My little Ten Ping wasn’t supposed to come until Monday, but she arrived on Saturday. I love surprises like this! So let me tell you how she came to live with me.
I didn’t know a thing about this little cutie until 3 weeks ago when I saw her in a picture next to one of Dianna Effner’s 13″ Little Darling dolls. Ten Ping is a mere 8″ tall and was the perfect size to be a little sister to those dolls. Since I have Lian, who is Asian, I thought Ten Ping might be fun for me to add to my collection. The problem soon became apparent that little Ten Ping was sold out everywhere. It’s awful to want a doll and know that she’s sold out everywhere. She is made by Ruby Red Galleria and there have been 5 editions of her last year and the first part of this year. A sixth edition was due out soon, but any doll lover knows how hard it is when you can’t find a single doll anywhere on any doll site. It’s just a matter of waiting for the next edition. Fortunately, the wait wasn’t too long for me. I went to the Ruby Red Galleria website (HERE) and found a list of dealers for the dolls. I picked Lone Star Dolls in Texas and called to ask some questions. Dale is the owner of the shop there and was just wonderful at answering all the questions I had. She was getting in a handful of dolls so I added my name to her list and was assured I would get one as soon as they came in. HERE is the link directly to Lone Star Dolls.
Ten Ping was sent out on the 16th and she arrived 2 days early…the 18th! Talk about fast service! Saturday, I opened the mailbox and there was that wonderful Priority box with the return label from Lone Star Dolls. Yep! This was the box I was waiting for!!
I knew Ten Ping was inside and it was so hard to resist just ripping the box open, but I didn’t. Wanting to do a review on Ten Ping, I decided to (reluctantly…) take my time and take pictures of the box, then the doll shipper box inside that, and then examine everything inside. This way I could share the experience with all my readers.
She came in the most adorable box with her picture on the outside. When I opened up the box, her outfit was on top. A beautiful little story book was also in there. Before I took her out, I unwrapped her outfit from the tissue paper and looked at it. The workmanship on it was very nice and it’s so tiny but seemed to be made very well. The shoes, socks, jump rope, and earrings were in a little packet themselves. I was going to look at them but I decided to get a peek at Ten Ping first.
She was inside a white satiny sleeping bag that zipped up the front. That in itself was very pretty, but I could see this little face peeking through and knew instantly I was going to love her.
I unzipped her little quilted bag and revealed the most adorable little doll. She has the sweetest face, with the tiniest eyelashes and just a faint sprinkling of freckles across her nose. Her hair is a thick mohair and is in braids with red ribbons.
She is very poseable and can bend any way you want her to. It’s going to be very fun to make things for her. I can’t wait. She’s chunkier than I thought she would be. I was told she was 8″ tall, only 1/2″ taller than Riley, by Helen Kish, but she seems more substantial than Riley and the way she can be posed is a definite plus! I like dolls that can hold teddy bears and little things in their hands. She has an extra joint at her chest that lets you pose her in very realistic poses.
Her body is made of plastic but it’s a very nice material and seems to be a good quality.
I haven’t taken her wig off because I really like the way she looks in it. I may change it up sometime, but not for now.
I turned my head for just a moment and Lian, my Little Darling, by Dianna Effner, was sitting next to Ten Ping. Don’t ask me how she got there… She was chatting up a storm with Ten Ping.
I am smitten with her big time and think she might need a sister in the future! Ruby Red Galleria has a few other dolls the same body size and face sculpt as Ten Ping but they are called the Four Kindergarten dolls. Their names are Miki, Mia, Ishara and Jar-Lu. They look like totally different dolls but it’s just the way they are painted. I’m crazy about Ishara, the Guardian of Fortune.
If you are looking for a new little sweetie to add to your doll collection, maybe you should consider Ten Ping or one of the Kindergarten dolls. You won’t be sorry! Here is the direct link to the Ruby Red Galleria site where you can order your own Ten Ping… if they still have any in stock. (HERE)
I decided to put in her earrings and noticed a tiny little indentation in her ear lobe. I assumed you were supposed to just push the earring in. I tried and it was very difficult. I decided to take off her wig to see if it made it any easier. I found she had a little rubbery wig cap underneath to keep her wig in place. It’s very thin and fits her head perfectly.
I tried pushing again but was afraid I would slip and put a mark on the side of her face. I decided to use a pin and poke the hole to make it a little bigger. It took a lot of force, but I eventually got them in. One is slightly at a different angle than the other, but it’s not noticeable.
Since I put her earrings in, I decided I should see what she looked like in her outfit. The pants went on fairly easily and the shoes went okay but I didn’t use the socks. Those are some tiny shoe laces, but I got them tied. Her top was made from a knit fabric and was also lined. It was a bit bulky but not too bad.
When I tried to put on her jacket it was pretty tedious getting it on. The jacket is lined and adds to the bulk. Between the shirt being knit and lined in cotton and the jacket being quilted and lined in cotton too, it’s fairly bulky. It would be hard to pose her in the outfit with both the top and the jacket on. The frog closures are pretty tight and I didn’t even try to get them fastened. In my personal opinion as a seamstress, I think it would have been better to have one of the garments unlined…either the jacket or the top. Maybe the jacket could have been lined in a satin type fabric so it would slide on a bit easier. It’s just a little thick in my opinion.
Since I plan on sewing for Ten Ping, I undressed her and put the clothes back in the box.
As I was in my sewing room, looking at her sitting on her box, I heard this tiny faint little voice say something.
I leaned in a little closer and heard Ten Ping say…
“你讓我一個新的衣服？ ” “Nǐ ràng wǒ yīgè xīn de yīfú? ”
Which translated means, “Will you make me a new dress?”
Someone better get busy sewing!
Thank you again, Ruby Red Galleria, for making such an adorable doll, and thank you Dale, at Lone Star Dolls, for shipping my doll out to me so quickly! I am truly blessed to have this little sweetheart added to my collection.
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh Jeanne, Ten Ping is just adorable! Such delicate features on her face! I was also surprised to see that she had that extra joint or whatever it is on the chest. I can just see her now in those pretty little dresses you will be whipping up for her. Maybe she and Lian can have Big Sister-Little Sister outfits!
Why do they come with removable wigs? Do they also carry other wigs for her? Well, I just thought now, that maybe easier to dress them without too much damage to their hair?
I just can’t wait to see what you make for her!
HI Linda,
Yes, Ten Ping is very sweet… it’s hard not to only think about her right now, but I know I will have to turn my attention away from her soon. My other dolls have already been giving me the “evil eye!”
I think a big sister, little sister outfit would be fun!
A lot of Ball Jointed Dolls come with removable wigs…and even eyes for many…not Ten Ping. It’s so you can change up their look if you like. I think a sweet little black bob like Lian has would be nice change…but not for now..
I got an outfit made for her yesterday and she’s pretty adorable in it.
I’ll be sharing it soon…
Thanks Linda, for being excited about her, even though you don’t have her…
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh, Jeanne, I can see why you’ve fallen in love with her. Those chubby rosy cheeks and her tiny little nose. Her face is so sweet, isn’t it?
Her elbow and knee joints look different than any others that I’ve seen before, but she looks to made out of the same material as Patience. Is that right?
Thank you for sharing the excitement of opening up your new doll. I felt like I was right there with you. Have fun!!!
BTW, are you going to name her?
HI Cindy,
She does have a very sweet, innocent look to her face. I love the tiny freckles across her nose and those tiny eyelashes!
I didn’t even take my Patience out of the box, so I’m not sure what she was made out of. Ten Ping is made from a nicer material than my Wren Kish doll was. She was a bit more delicate than Ten Ping is. My hubby noticed her joints right away… I think doll people don’t notice them so much.
It was fun doing the post for today…and I’m glad you felt like you were right beside me…that’s what I was hoping for.
I think I’m just going to call her Ten Ping..that’s what I’ve been calling her and I think it’s stuck with me.
Blessings to you Cindy, (BTW) I LOVED your “walk” pictures of all the trees and flowers! Beautiful pictures!
~ Jeanne
What an adorable little face. It must have be great that Ten Ping could talk to Lian. She will have so much fun playing with all the other girls.
Can’t wait to see what outfits you make her!
Have a fun day!
Blessings.
HI Paula,
I had to laugh at your comment about Lian talking with Ten Ping. I wanted to share my post with my hubby and he was fine listening and looking at the pictures, until I got to that line where I said Lian was talking up a storm with Ten Ping. Then he burst out laughing! Then he said, “I know, your ladies will love it!”
I stayed up late last night and got her first outfit finished! It’s a cutie on her.
Blessings, Jeanne
Since I’d just opened my Ten Ping.box, your coverage of the experience is extremely real for me. I like that her head color matches the color of her hard plastic body. Also, the hard plastic is not as shiny as I find Kish h.p. A plus. I must admit I didn’t notice the ear rings. I must look for them. I don’t think I will use them. I worry about metal reacting with the vinyl. No word on my second Ten Ping. She should be here soon.
HI Jan,
I was a little concerned about the earrings too… had that green ear Barbie experience… and don’t want that to happen to Ten Ping…
Maybe your newest sister will get there soon…
Blessings, Jeanne
I love your post about Ten Ping. As you know I received my Jar-Lu on Saturday also. It is funny how each of the dolls have a different look, but are from the same face sculpt. I too am already thinking about a sister for Jar-Lu..sigh.
Can’t wait to see what you have made for Ten Ping!
HI Regina,
Aren’t they just the sweetest little dolls? I am bonkers over Ten Ping…and like you, think she might need a sister, although I probably need to see how her clothes sell…then we’ll talk adoption!
Congrats on your new little one…
Blessings, Jeanne
I am so happy that you detailed the arrival of Ten Ping. She is so pensively tender. Her expression on that tiny little face makes me swoon which is why……… last week I ordered Ten Ping !!!! I simply could not resist. Now I will wait for her arrival.
Your very thorough review of her has made me more convinced that I made a good choice. I love how poseable she is with all those joints. She will be my first Asian doll which will take me down a new exciting road.
Oh Jeannie,
I’m thrilled for you. I promise you, you won’t be sorry! She is just amazing! I should have used that word in my post… amazing! You are going to enjoy sewing for her, and if not, there’s always “Aunt Jeanne!” :o)
Happy waiting…
Blessings, Jeanne
It’s evil of you to tell us that Ten Ping has a new outfit and then make us wait to see it.
On the other hand, it’s wonderful of you to give us so much detail about her. No picture I’ve seen showed that trying to get shirt and jacket on together was going to be so difficult. It looks to me as if she’ll have to wear the shirt sometimes and the jacket sometimes, though she’ll soon have lots more options because she’s living with you.
I’ve seen pictures of some of the other editions and I like this wig best. Since her joints will be hidden by her padded clothes, they won’t be a problem and it looks as if they’ll allow her to pose beautifully. I’m looking forward to lots of photos.
Love to you both, and to the rest of your family,
Marilyn
Thanks so much Marilyn,
Sorry about being “evil” but it will be worth the wait… I hope! My hubby liked her new outfit so hopefully everyone else will.
Yes, that little outfit is a bit of a tuggle getting it all on, but once it’s on, it’s okay.
I hope to make her lots of new things in the future.
Thanks so much,
Love back to you,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi, Jeanne, Your Ten Ping is just too sweet. It’s obvious why you’re in love with her….I can almost hear your sewing machine humming from here!
After reading your blog this morning I was inspired to put Jar-Lu’s clothes on her. Poor thing, since she arrived she’s been dressed just as she came to me….in her little white cotton panties. While your Ten Ping is obviously dressed for winter, Jar-Lu is dressed for warmer weather with knee-length pants, short sleeves, and no socks, not that there’s room in her shoes for socks. I was afraid I would break her leg trying to put on her left shoe.
I wonder if we could buy some of the product that fastens the strap on the shoes. I works like Velcro but is paper thin. I have made shoes and put buckles on them but this is a much easier way to fasten them.
Ideas anyone?
Hi Jevne,
I just looked at your little Jar-Lu and she is a sweetie too. It’s hard to imagine they are the same sculpt, but just painted differently to get their unique looks. They are tiny, aren’t they?
I’m not sure what to use for the shoes… I have some little Zots that I use to hold things on, but it’s pretty sticky. They are just little adhesive dots that come on paper and you peel them off. I think they are for scrapbooking or photos. I put them in my dolls palms and they can hold things, so I’m trying them out on Ten Ping’s flip flops. We’ll see…
Maybe a little hook and eye, but that would be hard to fasten. I’ll have to experiment…
Blessings, Jeanne
I have to say that was a really lovely story about Ping！She is really sweety!About the Chinese,I smiled.She can speak Chinese I think,but not really correct:)I like your ways to tell Ping’s story!Looking forward to see her new outfits!
Thank you Janice, I’m glad you enjoyed Ten Ping’s story. She truly is a fun little doll to own. Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne. Congrats on your little Ten Ping. She’s a cutie and I’m sure she’ll love getting new dresses. Sorry you had trouble with the earrings. In the future, just use a push pin to make the hole a little bigger, and don’t worry about it being too big. Even if that happens, in a short time it will get smaller as vinyl has a ‘memory’ and wants to go back to how it was when it came out of the mold. It makes earrings much easier to put in and makes it easier to make the holes the same on both sides. I’ve done this on many vinyl adult fashion dolls.
I noticed in your slide show that you have an IP Elin. She’s drawn my eye for quite some time now. Do you like her? Did you by chance do a review on her? I couldn’t find one.
Hugs,
Allie
Hi Allie,
Thanks for the heads up on the earrings. I’ll have to try that next time.
I’ve had my Elin for probably 3 years. I painted her face myself…first doll I’ve ever done. She’s very fun to pose and I think she’s adorable. She was one of those dolls that I just HAD to have. I ordered her blank, not having a clue how to do it, but I read up on using chalk pastels and did it one day.
I did do a post on her, way back last August. It was called, “How do you love a faceless doll?” The only way I know how to see it is to click “tutorial” in the TAGS at the right side bar. Then scroll down the bottom of the 1st page and click on page 2. It’s at the very bottom of that. It’s the post where I am changing Elin’s Eyelashes. The very last line in that post says, “If you’d like to see how I painted her from a blank, click HERE!” Click on the HERE.
Thanks, Jeanne
Thank you for sharing. I mostly only collect Sasha dolls, but saw this one in a photo of one of our other collectors and had to inquire on it. And then I had to go look at them. I’ve been stalking Gigi, her friend, for weeks on line and finally gave into the urge today after reading your blog. I like Gigi because she seems to have a subtle little smile. I have a new granddaughter whose mother is Hawaiian, and they look similar. Some day it will be hers, but for now Nana Jeanna will enjoy it. Thank you for sharing.
Jeanna
Hi Jeanna,
I sometimes Yen Ping had a little bit of a smile like Gigi…congrats on getting one. You’ll be thrilled at how tiny and fun she is!
Thanks for letting me know…
Blessings, Jeanne