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Several years ago I came across a photo from the 1920's or thereabouts that so entranced me that I not only purchased it, which is unusual for me as I am a thrifty soul, I also became a fan of the photographer. His name was Mack Sennett, and he was an actor and director of silent films. He also rounded up various beautiful women and they became "Mack Sennett's Bathing Beauties."

So when it came the season to do a bathing beauty, I knew just who to use for my inspiration. 

Meet Macie!

Beauty is in the Eye of the HOLDER

O.L.D. (Once-Loved Doll) No. 91 Macie is a 17" Arranbee (R&B) Nancy vintage composition doll marked "NANCY" on the back of her neck, and she is an ORIGINAL Hazel Twigg.

In my book, Hazel Twigg & the Hollyhock Hideaway, a "Holder" is one who brings these old dolls back to life so that they can go out into the world and spread good old fashioned childhood magic. I happen to be one such creature. So when I say, "Beauty is in the eye of the Holder," I mean that this girl may not be everyone's come of tea. You'll "see" why in a moment...

Macie arrived absolutely filthy with blown eyes and a few eye splits and she needed to be restrung.

My philosophy is to do as little as possible to these girls. Mend them, clean them, and dress them up so that they can last and be loved for another lifetime without losing the signs that they were Once-Loved before. Do not look for airbrushed perfection here!

CONFESSION: I'll just let this excerpt from a letter I wrote to a doll person say it for me:

Funny your doll should have an eye problem! My current doll I'm working on had badly shattered eyes. Usually it doesn't bother me because I'm super laid back with my dolls, but I'm trying to find a new home for this girl, so.... Anyway, I was going to try and just do an iris replacement. I have some eyes from other old dolls that have "passed on." 

What a NIGHTMARE. It took me FOREVER to dig the irises out of the spare pair, and then when it came time to remove the ones I wanted to replace, there was a steel post in the way! I tried in vain to sand the post down - like THAT would work - and instead spent half an hour on the floor with a flashlight trying to find the crumbled bits of original eye. I only found 2/3's. I glued the pieces in as best I could with clear glue and fortified the rest with tiny bits of leather and clear plastic, having gone mildly insane with panic by then....Sounds scary, huh?

So there you have it with Macie's eyes. Macie's wig became noticeably lighter after it was washed. It was then set with pin curls. 

I thought Macie's happy expression was perfect for a combination vintage Bathing Beauty & Flapper girl.

CLOTHING:

BATHING SUIT: You can see the inspiration from a Mack Sennett photo in the insert. Macie's is made from navy jersey and is completely lined. What I wouldn't give for a bathing suit like this one today! I sewed flowers on that were taken from some old curtains. There were so many nifty bathing suits to choose from; this was one of my favorites.

Comes with a navy blue and white gingham headband embroidered with the same flowers.

She also wears navy knee highs and black Mary Jane's just like back in the day.

DRESS: Macie's dress is made from deep orange crepe. The bodice is fully lined and the sash is fastened with a Victorian black glass button.

COAT: I love this fabric. You have no idea. It's bonafide wonderfully furry vintage upholstery fabric and has a matching hat. The coat fastens at the neckline with a hook and both the coat and hat are fully lined. Macie's "brooch" is from a costume jewelry ring.

MACIE ARRIVED IN what may be her original factory clothes. They are in poor shape with lots of holes, but still have a sort of charm. It consists of an organdy dress with blue ribbon trim, a combination pantaloon/slip with a built-in hoop that's gone awry, rayon socks and dark blue shoes that are in decent shape (the snap hasn't torn off). 

I KNOW there is someone out there for this girl! She had waited so long for her turn that even with my follies I simply could not break her heart and put her back in the bin. And her clothes are some of my favorites to date. 

I'll post below when my blog post is up for Macie. There you'll see more Mack Sennett bathing beauty photos, along with the one that mesmerized me so long again. Or! You can subscribe to my blog at hazeltwigg.com/blog. Even better!

Announcement: Any O.L.D. going for $300 or more gets one of the remaining original editions of my book, "Hazel Twigg & the Hollyhock Hideaway" free! I'll pay for the extra shipping and everything! It's undergoing some MAJOR rewrites, and if this takes off, you could have a rare treasure on your hands!


FEEL FREE TO "LIKE" HAZEL TWIGG ON FACEBOOK. I would LOVE that!

Please Note: I start all my adoptions at 6:33 on Sunday or Wednesday evenings, Iowa  (Central) time. 

 Please Feel Free: to ask any questions or request additional photos.

Shipping: if I am off by a dollar or more, back into your pocket the difference goes! I've done it before and I will do it again!

Thank you!


On Jun-22-17 at 19:08:07 PDT, seller added the following information:

MACIE'S POST is now up at hazeltwigg.com/blog. There you'll see more of the tale behind this sweet bathing beauty...Thank you!