Happywonders - Happy Wonders

sonny angels, enjoy the moment 

In 2000 and 2001, Mattel paid homage to the designers working on the dolls themselves with a two-doll series (perhaps originally intended to be ongoing longer) called the Grand Entrance series.

The first of these is in a blue and white ballgown, with a collection of white roses adorning her hip.

The second was elaborately dolled up in shades of pink. Both were packaged with a "guide to collecting", in a bid to encourage would-be collectors to become full-time collectors.

Each of the doll credits the designer on the front of the box, and provides a brief blurb about the designer on the back, including a brief list of other Barbies that they worked on designing.

One of the reasons I suspect this series might have been intended to be ongoing and then wasn't is because of the designer they picked to showcase for the debut of this collection, Carter Bryant. Carter Bryant is not exactly a household name, but it may be recognisable to people "in the know" in the doll world.

On May 21, 2001, only a handful of months after Carter Bryant was showcased as the second designer after BillyBoy* (and the first designer who was a regular employee of Mattel rather than a collaborator) to be credited by name on a doll, MGA Entertainment released a doll that was to become one of Barbie's big competitors.

And why is it relevant when Bratz hit the market?

Yes, the same Carter Bryant.

This became the crux of the lawsuit Mattel v MGA Entertainment, as written about by Orly Lobel in her book You Don't Own Me: How Mattel V. MGA Entertainment Exposed Barbie's Dark Side, which I read not long ago and highly recommend.

I don't know for sure whether this was relevant to Mattel not continuing the collectors series showcasing their designers, but let's just say I wouldn't rule it out either.

Moomin Valley ♡

Here's a doll room box I made in the late 90s

and then this is from 2004

It's hard to see, but the walls were covered with a gift wrap that had really small pale blue stripes

This room box from 2006 left the foam core plain white

and this is the one that's sitting in a closet storage area right now, with fabric on the walls

bonus:

Welcome to the Apothecary

Blythe a Day October 2023 for: Apothecary

“Life is like an apothecary; you'll find a remedy for every problem.”

Welcome to the Three Witches Apothecary where we have the finest quality, locally sourced potions, tinctures, spells, and magical goodies. We are having a special sale, today only, on Saturday the 14th. All brooms and candles are 14% off. If you need help locating an item or have any questions, I’ll be right here, behind the counter.

I finally decorated my dream ita/doll bag!

Actually made more than the inserts, but that’s because the base bag wasn’t the best.. the inserts are the fun part!

Made one that is the interior space, and one that’s a change of scenery so I have a total of 3 views out that window ^^

One Sixth Scale Apartment Bedroom DIORAMA DIY Part 1

Let’s go Fishing!!

a teensy mushroom !!