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Discussion Happy Birthday, Den of Angels!

Aug 16, 2009

    1. Well, today’s the day! August 16th is Den of Angels’ official fifth birthday, and what a crazy five years it has been! Check out some highlights from years gone by, for our forum and our hobby. The dates may not all be exact, and this timeline is definitely not all inclusive; this is not for research purposes, just a quick trip down memory lane.

      • August 16, 2004: Hello, world! DoA opens its doors as a php-based forum, having outgrown Yahoo!Groups. Some old school moderators were: Aimee, Zalem, Cassiel, Nikita, Biscuitbear, Deb, Suzuka , and Gothiclibrarian
      • September 2004: Breaking into the big time! BJDs featured on the cover of FDQ magazine
      • November 2004: Remember when? Dollmore's first doll, Dean
      • Late 2004: I feel pretty! Volks switches all dolls to pureskin
      • December 2004: Count your pennies and your good luck charms! Tensiya Berman announcement
      • January 2005: French resin is queen! Narin & Narae become available
      • February 2005: Start of the infamous "Does your doll have a soul?" thread
      • May 2005: Server move! DoA gets an Intro subforum, commission MP subforum, artist subforum, as well as some restructuring
      • July 2005: Tasha_neko and Kallisti become moderators (and it’s also Kallisti’s birthday today, send her a PM)!

      • September 2005: The first US BJD LE! Liebchen by Fancyboots announced
      • October 2005: BJDs invade the US! Volks Tenshi no Sumika in LA opens
      • November 2005: Armeleia, Fyredancer, and Inertia become mods
      • December 2005: He’s got a removable what? Unoa B-el & L-bi released
      • February 2006: More love for those reedy boys! Dollshe Saint & Bernard released
      • June 2006: In print at last! Haute Dolle releases the BJD Orbyrarium book
      • March 2006: Annika, bittenbefore, and Rhian become mods
      • March 2006: Games subforum added
      • April 2006: Celticgeekess, Junkets, Hitasura, Elfwhims, and Zagzagael become mods
      • April 2006: Photo critique subforum opened
      • July 2006: One lump or two? First Volks Tea Party in NY
      • September 2006: Ashbet becomes a moderator
      • October 2006: Growing up! DoA moves to vBulletin
      • November 2006: Here there be elves! Kazekidz website opens
      • December 2006: March of the Mature Minis! First Minifees released, Fairyland Chiwoo and Soo
      • December 2006: Pack your bags! DoA moves to a new server
      • January 2007: Now we have wings! Special DoA smiley set announced

      • February 2007: Dreams into life! Start of the DIM Minimee sculpts project
      • February 2007: Pipos Baha released, re-animating the anthro craze
      • March 2007: Dolls Marketplace split into sized subforums
      • March 2007: If you were here, you know you participated! The Great 45/ 60 Debate
      • March 2007: Head and shoulders above the rest! Soom gets the prize for the tallest BJD on the market with 80 cm Sabik
      • April 2007: Polish up those college debate skills! The Dollie Debate subforum opens
      • April 2007: It’s all about the ruffles! Dollheart’s initial release of its beautiful Fer line
      • April (ish) 2007: Lace me tightly! A hugely popular collaboration, Haute Doll/ Dollheart/ Val Zeitler present the Young Marie Antoinette collection
      • May 2007: First Soom MD, Sabik- I.B.Hunter. Look out, bank accounts!
      • May 2007: Pirate extraordinaire, Volks releases Reisner, the first SD17

      • September 2007: Make way for the little robot! Batchix releases Machina
      • September 2007: Fairies, incoming! Tinybear releases Moona
      • September 2007:Gothiclibrarian, after a hiatus, returns to the moderation team!
      • September 2007: Introduction of Zone Moderators, our lovely Virtues: St. James, Idrisfynn, Berubius, AreeElf, Ginarolo, DescendingTwilight, Sher, Lizzard, and FairEmma
      • November 2007: Kellyhime and Twigling become moderators
      • November 2007: Teensy little engineering wonders, Fairyland Puki Puki released
      • February 2008: DoA once again moves, this time to two dedicated servers and hires a new Servermaster
      • September 2008: Hello, handsome! Pierrot Akando pictures get everyone ready for the release of the EID line from Iplehouse
      • October 2008: Bless my measuring tape! Angel of Dream releases the tallest BJD to date, 90 cm Primo.
      • November 2008: Hello, horsey! Souldoll teases everyone with some progress shots of their centaur, Chiron
      • December 2008: DoA hosted Winter Contests, the first DoA skill-based contests with doll items as prizes
      • January 2009: And they’re back! Dollshe releases its new 70 cm boy, Orijean, with his 35 piece body

      • April 2009: Changing of the guard! Aimee steps down as the owner of DoA. Armeleia becomes the new owner
      • April 2009: Dezarii becomes a moderator. New Virtues added: Snowleopard, Lolly, Jaeninha, QuietQueen, and Julia
      • May 2009: She’s got legs and she knows how to use them! Twigling's Ylisande released
      • May 2009: Darn those pigs! Swine flue is the reason behind Volks canceling the 4th NYC Tea Party
      • May 2009: Don’t be such a big baby! Dollmore releases Lusion Dahlia, the largest child-bodied ABJD on the market at 80 cm
      • June 2009: Hugely successful, GoGaDoll rocks California as the biggest US BJD party of the year
      • August 2009: DoA throws a huge bash for its birthday, complete with prizes, LE items, lots of funny photos, and a megalomaniac Pomeranian.

      Happy birthday, Den of Angels! Thanks to everyone for keeping us the lively, beautiful, artsy, and fantastically bizarre forum we are!

      Please share your memories of DoA in this thread! We'd love to know what about DoA makes it onto your timeline. :smallcake
       
    2. Hmm, I joined late July 2007, shortly after discovering BJDs. Funny enough, I got my first one today two years ago to the date. I wrote the date I got him on the box. So as I'm lighting a candle on a little cupcake for him I'm doing one for Den of Angels as well.
       
    3. Happy Birthday, and not just to Den of Angels but to everyone else that was born on this day, it's mine tomorrow xD.

      I'm very new here, but I've been loving it and seeing what BJDs have to offer. Thanks for all the lovely contests so far. :D
       
    4. :smallcake Happy Birthday Den of Angels :smallcake

      I started collecting about 1 year before I joined DoA (which was in 2005). DoA really expanded my knowledge of dolls and it introduced to some of my nearest and dearest friends. Thanks for being a wonderful forum and not only offering the wonderful contest this month, but a place for collectors to meet, share their dolls, and participate in such a wonderful community <3
       
    5. Happy Birthday DOA...AND MANY MORE TO COME! Also, "THANK YOU" for all you do for this wonderful hobby and "ALL" the wonderful people who run it and "ALL" the members that make this place so special to us "ALL"!!!

      HAPPY BIRTHDAY :smallcake


      I joined in 2007 and was late to the party...WHAT A RIDE IT HAS BEEN!​
       
    6. Happy Birthday~!

      Wow... I didn't realize that I had joined and had my first doll before Pukis were even released...
       
    7. Happy Birthday! Big hug to you, DoA. <3
      I'm here since 2005, I started a doll forum on my own (french one) when I realized I was a total BJD-addict, and DoA is still the absolute reference for me.
      Thanks guys for your incredible work.

      Thank you SO much Truffle for that historic list, very useful and great memories in there! ^^
       
    8. Happy Birthday DoA! I joined in July 06 when the site was 2, and shortly thereafter -- in August! -- purchased Yuki, my white DZ Megi, and he who Reigns Supreme in my heart, Kenshin. Three years each of them... and Kenshin's fictional character celebrated his 140th birthday this spring as well.

      It's been a wonderful three years for me, and I hope there will be many more!
       
    9. :pcupcakeHappy Birthday DoA:bcupcake

      I remember when I first became aware of BJD's thanks to swan20 directing me to this wonderful informative forum. This was the first forum I ever participated and the one I'm always on:)

      I remember the forum back in 2005 and I would lurked around for a year before I joined the forum in January 2006. This forum not only has grown over the years, but has offered free information for all BJD lovers. I want to say that I'm proud to be a part of this forum:D


      Thank You Moderator's and everyone who has taken the time to help all those who come here for the very same reason we all do...we are bunch of crazy BJD fans lol.

      I think I'm done embarrassing myself now:blush

      p.s. Happy Birthday Harpy and Truffle


      BriarRose
       
    10. Happy Birthday my dear DOA! :smallcake
      If I just have found you earlier!
      Now I cant imagine my life without you :D!

      As I found DOA I thought I could NEVER afford an SD!
      I didnt know about hybrids^^ or layaway XD

      The first one I saw on ebay was Volks whatever and went for over 600$.
      Back then 600$ was much much more then theyre now, after change from German marks into Euros (thanks god for that :D)

      I thought I would go with cheap AOD MSDs, but then I saw *Sara*s Ark and my SD era started :lol:

      Wow I just realized I joined pretty early - 2006, but I think I didnt visit DOA much first time - it seemed all just not achievable for me...
       

    11. Happy birthday! :bcake

       
    12. Just dropping by to wish DOA a very happy birthday!!! Many, many more to come!!!!! :smallcake

      You have changed my life forever, and I thank you for that! Since BJD's have entered into my life, I have met so many friends! BJD's consume me! I have one with me where ever I go.

      I am not lonely anymore!!!!!
       
    13. Happy Birthday DenofAngels! :bcake


      Wow, although I wasn't around from the begining, I hope to stay for a long time, and I hope DOA stays as well. I can't wait until you guys celebrate the 10th~

      Heh, thank you for making my life alot better DOA, and giving me the knowledge I need about these dolls. This is a great community!

      Best wishes!:smallcake
       
    14. May we all continue to learn, create, express, and meet new people (and dolls) for five more years and beyond them.

      Happy fifth, D.O.A.

      Today is a very good day.
       
    15. :pcupcake Happy Birthday DOA :pcupcake
      I've joined DoA on april 2007...I must thank you, I've had the chance to learn so much from other's experiences and I've meet a lot of beautifule and sweet peoples...and Dolls obviously!!
      :aheartbea
       
    16. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOA!!!
      And thank you to everyone who makes DOA possible!!!!
      So fun to see the timeline, (and where my own personal introduction into the world of BJD falls in it :) )
       
    17. Whoa what a timeline in only 5 years! Happy Birthday DoA, couldn't be happier that you've been around:) Wishing you many more wonderful Birthdays!
       
    18. Althought I haven't even been here for a year yet, and don't even own a doll yet, I just wanted to wish Den of Angels a Happy Birthday! Congradulations on five years, and may there be many many many more years to come!!!
       
    19. :fangirl:HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOA!!!:smallcake

      I hope that this year, and all others to come, are the best EVER!!!

      Thanks for all that you do, everyone here is absolutely wonderful, so lucky to have this site for meeting great people, and for learning about a truly great hobby!!!

      CHEERS, and you are the BEST!!!

      :aheartbeaErika
       
    20. :smallcake HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOA!!! :smallcake

      May this year be the best ever! Thank you for everything, tons of love and yummy cake! :pcake
       
    21. :smallcakeHappy Birthday DOA!!! Thats a pretty awesome ride :) Wish I would have been around for more of it, but its been so much fun for the almost year I've been here. YAY FOR DOA!!! :pcupcake:bcupcake
       
    22. Ah DoA, helping me out in my Japanese Popular Culture class. I had done a presentation on Volks, and mentioned this site to the class. On an interesting side note, two years ago on this day Naoki arrived.
       
    23. :smallcakeHappy Birthday DOA~~~:smallcake

      I join in 2008. That's also when I discover my world in BJD!!
      I love this forum. So many info and nice ppl!
      Keep rocking DOA!
       
    24. :pcupcake Woo! Happy Birthday DoA! :smallcake

      I joined DoA in early September, kinda late I might add. I was extremely happy I found you guys though! This site is really awesome!
      I'd have to say my favorite memory was the day I woke up to find out I knew just about everything about BJD's and could decipher those little shortenings of the names. :lol:
      Anyways, I hope everyone has a great day! :aheartbea
       
    25. :bcupcake Happy Birthday, DoA!! :bcupcake
      :pcupcake And Happy Anniversary to us! I joined today three years ago! :pcupcake

      Thank you for putting up with me and my frequent breaks from the hobby!
      Thank you for providing me with hours upon hours of fun!
      Thank you for helping me bring my two girls home!
      Thank you for helping me make doll-loving friends!

      Thank you for everything! And here's to many, many more years together! :aheartbea
       
    26. :ablink: 5 YEARS.......WOAH..... now make a wish, and blow out your candles......... :smallcake
      here's to a roarin' good time, and wishes for many more ...... :roar
       
    27. Happy Birthday DoA!
      :pcake

      Thank you so much for opening a whole world of dolls to all of us!
      I haven't been here for super long, but I've learned from and enjoyed this site so much! :D
      THANK YOU!​
       
    28. :pcupcake Happy birthday DOA! YAY! /rhymes :bcupcake
       
    29. Happy birthday DoA!
      And may you have many more, and many greats!
       
    30. :smallcakeHAPPY BIRTHDAY to DoA:smallcake

      You've been an inspiration, a wealth of information, a shoulder to cry on, a meeting place connecting people from all over the planet and perhaps beyond lol, a place to make new friends both resin and flesh.

      May it continue for another 5 years at least!!


      :smallcakeHappy Birthday also to all those who share this day with DoA:smallcake
       
    31. Congratulations DOA!!!!!
      I learned everything I needed to know about BJD here on DOA! I joined in 2005 and I realize I didn't appreciate DOA enough at the time!
      Thanks everybody for all the hard work! I'm amazed how this forum after so many years is still able to hold on to it's morals/beliefs. And supporting and protecting fans of BJD but also the artists who brought so many beautiful dolls in our lives!
      I wish DOA all the best in the future and may DOA last many lifetimes ;D!!!!!
      Enjoy the day!!! And BiG Hugs everyone!!!
       
    32. Happy Birthday DOA!!!! :bcake

      This forum it's amazing!! I recently joined, but 2 years ago I know BJD, and this forum it's been the "heaven" for me, I learn everyday something new! :sweat

      Congrats <3!! :bcupcake
       
    33. Yay HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEN OF ANGELS! :smallcake

      I've only become active on this forum recently... just in time! :D

      Thanks to all the moderators and staff and people on this forum that made DoA what it is today!
       
    34. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOA!! <3

      I joined on October 1st 2005, (sometimes I still can't believe I've been here that long) I ran to this site after falling madly in love with a Hound when I visited a BJD meetup at AWA... and it was like... heaven! :D

      Six dolls and two (soon to be three) heads later, and I'm still hooked on this forum, and of course, these dolls. <3

      I love this place, I've learned and I've seen so much, and I hope DOA is around for many, many, many more years! Thank you to everyone, the mods, the members and all the great dollies that make this site what it is! <3
       
    35. HAHA! Me and the DoA have the same birthday! How...strange! >__>;;; haha!
       
    36. Wow...somehow it feels like yesterday since I joined, but looking at the timeline (and remembering things I thought forgotten) so much has happened and so much has changed.

      Hereยดs to the next 5 years :smallcake!!
       
    37. :pcake:bcupcake Happy Birthday to the Den!! :pcupcake:bcake

      And thanks so much to all of the angels on these forums. :) I joined reeeaaallly far down that list--just a few months before Akando was released, haha--but it's because of this community that I've gone from not knowing the difference between vinyl and resin to being able to recognize doll sculpts on sight. It's been a blast so far, and here's to hoping it will continue to be just as wonderful for a long time to come. Many happy returns, all!! Cheers. :smallcake

      Oh, and super-duper-extra-special thanks to Truffle, who's put so much hard work into this 5th birthday bash. :aheartbea
       
    38. Happy Birthday DOA! :smallcake

      Thanks for giving us this wonderful doll site. Thanks to everyone who has helped to make it so dollightfully fun!!!

      Yea to DOA!!!
      :pcupcake:sumomo::bcupcake
       
    39. :smallcakeHappy Birthday DOA~~~:smallcake
      =w=+~~~~~~~~~~~~~
       
    40. :aheartbea Happy Birthday!!! :aheartbea

      :pcake

      :sumomo:
       
    41. Happy Birthday DOA:smallcake
      I joined DOA at early May, but not really activate until end of 2007....
      time past so fast.....
      ANYWAY, CONGRADULATION DOA!! Hope there will be a 10 years anniversary in the future!!:D:D
       
    42. :smallcake Happy Birthday DoA!!! :smallcake

      Wow, reading all of this makes me wish I would have found bjds (and this site sooner). However I'm thrilled to have been apart of it for as long as I have, and I will be forever grateful for this site. Having met so many wonderful people and learned all that their is to know, I will be forever grateful.

      So thanks so much DOA for brightening my days! This may be your 5th birthday but here's wishing for may more!! :)
       
    43. Happy birthday DOA!!:smallcake
      *takes a piece*:pcake

      I hope you guys have many more! I'm very new to the hobby (I joined in March of this year ^_^) but I've learned so much and met such wonderful people at the meets I've gone to since then :aheartbea. Here's to hoping for more awesome dolly moments for us all! Congrats!!
       
    44. Happy Birthday Den of Angels, may there by many, many more years of fun ahead for this forum!
       
    45. :aheartbea :smallcake Happy Birthday DoA!!! :smallcake :aheartbea

      thanks for being always sooo fun and helpful! let's hope we're all be here in another five years! thanks for helping us share the beauty of bjdolls!
       
    46. :bcupcake:bcake HAPPY BIRTHDAY DoA!!!!!:pcake:pcupcake

      I've been here since November '07 and this site has most definitely changed my life for the better! Here's hoping that this amazing forum and community will be celebrating many more birthdays to come!
       
    47. :pcakeHAPPY BIRTHDAY DOA:pcake

      I joined in October 2007 and thanks to doa i have found and bought the dollies which i have wanted. I have also found and made some friends along the way too:)
       
    48. Happy birthday to DOA. Thank you for everything, you are the paradise for us. Wish you all the best in the future.
       
    49. Happy Birthday! Mine was only a few days ago. I knew about the dolls before I joined but didn't think I could ever own one due to the price. Now in four years I own about 40...
       
    50. :aheartbea Happy Birthday, Den of Angels! :aheartbea

      Thanks for creating such a wonderful community!
       
    51. HappyBirthday DOA ! :smallcake

      I haven't been here for long, But I've already made Great memories.

      Ive met all kinds or really nice people Ive gotten more information on the BJD hobby, Ive commissioned wonderfully talented wig makers and clothes makers and Ive been commissioned myself by equally amazing people!

      Ive met people that live around me, and Ive fallen for dolls and molds I don't think I every would.

      And Ive also had many laughs with the fun people and poses you can find here, and drolled over others,

      I really wish I coudl have founf this site sooner because I love it so much.

      Happy 5th anniversary DOA, and I hope for many more wonderful years with you!!
      :sumomo: :pcake :sumomo:
       
    52. Happy Birthday DoA!:bcake I can't believe I've been here since 3/15/05! Wow, like everyone else says, it's been quite a ride. I don't even remember half the stuff on that time line happening, so thank you for posting it Truffle! I to this day only have two dolls, am hoping in 2010 to have my two girls! Anyways, cheers Den of Angels for 5 years! I will be with you for many, MANY more to come! ^_^ Oh, and since I don't really like cake much...I think I'll go and take one of these instead. :bcupcake
       
    53. :D A very Happy Birthday to DOA! :smallcake

      :pcupcake Many thanks to all the hardworking folks that made this forum possible! *hugs* I have greatly enjoyed the years of fun & amusement and look forward to even more. :aheartbea
       
    54. I still remember finding DoA way back in September 2005 from Fyredancer's website. I made this name 'usagi665' since it was generic and I wanted to blend in since I thought I would be a lurker :lol:

      Happy Birthday :smallcake
       
    55. Happy Birthday DoA!
      Love Doa! It is a fun community, very welcoming and very sweet. Thanks everybody from the mods to the newbies and the comments everyone took the time to write. Also to all marketplace folks that bought and sold me these gorgeous dolls and acted so honestly.

      SPECIAL THANKS: to those of you who organized these festivities and took the time outside your personal life to devote your precious time to a number of fun activities for us to enjoy.

      Your efforts is what has kept this forum growing steadily.

      ~Gus
       
    56. :smallcakeHAPPY BIRTHDAY DoA:smallcake
      Thank you so much for all your hard work in making this the best community :)
       
    57. Well, I haven't even been here for a month, but you guys have made me feel as welcome as any forum ever has, these past few weeks. So all I can say is, thanks for listening and helping and generally being fun, and...

      :smallcake happy 5th Anniversary! :dance
       
    58. And here I came looking at the database

      Congrats DoA.
       
    59. Happy 5th Birthday, Den of Angels. Thank you for such a great place to be.