As I like to do, I'm looking over my past year of doll collecting, and making plans and goals for the year ahead, which I'll post about. But while I have my own personal plans for sewing and painting, etc. for my dolls, my thoughts from a collector point of view are pretty gloomy. There are still Ever After High dolls out there that I would like to buy, but nothing good seems to be in the works for the line. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see it completely die out in 2017.
The announcement that Tonner is done with most of his lines was a huge surprise for most of the doll collecting community who follows his work. I was pretty certain there were going to be more Ann Estelle dolls coming out, and now there won't even be more Patsy dolls, or outfits that fit the 10" dolls. This will not help prices on the secondary market, which in my opinion are rather high already, considering how many dolls were produced, and how long ago the dolls were produced. All the 10" dolls, Ann Estelle, Petite Filles, and Patsy, seem to all be very popular among collectors still. There are currently 10" articulated bodies only for sale from Tonner, and I may try to pick up one or two on the chance that I might want to rebody one of my dolls, but I'm afraid they'll sell out rather quickly as people scramble to buy before everything is gone for good.
Makie is not in business anymore, either. In my plans for this year, was the possibility of getting another Makie doll, since I liked my first one. Unfortunately, this company too disappeared in 2016.
So in my doll collecting life, I really don't have any new releases to be excited about or look forward to. The only new dolls I might be interested in, for now, are Barbies, and Mattel is so hit or miss that I don't have a lot of confidence in what will be made this year. I will admit that at this time I am trying to power through clinical depression. Everything right now seems undo-able. But life continues.
ETA: I guess I can't absolutely say that there will never be any more Makie dolls. What I do know is that the company suddenly declared it was moving from the UK to the US. After that, there was no more news, and Makies are no longer for sale. It would be great if there was a chance that the dolls will be produced again, but it's been, I think, close to a year now with no news. Actually, I think orders for Christmas 2015 were cancelled at the last minute, but that's just a vague memory, and I can't find anything about it. I do know many people were upset because they had saved doll designs on the Makie website, which are now gone.
It was sad to see Makies go out of production. I don't think changing the bodies did them any favours either, although perhaps that was a last ditch effort to stop the inevitable, who knows, nothing seems to be completely clear about what happened.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear you are suffering with the Black Dog, it is very difficult to deal with and so many people don't appreciate or understand how it can affect someone. My thoughts are with you - keep powering through, you are not alone! {{hugs}}
Best wishes for a Healthy and Happy New Year.
Thank you, Serenata, and the same to you.
DeleteI thought Makie was still looking to open up over here.Have they definitely said no on that? I get emails from the Tonner site, and I didn't hear that! Are they just going out of business? I was starting to really like a lot of Toner dolls, so that must be why! Everything I like stops being made! On the other hand, look how many ever After High dolls there are out there to find! There are second hand shops, thrift stores, and yard sales to search. I'll keep you updated on any good clearances I see. I used to have a problem with depression too, but I am a lot better these days.I still get that black feeling for no reason sometimes,but luckily it doesn't get as severe, or last as long as it used to. I hope you can conquer yours. Good luck and happy new year!
ReplyDeleteSee my edit above. There was talk of Makie moving here, but that was so long ago that I think many people, myself included, assume the company is gone. I'm sure the 3D programming models are still out there, but whether someone will use them again is anyone's guess.
DeleteFrom now on, Tonner is only going to be selling licensed dolls, such as the superhero ones. No more Wilde Imagination either, which means Ellowynne, Evangeline, and Patience are done. No more Miette dolls, which was a fairly brand-new line. I heard the Tonner company was going to buy, or merge, or something with One World dolls. Then I was sure I saw that wasn't going through. Now it looks like it is. People are saying since Tonner has basically lost control of the company, he's decided to leave. Maybe the licensed dolls are the only ones truly making money anymore. In any case, Tonner is starting a new company, with new designers, called Phyn and Aero. No more information or photos are available, so it's not very exciting at the moment.
I'm definitely going to keep searching for Ever After High dolls and accessories! I don't get the good thrift store deals like Muff does, but I'm going to cruise the yard sales once they start up again, probably in May. I'd love to know if you see any good clearance.
Mostly the depression doesn't get too bad for me, but circumstances are troubling right now on the home front, so it's getting to be a bit too much. I do have hopes that things will improve in 2017. Happy New Year!
At the moment Target has some great clearances on Ever After High dolls.
DeleteBarb, I'm wishing you the best of luck and good health for 2017!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Muff. I wish you the same!
DeleteHi Barb,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear of the depression...it's an awful feeling and especially hard this time of year when everything is dark or gray. I always get a little anxiety this time of year it seems and I'm not sure why.
As for collection, I totally agree with you regarding Ever After High. It seems like the dolls they are coming out with are much cheaper and geared towards younger children. I have a few more of the older ones I am hoping to collect, but after that, I might be done.
As for Tonner, I am a bit sad that he is done. I'm interested to see what happens, but I still want to collect some, so yeah...guess to the secondary market I go and just have to try to find a good deal.
I'm shocked to hear that Makie is also done! I didn't realize that. I never was able to get one of those either, but I enjoy other people's photos of them.
I am still working on getting some of the older Monster High dolls and a few of the newer ones, but going forward, I can see this collection coming to an end as well. At least there is Barbie, lol. I do have plans to add more to that collection, but I really want to focus on dollhouses, miniatures and making dioramas so I hope I can find time to do that in 2017!
xo
Farrah Lily, I do have many of the indications for SADD. I take Vitamin D supplements all year round, and have a light box which I use in the darker months. This year, things have been especially challenging at la Casa de BTEG for the past several months, so I think my usual actions just aren't enough.
DeleteI'm sad that Tonner's exit was so sudden. I'll still look for a few more Tenners, and maybe a Miette. Otherwise, the 16" market has just taken a big hit. I wonder what will happen to dolls of that size.
It seems like Mattel is putting more of an effort into Monster High at the moment, but collectors of both MH and EAH are dropping out, and no wonder. I am interested in the new petite redhead Barbie with the faux knit hat.
I had a Lundby dollhouse I cherished as a child, but as an adult, my interests moved on to larger scales. I'll be looking forward to seeing what you'll do in 2017!
Hi Barb,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your doll reviews. I enjoy reading your blog and getting your take on the dolls. Your sewing is beautifully done and I look forward to seeing more of your work. I am sending you positive healing energy and have you and yours in my prayers. I hope that the new year brings you many happy blessings
Thank you so much for your kind words. Happy new year to you as well.
DeleteI know what you mean. So many collector doll companies seem to have vanished over the last ten years and play dolls seem to be going down the toilet at the moment. My fear with the Tonner thing is that I worry they're only continuing with the licenced dolls until the licences run out and then they'll be discontinued too. I REALLY hope that doesn't happen.
ReplyDeleteAs for depression whether seasonal or not, I always find doing things that I enjoyed as a child (even if they're not things grown ups normally would do) helps. I hope you feel better soon.
I agree that there's a real chance the licensed dolls won't make it in the long run either. It will be sad to see it all gone completely.
DeleteAdult coloring books are popular in the US right now, complicated patterns like mandalas. I've heard they're very relaxing. Perhaps I should print out some pages and pick up some colored pencils.
Thank you for the well wishes.
That is a good idea Rachael. I am thinking strongly of making a swing just for me out back.
DeleteI understand what you going trough. Last year was very difficult for me, and I have depression too. I took the pills the doctors told me to, and it is a bit better, I even started to sew for dolls again, but I still feel sth is not all right. And I can't even describe it. I just feel it.
ReplyDeleteIt is very sad that all this companies disappear. I dream about Tonner's Cami, but they stopped to produce her a while ago, and know probably the prices will increase even more :(
Thank you, Natalia. It can be very difficult sometimes. I hope that we both have a better 2017, and that a Cami will come your way someday!
DeleteI never got around to getting a Makies doll. Maybe there is one waiting for me somewhere in the dollosphere.
ReplyDeleteJust remember in Dolly world there is not such thing as depression. Pretend you are one of your happiest dolls or just decide one is you and live through her if it helps. At any rate...feel better in 2017!
I hope you find a Makie doll if you want one.
DeleteInteresting advice, and thank you for the well wishes.
I've wondered why the Makies folks didn't sell the customized files for printing the dolls if actually producing them was getting too high? It seems like the kind of thing that would be feasible.
ReplyDeleteI've wondered that about the Makie company myself. Just the software alone must be worthwhile to someone. I hope that the dolls do come back someday, even if a different company makes them.
DeleteI think this is a very difficult time of year for many people whether you suffer from clinical depression or not. It seems to have something to do with the end of the year and not just the weather. And it may also be world events as well - everyone seems to be very unsettled. I hope your circumstances improve and that you begin to feel much better soon.
ReplyDeleteThe news about the doll companies is a bit sad also - I hadn't caught up with all of this. However, I am sure there will be other companies and other dolls, just maybe not so many this year.
Interesting and different perspective! I myself love starting a fresh new year, but I suppose it can feel like a difficult time for others. Thank you for the well wishes. You're right that there will be new dolls in the future for us to enjoy. I think it was just the surprise that left me feeling a bit bereft.
ReplyDeleteUffff....as a doll collector from Spain, is already hard to get my hands on some of the dolls, because most of them are made in America, and the price is put on a mountain because sending taxes and stuff. Now you say that Ever After High is in danger of disappearing (even tho I never followed that line that much, I don't like the dolls quality), Monster High is not bringing out enough interesting things (the new dolls without articulation are horrible and cheap), Barbie....don't get me started. Fashionistas are ok, but...kneeeeees.
ReplyDeleteAll in all, I might have to start going for spanish dolls that aren't that known, and risk my money to see if the quality is high enough. For now I have one Paola Reina, and I can get outfits for her, and might as well get a nancy someday (but they're very, VERY expensive even here in Spain, their birthplace) so....ok, its rather depressing.
But we are doll collectors! We'll find new things to review and nitpick! No worries!
Very true about finding new dolls to nitpick, Zilkenian! :)
DeleteThe Paola Reina and Nancy dolls seem very nice; I hope you can get some, if you want them.