The ^ < v Game! - Part 5

^ Complete my collection. Yeah, I know. But I really think I might be able to do it. My wishlist did that annoying thing again where I get down to one last thing only for another to jump on the list. So one body and one full doll. But I think I am getting to the point where I am getting tired of getting new dolls and simply want to devote my money to other things I want to save for. So hopefully it stops here. Part of this goal is dependent on the body actually being completed. I already know when the full doll comes out, I just need to save the money. If the body doesn't come out for a while, hopefully I can simply save the estimated amount and be done with it. That will free me up for clothes and props and non-doll related things. And when, inevitably, another doll comes out that I can't resist, it will be spaced out much farther than the past few years have been.

> Whew, finally, some space to breath. Time for even more applications.

v Saving up for a doll?

 

^ Yes, it seems I still have a serious soft spot for the doll (Soom Sabik) I first latched onto back in 2011. As I’m trying to finish the ‘buying’ side of things, I’ve come to the conclusion my time in the hobby wouldn’t feel complete without him. Problem is I think I’d have to find one of the SG size limited-release heads if he were to fit in with my carefully curated smallish-noggin collection. Wish me luck!

< I seem to make about one taobao order and one complete doll purchase per year. 2018 will feel officially wrapped up when my Guudoll body and the clothes/props/sewing bits from taobao arrive! That will be my real Christmas present.

v Have you ever made stress-induced doll or doll accessory purchases?

 

^ Probably, but I'm kind of cheating because anxiety is part of my daily life. Usually I watch items I want, constantly check stock numbers, and am prone to impulse buy items in low stock even if they aren't priority. There has been a few times I haven't and I still kick myself mentally for it.

< Why am I up? Because I'm awake...

v Have you ever learnt a certain trade/craft specifically to make something for your dolls (other than faceups)?

 

^ Not really - I learned sewing and crafting for cosplay. Now I just make it smaller

< It's snowing outside... Again...

v Have you ever saw someone else's doll and instantly thought: "That's how MY character looks like!"?

 

^ Not really, no. Back when I first started collecting I liked the then-popular emo look of thick eyeliner on cute boys and wanted a Migidoll Miho and CP Delf El because that's what you saw so much....I owned both and that's how they looked, but it was never about that looking so much like whatever OC I was looking to shell, as I just liked that look on those two sculpts and used it for my characters. Both OCs I had shelled in those dolls are newer and more realistic sculpts now.

> I haven't bought doll clothes in so long! It seems weird to be waiting on clothes.

V Do you have any dolls/Characters who are hard to find clothes for? What style do they wear?

 

^ My woodland elves are impossible to find ready made clothes. I've had to make all of their outfits except one pair of fake leather pants. My OC wizard and his assistant will be another that I will have to make their complete outfits to match the vision I had in my book.

< Binged on Season 1 of Lucifer yesterday. Ready to finish off the season and start on S2.

v Do you have a preference for one resin color over another?

 

^ Nope. I have normal, white, tan, and (dyed) fantasy colors. It just depends on what I think would be best for the character/matching/yellowing. I like having a bit of a rainbow, but I managed to get two dolls the exact same color (same company and everything) for different reasons, so I want to balance that out a bit if I can.

> I on the other hand have seen a doll that caused one of my characters to go "Yup, that's me!" and change not only his look, but much of the aesthetic for the story. But as a pre-made character, he is not getting a doll, especially since it was less the sculpt features and more the overall aesthetic that were like him.

v Where is your favorite place to get doll shoes? Fishing for suggestions, me? No...

 

^ Usually Taobao-- Tata’s Paradise, M-style or random shops I find by entering translated keywords. I am eyeing a shop called Dreamerworks. I like to browse the beautiful shoes sold by Leekeworld, Iplehouse and Freedomteller but have yet to justify the price tag... does that help at all?

< Six projects at once may be too many; feeling drowned by my messes.

v Tell me what you are procrastinating **cough** working on right now.

 

^ Clothes. So many clothes. And my boy's wig, which I have been working on on and off, three measly hairs at a time, for about two years now. But my sisters are here, so that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it.

> A job offer, at long last (or at least one I can actually accept because the location has housing and public transport for my carless, transient butt)! Just have to get housing settled, ahhh. And to think I was getting especially down about the job search recently.

Oh, and that helps a little, thanks @Havra. It seems I need to get more into Taobao, especially since I'll have funds to actually shop now instead of all this wistful window shopping, lol.

v Do you have any fake food for your dolls?

 

^ only a tiny bit, and have never used it. I have lollipops, cookie, half a sandwich, and bubble tea!

< go away, winter! I have faceups to paint!

V what is your favourite prop for dolls?

 

^ Depending on the doll (not all of them smoke) I really like every day items, like cigarettes, to-go coffee cups and cellphones.

> first resin of the new year paid for! now to wait.

V Still interested in clothes! Where do you buy your dolls clothes?

 

^ most of my clothes are from esty! I love custom ordering outfits and getting ooak items for my dolls! I'd definitely try etsy if you want cute casual clothes!

< new year, new me! Doing so good so far this year!

v if your doll had a cellphone, what would their favorite app be?

 

^ If Anders somehow got a smart phone, he would love Neko Atsume or any other collect-a-cat game.

< So slow today. No customers in our shop and nothing else to do.

v Do your dolls like music? Which genre? Do they like a specific artist?

 

^ Kouri likes classical music but he would never admit it. Akai enjoys all music, being as he is blind and likes to dance. Oleifr doesn't care as long as he can sleep through it...who am I kidding he can sleep through anything. Mokuba loves anything cute and up beat.

< Anders gives me PTSD...seriously, he gave me serious trust issues when it comes to video game characters, lol

v Do any of your dolls suffer from mental disiblilities?

 

^ John has schizophrenia and (because of it) terrible anxiety.

> John has six heads. I think that might be excessive. Also he needs more heads.

V What do you think about having extra heads for your dolls?

 

^ for the most it doesn't interest me, but there's one who's on and off my wishlist who I think I would like to have different heads with different makeup style for (mostly because I can't make up my mind which one I like best xD;; )

< my doll simultaneously has too many items of clothing, and nothing to wear. The problem being that the tops and the bottoms don't match with each other

v are you looking for the one perfect outfit for your doll, or do you prefer to have multiple options?

 

Oops too slow
^ All my guys have multiple clothing options, it is rather daunting considering how many I have.
< Too slow, my speed today.
v passing on the earlier question: What do you think about having extra heads for your dolls?

 

^ Well, my first doll should arrive with three heads. I think it's ok for whatever reason. In my case it is because I fell in love with the sculpt, wanted sleeping version too and the third option (half open eyes) were part of the deal. I kind of can imagine being in situation when I want a new faceup for the doll but being unable to part with the original one - so I would just get the same head for the new faceup. Also - as much as I love I.O.S. Lacrimosa, I cannot imagine having it as a doll's default or permanent head - if I ever got to buying that one, I would buy another similar sculpt to act like the dolls normal face and Lacrimosa as expression. Also - why not to have couple of characters sharing a body? When you don't need the characters in the same photo, you can have an army of floating heads taking turns with the body.

< I feel like I may have too many hobbies I procrastinate at...

v Still something with the heads: How many floating heads do you own? And are they alternate faces or are they just waiting for a body?

 

^ Just one now. I've owned four, with me having about two at any one time. Here's hoping the reign of floating heads ends soon. Oh wait, I have one more, but that one is more of a practice head and will not be unfloated.

> That interview really stressed me out, I'm just stressed about this process in general.

v What's the best outfit you feel you've made?

 

^ my mom sewed me a fur spirit hood for Feather but I myself haven't made anything yet. I plan to sew many hoodie dresses in the near future tho!

< feeling a bit stressed, a bit sad, all the emotions.

v what does your doll want to do when they're feeling down?

 

^ Many of my boys are snugglers and hand holders when they feel down, they will snuggle with either their lover or brother or bff. They all support each other through bad mental days. If you see someone cuddling or holding hands it isn't necessarily romantic.

< Sitting on a shelf getting covered in dust is not good, time to move everyone around.

v Anyone of your dolls into non-romantic cuddling?

 

^ Ollie. She is very touchy-feely and will cuddle anyone. She is also finds all that attraction stuff kind of silly, especially for a doll like her. None of my dolls are couples (just never seemed to work out), but I do like posing her gloming on the others.

> Feels like I am just bidding my time right now.

v Any dolls you've been gifted or have gifted?

 

^ No. Nobody I know is into BJDs. Or really gets it...

< I'm moving on Friday!

> Have you ever moved house with your dolls?

 

^ Yes! I've moved several times with mine, they have a special pink bin I keep them safely wrapped in!

< Today's my moms birthday and I have to go to the doctors, blaaaa don't want to go.

v what is something your dolls wouldn't like doing?

 

^ John really hates going to his place of employment for debriefings. It's his least favorite thing (because everyone he works with hates him)

> Dug out from the ton of snow that fell on me over the weekend. I hate snow. At least being stuck in the house gave me time to downsize.

V It's snowed a freaking ton, what do your dolls do?

 

^ They settle in with some Netflix, hot coffee, some other imperative sundries ( ), and ignore the world until it melts.

< It's actually -12 here right now, and that ( ^ see above) is my actual plan, so they have no choice.

V Is sharing your dolls with others an important element for you in the BJD hobby?

 

^Definitely, I love the hobby but I also enjoy helping others enjoy the hobby. I have lots of hybrids so I can share information about the companies of dolls that I own. I love sewing for my dolls so I can contribute info here too. I have done some major modifications and can answer questions about working on resin.

< Going to brave the cold wind for photos today.

v What toys do your doll characters like interacting with?

 

^ Feather and Fluke both love plushies and stuffed animals. I buy them little ones and they have a small collection of them now!

< so tired after a long day! Can't wait to sleep

v do your dolls like sleeping in late or are they a morning person?

 

^ Alex would never get out of bed if someone didn't poke him with a stick. Also he's a vampire so morning is never going to be his time. John has no sleep schedule and would probably never sleep if he could get around it. He generally has to be reminded that it's a thing he should do.

> I really want this year to be the year I finish all my dolls.

V What does your wishlist look like? Is it an attainable goal, or fantasy collection? Maybe both??

 

^ My goal this year is to get the last of my OCs in house, he's been ordered just waiting on his arrival. I want to get everyones' hands and at least their nipples blushed. No other dolls/heads are planned.
Granado's tiny Napoleon is a 'maybe' but since the tiny was was first to makes its goal I think I have a good chance of getting him.

< Spraying the stand on the band's keyboard, glad it's not as MSC finicky temp and humidity wise.

v Do you plan to broaden your doll collection size range or tighten it up to one or two sizes.

 

^ Leon, my Puki Puki Pukisha, is a cat sprite, so he's very curious. He's small, so he's gone many different places with me. He's been to three other states, and to Italy with me last summer! And I'm moving this weekend so he'll have a new house to explore.

< I need to let the distributor I ordered a Dollshe doll through that my address is changing.

V How adventurous is your doll"s character?

 

^ Not very, Feather likes her home and her small neighborhood and Fluke likes tiny quiet places so neither are very adventurous. They've never travelled with me either.

< almost done writing this book, just 10k to go!

v do your dolls enjoy writing?

 

^ Lorina/Mariana is the only one of mine who isn't illiterate, and she does like making up little stories! Usually fairytales where she's a princess and someone rescues her.

< Finally sent the last layaway payment for my Cuartos Hecate. Come home soon, giant wolf!!

v Do any of your dolls have jobs?

 

^ Kouriel is an alchemist for hire, Oleifr is a "retired" mercenary who is also a carpenter, Alasdair (who isn't here yet) is planned on being a secretary of sorts to Kouriel, and Nihiel is...an angel? Lol

< I'm being patient for Alasdair but I'm also getting anxious ... Okay, I'm always anxious.

v Are you drawn to more realistic doll characters (human, normal life stuff, etc) or fantasy characters (not just elves! Anything goes!)?

 

^ I have both in my crew! One is based on "normal" human stuff and is quite realistic, another is a feathered serpent with a humanoid form, and the rest are either combinations of the two or elemental spirits.

< Oh Flickr, what's with all the linked images breaking? Hopefully this is only a temporary setback.

v Describe your doll's character's wallet. Is it organized? Do they keep a picture in it? The more descriptive, the better!

 

^ They exist in a near-future, classist dystopian society where nearly all information is recorded, stored, and shared digitally. This is including identification, financial information and transactions, health records, etc. Of the two that are currently shelled, one of them has no actual identity because she is a clone. She essentially does not exist -- which isn't uncommon for the dregs of society; the poor, criminally inclined, people in hiding, etc. So she has a modded RID chip, with a fake name, fake medical history, and a myriad of other forged digital documents which have to be purged and re-invented frequently. That'd be her wallet. She does have a quirk of collecting family photos of people she's never met, so she'd probably have some of those uploaded as well! Hope that wasn't a disappointing answer (awesome question)!

< I've heard Flickr has been a bit f*cky since the buy out. It might have something to do with their purging old content from non-paid accounts, but I didn't think that they were going to start that for another month or two..

V Pick one of your dolls. Any one.















That doll has been kidnapped, and is being held for ransom.. what would you give up (realistically) in exchange for the doll you picked? Did you happen to think of one you weren't overly attached to, or did you pick your favourite?

 

^ I accidentally scrolled down, but I probably would have picked Elliot either way. I kind of consider him my first and while he isn't the most valuable, he has a special soft spot for me. I would give a ransom of up to how much it would cost to remake him. If that was not enough, I would simply be forced to give up and recreate the hybrid myself. It would be sad, but what can I do?

> I might have too many tabs open.

v I like this format. So don't scroll down and choose a doll.
Now scroll.















They just turned into another doll on your wishlist. Would you be pleased or disappointed?

 

^ I would be very disappointed. Mahalo is my very first BJD, she is very important to me.

< Why is the third month of the epic doll-wait so difficult. Two is easy, four is fine, three is awful!

v What is the most amazing talent your doll/character has?

 

^ The ability to wax poetic until his prose turns so purple it's thought to be deeper than space. It's fairly ridiculous.

< Food, food, food; why does it take so long to cook?

v What would your doll/character be most impatient for?

 

^ Dinner. Part of Emie's werewolf curse is insatiable hunger so she's nearly always hangry. Doll Emie has a couple of misc. meats (a raw steak and a heart) as representative snacks.

< 3 day weekend yaay!!

v Delicious food. What is each of you dolls' favorite? Bonus points: Do you have a prop version of it for your doll?

 

^ I'm not going to do all of them but:
Alex - Pizza and ice cream
David - burgers
John - hotdogs followed by all other food
Kimi - strawberry cake
Jack - steak
Griffin - fish and chips

I have some food props but a lot of them are just erasers and not great. I'd love to have better versions.

> Friday. Weekend almost here. Three day weekend. YAY

V Passing on the question - what is/are your dolls favorite food(s)?

 

^ I'll list just a few.
Eilis - Cream puffs and reuben sandwiches
Leon - Anything covered in grease
June - Peanut butter and celery
Annalise - Lamb
Mahalo - Apples
Rhiannon - Stewed hen

< All this talk about food makes me want to do some serious cooking.

v What show would your doll spend a weekend binge-watching?

 

^ Carlisle and Parry could get through a lot of nature documentaries- Parry would skip through the sad bits where animals are in trouble though. Jael's only little though, he'd be quite happy with a marathon of Peppa Pig!

< Can winter be over yet? I can't feel my toes!!

v Do your dolls prefer a hot day on the beach or a cold walk in the woods?

 

^ My eclectic crew collects everything from mystical alchemical and Wiccan paraphernalia to the pile of stinky gym socks that they're too lazy to wash.

< Wishing that this massive winter storm they've been threatening us with for the last three days would just hit and be done with, already!

v Are your dolls so real and full of personality to you that selling them would be almost like getting rid of a family member - or are they pretty things that you enjoy immensely and love looking at, but could certainly replace if need be?

 

^ Mine are definitely more like family members, I could never sell them. I love them and their characters dearly!

< Just finished my book! So proud to have written a whole series!

v What's your dolls favorite book?

 

^ Alasdair would, no one else really cares but there is a good chance Kouri might still be up, lol.

< Why is it that I've seen multiple MSD platforms over the years but when I actually need them I can't find any anywhere?

v Do you find yourself looking for doll sized items in your everyday life?

 

^ All the time! I even have a tiny whisk and cheese grater for them!

< having a terrible day, please get better tomorrow...

v what does your doll count as a bad day?

 

^I have four dolls based off of different survival horror games. A bad day would involve experiencing their respective games with the bad ending in effect.

< It's slow at work. I'm used to overachieving and don't trust this fallow time.

v Passing on the question! What's a bad day like for your doll(s)?

 

^ I only have a couple of chairs and the like, I mostly find them at thrift stores. My favorite MSD-size chair lived a past life as a decorative candle holder, so that's cool.

< Just opened up faceup commissions to the public! Am I nervous? Yeah. Am I excited? HECK yeah!!

v Is there a flower that represents your doll? Either in color, growth, metaphorical flower language...

 

^ I've only ever given this any thought in regards to Alex, who is a rose. Pretty, wild, with sharp bits that make you bleed when you get too close. He has one tattooed on his shoulder, but mostly so he can have the thorns all over his arm.

> Crap I invented a new character and I already have his doll form figured out (mostly). BJDs and writing/art are the worst and best paring.

V Do you make up characters and then go for BJDs to match, or find dolls you like and then give them a personality?

 

^ Dolls I like, then personality. I probably have over a hundred characters from various stories, the other way round would be too dangerous. Not that I haven't been sorely tempted. Gobbie was me breaking that rule, and I am tempted to get some off-topic chibis of some other characters, not to mention another character that would be fun as a tiny. Someone is even sculpting the perfect body right now. Hopefully the finished product isn't quite right.

> I think I'm starting to give up hope of ever finishing this application.

v Passing on: Do you make up characters and then go for BJDs to match, or find dolls you like and then give them a personality?

 

^ Moving them around the dioramas, dressing them, trying new wigs, refining their characters and their interactions with the others.

<Stormy day, went out into the rain, so glad to be home and warm again.

v What diorama do you have or want to have for your doll/characters?

 

^ I'd like to have a bedroom for Feather and maybe a sitting room or in my wildest dreams a full on doll house!

< so stressed out, its been a rough week.

v do your dolls have or want any pets?

 

^ Yes, they have an Iplehouse bull terrier, which is one of the cutest pet bjd sculpts I've ever seen...but of course it wasn't me who insisted on bringing it home. It was them. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

< On the first of five days off, and it already seems like too short a time...

v Were dolls a natural progression from another collection or aspect of your life, or were they some weird vortex that you fell into randomly?