Sunday, May 13, 2012

Brimfield haul!

I am SO excited because I just got back from a long weekend at Brimfield (among other adventures) and I am pretty sure I just purchased my very first antique china head!!! Unfortunately, she looks like the victim of some sort of horrific accident. But she's in luck because she landed in the hands of an apparent dollmaker! ;)



Here's a close-up of her pretty face (which I hadn't yet cleaned for these pictures):



She looks "right" to me. She doesn't have that mid-20th century-style facial features that the repros of that era seem to have, she's obviously got signs of wear (including a break in the back of her shoulder plate which was glued together a loooooong time ago), and her body looks like it's pretty old. I peaked in to see her stuffing where her left leg was, um, amputated, and I see she is stuffed with straw, which would be correct. I really think I might have the real deal here!



She had this little "recycle?" note pinned to her bum, (along with her price, but I was only charged $16 as she was on sale 20% off). I don't know what they mean by "recycle," but my plan is to try to find a similar size (she stands about 10 3/4" tall) and style repro doll mold from which I can make some replacement arms/legs at my studio. I'll leave her head/shoulder plate just as is, and I'll even try not to alter her body, because I think that's holding up pretty well.

Anyhow. I'm pretty excited about this! My first true antique doll, plus, I have the fun of hunting down a mold that will work for repalcement arms/legs, and then I will get to make those, and have the thrill of giving this sweet little doll a second chance at life. ;)

Also, while I haven't chosen a first name for her yet, Glenn says her last name is "Ramshack," due to me referring to her as my "silly little ramshackle doll purchase." ;)

Now, on to the Brimfield finds!

First up, a $5 tea set:



So apparently, I now collect doll tea sets. I didn't do this intentionally, but I seem to be a sucker for them! I now have. . . Let's see. . . I think seven of them? Plus a few vintage or antique single pieces of tea sets. A lone pot here, a cup and saucer there. What is wrong with me?!? Ha ha ha. . .

Next, this desk:



It needs some TLC, but for the price I paid I think it's a bargain! It weighs a ton and the size is exactly right for the AG crew, and it looks suspicially like the official Samantha desk. The pattern of the wrought iron bits is right, the wood bits look correct, and in fact everything seems to indicate a potential official AG item here except two things: first, that it does not have the "PC" markings on the wrought iron bits, and second, that there are screws holding the bit of wood at the front on (what would have been the back of the chair in front). I've seen the Pleasant Company version of the desk and know it should have both of these features. What I don't know is what changes Mattel may have made. So, I either have Samantha's desk, or a decent knock-off. I'm going to take it apart, clean it, and probably refinish the wood bits. Another fun project! I do love finding things I know I can fix up.

And finally, how my heart stopped when I saw this lovely doll couch!



Most of the time, the doll furniture I find is so clunky, as it's made to be knocked about during play, or it's intended for dolls like the AG crew. This is isntead incredibly delicate and lightweight. It has wear here and there, but I think it's in pretty good condition. And, it fits Fanny perfectly!



How lonely Fanny looks sitting there by herself. I think I might need to make her a friend!

Well, one thing is for sure: I am not in danger of running out of fun things to do in the doll studio - or in my doll/sewing room! ;)

4 comments:

  1. Wow, lucky you! Such a pretty doll. I love her hairstyle!
    I've never been to the Brimfield antiques fair before, I really should go!
    Nice furniture, too!

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    1. Thank you! Oh, if you at ALL enjoy antiques, you NEED to go! People told me it was huge, but I still couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it myself. My husband and I always stay over night now so we can spend two days there. . . And we still don't see it all!

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  2. Until you complete a new leg, I think your new arrival will look fetching on the other side of the couch.

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    1. That is a good idea! After Dress U, I might make her a quick little wrapper or something, and then it won't be so obvious that she's an amputee between now and whenever I make her new limbs!

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