Here's part two of the Toy Fair Blog (Diary).  Its finally stopped snowing, but there are lots more stops on our whirlwind dolls tour.

Tuesday, February 18th 6pm

Back to reality...and back to crowds at Toy Fair.  I am greeted in the morning with another 1 hour wait for a shuttle bus.  But,  its warmer (high 20s!) although still snowing.  I'm just grateful for not nearly freezing to death while on the shuttle bus line this morning.

Before hitting the show room floor, I attend a seminar hosted by Jones Publishing aimed at helping specialty toy retailers find and retain their customers.  The seminars at Toy Fair aren't free, but for one fee, convention attendees can attend as many as they want, and the seminars cover all aspects of toys from retailing to licensing to toy safety.

Once in the show room (several football field-size exhibit spaces--Javits is an amazing and cavernous convention center) my first stop this morning is Lee Middleton Original Dolls, makers of baby and toddler dolls.  They have a fun new line of high-end play babies called "Treasured Child."  At $69, they are priced well for Lee Middletons AND they have an inner armature--you can pose these  babies!  This is also the last year that the Lee Middleton Original Dolls have the license to sell Lee Middleton's sculpted dolls, so they have several dolls which are commemorative re-issues of her sculpts (with changes to outfits, etc.), as a Farewell Tribute to her dolls.  Finally, its the 25th anniversary for Lee Middleton Dolls and special dolls celebrate this milestone as well.

As for Wendy Lawton Dolls, this year there are new dolls and concepts.  Many Wendy Lawton dolls sport mohair wigs this year.   One of my favorites this year is Wendy's "Mary Frances" doll and book--they have produced "Mary Marie" in a limited edition of 250, with a re-release of the original Mary Frances sewing book, including the original patterns that accompany the book.

Finally, Terri Lee shall be produced again.   After Knickerbocker went bankrupt, the rights to make Terri Lees revered to member's of Terri Lee's family, and they again will be in charge of production of the Terri Lee dolls.  Tiny Terris, as well as more ethnic Terris AND smaller editions of dolls than in the past are planned.

For the afternoon, I'm off to see my book editor.  By now, New York isn't so much a winter wonderland as a large, slushy puddle.  Waiting for a cab to my editor, then walking back from my editor to the hotel, my feet are soaked through.  And very cold.  Now, I understand the concept of galoshes.

Wednesday, February 19th 9am

I cannot believe that the last day of Toy Fair is already here! OK, I'll admit that I just dragged myself out of bed, but I'm REALLY tired.  I should already BE at Toy Fair.  I'll blog more later.

Wednesday, February 19th 2pm

I almost fall asleep on the shuttle bus (but no wait!) so I head to the press room and drink 3 cups of coffee.  There is coffee to be had all over Toy Fair, but the best coffee is in the Press Room.  Which means that the organizers of Toy Fair really understand journalists--coffee is essential to their well being, and if you give journalists good coffee, they'll give you great media coverage. Very simple.

Once I was awake,  I had an agenda in mind of certain doll companies that I had to see before I headed back to California. So, I was a woman on a mission, with limited time--just a half day left at Toy Fair 2003!

First, I stopped to see the Yue Sai Wawa dolls.  These dolls are all Asian fashion dolls, and the company president is Yue Sai Kan, a television personality, cosmetics executive, and the first Chinese American woman to ever be featured on a postage stamp in China.  The Yu Sai Wawas (wawa means doll in Chinese) are offered in collectible editions as well as play dolls through stores such as Toys R Us.  And, for the first time ever, new Yue Sai Wawas will be introduced on Home Shopping Network on February 26th.

Next stop, Schoenhut.  Yes, the makers of tiny play pianos. They are still making the pianos, and as of next year, they will again be making dolls, based on some of the early Schoenhut wooden doll designs.

Susan Wakeen has a fun and exciting new concept this year: "Create A Doll Cottage." In Create a Doll Cottage, the customer picks exactly the doll parts she wants--head, wig, outfit, shoes--and the retailer makes the authentic Susan Wakeen doll right before the customer's eyes.  Its like the "Build a Bear" experiences, but better.  By mid-year, there will be more than 10 "Create a Doll Cottage" locations.

Jan McLean from New Zealand reported a fantastic Toy Fair, with several of her dolls selling out.  At the end of this Toy Fair, other doll artists and  manufacturers were optimistic thanks to great retailer reactions and sales, a good sign.

As I walked out of Toy Fair 2003 for the last time, I left with a feeling of optimism as well.  Basics and classics were the catch words, but so were innovation and solid value for the customer's money.  It should be a great year in dolls!

From New York--Denise Van Patten

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Look  For The 2003 Doll Gallery Coming Soon!!