Block Party!

Our neighborhood is having a block party today. 

We do this once a year 

and it's a great way to get to know the folks who live around us. 

We get a permit to block off our street. 

We have a barbecue potluck, games, and a dessert contest. 

So today I'm pretty busy with that.  

But I've been working on a new little doll, and she's almost finished.

She has cute little overalls with snails on them and a green teeshirt.

I've also been knitting tops 

and tried my hand at a matching hat this week.

I was contacted about doing a holiday Craft show in Tigard, Oregon last week,

and sent in the application and fee today.

It's going to be quite a large show 

and I'm hoping to sell many of my dolls.

So if there's one you especially like,

you may want to nab her now.

Have a great weekend!

Annie

Repainted Bratz Dolls - You DO Have Options!

My Etsy shop got a notice in the mail recently from a well-known Bratz repaint artist. You know, the one with all the blogs, advertising campaigns, and whose tradename name is generally associated with repainted Bratz dolls?

And the big problem is that even though I am in absolute compliance with United States Trademark Law, Etsy's legal department will not even take a peek at the facts. All it takes to shut down someone's listings is a complaint that they are breaking trademark law and BOOM! No questions asked. No examinations of the facts. They clearly state they won't examine the facts. They simply remove your listings based on nothing more than someone's complaint that you are out of compliance. Then, after 3 complaints, they take down your entire shop.

Several talented doll repainters have been put out of business by this person, who many of us consider to be a bully. I have to wonder what she fears? Her dolls are only listed once a month and sell out within a few minutes, even though her prices are in the highest range.  I don't see how most parents with a modest income can afford one of "those" dolls for their child. To me, her dolls seem to have become something collectors buy, not something for children to play with. And if you visit her Facebook page the day after she has a selling spree (she only sells dolls once a month), you can see many posts by people who are frustrated at not even getting to SEE the dolls, much less be able to afford them.

So why does she care if other people are selling more affordable dolls? It feels like she just doesn't want the competition. I just can't figure out why. Her dolls are unique, as are the dolls of every repainter. My dolls look NOTHING like her dolls. My prices are approximately 1/6 of her prices. Her dolls sell for $180 each and up. She's shutting down shops selling dolls for $25 and under.

I have asked her to please point out which of my listings are not in compliance with Trademark Law and so far, she has not done so. But all she has to do is hit a key on her keyboard and my listings disappear, as so many other people's listings and shops have.

I'm not the only one being targeted. There is a lot of scuttlebutt in the doll painting community about her bullying. She seems to be stealthily taking down one shop after another.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

I'm asking the community is for ideas and for help - If you have a blog, please research the facts, and write a post, a positive post informing people there ARE other great, affordable options. And tell your friends. Social Media is a great tool - let's use it!

Do your own research. Compare those prices of $180 and upwards with the prices of repainted Bratz dolls done by other artists, which start as low as $25 or less.

Tell your readers and your friends that instead of doing a search on her famous name, to do a search on Bratz Repaints or Repainted Bratz Dolls and look at the many beautiful and affordable repainted dolls that are available.

And though I'd love it if you'd buy one of MY dolls (of course) please know there are a LOT of talented artists on Etsy painting dolls. They've just been forced to not use any of the three words in "that" trademarked name in their ads, and so people are not finding them.  It's sort of like telling people who are searching for tissue not to search on "Kleenex," but to search on other descriptive words.

Let's get off the "fill in the famous name" bandwagon and start our OWN party!

Please share this post and get the word out.

And if you're from the USA, think about buying from LOCAL artists, instead of someone across the big wide ocean.

Thanks so much for your consideration!

Annie

Meet SASHA

Sasha's hair has been left naturally curly

Her dress was sewn by Jessica at Trails Crafts

Sasha is wearing cute little Mary Jane shoes

Before and After

New Dolls in the Shop

After a break of a week or so, I've had time to put a few new dolls in the shop:

Amie after and before!

Amie is wearing a dress by TrailsCrafts

Alice has beautiful long hair

Brie is a little shy

Her shirt is by TrailsCrafts and her skirt by Willowpattern
Both have shops on Etsy

Meet Spring!

I love her green dress by TrailsCrafts

Amanda got a makeover!

I put her in a dress by TrailsCrafts and I made her a new pair of Mary Janes.

A Few New Asian Dolls in My Shop

It seems there are not a lot of Asian dolls available for mothers to buy.

This week I worked on three more dolls and put them in my shop:

Kin has beautiful long red hair and light skin. 

She has a boo-boo on her leg that she got climbing a tree today. 

She is dressed in short pajamas, a white tee shirt, and a blue robe 

and is carrying her stuffed froggie.

Akiko is dressed in a little blue skirt and white top with suspenders.

She is wearing pink boots and has pink ribbons in her hair.

Leia is a new doll who has been repainted.

She is dressed in a flowered dress.

Her pretty hair has a headband and a pink rose.

She is wearing pink Mary Janes.

Seven New Dolls

I put seven new dolls into the shop today:

Mariela is a small "little sister" doll

Annalise

Leia

Abby2

Sarah has ice skates on!

Ashlie

Annette2

LDS Missionary Doll

A few weeks ago, I created this LDS Missionary Doll.
I realize the missionaries are not allowed to wear bow ties.
I need to make or find a "real" tie!
But isn't he cute?

My Little Albino Chinese Doll

I finished dressing my little Chinese dolls and sent them off to their happy owner.  One doll was a regular Bratz and so does not have Asian features, but the other 3 most certainly do.  Here they are:

I love these little dresses by Trails Crafts!

Another modest but modern outfit.

Isn't she sweet?

A Bratz repaint in a Trails Craft dress

It's back to the grind today, trying to get dolls into the shop so I can have my weekend to myself.

Etsy is crawling with repainted dolls this week - they seem to be coming out of the woodwork. I'm hoping customers will recognize the skill and care I put into my dolls.

Each one is like a new little grandchild.
Isn't that funny?