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Friday, April 29, 2011

Mio (m2k Dolls)

I know that when I first started the BJD hobby, it was exciting to me that people made such exquisite and beautiful doll-sized productions of clothing. I wanted to get a doll almost solely to own clothing for it. The person that really introduced me to quality doll clothing was Mio. I had never before seen doll clothing that was so elaborate and so to-scale. Her designs were always so well-balanced in color, texture and fit. I aspired to be like her; I still dream about being able to make such amazing clothing for ball jointed dolls one day. I resolved that if I came into any flexible funds, they would go towards Mio clothing for my doll. I wanted to collect every outfit, and win every auction. My circumstances and lack of a consistent doll size didn't enable me to do that, but I had always dreamed about it.

...But now I'm hard-pressed to find even these two pictures of her splendid work. It seems that she has disappeared. Her Den of Angels account is dead, her Flickr deleted, her website gone. And she didn't just leave after finishing her last batch of orders - it seems that she took everyone's money, as well. There is a long and sad thread on Den of Angels in the Problem Transactions forum that was started in 2009, for orders not received from 2008! To my knowledge, nothing new has turned up. Try as they might to contact her, those who ordered from her last received neither their items or a refund.

She had last been contacted some time in early 2009, claiming that her father was ailing and she needed to take care of him. They gave her a lot of time to work herself out, but there was still no word. Time passed and they are still waiting for an answer. I do not think that anyone took a police action against her, as many were in different countries and their jurisdiction did not extend to Korea. My knowledge of international criminal laws is about zero, so I don't know what could've been done, but I'm sure they tried something, given that they lost several thousands of dollars collectively.

What would make such a prominent member of the bjd community just leave like that? Why did she suddenly decide to turn into a scammer? For someone who could make such exquisite clothing, and who must love dolls as much as she did, why would she disappear from her customers and the hobby? I understand personal obligations and personal conflict can be tough, but, as was mentioned in the Problems thread, emotional turmoil is not an excuse to turn to thievery.

I suppose it's a mystery that will never be solved.




Thursday, April 21, 2011

Interior Design





I've been obsessing over reorganizing my living space for a while now, and I've been scouring the internet for pictures of very small apartments with very fresh interiors. I came across a blog called 'Deco Photo Blog' in my net travels. The pictures are airy and light, and each house/apartment is given tourist treatment, with every room pictured as if you were going on a virtual tour. I can't read the text, because it's in a different language, but the pictures are enough for me.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

This Narae


...I need her (stole her picture from Andreja on DoA). Her owner has put her up for sale on the Marketplace and I really do absolutely love her. Maybe this is real dolly love? Lol. She would look so good with the Shushu and Tryphosa, too. I'm thinking she might be Leathie Rivers from my novel! Maybe, maybe not?

EDIT: Turns out not. I had a bit of trouble with her current owner, and I really don't want to go through with the transaction because it seems like it will be unpleasant for the both of us. I decided to try to give my Shushu the same expression, and hopefully it'll work out better that way. I bet I wouldn't like the Narae body anyway *tries to console self*


Doll Rooms - Keera and Flickr Group!




I was browsing through Andreja's flickr, and I noticed that she had won some kind of amazing lati-sized diorama from an auction. Wondering from whence this delightful creation came, I followed a few links and found myself at Keera's flickr and website. Keera is a talented doll artist - the term is really general, but it's the best I could think of to encompass her broad range of skills and talents. She makes miniature foods and sews all of the covers, pillows, drapes, etc. herself. The little books, the notes strewn over the desk like real notes would be, the cutlery, dishes, everything in these well-put-together little scenes are made by her!




In addition to making these amazing dioramas, she paints pictures of blythes and also customizes blythe dolls to put up for auction.



...And if all that wasn't enough, she sews Lati Yellow-sized clothing and puts them up for sale on her Etsy from time to time.

While digging around to find more mini rooms by Keera, I found a group on flickr named 'The Ultimate Doll Interiors' which is aptly titled. You'll find Keera's works and tons of similarly amazing mini-room artists, each with their own style in interior decoration!

Friday, April 15, 2011

Zeruda



... describes herself as "A 24-year-old Swede living in Germany". To me, she is one of my favorite blogging Lolitas ever! As you can see, all of her coords are fresh and well-done, and most of them are made from off-brand pieces and well-edited Bodyline or Anna House. I aspire to make a wardrobe similar in source and color scheme, so I follow her lookbook account and her blog often! She also shares my Princess Tutu love. XD

Fairyland's Sebastian from Black Butler!


Fairyland is releasing Sebastian in Japan only due to licensing issues in the US.

Other pics can be found on hobby chanel.

I don't personally like Black Butler, or this doll, but I think it's great that another big company besides Volks is doing a properly licensed resin reproduction of an anime character! I'm also glad for fans of male dolls - DD, as much as I love them, are always girls and always vinyl lol. I wonder if they'll do any others after this?

Which characters would you like to see Fairyland do? Do you like their 'anime style' doll better than Volks'? Are you going to try to buy him?

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Azuria on Flickr




While browsing through the DoA gallery today, I had the fortune of stumbling upon Azuria's post of her Soom Fir and her friend's Chibi Unoa. The pictures are colorful, fresh and sensitive, and the focus effect is beautiful!

If you love these photos, please check out her flickr page for more beautiful work like it! She also has a Deviant Art page.


Leekeworld Boycott - Your opinion?


I was following Azuria's lovely flickr gallery, hoping to feature her (It's coming up!) when I stumbled upon something quite shocking.

Leekeworld has been accused of copying French bjd artists at Dust of Dolls. Their art dolls show some notable similarities to the Dust dolls, in both the sudden use of those down-pointing thigh joints and the strange exaggerated pear proportions that Mikhaila displays.

The whole story can be found through these links:

I don't really know which side of the issue I truly support. At first I was definitely in favor of Dust. However, some DoA user's opinions can be found in this thread, and to be honest those who loved Mikhaila swayed me a bit. I've always noted the similarity between Narae bodies and Unoa bodies, and people have also pointed out similarities between the Ariadoll bodies and Unoa Zero bodies. Unoa hasn't sued any of the aforementioned companies - in my opinion, it's because their aesthetic is becoming more mainstream.... sort of like how Volks allows other companies to produce BJDs even though the entire art form in its current state exists due to them.

I think that Leeke's repeated tampering with their own pictures and the bribing then accusations against Dust are breaking it for me. I wish that they would've just come out and said that they were going to do a collab with Dust, or at least contact Dust to see if they would be offended by the new doll since it was obviously inspired by their creation. All of this secrecy and backpedaling are suspicious and sickening to me, and I really feel for Dust, since they are such a small studio. On the other hand, the doll isn't a recast, and the head is original. The doll is also in a different size than Pun, the original. And there is always question about the boundaries between inspiration and theft.

I've put some Leeke wigs and shoes on my list to buy for Tryphosa and my incoming girl, but I don't know about that now. I'll have to ponder the issue more.

What I do know is that those who purchased Mikhaila are certainly not to blame for this incident. I really hope that I don't see backlash on DoA for the Mikhaila owners.

What are your thoughts on the issue?


Friday, April 8, 2011

Why I Think I Can't Keep Dolls


... So, I'm selling my Zero. I'm really upset about it. I sanded her seams, nipples, eyebrows, and did a lot of work for her posing and faceplates. I really tried to keep her. I LOVE her body scuplt and her faces are beautiful.... but she just won't stand for me. It's hit or miss - sometimes she will, sometimes she won't, and I've never had so much trouble photographing any doll (even my Supia Roda, with her weird 'uneven' legs).

Contrary to my keep/buy record, I really, really loathe selling dolls. My friend has had her two dolls ever since I introduced her to the hobby back in highschool. But me - I've had around 10+, now including the Unoa Zero. I've wondered for the 5 years I've been in the hobby about why I can't seem to bond with any of my dolls.

At least my Shiny Fairy May, Tryphosa, isn't going anywhere. Maybe it's because I see her as a precious gift? But, I had seen my DZ Shoyo in that light, as well as my SDF Ethan head. All were still sold. It's not like I don't want to bond with a doll, it's just that I can't seem to. Even my precious Kurumi left me, because of the thought that 'maybe this just isn't the right time in my life for her'. I do plan on getting her again someday, so it's not a permanent loss.

I'm getting a MNF Shushu again, small bust with #3 hands. I think she'll be turned into a Multihead, with a Miyu and maybe one other head or a modded head or something, to counteract the 'one look' syndrome ('I don't really see an 'expression' on her face. It's all just one look'... that thought has also led to the selling of dolls). I'll also be buying a TON of accessories, wigs, clothing and shoes for both Tryphosa and the Shushu. I've never had a lot of things for my dolls, preferring to make most instead, but perhaps my lack of leisure time (when employed) and lack of fabric experimentation funds just dampen my enthusiasm for free form sewing fun. Maybe the ability to fully style both will help me to get along with them better.

Maybe it's just because I can't justify spending so much on myself. Maybe it's just that I would prefer to spend the money on more 'practical' things, but I can't ever shake my beloved doll hobby. Maybe it's that I haven't found the 'right' doll for me. The Shushu, if she were in 60cm size with all available A-line options, would fulfill all of my dreams. Maybe 'my' doll hasn't been made yet? I have no idea.

I'm so tired of selling dolls. I really hate saying goodbye to them, especially since the reasons I bought them haven't changed. And it may not seem like it, but they're all special to me.

Sorry for the text-heavy, ranty post. It's just been on my mind lately. Has anyone else here had bonding issues with *every* doll they've bought? Have you known someone like this? Did you think that they should just settle with a doll and get it over with? Did you get frustrated with them? Did they seem to be upset over it, or did they seem to be okay with selling a lot?

Even if you just have a random thought on the issue, I'd love to see your opinion. :3

Friday, April 1, 2011

Raouken's Wonderful Corsets



This fine detail work and beautiful craftsmanship is brought to you by Raouken, who goes by the same screen name on Den of Angels. Her commissions thread is very navigable, and she is a personable and fun seamstress from what I can tell. She has excellent feedback and her prices are great for the craftsmanship you're getting. The corsets are 35 euro for a basic SD corset, and 30 euro for a basic MSD corset. There are other little details that may run you a little extra, but the results are well worth the extra 5 euro or so. She also has an Etsy shop in which she posts ready-made items, but nothing is up there at the moment (I'll bet she's busy with commissions).

I plan on commissioning her for my Zero when I get my monies together. I absolutely adore her work!

A Flesh and Blood Doll


...whose screen name is Jajaneko. :3 I do watch the lolita groups on DA still, I just haven't had the time or money to invest in lolita fashion for myself since I left home. This girl's dress designs caught my eye!


My favorite part is that she uses sheer chiffon on her dresses! I ADORE sheer fabric in lolita design, and I don't think it's used enough! If you would like to commission her, you can find out how on her blog (which is updated more regularly than her DA). Or you can go to her Deviant Art page!