves through dolls that they can actually identify with."


Hearts for Hearts (multicultural dolls, NH)

Herstory Doll* (NH)

I am U Dolls (by Stacey McBride-Irby)

Ikuzi Dolls* (NH)

Journey Girls on Amazon

Kenya and Friends (some w/NH; see 2nd comment for retailers)

Lottie Dolls (Kid Activist Lottie has NH.)

Madame Alexander  (very limited dolls of color offerings)

Makedaa Dolls* (NH) (the link to the website has been removed because it is broken--I am not sure if this company is still in business.)

Malaville Toys* (NH)

Melanites (Jaylen, Action Pal)


My Life As (a Walmart-exclusive 18-inch doll line, also some mini dolls, some w/NH)

My Salon Doll (Dolls with stylable human hair)

Our Brown Boy Joy (talking plush dolls designed to empower brown boys)

Our Generation Dolls (Target-exclusive 18-inch dolls and accessories)

Pattycake Doll Company (a variety of multicultural dolls for everyone, NH); for mobile and tablet users, visit Patty Cake Doll Company's new site.  






Trinity Designs, Inc. (higher end, collectible sorority-inspired dolls, some w/NH)

Urbidolls* (NH)

Worldgirls


Search Results for "African American Doll" at Amazon, Target, and Walmart:

Target

Target also has a Just Like Me link where you can search for dolls with specific characteristics, e.g. skin tones, eye color, hair color, hair texture, etc.  I tried one skin tone category, but a variety of skin tones resulted.  Maybe this is still a work in progress.

Walmart  

(Earn cashback with qualifying purchases from the above three retailers and many others by joining Rakuten and navigating from Rakuten to their websites before your purchase is made.)

You can also search Etsy for "African American" or "Black" doll; read descriptions carefully as some dolls may not be suitable for children.

The 2017 article, "Where Are All the Black Dolls in Toy Stores?" by Antoine Speaks offers additional black-doll-buying sources and valid reasons why black-doll representation matters.
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If you know the names of other companies that sell new black and brown dolls suitable for children, please add those names in a comment and I will revise this post with those names.


Disclaimer:  This list was compiled as a courtesy for those who have had difficulty finding black and brown dolls.  Please note that while I own dolls by many of these companies and/or know others who do, I am not affiliated with any of the companies or brands listed.  



dbg


There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.
__________

Thank you for following, commenting, and sharing using the share button below.

Check out what I am selling here
Check out my eBay listings here.
Please follow my sister blog Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black.
Donate here to support this blog. Thank you!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Dolls for Christmas

This marks the first year in several past that I did not answer with the specific name of a doll when my daughter asked, "What do you want for Christmas?"  I asked for a camera instead, which I am going to return today at Daughter's suggestion.

After purchasing the basic Nikkon model I asked for (solely because of the price--didn't want her to spend too much), she said she read the reviews, which are not very favorable. After my tekkie son examined the camera, he agreed. So back to Target it will go today.

I took pictures with my on-its-last-leg Kodak Easyshare camera of the wonderful dolls and doll-related items that my best of best doll friends sent me as Christmas gifts this year.
This 2011 Barbie Ornament has since been added to my almost-Charlie Brown Barbie ornament tree.
Circa 1963 Effanbee Blue Bird had been on my wish list for a while.  I have the Girl Scout and the Brownie from the same period by Effanbee.  The AA Blue Bird is one of the hardest in this series to find. I've searched for quite a while.

Disney Store Exclusive Princess Tiana Fashion Doll and the Princess Tiana ornament
Tiana fashion doll, close up; she is gorgeous!
Close up of the Princess Tiana ornament, which has also been added to my Barbie ornament tree.

1997 reproduction of the 1962 Barbie Silken Flame fashion -- I haven't determined which doll will wear it.  Until I do, I have it stored in my 1964 double-sided blue Barbie case.

Patsyette Christmas Gift Box Set -- the doll is a reproduction of the original 1931 Patsyette.
Finally, of the doll-related gifts (there were several non-doll related), is this Possible Dreams O Holy Night Santa -- doll friend knows this is the only Santa brand I will buy from here on out.  The facial sculpt is on point, and the 10-inch size is not too intrusive. 

Thank you, Debra R.  You are the best!

dbg