The Real, Stacey McBride, SIS Retirement

Three of a set of four ugly Christmas sweater ornaments, by North Pole Trading Co.

An ugly Christmas sweater party, an appearance by actor/writer Hill Harper, and doll designer Stacey McBride will feature her Prettie Girls dolls on The Real Talk Show on Tuesday, December 16, 2014. (Stacey is mentioned in the final paragraph at the previous link.)  Check your Fox network local listings for air time.


McBride, a former Mattel designer and creator of their So In Style dolls stepped out on faith, left Mattel's employ, and created her own line of fashion dolls, the Prettie Girls.  Congratulations, Stacey, for your current and future successful endeavors.  Continue to follow your heart and make your dreams a reality.

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So in Style Chandra (now retired) sizes up a customized (formerly white Santa) ugly Christmas sweater, the 4th sweater in a set of four by North Pole Trading Co. (The other three sweater ornaments are shown in the first image.)  Chandra likes the now-brown Santa sweater and could probably wear this as a dress, but she chose not.

On a loosely connected note, the So In Style Barbie doll line designed by McBride for Mattel, has been retired!  The only surviving member of the line is Grace, who will continue her life as a friend of Barbie in the Barbie Fashionistas line.  See three versions of the 2015 Grace here, here and here. 


Kudos to Stacey for designing the S.I.S. line of African American dolls to represent females with different complexions, hair textures and styles, who sometimes wore designer labels, and occasionally came with articulation.  I will miss, Trichelle, Kara, and Chandra.  Marisa, the beautiful Latina S.I.S. doll, will also be missed.  Darren's brief appearance was also appreciated.

A debt of gratitude is owed to Stephen Sumner for working with Stacey at Mattel on the S.I.S. dolls and for continuing the work after her departure.  Wishing you much continued success, too, Stephen in your new, hopefully greener-than-Mattel pastures. 


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Marcella Welch Memorial Art Foundation

Banner image courtesy of the Marcella Welch Memorial Art Foundation

Notification has been received of the Marcella Welch Memorial Art Foundation.  This information is shared here for those who collect art dolls, for those who might also be familiar with Marcella Welch's doll artistry but were unaware of the foundation, and/or to introduce her work to those who were formerly unfamiliar with it.

Via email notification, Welch's daughter wrote:

Hello Deb, this is Marcella's daughter.  I hope this email finds you well. 

I remember you featuring my mother and her artwork in your e-zine years back.  I'm not sure if you know, but Mom passed away in 2012 after a long, courageous battle with brain cancer.

I just wanted to share with you that I have created a Foundation to continue Mom's legacy. 

Here's what the Foundation is all about:

The Marcella Welch Memorial Art Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2014.  Our mission is threefold:  (1) to provide scholarship money to young, aspiring artists enrolling in visual or performance art programs at an accredited four-year university or college; (2) to provide classes and workshops for young people to help develop their artistic talents and abilities; and (3) to assist in finding a permanent gallery home for the artwork of Marcella Welch.
When you have time, please visit our website:www.marcellawelchartfoundation.org
If you would, please pass along this information.  If anyone would like to make a tax-deductible donation, they can do so through our website.

Thanks so much & Happy Holidays!

Shawnda

Like us on Facebook!

 
Click the play arrow to view a video of Marcella Welch's dolls.


 

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Mel's Mo

Found stuff

This quick photo-sharing post illustrates the easy Mohawk hairstyle created with the Afro wig Melrose (Moxie Teenz) wears.

She needs dangle earrings, was my initial thought after the wig was placed.  None were available at the time, but I found a pink pair of stud earrings that would have to do until I could either make or purchase dangle earrings.

A day or so later, still unable to "see" the pink studs due to the fibers of the wig, I lifted and wrapped a clear elastic band around the back center section of the wig.  This lifted the sides away from her ears.  That section was fluffed out with my fingers as necessary to create the Mohawk hairstyle.  Side curls dangle to cover Mel's blond sideburns.  She looks a little edgy now.

Mel's Afro-wig turned Mohawk

This post remained in draft mode for several days due to circumstances beyond my control:  life, taxes, death... all in that order.  During that period, while driving home, my husband saw a wooden jewelry box on the side of the road.  He stopped the car and retrieve it.  The lid has a heart shaped center opening that was covered with a cracked piece of stained glass.  As illustrated in the first image of this post, the jewelry box is otherwise in excellent condition.  It contains several pieces of costume jewelry including a pair of dangle earrings that are perfect for Mel, who models them with her BFF Bijou below in close-up and full-length photos.

Mel shows off her new-to-her dangle earrings with her BFF Bijou.

The two lovely young ladies take one final photo.

~~~~~

Life:  The past several days have been very hectic with deadlines to meet, orders to fill, and unexpected occurrences.

Taxes:  I received a letter in the mail from the IRS to inform me of a $26 and change underpayment of my 2013 income taxes.  I am not complaining; my tax debt could have been more.

Death:  A person I have known for almost 40 years passed away this past Saturday.  This was quite shocking because, while I knew she had been ill for an extended period, I did not know her condition had taken a turn for the worse which ultimately caused her untimely demise.  It still seems so very surreal. 



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