Hey, Gang
Today’s Discussion is on the Trash to Trend boutique. Basically, 85% of the materials used to create this little boutique could be considered by some as “trash.” Packaging materials, cartons, and other disposables make nice and inexpensive sets for your dolls. Lord knows all the money goes to buy the darn dolls, so I have to surround them with recyclables! Poor things.

In any case, as many of you know, I pretty much create sets or dioramas for the sole purpose of placing my dolls within them for photography purposes (or for these Discussions). So, I don’t want to spend a lot of money on permanent structures or the materials to create such. I even passed on the FR dressing room trunk because after going crazy over it, I realized I didn’t have any place to store it or set it up. Plus, the idea of stocking all the little shelves was not appealing. So, I always look at trash with a creative eye and hope whatever could be destined for the dump will somehow come in handy someday. And, while I wait for a use, it can sit comfortably in the garage with some carboard cartons.

I had assembled all of these materials some time ago and put them in a carton for use for a future Diorama Discussion. Saucy Suwi’s Discussion about her customized boutique reminded me that I had all this stuff in hiding. While Saucy pushed her creativity to the limit and whipped up an elaborate boutique made of the Barbie Fashion Mall and lots of sticky-back plastic, it made me realize that there are many folks out there like me who don’t have the time, energy, talent, patience, space or “whatever” to create a boutique like that (although her tips are darn good for whatever project you DO want to undertake).

For those of us with little motivation or space, I give you… the Trash to Trend boutique.

A while back, I picked up the Barbie Fashion Mall at Toys R Us for $29.99. It started out at $99.99, but when it hit that discounted price, I HAD to break down and buy one and raid it for parts.

My favorite part is the archway with mirror. It has great little shelves a mirror and a couple of hang bars for clothes. So, with this little piece, I began to assemble my boutique.

Step one – a backdrop. I used one of those tri-fold science project boards made of corrugated cardbard behind the entire display. Next I added the lid from the FDQ Exclusive Vanessa “Atelier” box. It has a nice pearlized grey finish, was wide enough to span the archway and deep enough to add a little depth behind it. I placed both on a piece of black poster board.

I customized the area at the top of the archway with fashion photos I printed off my computer, then I rounded the corners so they’d fit well into the recessed spots.

Step 2 - Because the Barbie archway is shorter than my leggy NuFace gals (whom I wanted to place in the boutique), I had to elevate it a bit. I used the black glossy package insert from the FR Loft furniture collection to raise it up slightly, then I used one of the accessory drawers from a Fashion Royalty gift set to create a step.

Step 3 – I created walls by flanking the archway with the inside sleeves of some boxes that formerly housed FR fashions. They are sturdy and stand up by themselves.

There are two on the right side, and one on the other. To add some interest, on the left, I used a hexagonal package insert from a Candi doll to house a Barbie Fashion Fever bust form.

The packaging already had this great little niche.

I think this shop would look cooler with one or two signs or fashion posters attached to the gray boxes that form the walls. But, since I am lucky I even had time to set this up, I had to go without. Just imagine they are there!


Step 4 - To the right of the archway, I used a clear plastic insert from one of the Barbie Fashion Fever closets that housed the shoes and sunglasses. Clear and long with circular details, it sits next to the archway for a futuristic look, while the dress form is a repainted My Scene form.

Step 5 - To the right of that is a mirrored “table.” This is actually a store display riser used in jewelry cases and such. I got a few of these from work as someone was actually gonna throw them out! I elevated that with a sturdy black jewelry box lid, then placed the white stool from the Barbie Fashion Mall next to it. All of the accessories on the table are from the mall.

The mirror is actually a little pocket mirror I got from one of my specialty item vendors at work. Of course, we turned it so we don’t see the icky logo.

Around the boutique, I have a few Wu and Candi shopping bags. I used them because their silver colors complemented the boutique.

Step 6 - To the left of the archway, I created a little shoe department. I used the circular shoe display from the Fashion Mall, and added a My Scene sign on top. I dressed one of the FR wig stands with a crochet cap and sunglasses, then placed some tall boots next to it.

If you were doing this, some of those cool FR shoe boxes would look cool added to the display, but I was keeping things tight so I could photograph it all, so I decided not to use them. Notice the cute little foot measuring device and the mirror, too!

To sit on, I made the bench from an acrylic insert to one of the Rement counters (pardon the smudges!). I just threw a little cushion on top for comfort. (These girls would complain otherwise. They are so skinny, even their butts don’t have enough cushion).

Step 7 - Stocking the boutique, I chose cool colors to compliment the shades in the surroundings, but you could do whatever you like. I used some purses on the hooks facing out, but you could also put hanging garments there.

I also have a few magazines on the bottoms shelves, but you can put anything here…
shoes, boxes, bags, etc.

You could also add a cool fur rug, one of the modern FR sofas, etc. etc. But, you know you can customize to your heart’s desire. I am just trying to show how you can set something up “super fast” so you can have a quick backdrop to snap some photos. Here are a few shots of the NuFace gals.

Now, I know some of you are crying because you already threw out all of your FR, Candi and Fashion Fever packaging. Fear not, if you don’t have the trash or you don’t have the space, this archway from the Mall set makes a great little stand alone display that you can put on a shelf in your doll room or drop into any setting you can make.

As you can see. It looks great all by itself! The white, folding FR room from the 2006 convention is a great option (because there is no cutting or gluing and it folds up again when you are finished!). In any case, if you have the mall and were hesitant to unpack it ‘cause it’s BIG, just steal out a few pieces and stash the rest away for later. If you don’t have the mall… well, the shipping will kill you unless you can get it with free shipping or pick it up at a clearance outlet.

In any case, I just wanted to show you how a colorful playline set can be transformed into a sophisticated, trendy boutique with a little ingenuity... and some trash, of course!

That’s all for now.
Til next time,
DeeinNJ