The Fearsome Beauty Of Winter

Winter holds a magic that no other season can match. But with that wonder comes a fierce nature that cannot be ignored. It’s the time of year that I am most drawn to taking doll photos…and also the most difficult. How can anyone resist the alluring sparkle of ice wrapped trees creating a crystal forest? Sunlight on snow glimmering, shimmering and reflecting tiny prisms of color beckon hypnotically. And yet, the plummeting temperatures set teeth to chattering and numb one’s fingers almost immediately upon stepping outside.

A mountain of clothing (“I can’t put my arms down!”) and constantly running indoors to warm up are a necessity. But that’s not the only obstacle to overcome. Posing the dolls and considering where exactly the photos will be taken before venturing out are key. Because very cold conditions can cause the plastics that the dolls are made of to become temporarily more brittle than normal, risking chips or cracks. So, handling them very carefully is a good idea under such tough conditions. Also, the cold can cause one to be a bit less mentally alert – I think of it as “cold dumbness” – so anything that can be thought of while still warm and indoors is a plus. Even setting up the camera controls while still in the house (maybe adding a stop for more well-lit photos or adjusting the zoom and approximately framing the photo) helps get a jump on a good shot. Oh, and anticipating a hot chocolate afterwards is a good motivator, too.

Taking winter doll photos can be a crazy, challenging frenzy. But when it works out, it’s a huge thrill. And if it doesn’t work out so well, it’s worth taking a break, warming up in front of the fire and going out to trying again. Because winter’s icy, snowy, wicked and wonderful charms are really too enchanting to resist.

Cold Beauty

 

A Walk In The Winter Woods

Snow & Ice and Everything Nice

Today’s model is Poppy Parker, a workshop doll I was able to purchase secondhand from the recent 2013 Premiere convention (thanks, Teresa!). She is wearing a one-of-a-kind crocheted ponytail hat made by me, Fashion Royalty earrings, The Outsider Misaki’s jacket, a rhinestone snake bracelet (a people-sized ear cuff from Claires), Barbie Best Models On Location Monte Carlo trousers and Trendy Girl Misaki’s boots. Poppy’s photos were taken yesterday morning (temperatures were around fifteen degrees – so cold!) all around our yard.

The More Difficult The Act,

The Sweeter The Achievement

When It Is Accomplished.

 

 

 

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Queen Of Mean

Okay, so maybe it’s because the dolls of my childhood always wore the same expressions…happy, smiling faces; eyes filled with mirth and joy…that I’ve grown to adore the wicked ones as an adult. A little disdain, that “I’m so over it” attitude, an evil little pout…that’s the stuff that stands out from the crowd. And nobody does it better than the Baroness Agnes Von Weiss. She is a wonderfully fresh face among the blissed-out crowd – a special doll that doesn’t need to radiate benevolence to be beautiful. Hers is the elegance of a broken glass gaze and razor blade moue. And I love her all the more for it.

Twisted Miss

Sass and a Half

Today’s model is Nightfall Agnes from this year’s Integrity Toys’ Premiere convention. She is wearing her original fashion with the addition of a bracelet from Claires (an ear cuff for humans – re purposed to doll scale jewelry) and a necklace assembled by me from craft store jewelry components. I acquired her in a fabulous trade from another collector (thanks, Kimberly!). She sports the new Fashion Royalty body (an updated amalgam of FR & FR2). Her photo was taken in our living room, lit by morning sunlight coming through the glass door with a wooden door sample pressed into service as the background.

I Like A Girl

Who Is Sweet And Nice,

But I Love A Girl

Who’s Got Some Spice!

 

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Convention Fever

A week ago, Integrity Toys held it’s annual doll convention. Three days of fun, festivities and dolls, dolls, dolls! I’ve yet to attend one, but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy it. There were quite a few convention attendees who kept the rest of us tuned in – in just about real time. Between twitter, blog and Flickr updates – you’re practically there. From the initial registration, during the workshops and store tours, through the luncheon and dinner events, with about forty new doll reveals sprinkled throughout it all and unleashed upon the world…the images and info were sent out…and I happily took it all in.

I can honestly say that I’ve never seen a better collection of dolls concentrated into one convention. Every one a beauty, you could almost hear the sighs of desire and whoops of joy emanating through the computer screen as each one was revealed.

Though I was only standing on the sidelines, the convention was a major win for me. I managed to find a lovely collector willing to sell me one of the dolls I fell in love with for a very attractive price. And I found another fantastic collector willing to trade a doll that I had not bonded with for another of the convention cuties that caught my eye.

The first doll I fell for has already made it here…

Elegant Evening Poppy Parker

Oh, my gosh! Isn’t she just the most! EEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Today’s model is Elegant Evening Poppy Parker. She was the featured centerpiece at one of the luncheons during the convention. She’s wearing her original fashion (minus a golden bracelet – not a fave & I was afraid it would fall off during the shoot…or get all fiddly and turned backwards – so I left it off). I gave her hair a little brushing to tame the flyaway strands. Her photo was taken in our front yard in the morning sunlight.

I Could Not Have Dreamed You

I Think You Must Be Real

Because I Could Never

Have Had A Dream

As Beautiful As You

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