I just had eBay feedback plus a lovely message from a customer. She was really happy because she spotted a surprise extra on the package I sent her: a Royal Mail 1st Class stamp featuring Sindy.
I wondered if anyone would notice the Sindy stamps - of course I hoped they would but you never know. It was just great to hear they did and were just a little bit thrilled. There's something about a real letter with a real stamp these days. Gives you a bit of a tingle.
The only thing is, you can't buy a single Sindy stamp - they come as part of a set of 10 Classic Toys stamps. So you might be lucky if you buy a Sindy item from ShimmyShim but I can't promise : )
I've been extremely busy for the past two weeks building my stand for ComicCon which will be at the Excel Centre in London Friday 25 to Sunday 27 May. Hopefully I'll have time to write a bit more about it before the event. It's a bit of an experiment where I'll be showcasing some 'Fashion Victim' skeleton toys dressed in vintage clothes and vintage and preloved dolls. It will be interesting to see of the younger crowd like them. Hope so as I've spent hours working on the stand. It's made of papier-mâché...
Meantime, I aim to list on eBay every day to keep plenty of lovely #microvintage stuff available.
This week I fished out some more cool handmade OOAK items from my collection. It is difficult to tell the difference between handmade dolls clothes and production line clothes but there are some clues. Handmade often have a bit more finishing on them whereas the factory made rarely finish the seams (and they tend to fray because of that). Hooks and eyes are generally not seen on factory made. They sometimes have thicker fabric that I imagine wouldn't so easily go through factory machines quickly (on such a small item). Other idiosyncrasies are in the design and choice of fabric pattern. Sometimes the patterns are larger because the maker has used up fabric they bought for their own clothes, whereas the branded items will have used fabric chosen especially for the doll. And handmade doesn't of course, always mean the item is strictly OOAK. There may be more than one made. But handmade usually means very unusual and a bit special.
Here are some examples:
The black maxi skirt is handmade from thick nylon. The flower power skirt is probably factory made.
I think this jacket, scarf and dress set was made by the same person as the nylon skirts above. Passion for purple! Look at the beautifully sewn buttonhole.
The jacket is even lined with matching fabric.
The vintage fabric is super: collaged squares with painterly brushstrokes.
More thick fabric here in a zig-zag pattern. Notice some hand stitching on the trim.
Fabulous zig zag tweedy 70s trouser suit with hat.
Crazy 70s kaftan which looks a bit like a kimono.
This glittery jumpsuit looks very 80s Pedigree in style.
The puff sleeve of a beautifully finished green satin mini dress. The dress is so well finished that I can't believe it was factory made. The seams are covered with green bias binding.
Bias binding finishing on mini doll dress.
And I will end with an item I decided I couldn't bring myself to sell this week. It is of course a very well known Pedigree Outfit called 'Coffee Date'. I just love it.
Sindy 1965 Coffee Party oufit #12S61