From Old Beat Up Lamp to Ooo La La Lamp

[Kimmermonroe]

Many many years ago when I was a child(In the 70's) my older sister had a collection of beautiful "Boudoir" dolls that I was never allowed to play with....when anybody was looking. They had beautiful gowns and hair with long curls that were very tempting to me. I got busted once and they were put out of reach
I found this lamp at my local thrift for $2 and I saw the potential immediately! The women at checkout said "Wow, she's in rough shape. I'll sell her to you for $.50" Even better!
What was left of the clothing disintegrated in my hands....That made it awful to remove.
Next came the hair.
Once she was stripped of everything that was damaged I took a good long look at her. Her head, torso, arms, and legs were 4 different skin colors. Which left me with a small challenge.
-The hair was an easy fix, I trimmed off some of the head, fit on a Liv doll wig I got on clearance for $2, glued, styled, done!
-Dress was some fabric/tulle/lace scraps I had. I used a small scrap of tulle to hide the chest and hide mismatched skin 1
-I painted the arms to make gloves, and hide mismatched skin 2
-I painted the legs to make boots, and hide mismatched skin 3. I sewed fake laces on them. The trim top looks uneven, but that's because her legs are placed one in front of the other.
-I touched up her makeup a bit
-The white base looked odd so I painted that and added a decorative plastic trim thingie I had on hand.
-The lamp shade....I wanted to paint it. I still might. But for now I use it and need the light from it! So I added the last of my lace trim to bring it together.
All together it cost me $2.50! plus some scraps I had. And I love love love her.

[domesticmamma]

I remember those! My great-aunt had a collection in her homw (they were trapped behind a "display" cabinet so touching was impossible. I love how modern and sort of gothic looking yours is! Great find and amazing job  for $2.50!

[elderflower]

She is lovely and such an improvement on the original. Just beautiful.

[Kimmermonroe]

Thank you! I was originally planning her to be Steampunk...but as work progressed she went Gothic. Got to give the girl what she wants I guess! Lol!

[Taramor]

She is so great, I wish she was mine! Her name must be 'Lili Marleen' 

[mink_bikini]

Awesome, I would change the order of your photos to show the new improved version first though,I kept looking at the 'before' shot thinking how much worse could that have been  . Till I opened the post that is 

I'm not into Gothic at all but she is super cute, repressed memories coming back of similar boudoir doll experiences, my Mums had a weird velvety skin though...not that I ever played with it 

[Nolansmomster]

I remember those lamps!  I think they had a large skirt that went over that whatever-you-want-to-call-it outfit yours is wearing... I got in trouble on many occasions for playing with that lamp!

She turned out beautifully!  Best of luck keeping kids away from it now!

[tiffi_333]

i love the way you changed this...i never has those kinds of dolls in my house when i was growing up though. I think it would look great if you could add some kind of handle to the lamp shade going to the girls hand making it look like one of those fancy umbrellas everyone used to walk around with. that way it would look more included rather than hovering above her.

[WingsOfClay]

GREAT transformation--LOVE it!!!

[Kimmermonroe]

You guys are awesome! Thanks so much!
Lol. I was pondering for awhile which pic to add first. I might change it again.
The lamp shaded umbrella is not a bad ides! Thanks!

[sakuracat23]

Wow that is so cool! I love the red and black Gothic style

[Kimmermonroe]

Thank you!

[FoxyMama]

LOVE the finished product    She is amazing!

[vampedangel14]

She came out beautiful. The only thing I would add would be a bit more black trim around the bottom edge of the shade. or maybe use lace to stencil the shade itself. Looks a little too plain compared to the rest.

[Kimmermonroe]

Thanks! The shade itself has a lace trim imprinted in the plastic on the edge, I debated painting that in to draw in together.... I still might...... I added some lace trim I had to the edges.... I couldn't get it to lay right so I took it down.

[ohiodiygirl]

Quite the transformation, love the colors!

[Kimmermonroe]

Thank you!

[lovesclutter]

Having to hit 'this ROCKS' because I love it so much.

[Kimmermonroe]

So sweeat! Thank you!

[ARStheLorax]

This is so adorable, want.

[Riechan]

omg that looks amazing!! Great job ^^ I love her dress!