Dream Valley Mini Discussion Thread 2

I like that they made the wing arms/human arms easily swappable without needing to go through the pain in the butt of re-stringing the doll. I'm assuming they use magnets somewhat the same as how FL does it on their larger dolls (specifically the FL65 boy, which I have). Generally I loathe mag parts (I re-strung my FL65 body to NOT use the mag arms because I hate it) but in this case I'd say it was the right design choice to make. Especially given how crazy tight DV likes to string their dolls.

I also really like the crow feet. They look really cool. I can't tell if they're jointed or if that's just painting to have them be 2 different colours. Fortunately for my wallet, I'm safe from this guy despite how cool he looks as I already have a winged guy by DV in my collection (Bethel).

 

Oh no oh man, I feel targeted by the new Crow boi. That iridescent painting on his wings so stunning though.

 

They consistently come up with cool new designs and are thus a menace to wallets everywhere. Or maybe that's just me.

 

Ahhh, yes, the age old question. I thought I had that problem with a doll I recently saw (OT for this thread) but after careful consideration of 3 whole days I know who he is and am slightly ashamed I didn't realize it sooner. My wallet is VERY displeased by this turn of events and is arguing rather strongly against the idea of yet another doll finding his way into the horde.

 

Also love the paint job on Maurren's wings and the details of the outfit! And I appreciate that DV isn't afraid to give their dolls tails. Nicely done design overall, but I'll just enjoy him through others' photos.

 

He’s up on Alice’s Collections, and I’ve already got him waiting in my cart (the color-matching option with a white body and black resin crow parts). I’ve been hoping for such a long time that Dream Valley would release an anthro crow guy. I wish he had more birdy legs like Eagle Rah, but I’m going to get him with the three-part torso in case Dream Valley releases bird legs for boy bodies in the future. I hope they’ll eventually post pics of the color-matching resin option without clothes or body-blushing.

 

the site won't load for me unfortunately.

But we do have a picture of the body now

Those wings are amazing.

Also, can you get the whole doll in black resin? because that is AWESOME.

I do wish his face was a little more mature though. DV have these gorgeous quite grown up looking bodies so I always prefer a more grown up head to the rather child-like soft heads.

I really look forward to seeing what people do with this guy though. He's gonna be awesome.

 

Wow. He looks amazing. I really like how they did the wing arms. And black resin? My wallet is so fortunate that another doll currently is tugging on the want strings.

 

Sadly those swappable arms likely have a serious propensity to swivel such that the upper arm points straight down, especially with the weight of the wings. I'd guess it's a magnetic joint to hold the arm in the torso and I can see little teeth on the base that are probably there to provide some friction against rotation but I'd be shocked if it's enough. And if it is magnet based there's likely no tunnel to use to run a wire from arm to torso to help provide stability.

I know many don't care about poseabiily but something to keep in mind if you do. To me it looks like the upper arms are straight down in all the photos, but I'm not certain given the outfit and the how the wing would prop up the cloth.

 

There are some more photos of the body on Dream valleys weibo.
Sina Visitor System

 

Just got notification that my fullset Uncia has shipped so hopefully everyone else will get their notifications soon!

 

Well DV has convinced me they are not a company for me. Got my Uncia and the doll is ok, but man does the outfit absolutely suck. The string fasteners of every type are a nightmare, one string on the pants popped right off when I went to pull it to tie to the other side, and with my disability trust me there's no excessive force here.

The coat is so comically oversized it's ridiculous. Like it was made for someone twice his weight with 25% longer arms.

I think I'll just stop there. I don't even want to know what kind of nightmare putting the jewelry and belts on would be.

 

I received my Uncia Full set yesterday and I actually love him! It really was a struggle to put the clothes on though The only thing I don’t like too much either is the coat. I think it’s supposed to be really big, but it would‘ve been nice to be able to have him wear it properly. I styled it the way DreamValley did in the promo pictures, put all the belts on and now he looks pretty awesome

 

Uncia: "Hey lady, that coat's much too big for you. You should give it to me instead."

Sakuya: "That makes no sense at all. Oh wait, you're from that dream valley neighborhood aren't you? Strange place."

It had to be done. I figured the coat was too large even for smaller 1/3 scales dolls.

 

I got my Uncia a week ago. It arrived in time for my birthday so was a nice surprise present XD I've been enjoying the doll a lot, it poses better than DV 1/6 anthro dolls and I love the overall look of the fullset. I do still wish they had done a light silver grey resin colour (like dollzone's moon white) but as the blushing is lighter than the promo pictures then don't know how well it would show up on a different resin colour.

I like that the clothes are patterned and hadn't realised there was so many bead/belts bits so that all adds interest to the outfit. I was also quite pleased the wig was styled rather than being a basic unstyled one.
I only have a couple of niggles, the person gluing in the tail magnet spurted superglue all over his back. And ironically, the magnet fell out as I was unpacking him so I think they got glue everywhere except where it was needed...

Also it doesn't look like the blush is sealed as somehow I chipped a bit of paint off one of his foot claws while dressing him. I have spent the last couple of years picking up airbrush bits 2ndhand/ in sales so have a plan I might remove the pink blushing and replace it with grey/ add more details. Then I'll add more sealent to the blushing as looks like it needs it.

I'm trying out some different eyes and not sure if I like intense cat eyes or the softer round eye look!


Also, added bonus picture, comparing the doll with Dearmine's Tiger Dune-

He's so much taller! Uncia is more easy to pose and look graceful, Dune has always been pretty clunky with how his posing looks
But yes, tiger and snow leopard anthros have been on my wish list from starting the hobby so i'm happy I can now tick both off!

 

Thanks for the warning about the blush! My Uncia arrive this morning and I sprayed him with msc, just in case.

I have to say, as much as I love him (he's gorgeous!), the tail leave me a little unhappy. It doesn't fit that well on the body even naked, and I just don't trust it at all through the pants. I also don't like that the tip of the tail magnetic, but I imagine it's all to make assembly easier...

It is not ideal, but the doll is pretty enough I don't mind too much

 

I typically live in sd-land but, popping over here to keep tabs on DV's 1/4th range folk!

Very sad that I missed out on Howard back-when, definitely would've ordered him. Also, have to second everyone who's struggled with Dream Valley's outfit pieces. I ordered Lloyd (71cm vampire fellow) and his outfit quite literally didn't even fit him. I suspect what might've happened is Dream Valley outsourced the clothing and sent exact doll measurements to clothing makers vs. sending doll measurements +1cm for all circumferences, .5cm for all straight lengths (to allow for fabric give and fit).

The blushing was unfortunately a disappointment as well, very 'someone stood there and sprayed his ankles, knees, a line down his back, and elbows' and not sealed, so it had rubbed off and smeared around in shipping.

However, his faceup is the cutest thing, I wiped the body blushing (he looked much better without that mess), and ordered him some custom-made outfit pieces from Pabadoll. Problems sorted!

Looking forward to bringing home a 1/4th fellow sometime this year (with only faceup), curious what DV's autumn sales will bring.

 

@Epicari I love the photo of your cat boys together!

I ordered a Freyja head and the athletic male body back in August in the limited red resin, before the order period for Uncia, and am still waiting for them. I just emailed them about that order, but I have two even older orders from Dollzone and Miracle Doll that I am also still waiting on from the same dealer. I hope I get my dolls soon!

 

Just sliding in to appreciate everyone's wonderful dolls~ I ordered myself a Maurren and though I can't wait to meet him I know it's going to be forever... Alice's told me it should take half a year but if you've been waiting since last year @Leo Pheonix , ouchhh... It's going to be torture, I can feel it...

 

@Soenatte I think mine's an extra long wait because of the limited red resin. Did you get the black resin or just a more standard color? My previous DV dolls were in more standard colors and shipped faster than this one.

 

Dream Valley and CoralReef Dolls are really coming for DollChateau and Dollzone's "companies that make cool weird dolls" crowns. Or, well, they have been for a while, but DV keeps coming out with such fun unique designs!

 

Well didn't one of the sculptors from DollZone leave to make DollChateau?
Also I heard Dream Valley was also somehow connected to those two, I think it's using the same casting plant, but might be something else. /shrugs
Related or not I'm pro this as I loves me a good "cool weird doll".

 

I believe DV was started by an sculptor (or artist, can't remember whch!) who originally worked for DollChateau. Coral Reef was started by one of the artists who used to work for Dollzone so you can see the overlap of style with all four studios. I've noticed DV white resin is a slightly different colour than DZ/DV white so not sure if they use the same casting company or the casters are using set colours according to the company?

 

So happy to see some arrivals, even thou they aren't mine, just means mine should come up eventually

 

Dream Valley's teaser for the next release, 1/4 scale feathered naga! I was hoping they would release a 1/4 male naga, but had thought they would aim for next Chinese New Year (year of the snake), so I'm a little surprised to see one so soon. I have to confess, i'm really digging the design. I still want a snake headed naga to shell my fave OC but I'm a sucker for a cool helmet so this guy is very tempting!

 

Oh no, I'm doomed

 

lol between Dollzone's Xiangliu, their 1/4 Yin-Long release, and DV's feathered serpent I'm gonna have a lot of snakey peeps. I'm pretty sure this is also a NEW upper body design too. More muscular with bigger pecs. Idk if it'll be added to their staple like their Sylves (B4-17), Rah (B4-15), and Aria (B4-19) bodies, but it'd be nice!

Unfortunately it looks like they discontinued their B4-20 body (the one used for Olivia, Phoenix, Aurelia, and Fawna's upper halves). So if anyone wanted their B4-20 bodies, you'll have to grab one secondhand.

 

Uh oh. Depending on the details, this one could tempt me too. Wonder what the paint job will look like!

 

I can't believe I've had the anpiel for a year already! DV Achelous human on B4-04 body, came home early July last year. This critter has been tons of fun. I did some outdoor photos to celebrate the first birthday.

 

I’m so excited about DV’s feathered naga, I needed to come here to gush about how wonderful he looks!
I’ve been stalking their official instagram to try and find as many pics as I can, but they’ve finally posted the three different colorways!!!

Based on the color way pictures, it looks like there are two head sculpts versions as well— I’m obsessed that they did a sculpt with his tongue sticking out!

 

@TheGardenGnome
I too have been stalking for pix of these beautiful and epic boys, I NEED the one with the black tail and green/teal tongue and blushing.

If you have Facebook BJDivas shared images of one of the snake boys with a really cool artist done custom paint job. They said it was from an artist that gets early accesses to some of Dream Valley's dolls, and would not before sale as one of a kind. (My guess is maybe one of the artists that works for DV, but who knows the arrangement.) Anyway the artist painted one was done in an Eastern dragon theme. It shows off both head options really well.

When the first teaser pix came out some dealers sharing them said 1/4th sized male, but the artist painted one makes me think that's either a massive one 1/4th borderline on 1/3rd doll or a tiny artist. I lean to bigger end of 1/4th scale based on that the 1/6 scale snakes are almost MSD sized.

So glad I'm not the only person wanting one (or two, hey I can dream) these boys are epic.

 

Yes, i'm hoping they'll have an add on option so you can get both heads if wanted.

The only thing with the colours is that it would have been nice if the quetzal green & gold one had a tan upper body and dark wig, it would have felt a little more respectful to the culture it's from than the white skin with blonde wig design. I wonder if there will be any special colours on this release?

Thanks for the heads up on the artist OOAK pictures! It's nice to get a sneak peek at the faces to compare the two. Yes, it's really hard to get an idea of the size of the doll especially as DV loves going for tall dolls! I'm a little more worried about the price as the wings and tail is going to bump up the cost. I also wonder if they'll have to ship the doll in two boxes like with the dragon dolls?

 

I definitely wish they would’ve had an option for tan as well!

that OOAK paint job is stunning! Thank you so much for the heads up to check them out.

I love the teal tongue too! I’m between that colorway and the white/black one (I’m really curious what color they’ll do for the tongue on it!)

I’m glad I’m not the only one really looking forward to this release!

 

I plan to not use the wings, and make something between science gone wrong and a male gorgon as I have loved half-human half-snake people/monster since I was a small child and first saw an image of Medusa. I lean to the black tailed one with the dark hair, green tongue and pale skin as I feel he could work for the gothic vibe I want for my snake boy.

That said even though I want mine to have lighter skin, I do really hope they offer tan skin on all of these boys as otherwise it feels like they are dropping the ball on the theme they seem to be going for. They did offer light tan and coffee for the 1/6 snakes who had a bit of an Egyptian thing going on so here is hoping.

 

I want that big boy to come home already but I'm still waiting on Alice to ship him...! Can you take some up close shots of his jointed hands? Gosh he looks so amazing.

 

Oh they are much bigger than I thought in a good way. This means they will fit in well with other dolls.

I wonder how hard it would be to switch the tail ends of the up coming snake boys and the big dragons?
As I have a dragon on layaway, and plan to get a snake boy, I might have to try it, as I think the the feather plumage might good on a dragon.

I'm so looking forward to my big dragon, and customizing him. X3

 

Yay I love the preview picture! He seems the size I had expected...maybe ... Sometimes you just need to see a thing in person to really understand

 

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee rl pictures.

I'm just hoping he'll fit in some sort of cat backpack because I really want to take him places and have people be very confused about what he is.

 

Query to those of you who've ordered from Dream Valley before.

If I asked nicely, do you think they'd let me add a second pair of 1/4 scale forearms to my order? Because I love the dragon but I'd like to be able to mod off those forearm spikes without worrying about wrecking the entire dragon.

 

@Crissaegrim
I've never ordered from them directly, only through dealers, and even then I never asked to modify an order before.
However that said, all you can do is ask, worse case they say no and you are no worse off for trying right?
Though given that it's pretty late after ordering was closed, so might make delays to yours if they do say yes.

 

I ordered through Alice's, so I guess it would be asking Alice to ask Dream Valley.

I assume they have some extra parts around, since Cryptid's 1/6 dragon needed a new neck-bit without a broken spine and I doubt that's going to be the only casualty of shipping where DV is going to have to send out new bits.

 

You're in luck, they are selling the doll with a no wing option so that'll save you some money! Your character idea sounds like a lot of fun

I'm struggling with picking which head I like, I've dropped a message on instagram asking for a buy both head option. I know DV is fairly responsive to feedback so if enough people also ask about it, DV might offer it. So if you're wanting both heads then let DV know

I'm a little torn between trying to trying to mod* it to be my alien-snake character or if I want to make it a grungy fantasy Western cowboy character. I wish I knew if DV is planning to re-release the 1/4 naga as a regular snake naga in future.
*But I have no talent in sculpting so may well beyond my ability

I'm glad the dragons seem like a good size. I could only afford the 1/6 at the time and seeing the few that people have received, I've been worrying that it'll be too small. I'm hoping i'm not going to regret not layawaying the 1/4 version

You can try asking, the worse that will happen is they'll say no. I know they're are likely to have some imperfect pieces so might have some pieces where the spikes didn't cast well. But they may not want to complicate the orders as it sounds like they got a lot and don't want to risk messing up an order (which it seems they are already struggling with).
I'm also going to be modifying and dying my dragon to shell my own dragon character so i'm going to need to remove the forearm spikes too. I'm going to wish both us luck with that

 

Well I bit the bullet and sent a polite email direct to Dream Valley about an extra pair of forearms. Let's see what they come back with.

 

Is there a particular dealer anyone recommends for Dream Valley?

I had a good experience with DDE when I purchased my Sylves dragon in stock from them ~two years ago; but I’m just curious if some dealers are faster to ship than others, etc.
I also haven’t seen DDE mention the feathered serpent release (which starts today!!), but I imagine it might go on their website later this afternoon or tomorrow

 

I've found Clover-singing is usually cheapest for DV, though Alice's Collections have a summer deal on invisible stands and I would say you would definitely want one of those!

 

I think people recommend Chinese dealers (like Alice or NCS) when ordering from Dream Valley or Dollzone. Alice usually also knocks off some of the price and has free shipping.

 

I love that there is a no wing option I'm kinda of torn between save the money or get the wings and use on another doll because DV makes great fantasy parts and I feel I will regret passing on them. That said given I am in love with the black tailed tongue out full set, but also kind of like the idea of a full green snake I may if I can try and snag two boys on layaway, but we will see and ordering will have to wait until early next month sadly. Here is hoping.

@Epicari
Your alien snake is lovely, just lovely, but than I adore white snake characters and tend to be a sucker for them. One of my Iplehouse boys is a swordmage with a white snake mask and some druid powers to use wildshape to be come a full snake. (If he had a half snake form I'd be tempted to shell him a second time.) I also like your other idea for a grungy cowboy type character, that could be really fun to style for, so hard call. I have only slight modding skills myself so the debate of do I really want to try this? on project dolls happens a lot.

@TheGardenGnome
I have ordered many DV dolls, and through 3 dealers Alice's Collections, BJDivas, and DDE, and all 3 have pros and cons.

Alice being in China, can sometimes be faster, but I have had dolls come really fast with the US dealers.

DDE takes a bit longer to list Dream Valley for some reason, but my 1/6 snake child came in a reasonable time frame. (DV can be slow to cast and ship)

BJDivas has stated some companies only send them dolls in big batches which can make them either show up fast or make it kinda slow as they get a lot of dolls in all at once.

The shortest wait for a DV doll I ever had was 2 months for my 3 armed girl back when those were new from Alice's. Her brother took like 3 months maybe 4 also through Alice again that was when first out a few years ago. My longest DV wait was like 8 months give or take and that was for my Grayson, the dragon boys first release had some issues and my blank boy took forever.

My last DV dolls to be shipped was my 1/6th snake through DDE and it seemed about the same wait as other people in the waiting room.

Hope that helps you GardenGnome

 

@Cryptid TYSM for the pics! Are his feet jointed as well...? :eyes:

 

It does help! Glad that it sounds like there’s a similar wait time for DDE and Alice, I was hoping that was the case (although it makes it a little harder to choose who to order from )

I’m not planning to order until early next month, so that gives me a little time to figure out what dealer I’m going to go with (and which of the fullsets to get! I’m leaning toward the Metempsychosis but it’s so hard to choose just one lol)

Wow! He’s such a beautiful, big boy! I can’t wait to see pictures once he’s painted!!! The sculpting on him is so gorgeous.

I’m so glad to hear that Alice has been helpful! I’m definitely in between ordering from them or DDE, I’m glad that it sounds like there at least isn’t a bad choice between the two of them.

 

I've fallen in love with Ehecatl as well. I'll probably get the plain snake with no wings to customize. I've already done the layaway math and I should be able to afford him if I order at the right time.

And yet, the wings and helmet are soooo pretty....I'm gonna have to really think about this.

 

I wasn't sure from the teaser photo, but seeing the sales photos of Ehecatl I really like him. If I get him I'd go for the basic version. I was originally leaning toward the closed mouth black tail combo, but now think I like the open mouth and green tail better. I'm going back and forth on the wings and helmet. But I wasn't going to order and more dolls this year, and with that tail he's bigger than any of my other dolls.

 

How cruel it is to offer a choice of 3 beautiful heads but then not let people add an extra to their orders...! I asked Alice if I could add an extra head to my order, and after asking Dream Valley she said no. So it looks like I'm on the hunt for a split partner who wants the body but not the head :')

I plan on getting a color combo Ehecatl for my own order. Probably wall white + green tail, and then dyeing the human parts tan.

 

That's too bad. I would have at least liked the Harvest one. I think he would look great standing next to another fanged sculpt.