She's Got Grace Jones Eyes

Readers are referred to this post where I used a brown Sharpie to change my doll's orange pupils brown.  In that post I mentioned the possibility of darkening the sclerae of her eyes, but decided to leave almost well enough alone.

This morning, still bothered by the abundant "whites" of her eyes and caricature look, I colored the outer white area tan using a Sharpie.   This left a normal amount of sclerae.

Next, I pierced her ears and added hoop earrings.  The gem stones at the top of the earrings had faded.  I used iced copper fingernail polish to revive the color.  Her neck scarf is now a headwrap. 

My doll looks better to me now and, while not at all androgynous looking, she reminds me of Grace Jones.  

Jungle Fever (JF) from the Monsieur Z line by Jason Wu for Integrity Toys has new, Grace Jones-looking eyes.

I keep picturing Grace Jones as Strangé in the movie, Boomerang  (pronounced Stron-jay, for the benefit of those who have not seen the movie).

More Grace Jones images can be seen here.

What do you think about  JF's new eyes compared to the way they were originally?

dbg

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I Might Need a Head

I purchased this TTL T3.0C body based on color alone.  The initial plan was to use it for the second Michael Jordan head I purchased (one like Ms. Leo has). 

I never thought to check the neck construct until several days after purchasing this body in a free-shipping, buy-it-now auction from a Hong Kong seller.   Since I do not have a head to fit this body and because I do not want to incur return-to-Hong-Kong shipping expense,  I placed the body on eBay in hopes that someone else can use it.

Michael Jordan (doesn't really look like him to me; but I like the sculpt)

In the event the TTL T3.0C body does not sell, does anyone know of a head in dark brown skin tone, or around the same complexion as the Michael Jordan head shown above, that will fit this body? 

Thanks in advance!

dbg

(A body that will fit MJ is in transit).


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Search For Black Playpal Leads to Another Find

Earlier this month I received an email from an Argentine ventriloquist in need of a black Patti Playpal or Playpal-type doll that he apparently wants to use in his act.  His request was for me to sell him one of my dolls.  Not willing to part with any of mine, I offered to help him locate one here in the US. 

Playpals and Playpal types used to be rather plentiful (the black versions, I mean) on eBay.  This is no longer the case.  When they do show up, the amount the seller desires is usually far more than most are willing to pay. 

Willie Talk by Horsman, a 23-inch pull-string ventriloquist doll, circa 1972

In "helper mode," I searched eBay for "black ventriloquist doll" (thinking maybe the Argentine might be able to use one in place of the desired Playpal).  I located an auction for a black Willie Talk by Horsman, circa 1970s-mid 1980s.  He was nude and the beginning bid was under $15.  I asked the gentleman if Willie Talk interested him.  He insisted that he needed a 35-inch black Playpal.  "Okay," I thought.  I revisited Willie's auction and decided to watch it until the end.  "Yippee, yay," I thought, as the adrenaline rush began to subside when my lone bid sealed my win.

Horsman's 23-inch Willie Talk, redressed

Willie Talk (WT) arrived last week in need of clothing.  I have temporarily dressed  him in an infant's preemie nautical-style romper and black infant's shoes.  The ankle portion of his painted-on black, cloth feet gives the illusion of socks.  If he could really talk, WT would probably voice his displeasure over my outfit selection.  But since he cannot, he has no say-so in the matter.  I think he would agree with me that he fits in well with my other ventriloquist and pull-string, ventriloquist-type dolls.

Ventriloquist and pull-string talking dolls, L-R:  1960s Lester by Juro holds Lester, a pull string talker, circa 1980s by EEGEE/Goldberger; Willie Talk by Horsman, circa 1972-80s; and Lester ventriloquist by EEGEE 1970s.  With the exception of Lester in yellow shirt, all mouths are designed to move. 

WT's mouth mechanism, a string in the back of his neck, is designed to close and open his mouth.  It is no longer operational.  This may be something my husband can repair after I remove the head.  Repaired or not, he has lots of character especially with the gold-rim glasses I added.

With an eBay saved search in place, hopefully I can help the gentleman locate the desired Playpal without finding something else for myself in the process. 

For more information on ventriloquist dolls and dummies, visit Ventriloquist Central. 

To see one of the few African American ventriloquists and his side kick, Lester perform, click the play arrow below:




dbg

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