The Right Choice

The Right Choice, a 14 x 18 print by Sonya Walker

The above image of the 14 x 18-inch print of the pencil drawing, "The Right Choice," by artist, Sonya Walker, was posted on Facebook by the artist along with the following associated text, which, with the artist's permission, I am allowed to share here.

We all remember the study that was conducted on African American children in the 1950s, when given a choice between a black doll and a Caucasian doll, each child was asked to pick which doll was prettier. In each case the child chose the Caucasian doll. When asked why they didn't choose the black doll, most responded with they thought the black doll was ugly. The study defined for a lot of African Americans how some of us see ourselves, don't value ourselves and use other people's measuring stick to measure our own beauty. It is very important for reasons of self-esteem to see images of yourself reflected around you. Each group of people should see images of themselves reflected in their lives to validate them. This print is entitled, "The Right Choice," addresses the issue. The print is 14 x 18 in size and it is an open edition print. It is on sale for the very low price of $15 (regular price $20). If you would like to purchase one, please visit my site at www.sonyawalkercreations.bigcartel.com.

The study Ms. Walker refers to is The Dolls Test (a.k.a. The Doll Test) undertaken by Dr. Kenneth Clark and his wife Mamie Clark, both psychologists.  The results of the Clarks' research and study of black children's attitudes about race and self-esteem were published between 1939 and 1940. During the 1950s, their research was used in school desegregation cases (Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, being one).  Based on findings of the Clarks' research, the U. S. Supreme Court in 1954 ultimately ruled that separate but equal education was unconstitutional because it resulted in African American children having "a feeling of inferiority as to their status in the community." [http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=2938]

I purchased two of Walker's prints, "The Right Choice," because it illustrates the importance of black/African American children seeing themselves in their playthings to promote self-love, acceptance of self, and to help them embrace their own unaltered beauty.   One of the prints will be shared with a friend, who agrees wholeheartedly with me regarding this matter.

As her post indicates, Walker is currently offering "The Right Choice" individually for $15.  In a subsequent post, "The Right Choice" is included in a package deal with four other prints for $50.



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Wee 3 Friends Janet How One Became Four

Wee 3 Friends Janet from unknown Wee 3 Friends set.

I purchased my first Wee 3 Friends Janet (shown above) in May to serve as a replacement for Polly Pockets Janet, the doll I hosted in March as part of a travel doll event.  I missed Janet and wanted a replacement travel doll in a similar size to take with me on outings (if I so desire). As of yet, Wee 3 Friends Janet has not left the house.

The one that got away, Janet from the Rain! Rain! Rain! set

After learning that different versions of Wee 3 Friends Janet were made with reference to hairstyle, complexion and knee articulation, I desired another with a darker complexion and bangs.  I found one listed on eBay that had been part of the Rain! Rain! Rain! set (seen immediately above).  The beginning bid was under $5.  I had planned to bid before the auction ended.  As I sat at my computer that evening with a note to myself placed on the keyboard that read:  bid on auction, I was so engrossed in writing a blog post that I forgot to do what the note instructed! Darn, darn, darn!  Where's a glass punch bowl to throw down and break when you need it?  (Those who are familiar with the 1970s TV sit-com Good Times will understand my previous statement.)

I soon overcame the frustration of that loss and continued to look for and eventually found a listing for a mint in package Janet with darker complexion and bangs.  The doll was included in the complete Rain! Rain! Rain! set which includes Stacie, Lila and all three dolls' pets and accessories. Offered as a pricey buy it now or make offer, I made an offer, which the seller declined.  I made a higher offer, but before he could decline that offer, a mint in unopened package Wee 3 Friends Snow! Snow! Snow! set was listed.

Janet greets the three Snow! Snow! Snow! Wee 3 Friends dolls

This set (copyright 2004) was listed in a buy it now auction for $50 or make offer.  I took my chances and said, what the heck, I'll offer $25.  Who knew the seller would accept?  I immediately cancelled the second offer made to the reluctant Rain! Rain! Rain! seller and paid for the Snow! Snow! Snow! set.

My original Wee 3 Friends (W3F) Janet poses with Janet from the Snow! Snow! Snow! set.

As illustrated in the photo above of the two Janets, the doll from the Snow! Snow! Snow! set has a slightly deeper complexion.  Her hairstyle includes bangs.  Both dolls have stationary knees.

The following photos are also from the Snow! Snow! Snow! set.

Janet#1 squeezed herself inside the carrying case to take a group photo with her twin and new friends.  There are cups, snowballs, puppies, and a pair of  ice skates included in the package for each girl (minus Janet #1, of course).

This is one of the girls' puppies.

One of the three pairs of ice skates

Here are two more puppies.  In one hand, Stacie holds a snowball.

Janet #2 shared her snowball with Janet #1.

After the Snow! Snow! Snow! transaction, another eBay seller listed two nude, preloved W3F Janets, one with bangs and click-bend knees, the other without bangs with stationary knees.

Two more Janets arrived

I wanted this pair to dress in Stacie and Lila's Snow! Snow! Snow! fashions.  The seller's price was reasonable, but I asked if she would sell them for less due to the stain she described on one of the doll's legs.  She agreed!

So that's how one Wee 3 Friends Janet became four.  As illustrated, all four dolls fit nicely into the Snow! Snow! Snow! carrying case.  The two formerly nude dolls are the center doll in replaced pink leggings and the doll on the far right in lime green cap.  The latter is the one with bangs and click-bend knees.  The center doll's former braid was taken down, rebraided on both sides in the front and the ends pulled to the back of her head and held together with a rubber band.

Oh and in case you're wondering what happened to Stacie and Lila, they have found a new home.


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BBD Dena's New Shoes and Scarf Dress

Square scarf and shoes are of different animal prints

The animal-print sandals, seen above, were made to fit Big Beautiful Dolls (BBD) and do fit perfectly! I purchased these on eBay for Dasia from Tamisha M., who is currently selling fashions and shoes for BBD, Lammily, and other dolls through her Etsy Shop, Ooaktamishay.  Until Dasia's return from the Perot Museum, Dena is enjoying these very well-made sandals.

In these two photos, Dena illustrates how well the sandals by Tamisha M. fit her feet.

Dena needed a coordinating dress to wear with the sandals. After watching the following video and finding an 18 x 18-inch animal-print scarf (shown in the first photo with the sandals), I made Dena a dress.  (Yes, I know the shoes and scarf are different animal prints, but she's a doll and won't complain.)

Making a Teddy:

Before the scarf dress was made, I used the foot and mid-calf portion of a stocking to make a no-sew teddy for Dena. The mid-calf of the stocking was cut crosswise and the corners of the toe were cut diagonally to create leg openings.  Dasia models this in the next two photos.

The excess fabric at the top of the teddy was rolled over.  This can also be trimmed to create a shorter flap.

View of the teddy from the back

Now to make the scarf dress:

As described in the video, the scarf was folded in half and the top two ends tied together, as illustrated here.

After unfolding the scarf, the two armholes were clearly visible.  Dena tried it on for size.

One arm was placed in an armhole, then the other.

The dress is coming into shape.

The length of the scarf was adjusted as illustrated in the next two photos:

With Dena lying down in a legs-up position, the sides of the scarf were folded in with one side on top of the other, as illustrated here.

Next, the end of the scarf was folded up to create the desired dress length.

One side of the scarf was brought across the front of Dena's body. 

The other side was folded across Dena's body to complete the closure with additional tucking and/or extra folding to create a tapered fit.

Initially, a black stretch ponytail holder was used to create a belt.

To create a more sophisticated look, the ponytail holder/belt was replaced with a copper bracelet. The bracelet was bent to fit Dena's waist with additional fabric tucking to taper the fit of the dress.

Close-up of the copper bracelet.

A view of the dress from the back

Dena looks elegant in her new animal-print dress with a copper belt and animal-print shoes.

In the final photo, the bottom closure of the dress was adjusted to create an opening because Dena wanted to show off her new shoes.



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