We Dream of Spring
Well hello, hello! I am borrowing that opening from my new favorite Instagram account @clausdalby. We have been in strict lockdown for almost a year here in the Pacific Northwest and a few days ago were hit with about a foot of snow. We rarely get that much snow here so basically everything comes to a standstill until the snow melts.
I have to admit…the last year and frankly the last couple of years my inspiration and creativity for doll photography has been in a holding pattern. I just couldn’t for the life of me find a willingness to create images. That is so unusual for me. I did however, pour myself into different projects ( new landscaping and gardens and conversion of a play space into a home studio/craft space) that syphoned off the creative energy for a bit. As they say…such is life. My hope is that now that the new large projects are completed, I can find joy again in my collection and photographing it.
During this quarantine, I have found so many inspiring images and stories in my daily scroll of Instagram and Flickr. I am amazed every day at the creativity in this world and so thankful for all of those who share images and the comments and dialogue that others join in with. It has created a community in which we all could participate even when we could not visit in person with others.
This morning as I looked out at a landscape of snow and ice, I felt the old familiar stirrings of doll photography creativity and I was spurred to action by an image a friend shared on Instagram. These images came together easily and organically in a short amount of time. I had the miniature cherry blossom branches because I have been trying my hand at making miniature flowers for the past year. It was well past time to put them on camera. Let’s hope I am over my creativity hump and will move back into the blog and doll photos.
Model: Like No Other Nadja by Integrity Toys
Gown and Jacket: M.u.n.l.e on etsy at HOANGANHKHOI
Cherry Blossom Crown and flowers: handmade
Background: Replica Surfaces
Shopping bag: handmade
-Rebecca
Celebrating Easter with Poppies and Daisies
Happy Easter everyone!! Since we are all at home and anxious during this global pandemic ( and there is a sentence I never expected or wanted to write) Hilda Westervelt of Bellissima Couture and I wanted to bring a little pastel beauty to everyone’s day and week. I hope these images bring some joy to your day and some hope into your hearts. We will get through this together and come out stronger for it. And with that…lets get on with the photos. Hilda and I have collaborated again with Laduree as our inspiration.
All dresses were made by Hilda and are up for sale through her blog Bellissima Couture . She has a limited supply of each color. I have also made some coordinating bags and boxes for these. The dresses do not come with the hats. I added those for these images.
The bags and boxes are available now. Very limited quantity. The pillows and rose filled little box will come out a bit later. The flowers are not available…sorry folks ( my supplier for these is not producing currently). If you are just interested in the bags and boxes, contact me via email at raberry65@msn.com. If you are interested in the dress and bags/boxes, contact Hilda through her blog. Bag with 2 boxes is $15 plus S/H ( pink, blue, white). Bag with 1 box $10 plus S/H( mint green). Hat boxes are $12 plus S/H. Shipping and handling on the these especially internationally will be a bit more because items need to be shipped in boxes.
The lovely Lemon Frost Poppy Parker in her Easter bonnet by Rogier Corbeau of Dutch Fashion Doll World
The adorable Groovy Poppy Parker and hat by Judy O’Connell of Aponi Designs
Split Decision Poppy Parker with hat by Tiny Kitty Collier ( I think this was from the charity luncheon outfit??)
Keen Poppy Parker with another hat from Rogier Corbeau of Dutch Fashion Doll World.
Digital Hugs to all and please, please, please keep up social distancing. Remember that we are doing it for others as well as ourselves. Also, if I have any followers who are health care workers in any capacity…you have my continued whole hearted respect and admiration for the valiant jobs you are doing.
-Rebecca
Spring Fever–Sophisticated
Still dreaming of spring here in the dreary rain filled days of a Pacific Northwest winter. I have already shown some fun more casual fashions. Today I’m going full on couture with two fashions and models that brought Spring into the studio for a swoon worthy day of pastels.
Model: Making an Entrance Karolin Stone from Integrity Toys ( Her hair has been changed)
Suit and hat: HOANGANHKHOI on Etsy
Shoes: Integrity Toys
Jewelry: Integrity Toys
The construction of this gorgeous creation is incredible. Beautifully tailored and sewn! The beading!! I Die!!
Next up is a pink confection from my bestie Miss Hilda of Bellissima Couture
Model and Jewelry: Pink Powder Puff Poppy Parker from Integrity Toys
Gown: Bellissima Couture
Shoes: Paul Zhangby on Ebay
Nobody does these silk and lace creations like Hilda! Nobody! The perfect confection for this pink Poppy.
And…because I am all about botanicals right now…had to do this!
Looking forward to Spring!!
-Rebecca
In The Palace
For those of you who follow my instagram feed, you have seen some of these images already. It is not my intention to post images on Instagram first but sometimes it just works out that way. If I am excited about a photo, sometimes I just can’t contain myself and have to share it immediately. Sometimes there is just an image and no backstory or text/dialogue I want to share with it other than the image itself. Instagram is a great platform for that. If you don’t follow me there, consider it. I share funny behind the scenes stories and pictures on my Instagram stories too. My blog will still be the place to come when you want the full set of images on something and/or more information on what is in the picture. Ok, now that public service announcement is out of the way….on to the pictures.
I had this amazing graphic a friend had sent me many moons ago and had used it in backdrops for Hilda and my sales table at Barbiecon. I always love architectural drawings and wanted to see if it would work as a photo backdrop. Thankfully..it did.
Elyse In The Palace
Model: Divinely Luminous Elyse from Integrity Toys
Gown: Rimdoll on Etsy
Jewelry: Divinely Luminous Elyse
I felt like I needed an opulent set to go with this amazing dress from Rimdoll. It is a wonderful interpretation of the Dior Robe Mexique from 1951.
Elyse wasn’t the only one at the palace the day of this shoot. Dasha made an appearance as well.
Dasha at the Palace
Model: Daydream Dasha d’Amboise from Integrity Toys
Gown: HOANGANHKHOI on Etsy
Jewelry: Daydream Dasha and Mattel
Shoes: Integrity Toys
Love this shirt long skirt combo. Sooooo elegant!! This miniature couture designer out of Vietnam is amazing. I will tell you that his designs take a while to manufacture and arrive. I can also tell you that while the wait was long, I was always happy with the product.
-Rebecca
Mademoiselle Papillon Rouge
Giselle has been restyled as Miss Red Butterfly for today’s blog post. I have been inspired by some beautiful images coming from Dior’s Spring Couture collection and the new captain at it’s helm Maria Grazia Chiuri (formerly of Valentino). She had unicorn’s lining the walk into the collection venue! Ok, Ok, they were not real unicorns but still….very whimsical. She had a park like setting and I supposed that has helped influence the backdrop for this shoot as well.
Model: Integrity Toys AKA Gigi Giselle
Dress: Rimdoll
Hat: Integrity Toys “Love The One” Kyori Sato ( I embellished with flower and butterfly)
Gloved hands: Integrity Toys “Royal Treatment” Véronique giftset
Earrings: Integrity Toys “Admiration” Monogram
Purse: Bogue’s Vogues
-Rebecca
A Bridal Still Life
I am continually inspired by miniature couture. In particular, I adore any and all images that come out of Le Petit Théâtre from Dior.
I love how they use real size items with miniatures. I had a free day in the studio…almost unheard of these days…so I thought I would try my hand at something like this. I decided to use my most recent bridal shoot as inspiration. For those of you following my instagram story…you got to see a little taste of the shoot. But…as most things go in the studio, you saw the prelim shots and not the final part of what I actually used in the processed images.
I have to give a shout out to my dear friend Rogier Corbeau of Dutch Fashion Doll World who did some additional art direction on this shoot. Your vision is always valued and appreciated my friend.
And…a chance to bring out the pearls! 
It’s always a treat to use my Laduree boxes.
But let’s face it…this entire shoot was all about this fabulous dress from Rimdoll on Etsy. 
For those of you interested in the set up for this shoot, it was all done in natural light with one reflector. Be prepared people when using natural light to be waiting half the day for optimal lighting. Since I always love to see behind the scenes from others, I will share a behind the scenes shot here of the set up. Yes…I have a flash in the picture below but I didn’t end up using it.
-Rebecca
A Romantic Era Continues
So I am continuing the photo series with Romantic Era Roxy from Lovetones. In this next series of photos from the garden I have capture Roxy in a stunning gown From Natalia. Beautifully designed and constructed.
Model: Lovetones Romantic Era Roxy
Gown: Natalia 2010 Chizhik on Ebay also on Flickr at https://www.flickr.com/photos/85292334@N02/with/30684365700/
Jewelry: Isabelle from IsabelleParisJewels on Etsy
I restyled the hair of the doll for this shot.
-Rebecca
Oh so Chanel
For those of you who follow me on FB and Instagram, you received a little sneak peek of today’s post this past weekend.
Tomorrow, I am flying to Chicago for the 2016 Integrity Toys Convention. Hilda Westervelt of Bellissima Couture and I will be having an event on Wednesday evening to sell fabulous OOAK clothing creations by Hilda and a variety of 1/6 items made by me and my fellow blogger Rogier Corbeau of Dutch Fashion Doll World. For place and time, check the boards at convention. We will be placing signage as soon as we have a room number. We will also be at the sales bazaar on Friday evening.
Here is a small sample of some of the Chanel inspired yumminess that Hilda will have available for convention attendees.
If you are in the market for some exquisite 1/6 couture for your dolls and are attending IT convention this year, come attend the event. Room number and time will be posted at convention.
Blog post on accessories and other 1/6 items available will be up later today 
A Passion for Pink
This title should be a weekly entry at Inside the Fashion Doll Studio…maybe it will be now that I have said it. I recently discovered the beautiful work of Antonio Realli and was very pleased to add one of his recent collection pieces to my ever growing 1/6 clothing hoard.
For those diorama artists out there, the flooring I used in these shots is a new contact paper I used found here. I love that it is super shiny like real marble. Love the reflection it gives of the gown! We are finally starting to get some sunshine in the Pacific Northwest. The forecast for the next week is SUNNY!! I will be taking advantage and photographing many projects.
Some of you have already noticed that I have started an Instagram account ( see sidebar to the right just under archives). Feel free to follow me there for sneaks of upcoming items or additional photos of some behind the scenes stuff. It’s my goal to post something daily there. A goal….to be reached at some point in the future. 
-Rebecca
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 