The ^ < v Game! - Part 7

^ I wish I knew how to make shoes. Like with soles and everything! It would make getting shoes for my dolls' outfits so much easier!

> It snowed for like 2 minutes last night I got way too excited!

v Do you have a cohesive style between your dolls or do you prefer a mixed bag?

 

Edit: seems someone beat me to the answer.

^ With some exceptions I stick to mature 1/4 dolls with no bigger then 12mm eyes

^^ Eyes, I might try some day, I have resin casting equipment, but I know it’s going to take a lot of time to get to an adequate level

< I hate Christmas...

v What doll that currently doesn’t exist do you desire ?

 

^ a 1/3 doll with a snake tail from the waist down. I would want her to be around on scale with 65 cm girls.

<I’m with you there. Why is Christmas so soon?

v what’s one doll you wish was a different size?

 

^ Any one of the girls from EslynsDolls (eslynsdolls on IG). Oh please, I'd love to have them sized up to 65cm because I love their aesthetic, but I don't collect fashion-size dolls. On the other hand, it would be VERY bad on my wallet if they do get turned into the size I need, because their current price tag ain't exactly one I could easily afford.

< I wish Guórén's erhu would get here already.

v If you could display your dolls they way you wanted, what would the setup be?

 

^ I'm happy with the 2 living rooms set up on glass and metal IKEA shelves that my mature tinies and their smaller friends/relations live in. I'd like my first mini, and the second one I'm waiting for to have some sort of living room set up too, though I don't know where I'd put it.

< Need to go run errands and do laundry...

V Are you waiting for any dolls right now? Or planning new ones?

 

^ I'm waiting on a Mystic Kids Chris, paying off a layaway on a Soom Lami from the marketplace, and both hoping Dollzone does and hoping they don't do a winter/new year event, because then I'll want to order a Gray and I really should wait for a while before ordering yet another doll

< My TV isn't working. Why isn't my TV working?

v What's the longest you've waited for a doll? Would you be willing to wait that long again?

 

^ I think it was about 9 months from a 5-Star event, I’m not that bothered about waiting, I’d do it again.

< At least Christmas is done soon

v How do you pick names for your dolls/characters then are based on?

 

^ I noticed that my first few dolls' names all happened to have the letter I, so now I do that on purpose. Other than that, maybe some cultural inspiration, but mostly what feels right.

> The present is shipping just in time. Thank you USPS!

v What are your 2021 doll plans?

 

^ To find motivation to do anything with my dolls again. Last thing I did was unbox the parts for Lee's wheelchair ... then I put it back in the box because life got in the way, and it hasn't got back out of the way since. So basically anything at all, please. I miss hobby fun, doing projects, rambling about them here and chatting with you guys.

< Having gone back and forth about whether or not to buy another doll hasn't helped. I could go for another big one (which one though, as I technically need two bodies, and the head I'd like for a side project would be nice, but so would one main character's second head so I can mod the original one) or the still-missing hobbit ... or not because the current situation is not nice financially and I'm not sure I'd want to splurge on a doll right now. Bleargh. A new arrival *might* have kickstarted more activity.

v Passing on the q! What are your 2021 doll plans?

 

^i need to make 6 identical sets of armour for the Shrike. It’s a black “thermal” outfit, under a scale mail tunic, with some plated armour on top, a mask and a cape. At least I’m not making the shoes. Loads of other projects as well (like my mod journals) but I’d like to have at least the prototype done

<I hate retail

V passing again: what are your 2021 doll plans?

 

^ Refining my collection. I'd like to sell some of the tiny dolls I no longer love, and maybe ordering some of the doll on my wish list.

< And so many need face-ups. I've been meaning to do them, but I keep putting it off...

V Are you're 2021 doll plans different because of the coronavirus mess?

 

^ Yes I was supposed to go to DollCon Dallas in two months not a whole year and 2 months.

> I didn't make any winter clothes yet for dolls. Poor things are cold lol

v What is your favorite part when doing a faceup?

 

^ literally any and all of it other than eye lashes.

> Do I permanently mod poison ivy so she works on her body or try to fix the neck piece? A perm mod is easier....

V Going back to 2021 plans - what are yours?

 

^ Continue waiting for dolls and doll bodies to come out. I'm at two dolls and a body. Also, buy a body for my last minute 2020 purchase and continue customizing the resin I have.

> Waiting to implement Operation Sneak Presents under the Tree.

v Which of your dolls came together the most easily?

 

>Shrike. I had her in my hands, and I knew who she was. She stole a second head, and it’s been clear sailing (after reshelling her 4 other times?)

<Christmas depresses me, for some reason.

V what is the most customized doll you own?

 

^ Ofka Lukas, he is the most modded doll I own and I did the mods myself. My granddaughter has claimed it as hers. I heard that someone on BJD Confessions said it was the ugliest doll ever - Thank you!!! I do like his newer head better.


< Still want to eat snacks!

v What (to you) is you most unique doll prop or accessory?

 

^ I got a mini pillow in a swap once, with the names of my dolls embroidered on it, alongside a heart! It has a place of honor on my doll's couch

< Remind me to never, ever sew with tulle again. It's such a pain....

v Where do you display your dolls, if you display them at all? Are they on a shelf, in a display case, a room box, or something else entirely?

 

^ I have them on a shelf in my living room! Right where I can see them!

< I can't wait to sew and read and start this year well!

v what's a dolly resolution you have for this year?

 

^ I decided not to buy any new dolls - just work on the ones that I already own. So...I just bought a new doll. I suck.

< I need to save money...it's like water now, but some day I will regret.

V Speaking of which, what is your biggest regret regarding dolls?

 

^ Talking myself out of buying one of my grails!!!!! I had the money, he was in the right skin tone (only one I've ever seen),and he was literally half price. I am a fool, but I'd only been in the hobby for about 6 months and was balking at paying $300 for a doll. I'm still kicking myself.

< Why do I feel a need for an old Volks girl??? What has come over me? Not like anything else in collecting...she wouldn't fit. Yet the desire is there.

v (let's go for a more cheerful opposite) What was your biggest score with dolls?

 

^ A couple. Stumbling upon the preorder for DHS Aldou less than 48 hours before the order date (and with the doll being limited, buying secondhand would have been a nightmare), getting a body split for a hybrid that I would not have been able to get straight from the company, finding out that two dark resin colors were close enough that I wouldn't have to pay $100 dollars extra for a custom color. Nothing like finding dolls half off, but nice little things here and there.

> Resist spending, resist spending, resist spending...

v Are you resisting some dolly temptation right now?

 

^ Yep. There's a doll in the Marketplace that I'd never heard of until I saw the sales post, and he's gorgeous and I want him. But I bought two dolls in November, so I really should hold off until there's a sale on one of the dolls already in my wish list...

< So not looking forward to going back to work next week...

v Is your wish list relatively consistent? Or is it constantly changing?

 

^ I used to have an extensive one for the whole story plot, but these days it's just pure aesthetics.

< Can't wait to get my pay soon, to get some supplies for wig making.

v Do you do the face-ups or commission?

 

^ I don't yet but I hope to do faceup and clothing commissions someday!

< Its cold but I'm so excited for dolly birthday!

v do you celebrate your dolls birthday/anniversary?

 

^ I often do a (crappy) first birthday pic, but otherwise I'm not buying them gifts or anything like that.

< on the one hand, I love having days off because of public holiday. on the other hand, it stresses me that everything else is closed!!

v Do you like to do holiday and birthday photoshoots with your dolls?

 

^ I like taking pictures of them when they wear something I've sewn for them as sewing takes time and patience. I have taken pictures when I've felt they looked particularly good. I wouldn't call them photoshoots as I don't use fake backgrounds etc... I should try it once though.

< I wish the weather wasn't so damp.

V Do you have a doll that you feel would be better taller or shorter?

 

^ I like my dolls heights. I think my DC Barbara would be a straight up nightmare if she was any taller. She is already a kicky mess who is lucky I love her

< Waiting on 2 dolls after a 7 year hiatus from buying any dolls. I’m a little less patient than I remember lol.

V Do you prefer realistic or stylized sculpts? Has this changed at all since you have been in the hobby?

 

^ Very much into the more realistic side these days. When I first discovered BJDs in 2007, the first girl I purchased (and the only BJD I had for years) was more stylized, but I realized when I came out of hiatus some odd years later, I was much more into the opposite side the the spectrum.

< I also went from MSDs directly into SDs/70cm+ and never really looked back.

V Since quarantine started several months ago, has there been one particular member of your collection that's most inspired/comforted you? If so, who is it and what do they offer you exactly?

 

^ My Doll Chateau Kid Amos. He has 4 legs and his sculpt is so soft looking. He makes me smile. Making clothes for him is challenging, and rewarding when they fit him well. He is a bit like a pet that got lost before finding a welcoming home.

< I should receive my new doll in 2 months' time, earliest. I am worried. She is a slim MSD and it is not 'my best sewing size'. I hope she'll fit within the group. I really don't want to put a new doll on the market. That would be a total loss of time and money. On the plus side, looking at her measurements, she can share shoes and boots with my MNF, Raspberry and Doll Chateau kid. Why oh why do I look at slim MSDs when I know I prefer SDs????

V Have you been spoiling your dolls lately? What have you bought/made for them?

 

^ I bought my new Racoon Doll elf Erika two t-shirts and a cardigan. I rarely buy clothes for my dolls, but I didn't want my girl to be stuck half-dressed while she waited for me to make her clothes!

< I need to get her a wig, and find her a name. The Granado tiny man who arrived on Monday needs a name too, though at least he has a temporary wig.

V Are you planning to make or buy anything special for your dolls soon?

 

^ I want to make a set of armor haha. Didn't get a start over Christmas break but hopefully I can work on it soon.

> New wigs in the mail box!

v Which of your dolls is the most neglected and why?

 

^ my supia nael because he needs MODS and a CUSTOM WIG and I’m LAZY.

< I’ve neglected that doll so much, I often forget I even have him lmao

v what’s your first doll project of 2021?

 

^ sanding Vidania’s chest. It’s still a bit bigger than I’d wanted, but it looks good in clothes, so I’m going with it.

<I have a small blister. I hate hand sanding...

V passing down: what’s your first project of 2021

 

^ I don't really know. I always go through a period of BLEH at the beginning of a new year, and can't get motivated. The good news is the SQLabs heads I ordered from Sadol (along with some clothes) have finally shipped, finally tracked, and are on the way. I have to do a FtM mod on the tiny body I have (I haven't had to do one of those in YEARS) and get faceups on those heads so I can finally have a functional Chibi version of John that matches Alex. I have been trying to put him together for years and have had so many rejects I've made three other dolls out of them. Anime faceups aren't my thing, but we'll see if I can do it.
So I guess Chibi John is my first project. When the heads get here.

> I have other things I could be doing...but bleh.

V Another pass: What is your first project of 2021?

 

^ I've decided to re-shell a character into a pukifee! I'm sewing the outfit now. She's a herbalist witch and her outfit will be earthy and adorable

> All I wanna do is sew but I must get ready for work

v Do you think your doll collection will ever be complete?

 

^ No. I'm interested in BJDs that look good, have beautiful joints, are posable and don't look miserable. Then I check whether I would like to sew for them. Luckily, I don't fall for dolls that easily anymore.

< I wonder whether this boy will be sold soon and for how much? I wish he was a girl. I really would like a girl.

V Have you made props for your dolls?

 

^ I’ve made a temporary couch out of boxes and black fabric before. But never something permanent. I’ve only ever bought the smaller props for my dolls.

> Debating if I should wait for DF-A to come out with a new 60cm girl body or just work out a hybrid =w=

V Do your dolls have their own furniture?

 

^ No, though I've started to look into acquiring some. Most of the time I'd rather allocate my budget towards more dolls, haha! Now that I've started to slow down on buying dolls, there are a couple of pieces I wouldn't mind picking up.

< I say that I'm slowing down, but I just ordered a new boy. Oops.

v What sizes do you have in your doll family?

 

^ SD and tiny. Well, one tiny, but hopefully not for long. I have another tiny head on the way and hopefully I'll be able to make a hybrid. I also lowkey want to design another one.

> Ugh, I really need another job.

v How do you budget for doll purchases?

 

^ I don't really have a solid budget. My expenses aren't much and I don't spend money that much. I do however have a mental spending limit that limits my doll spending using my guilty conscience

> Being real though, I probably don't like spending more than 5% of my income on hobby stuff.

v Aside from the dolls themselves, what BJD items do you find yourself spending the most on in this hobby? For me it's wigs xD

 

^ Definitely clothes. I have expensive outfits put away that none of my dolls even wear, but I had to have them XD
I also have a lot of guys that wear suits which are pretty pricey in this hobby. I bought a red suit for the Joker to wear at Valentines day and Christmas and I'm not sure he's even worn it yet. I own the same black suit three times, and a fourth that's almost the same. Then there is all the material I've bought so my friend can make my dolls custom clothing. Everyone says that making your doll's clothes is cheaper, and maybe it is if you use cheaper fabrics. I haven't seemed to have figured that part out.... I do buy kids clothing for dolls clothes though, and sometimes that is cheap. You can buy a kids shirt at Target for $7 and get four or five doll shirts out of it. And then your dolls wardrobe is all the same color palate because Target.

> Emergency vet visit yesterday and today my leg still hurts. So far 2021 is not great.

V are you expecting any new dolls in 2021?

 

^ Hopefully my Dollshe Hound I ordered back in 2018 will show up soon! I've also got MYou Vieroudis and a second Dream Valley Mini on my wish list.

< One of my MSDs doesn't have a wig at all yet. Why is it so hard to find curly wigs in dark brown?

V Any wigs or eyes your having trouble finding?

 

^ an acid green side-shave for Ness, a really long flowing wig in a specific shade of gold/blonde for Chromis, A dark brown/black curly 7/8 for Ireena, and a cute side-shaved wig that doesn't cost too much for Shrike. Also for Aveden a white/platinum wig that has dark roots. And Eyes I like as much as doll bakery. Or very specific doll bakery eyes. And whatever braided/mohawked/glorious style Azerin demands when I get her sorted.

<I'm so sleep deprived I tried a twigling floating head on a twigling body, and went "wow, this is a really nice hybrid. I wonder if other people have this? Someone stop me. or send me to bed.

V What's your favourite hybrid you've made/seen?

 

^ This is kind of sad, but I've given this question some thought over the last couple days, and I can't decide? I mean, I love all my hybrids, that's why I have them! My favorite doll ever is a hybrid (Ringdoll K, Dollmore Glamor body), is he my favorite hybrid because he's my favorite doll? Or are the ones that just happened my favorites because they were nice surprises in my collection that I didn't know I had. I don't know. Like back in the day my Dollmore Kara Klum LE head on the DC Y03 body half-painted like a skeleton was my favorite hybrid...but I have gotten so many more since him. So many. Most of my dolls are hybrids now, I can't choose one! (John, he's my favorite so he gets to be my favorite hybrid. I did get him six more heads. Who needs that many heads?! John does.)

> Chibi John's heads arrived finally and I really want to work on him! But it's snowing, so that's not happening. (Chibils is in fact, not a hybrid. he has an extra head too though lol I can't stop)

V Passing on the q because I couldn't answer it properly: What's your favorite hybrid you've made or seen?

 

^ The last one I saw was a soom minigem Uyoo on a dollzone body with raised markings. I cannot remember where I saw it but it looked very good. I cannot comment on the resin matching as it was a picture.

< Soooo tired.

V Do your dolls have clothes for every weather/temperature?

 

^ Nope haha one season only. My smallest doll is the only one with winter clothing

> Also tired... time for work! QwQ

v Passing on the question: Do your dolls have clothes for every weather/temperature?

 

^ Not currently, but I am working on it! My summer loving girl looks awfully cold without at least a jacket I want to make everyone at least one winter coat so they can take snow pictures and maybe a swimsuit for beach pictures . . . someday!

> I gave in to the temptation of buying yet another tiny oops

v Which old discontinued sculpt (as old a sculpt can be in this young hobby) would you like to see get a 10th/15th/etc year anniversary re-release?

 

^ CP/Delf Shiwoo (as a Feeple60 of course now). My "one true grail" is F60 Shiwoo and El... I could maybe find El second-hand if I hunted around, but Shiwoo was never released in that line.

< Wow, I lost this game for a long time...

v What one doll/project would you create if you had unlimited time, budget, and skill to execute it?

 

^ I'd make beautiful dolls myself! but I have not the time, skills nor budget!
< Happy my TaoBoa order seems to have finally made it through customs on 4th try!
V What size is "too big" or "too small" for your tastes (or doll family) and why?

 

^ SDs are too big, and anything smaller than a Fairyland Real Puki is too small. I'm not quite 5 feet tall myself, and my new MSD girls are plenty big for me. Teeny tiny dolls are too fiddly to be worth the BJD prices for me.

< I didn't think I had a grail doll until I saw a Heart Strung Ruse on the Marketplace. Lucky for me, I was able to buy her.

V Do you have a "grail doll"?

 

^ Nada. I think the closest to a grail for me was wanting Iplehouse Claude but I wanted him for a specific game character. The game is now closed and I think I'm over it LOL.

> I'm now waiting on 3 BJD accessory orders =w= Why did I do this?

v Do you have a BJD spending problem?

 

^ Nope. For several months now (not just a New Year's resolution thing), I've put myself on a strict diet where spending on the BJD hobby is concerned, and I've been able to keep it. Real life concerns can really push a person to do adulting.

< Heaven knows when I'll be able to reshell Cookie or give Isamu an actual body, at this rate.

v Which among your dolls is the most 'completed,' so far?

 

^ Akane. Because I haven't done things like buying her a new wig that needs styling, or listed up very specific clothes and shoes she needs to have made for her... the only thing she needs right now is a replacement for the little "plug" that holds her wings steady (they're very top-heavy and tend to flop over).


< And every time I really start getting going on a big doll project, life throws a wrench into it. I am DETERMINED to keep moving on this one around life and its barrage of wrenches, though.

v What doll project have you enjoyed the most?

 

^ renovating a 1:4 deckchair. I found it at a small vintage market and I am so pleased I decided to grab it. I sanded the wood and replaced the grubby cotton cloth. It is the perfect size for my MNF.

< I miss the sunshine, and repairing things outdoors in the heat of the summer.

V Have you planned to buy or make/refurbish furniture for your BJD this year?

 

^ Not sure this counts, but I just bought a bathtub from Michaels. I'm really hoping it'll be about the size for a 60-65cm doll. I've wanted a claw-foot tub for my dolls since I had one doll. I don't think I'll have to do anything to it...so no refurbishing. And I have never made a furniture before so I don't see that happening either.

> I think my Miracle doll Mad Rabbit finally shipped!! I've been waiting since may. Now if my pumpkin heads would ship I'd be good.

V Is there a prop or item of clothing you've always wanted for your dolls and never been able to find (or finally found after years of searching)?

 

^ A cello big enough for my lanky 65cm boy. And now one is slowly trundling its way towards me.

> I've never seen myself a retail therapy person. But I'm so bored at home, so these packages had better start arriving soon, or my wallet might not survive.

v What hobby purchase have you regretted most?

 

^ Leather clothing that flakes and disintegrates easily but still costs a pretty penny. I've bought a couple and should have known better the second time, oh well.

< Oh No BJDC has moved back to June. I'm not sure what to do now.

V Which doll/body did you excitedly buy but were disappointed with it's posing?

 

^ My IOS 80cm boy is very difficult to pose! I'm thinking of getting him a new body at some point.
< found some awesome tiny doll size props in the craft section of the dollar store!
V what's your most memorable surprise-find for your dolls? (or a surprising doll-find)

 

^ the day I discovered Groovy Girls furniture could be used for my YOSDs and smaller. My MSDs use it as well though it does feel a bit too small for them. I particularly like the compact Cafe corner. I checked Manhattan toys website and there is no trace of these early forays into soft furniture making for Groovy Girls dolls. Pity. Their sofa was the first furniture I bought for my first BJD.

< This coffee is not waking me up.

V Do you have any non-bjd doll furniture that you use for your BJDs?