Jimi's Sandals

Introduced in 2012, Jimi Goin' Fishin' is part of the Riley's World Collection by Helen Kish

I recently photographed my Riley's World (friends) dolls by Helen Kish to prepare an installation in my virtual black doll museum. The installation has been written and is in draft form.

Jimi' Goin' Fishin' is one of the photographed dolls. He has never worn his sandals because I found it too difficult to tie them on his tiny feet. It was suggested by Helen (when this was mentioned to her years ago) to sling them over his arm, which I opted to do. 

Since his arrival in 2012, the strings of Jimi's sandals had been tied together and the strings draped around his left arm.  After he was photographed for the installation and placed back on display, I noticed the outer layer of his faux leather sandals was crumbling away. 

I took my usual steps to repair the sandals which are illustrated in photos and captions next.

Before the Repair

Several areas of faux leather had lifted or were missing before the repair commenced.

I wrapped the strings of both sandals around the insoles and the soles and used rubber bands to hold the strings in place during the repair.

The deterioration was unsightly.

The Repair Process

On-hand gold metallic paint was the closest paint color to match. I applied two layers. These photos illustrate the first layer of paint.

As illustrated in this photo, gold metallic paint was a close match to the original color.

Mod Podge to Seal

I used several layers of Mod Podge to seal the painted areas. This photo was taken after the first coat of Mod Podge which was still wet.

The shoe strings were released after the final layer of Mod Podge dried.

In this photo and the two preceding photos, the Mod Podge is dried, the shoe strings are released, and the paint is properly sealed.

Jimi Models His Shoes

Jimi no longer has to hold his sandals and the sandals are now preserved (for a few more years at least).

The sandals fit Jimi perfectly (but it did take a few minutes to tie the tiny strings around his tiny ankles).

Related Content

Kish's Jimi and the UFDC Jambalaya Jubilee

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

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When I Fell in Love with Delia

Delia by Helen Kish, #2 of 25 in a 2007 photograph courtesy of Finders Keepers Consignment Online

It was in 2007 when I saw the all-porcelain, approximately 11-inch tall Delia by Helen Kish on eBay. I fell in love! I attempted to win the auction, but I was outbid. The next best thing was for me to contact the seller to ask permission to use the auction photo (shown above) in the book I was writing at the time. The seller complied and provided all the details about Delia that I needed to complete the entry on page 269 of Black Dolls a Comprehensive Guide to Celebrating, Collecting, and Experiencing the Passion. The auctioned Delia was #2 of 25 dolls worldwide! 

Delia #1 of 25

Who knew that some 14 years later, another opportunity to own Delia would present itself to me, and who knew that I would actually acquire the doll? Yes! I did, and my Delia is #1 of 25 worldwide. Number 1, the very first one Kish made in 1988. 

As a result of this acquisition, because of Delia's historical significance to me, and the fact that she is one of Helen Kish's first dark-skinned dolls, I have installed the doll in my virtual black doll museum where photos of my doll and pertinent information are included. 

Am I a happy collector? Yes, absolutely, I am!

dbg


There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.
__________
Thank you for reading. Comments that are not spam are appreciated. Spam comments will not be published, so don't waste your time. To contact me directly regarding dolls or any of my posts, please use the contact form on the right of the home page, which is visible in "web view." A link to web viewing should be visible at the bottom of this page.

If you're not already a subscriber, visit, "like" and follow the Black Doll Collecting Facebook page or bookmark the Black Doll Collecting home page and visit on Tuesdays and Thursdays when typically new posts are published.

Check out what I am selling here. 
Check out my eBay listings here.
Please follow my sister blog Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black.
*New*Visit/Follow DeeBeeGee's Virtual Black Doll Museum
Donate here to support this blog. Thank you!

Black Artist Doll Presentation for UFDC

Due to COVID-19, the United Federation of Doll Clubs is holding its first virtual convention this week, which will include several broadcast events on the homepage of the convention. All events begin at 11 a.m. CST. Earlier today, the Black Artist Doll Presentation by Deborah Butler-Johnson from last year's convention was broadcast courtesy of Ruby Lane. You may watch the presentation here at your convenience.

Also of note is that Helen Kish has created a tribute doll to Ruby Bridges, The Bravest Little Girl, with a separately-sold companion doll.  When last checked, quantities of both dolls were still available, but fewer companions were left.

Visit the salesroom, which is open to all from now until Saturday, July 25, 2020, at midnight Pacific Time. Enjoy!

dbg


There are countless items to collect and write about. Black dolls chose me.
__________
Thank you for reading. Use the contact form on right of the home page, visible in web viewing, to contact me.

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!

Happy Fourth of July

Liberty Belle by Helen Kish, released in 2002 in an edition of 300 dolls, returns to wish readers from the U.S. a Happy, Safe, 4th of July.

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!

Kish's Jimi and the UFDC Jambalaya Jubilee

Thousand's of conventioneers have converged in New Orleans, Louisiana to attend the 2012 United Federation of Doll Clubs (UFDC) Convention.  Their "Jambalaya Jubilee" commenced on July 24 and will end on July 27, 2012.

Seminars, workshops, competitive exhibits, junior collectors events, luncheons with souvenir dolls, today's public sales day in the doll room, and Joyce Stamps' "A Stitch in Time," black cloth doll exhibit are just a few of the wonderful activities collectors will experience at the UFDC convention this week.

A host of vendors -- doll shops and artists -- are there.  Helen Kish, of Kish and Company, the artist of the newest member of my Kish doll family, is there.


In June, after reading the most recent Kish Collectors Society (KCS) newsletter, I preordered Jimi 'Goin' Fishin', at the club price which included free shipping.  Jimi arrived this week.  He is #7 of an edition of only 80 dolls produced.  Remaining quantities are probably there with Helen at the UFDC Convention and possibly sold out by now. 

Jimi 'Goin' Fishin' by Helen Kish

Jimi is a 7-1/2-inch, all-vinyl tyke with jointed elbows and knees.  "Shirtless on purpose," he is dressed in his light blue shortalls that are enhanced with red stitching.  Jimi also wears a hand crocheted hat made of Japanese paper yarn.  His brown mohair yarn wig is also hand crocheted.  Individually hand painted by Kish, Jimi has brown eyes and a multicolored, cloth knapsack over which his tan sandals are slung.  Jimi's outfit would be incomplete without his handmade fishing pole that reportedly was made by Helen's husband, Tamas.

Isn't he just the cutest little thing? 

In 2007, I missed out on purchasing the first Jimi, a UFDC luncheon souvenir doll dressed in denim jacket and jeans that was inspired by Jimi Hendrix.  After learning about Jimi's return, I did not want to miss getting this one.

I may not be in "N'orleans" enjoying many of the aforementioned UFDC convention events, but I am enjoying Jimi 'Goin' Fishin'.


dbg

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And Then There Were Three

Helen Kish is one of my all-time favorite doll artists. Her dolls so adequately capture the innocence little girls possess.  Some have adorable potbellies and slightly bowed legs.  Some have expressions of wonder while others appear very serious.  Their painted eyes are so well done, they appear inset.  Because of their continued popularity, collectibility, and ability to escalate in value, even in today's depressed economy, many other collectors share my Kish doll sentiments.

Amalia (the taller doll) and Natalie by Helen Kish from 1997 "Ballet Recital" and 1996 "Ballerinas Collection"

I purchased the first of my now three Kish ballerinas in November 2010.  After Amalia arrived, I became aware of two other café au lait and sepia-complexioned ballerinas by Kish and had to have them.  The second, Natalie, also arrived in November 2010.  These two were featured in a September 2011 post where I mentioned my desire to find Kira. (There I go writing things into existence again; but for the faithful, it works.)

The day after the recent October evening when my disappointing loss of another Kira occurred, the doll that would be mine popped up on eBay's home page through their means of tracking my previous bids and searches.  My doll had been listed in a seller's eBay store since August of this year!   How did I miss her, I wondered? 

While I had an eBay search notification email programmed for "Kish ballerina," my doll was never included in any of my notifications because the seller's title did not contain these exact keywords.  Even with free shipping, the seller's price was far more than I wanted to pay, and I thought it would be useless for me to even consider owning this perfect, absolutely mint-in-box-with-certificate Kira.  After some hesitation and a brief email consultation with another Kish enthusiast regarding the seller's price, I asked Seller if the price was negotiable.  It was and, as they say, the rest is history. 

Finally, the doll that had been on my want list for almost a year is here.  Kira arrived as described, in pristine condition with her box and certificate. The one that I lost to another bidder was not in mint condition:  the neckline of her leotard needed restitching, and she did not have her original box.

Kira "Ballet Recital" 1997

My doll, a perfect-looking 6-year-old, with a potbelly and slightly bowed legs is proof that when exercising patience, long sought-after dolls (or anything else your heart desires) will eventually surface.   Kira is also proof that "it never hurts to ask... if the price is negotiable and if shipping is still free." 

My three ballerinas by Kish

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Last Kish, Last Purchase

Alisha by Helen Kish, an 8-inch doll with bent baby legs has red hair and brown painted eyes.

Helen Kish is one of my favorite doll artists.  Her doll-children are the perfect size, from as tiny as 4-1/2 inches (the Kishlets) to 16 inches.  The ones I favor (friends of Riley) are 7 inches tall.

Usually I am forced to wait for dark-skinned dolls to enter Kish's doll lines.  I find myself anticipating the next one and often am required to wait more than a year.  This year Alisha was introduced.  I preordered her immediately in April.  She arrived last month, my last new doll, and was well worth the wait. 

More pictures:

Full-length picture of Alisha.  I added her pink ribbon headband.

Alisha on display; with arms gesturing, "Pick me up pweeze."

See more cute Kish kids here (courtesy of Phyllis Schlatter).

dbg

Too-Cute Kids at Play

Willy by Helen Kish has borrowed DJ's plane.

The above and following images were taken and shared with me by fellow doll enthusiast, Phyllis Schlatter. 

Mowgli enjoys riding a three-wheeler while DJ pouts because Willy took his plane.

The girls are having fun playing with their dollies.

Willy finally gave DJ his plane back and opted to play with Little Sis, Jessamyn instead.

Thanks again Phyllis for the share.

dbg

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