The MLP Arena

Pony Talk => Off Topic => The Dollhouse => Topic started by: WeepingPiano on January 25, 2012, 05:15:05 PM

Title: Help from bjd owners (new questions on page three)
Post by: WeepingPiano on January 25, 2012, 05:15:05 PM: I am sort of considering buying two bjds... The thing is, I don't have alot of money to spend on these things.

I need suggestions of two basic non-big headed bjds that will not break the bank.

And the biggies: Clothes, and random accessories (like books, jewelry, trinkety type things for scenes and stuff...)

Any help would be much appreciated
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: Taxel on January 25, 2012, 05:20:57 PM: Maybe Pukipuki? I've heard you can get them pretty cheap (around $150) used, but I've never bought or looked for one.
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: SuniMoon on January 25, 2012, 06:38:45 PM: Bobobie/ResinSoul dolls are around $155 for 1/4 dolls, around $200 for 1/3.
They're pretty nice dolls, and on the low end of BJDs.
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: okapishomapi on January 25, 2012, 06:43:46 PM: Quote from: SuniMoon on January 25, 2012, 06:38:45 PM
Bobobie/ResinSoul dolls are around $155 for 1/4 dolls, around $200 for 1/3.
They're pretty nice dolls, and on the low end of BJDs.

Are they on the low end quality-wise too? I really want a ResinSoul but not if they're crappy quality?
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: SailorEarth on January 25, 2012, 07:27:18 PM: I had the same question as you when I was wanting to buy my first bjd and I will impart the same wisdom on you as another person did for me. If there's one doll in particular that you're dying to have (kinda sounds like you have one in mind), you should save up for that one instead of settling for something else just because it's less expensive. You'll be happier in the long run that you got the one you really wanted. Trust me on this one ^.^ *snuggles Volks SD Nono*

As for the clothes and other bits they will be a never ending project so there's no need to buy that all at once. You can find some decent prices on the secondhand market (Den of Angels) and get in on group orders to different companies so you're not taking a huge hit on shipping. Etsy and eBay can also be good sources for clothes and sundries. Depending on what size doll you end up with there are even fashion dolls of comparable size in stores that you can snag clothes from.

Good luck and congrats!
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: Knibitz on January 25, 2012, 08:03:52 PM: Quote from: okapishomapi on January 25, 2012, 06:43:46 PM
Quote from: SuniMoon on January 25, 2012, 06:38:45 PM
Bobobie/ResinSoul dolls are around $155 for 1/4 dolls, around $200 for 1/3.
They're pretty nice dolls, and on the low end of BJDs.

Are they on the low end quality-wise too? I really want a ResinSoul but not if they're crappy quality?

"crappy" and even "quality" are subjective
I personally find resin soul/bobobie low quality, and in general unattractive (no offence to owners of these dolls, there are some that I find stunning as well, but it's uncommon)

where quality is general lacking is proportions (their bodies are a bit thin and tiny), awkward sculpting (in my opinion. I find their bodies really unattractive - both companies, tho resinsoul looks better in my opinion), lack of symmetry with facial features (eyes being different sizes and shapes), and then their posing isn't the best.
You definitely pay for what you get for when you're going that low in price.

HOWEVER I have met many a owner who own dolls from these companies and love them. To each their own.

Also, what is "breaking the bank" for you?
500$ and we can set you up with just about anything in the general pool of bjds.

under 300, gets a little harder.

Also, answer these questions will help us help you:

What size do you want?:YOSD and tiny (30cm and under), MSD/mini (~40cm), large/SD (~60cm), 70cm+
What age do you want your doll to look? (baby, child, teen, adult, etc)
What Gender?
Human? Fantasy (centaur, elf, mermaid)? Animal(dog, cat, rabbit)?

Rank importance on the following:
Posing Ability
Realistic looking (human proportions and facial features)
Price
Ease to find things for it to wear (some size dolls are company specific, and thus hard to find clothing and such for)
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: WeepingPiano on January 25, 2012, 08:28:34 PM: Wow. This hobby is way out of my league :redface: It would take me a year to even begin to afford what I am looking for, and that is without buying anything else at all.

I think I need to settle for something much less expensive that I can customize to my liking and spend tiny (comparitivly) amounts of money buying accessories and clothing to trick them out to my liking.

I just love the delicate faces and detailed eyes that some of the higher end bjds have.

Also, answer these questions will help us help you:

Though the answers to the above questions are:
Larger sized (so specific, I know... [and more expensive])
Young adult
One male, one female
Human

Rank importance on the following:
Posing Ability - Fairly important
Realistic looking (human proportions and facial features) - very high
Price - I guess it is what I would have to save, more than what I can pay.
Ease to find things for it to wear - I am pretty much planning on making custom clothes for them
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: Knibitz on January 25, 2012, 08:49:23 PM: Supia sounds like your go to company for your girls :) http://supiadollz.net (http://supiadollz.net)
GORGEOUS ladies!

I owned one for a short while a few months ago, but bills came crunching and she had to go.

I owned a supia Rosy on a type one body.

This was her:

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The type one body poses rather well, but it's a bit funky... once you get the hang of it is poses alright.Type two body is going to pose a million times better (being double jointed; aka, having a joint at their elbow/knees that allows them more movement)To see prices for supia, you need to create an account and log in.I believe they're prices around around 600 for a large girl with her face painted, including shipping.Second hand, they run around 500-550. I sold mine, with face up for 475+ shipping and she was sold almost instantly. They're very popular dolls.

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(my same girl, just a different look)

Supia also carries boys, but they JUST started carrying them, and I don't beleive that anyone owns them yet.

Boy wise, for realism...I'd say iplehouse... those are some sexy men XD
http://www.iplehouse.net/index.php (http://www.iplehouse.net/index.php)

YID is their standard SD sized line at about 60cm http://www.iplehouse.net/shop/step0.php?b_code=B20021125011548&c_code=C20021125011601 (http://www.iplehouse.net/shop/step0.php?b_code=B20021125011548&c_code=C20021125011601)
SID is going to be 65cm and a little more buff http://www.iplehouse.net/shop/step0.php?b_code=B20100407022838&c_code=C20100407023257 (http://www.iplehouse.net/shop/step0.php?b_code=B20100407022838&c_code=C20100407023257)
EID is 70+ and very similar to SID http://www.iplehouse.net/shop/step_submain.php?b_code=B20080426021929 (http://www.iplehouse.net/shop/step_submain.php?b_code=B20080426021929)

I've only ever owned a JID sized iplehouse, but she was a fantastic doll, very high quality. But I just fell out of love as my tastes changed.

:) does that start you off OK?[/img]
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: WeepingPiano on January 25, 2012, 09:00:23 PM: Thank you so much for all the advice. This is a great starting place. I really appreciate it.
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: okapishomapi on January 25, 2012, 09:27:12 PM: Knibitz you are the freakin Dollhouse hero.
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: WeepingPiano on January 25, 2012, 09:35:40 PM: Quote from: okapishomapi on January 25, 2012, 09:27:12 PM
Knibitz you are the freakin Dollhouse hero.
I concur
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: Knibitz on January 25, 2012, 09:57:28 PM: XD aaaaaaaaw
;A; I JUST REALLY LOVE BJDS!!!! *cuddles my dollies*
I've also owned a ton of them over the years and know my ways around the block. I definitely don't know everything, I wouldn't even say I know even close to everything, since there are so many different things you can do with the dolls, but I feel pretty solidified in the basics, and I know the popular companies that people often go to (have owned dolls from most of them) and just love sharing the information with people hungry for it, since it is a HUGE hobby and it can be overwhelming when you first start out oAo It's still overwhelming for me at times XD .... dear lord doll shopping when I don't have a specific idea in mind makes me dizzy.

and I just also get so excited when new people want to get into the hobby becase they're SO MUCH you can do with it! and I just get really excited to see what plans people have in mind!
I'm pretty dang boring with my army of 20something year old humans who all live in the united states and most do some sort of job related to different art industries.

But seeing what other people come up with! Like one of my old friends from dA has post apocalyptic dolls that I am OBSESSED WITH. oAo ugh her characters are so awesome! OnO too bad she fell off the face of the earth a few years ago and hasn't been seen again *sob*

It's nothing I could ever come up with!

so it's just that there's so much potential with every new doll owner, there's so many ideas that they can bring to the table, so it's just like OMG LETS GET YOU A DOLL! LETS GET YOU STARTED! LETS SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO!

.-. I like this hobby too much *rolls around*

ETA!
OHOHOHOHOH! one thing I didn't think about!!!

Now, I don't know how well you can hybridize (put one head on a different company's body) with supia and iplehouse BUT! It's the biggest way I save money :)

I have some super cheap bodies. 1/3scale Fantasy doll body that cost me 165+shipping, and I once bought an entire soom Gem (just a plain gem) doll on the DoA marketplace for 200$ shipped. Both are decent bodies. Not terribly attractive. Honestly the gem hands are tiny and downright creepy, but I put different hands (luts delf boy hands) on the body instead and they look 10X better :)

So that's always an option for saving money :)

another realistic boy company that I LOVE is migidoll and they sell just heads that look fantastic on the gem and fdoll bodies.

(I'm so sorry this photo is huge) This is my Migidoll Ryu head on a Gem body:
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His head I bought from a friend painted, it cost me 160$, his body is the gem body that I got, that cost me 180$ (I had the head painted, cost me 80$ and then I sold it for about 100$, so with math that makes the body 180)

wig was super cheap (fur wigs are always an easy way to cut cost, Sunnys Wonderful World on ebay sells them for 10$ shipped each and I absolutely love them), I think i got it for 5$ shipped used. Eyes came with him, but they're just generic glass eyes it seems, so 15$-20$

total he cost me.... 365$ about... give or take especially for shipping.
Tshirt he's wearing was 12$ from KuroiCarousel, shorts were made by me out of a pair of my dad's old pants XD so those were free!

Sammy (my blue haired one that I've spammed everywhere was even cheaper)
His head was only 55$ [he's a luts winter event head from 2009, very plain looking, so not very popular], my friend painted his face for free, his eyes were 15$ and his wig was also 15$, his body is a fantasy doll body and was 165
so he comes to about.. 240?? cheap dolly is cheap XD

Fiasco is kinda the same, his body an Angel of Dream 1/3 body cost me 200, his head cost me 130 it came painted, eyes came with another doll I bought as a freebie, so those were free, his wig also came as a freebie with something I bought so he cost me $330

NOW that being said! this doesn't all come out of pocket! almost all of my dolls were purchase with money I made selling other things. My first BJD's I bought with selling MLP convention exclusives, I was lucky enough to have 3 bay breeze ponies :X and I about 300$ selling all three (one MIP, 2 in played condition [as they went to my little cousins, I later got them in the mail from my aunt]) I was into pullips for a little bit and sold those to afford a lot of dolls, Fiasco was purchased almost completely with money from pullips.

And nowadays, if I want a doll, I sell one and get another! I take rather good care of my dolls and...without trying to sound like I'm full of myself... people from deviantArt know my dolls, and in most cases would buy them (I've run polls on this and about 75% of the votes said they would buy my dolls if money allowed them) So that's how I afford it now. A sale item is only as beautiful as you photograph it, and that's especially true with BJDs that I've found.

:X or I wait till my tax return 8D *sits patiently*
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: WeepingPiano on January 25, 2012, 10:16:56 PM: I have a very specific idea of what I would like to do. I have two characters from a story I am working on (and how many times have we heard that ^-^) anyway, I really love these characters and I am actually going somewhere with them (really heavy duty back stories and future plans for them, maybe a real book someday) and I would love to cobble together bjd versons of them. It will take alot of time and money to get them just right though, so I think I am going to have to set up milestones that once I reach them, I can reward myself with doll goodies (bodies, heads, clothes etc.)
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: Knibitz on January 25, 2012, 10:42:55 PM: Quote from: WeepingPiano on January 25, 2012, 10:16:56 PM
I have a very specific idea of what I would like to do. I have two characters from a story I am working on (and how many times have we heard that ^-^) anyway, I really love these characters and I am actually going somewhere with them (really heavy duty back stories and future plans for them, maybe a real book someday) and I would love to cobble together bjd versons of them. It will take alot of time and money to get them just right though, so I think I am going to have to set up milestones that once I reach them, I can reward myself with doll goodies (bodies, heads, clothes etc.)

;3; omg! start writing now!
Writing for my characters what the best think I ever did for my dolls! It's made them become so more vivid, and so much easier style and, in my case, photograph.
;u; when I started writing is really when I blew up in enthusiasm for the hobby and never looked back!

And milestones is fantastic :D
(If you didn't already catch, I added more to my previous post talking about how much my dolls really cost and where the money came from)
Just keep saving! It's totally possible :) and one good thing about saving, is that you have time to wait to see if something better comes a long! Being new to the hobby, you have a whole WORLD of dolls you haven't seen yet, and maybe you'll be saving towards 600$ and one day you'll stumble around a new doll that you adore that is going to cost less (best feeling EVER)

so maybe if the word saving seems daunting, we can just call it "waiting for the perfect moment" ;)
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: WeepingPiano on January 25, 2012, 11:41:17 PM: Darn it you! I am already picking out dolls and eyes and wigs XD I either need to work more or get a better paying job. Curse me and my expensive tastes. I am having trouble locating a good red wig though... hrmm.
Yeah, I like to think I am good at saving. I put aside a few dollars a week and before I know it, I have a good chunk put away. (That is how I justify Scarby purchases. Yay RenFaire!) I think my problem will be that even if I save enough to get exactly what I want, how can I justify laying out that much money for a doll? Not to put down any one that does, but, I mean, I could buy a laptop or (with the money I am looking at between the two I want) a car. Not a new car, but still. Between a beautiful resin doll or a car... *flail* how do you people do this? Oh! I've got it! I will take your advice and start activly trying to sell my custom MLP and put whatever extra I make (over the cost of the initial product and the materials) to the side and use my hobby to pay for my dolls! That way, I don't have to use any of my "hard earned money" (not that ponies are easy, but, compared to a job-job) *squee* Now, *cracks knuckles* who wants to buy a custom pony? XD
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: Knibitz on January 25, 2012, 11:59:40 PM: LOL XD GOGOGOGOGO!!!

Wig wise I have a few places that are my go to. I often buy my wigs second hand though (I get them for about 8$-20$ off retail, for ~25-30$ wigs)

Leekeworld has some spectacular wigs and a wide variety of colors and styles.
Supia SD girls actually fit 7/8 size wigs better than 8/9 (what standard SD's wear)

The blonde wig in my photos is a 7/8 leekeworld wig and fit her like a glove, the brown one is an 8/9 that is smaller than the usual 8/9 but sat ok on her head, it just didn't grip it (most "fiber" wigs you will find have an elastic wig cap that will grip the dolls head and hold it on)

there is a US retailer of leekworld (aka "Leeke") wigs: denverdoll - http://www.denverdoll.com/wigs.php (http://www.denverdoll.com/wigs.php)

Monique wigs are fantastic and have very very fine fibers that allow for better styling at times because they will allow you to pull hair more naturally than normal fibers will. http://monique.com/wig01.html (http://monique.com/wig01.html) (the link directly to their wigs page)

I've ordered from them before and it was all fine :)
the brown wig in the other photo of my supia is a monique wig (style is either paris or faith?)

one place that isn't too popular for BJD wigs is CanCan.http://www.cancan-jseries.net/index.php?cPath=29 (http://www.cancan-jseries.net/index.php?cPath=29)

They're a bit different to order from (they don't really have a check out system, you just kinda shoot emails)
I've also ordered from them, and everything was fine.

Cancan wigs are fantastic! the fibers can be a bit stiff, but they are gorgeous wigs and I've loved every one I've owned.
My soony currently wears a cancan wig that was originally bought back in like... 2007, and it's still holding up!

oAo so much love for this wig
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ebay and etsy are also great places to look for wigs too.
There are some fantastic sellers of mohair wigs on etsy.
and like I'd said before, Sunny's Wonderful World on ebay makes super cheap plain fur wigs (in tons of colors) that are about 10$ shipped and I love them XD I have...6 of their wigs right now... I think.

You can also make fur wigs for super cheap, it's not really that encouraged, but some fabric companies on line that sell "high pile long fur" (what fur wigs are made from) sell swatches for a dollar each, and it only takes 2 or 3 swatches to make a wig for an SD sized doll.
:X there's actually one site that has a coupon for first time buyers for 5 free swatches, and swatches always ship free... so you get fur for free.
But because it's really not encouraged to abuse that, I don't really feel comfortable saying where that is.
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: okapishomapi on January 26, 2012, 08:46:48 AM: So Knibitz, how do I find out what size wig and eyes to get? I've done some Googling and haven't come up with anything for sure (and of course I don't want to buy anything until I know!). Do I just wait for her to get here and then measure her? I can't even find the conversion between centimeters and wig sizes..I feel like such a noob :silly:

*ALL HAIL QUEEN OF BJDS*

edit: This is the girl I've picked out - she's going to be a reward to myself for good grades this quarter, if I can manage it :D [size=78%]http://www.resinsoul.com/05-chanpin/p-001-1.asp?id=408 (http://www.resinsoul.com/05-chanpin/p-001-1.asp?id=408)[/size]
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: Shaiyeh on January 26, 2012, 09:02:33 AM: I want to echo what Knibz said about BBB/RS, to a certain extent.
I have a BBB boy, and have been "defending" (as you may remember, Knibz ;D) him rather wildly over the past years.

I LOVE, love, love his face. But seriously, his body...
He's on the old type of BBB body (basicaly RS is the same thing), and posing? No. If there's one person who doesn't believe in posing, it's Dougall.
No matter how he's stringed and wired and whatnot.

BBB recently released a double-jointed body that is actually kindof good-looking
http://www.junkyspot.com/IMAGES/BOBOBIE/gang02022011_3.jpg (http://www.junkyspot.com/IMAGES/BOBOBIE/gang02022011_3.jpg)
http://www.junkyspot.com/IMAGES/BOBOBIE/gang02022011_1.jpg (http://www.junkyspot.com/IMAGES/BOBOBIE/gang02022011_1.jpg)
and also it's a bit more proportionate.
(but wat is up with BBB and short arms! I dunno, they just seem unnatural to me. Perhaps it's because teh head is slightly too big?)
And well, it seems to do the job better.

However, I wouldn't recommend buying a BBB/RS body. if you fall in love with a face sculpt, go for the head, but do try to find another body if you want a nice body to photograph and pose around.
All poor Dougall does is sitting around. Because that's what he can do. :<

So, my suggestion to Okapishomapi, when it comes to the doll you've picked out, is that if you want that head, go for it, and try to find a SOOM body (for example) with hooves instead, as I doubt she's going to pose very well.

Also, wigs.
Sunny's has lovely wigs :D They won't stay on the head on their own, tho, so you will need velcro.

I bought a nice wig for Shai from eBay. just type "BJD wig" + if you want a YoSD, MSD, SD wig etc.
Etsy is a great place to find mohair wigs.
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: Radiance on January 26, 2012, 12:21:16 PM: Gotta echo what others have said about BBB/RS posing ability, it's not that great. Should you choose to go the RS route (and who could blame you if you did, their sculpts are so sweet!) be prepared to restring and suede right out of the box to even get your doll to sit up on her own. I had to do that to my RS Dan and my BBB Sprite. The elastic used by RS/BBB is way too thin and weak to have the tension needed to support the weight of the resin, and the dolls are super floppy out of the box.

For RS Yao, you'll need a size 6/7 wig and 12-14mm eyes I believe. She's considered a slim mini so keep that in mind when clothes shopping or looking at patterns. Also keep in mind if you choose to blush her hooves be prepared for constant touch ups. The blushing will chip, there's just no way around it.

As for wigs and such, I have a crap ton of BJD clothes/wigs/shoes/eyes that I'm too lazy to list for sale on DOA. Shoot me a PM with what you're looking for and if I have something you like you can have it for the price of postage.
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: Knibitz on January 26, 2012, 01:08:07 PM: Doll sizes are categorized by:

Tiny
YOSD
MSD
SD
70+

Tiny's vary and can wear anything from 3-4 wigs to 6/7
YOSD are going to be most commonly 6/7 wigs
MSD's are either 6/7 or 7/8
SD are most of the time 8/9 or 9/10, but with a lot of the more realistic dolls like Supiadollz and the dollmore Zaoll girls (luv, ramie, etc) they fit in 7/8 wigs
70cm+ is also usually 8/9 or 9/10

for both wig and eye size, take a look at the sales page for the doll you're looking at.

For example, with Iplehouse Ryushin: http://www.iplehouse.net/shop/step1.php?number=778 (http://www.iplehouse.net/shop/step1.php?number=778)

you'll see this chunk of info
"- Head type : Ryushin
- Tall : 63cm
- Hand parts : Basic hands
- Eyeball : 14mm, Acrylic eye (random)
- Carrying bag (Cotton coverlet is included.)
- Tension line, S type hook and extra magnets
- Certification"

his eye size is 14mm :) so that's what you'll shop for

wig wise, with iplehouse, they don't list the wig size on the page.
but if you go to their wig sales section, it's divided up by doll size, according to their menu: " 8~9 inch (Y.I.D& E.I.D Woman)"
Ryushin, being a YID sized doll, wears an 8/9 wig :)

so you just look around the product page and see what it says :)
sometimes you can go down or up in the sizes a size and it will be ok.

like delf soony is recomended to have a 9/10 wig and 20mm eyes. Mine wears a 8/9 cancan wig and (used to wear) 18mm eyes.

side note: don't let the YID, SID, EID etc confuse you. IT's just the company specific way of dividing the sizes.
a YID is an SD sized doll, a JID is an MSD, BID is YOSD... SID is a bigger SD, and EID is a 70cm. Those sizes are a bit specific to iplehouse, but there are some things from other companies that will fit them.
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: WeepingPiano on January 26, 2012, 09:46:02 PM: I have fallen for the looks of two Iplehouse dolls, but I wish they were smaller. I love the proportions and the adult age looking faces (and the realistic proportioned bodies, though I suppose if they are wearing clothes, it won't matter how awesome the abs are) but two feet tall is huge! Any chance I can find a similarly proportioned doll in the 7" range? Or is that just ridiculous?
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: Knibitz on January 26, 2012, 09:59:05 PM: Quote from: WeepingPiano on January 26, 2012, 09:46:02 PM
I have fallen for the looks of two Iplehouse dolls, but I wish they were smaller. I love the proportions and the adult age looking faces (and the realistic proportioned bodies, though I suppose if they are wearing clothes, it won't matter how awesome the abs are) but two feet tall is huge! Any chance I can find a similarly proportioned doll in the 7" range? Or is that just ridiculous?

unfortunately that doesn't really exsist...
The smallest adult proportioned dolls I know of are all between 45-30cm:

Fairylands Chicline dolls
Sooms Minigem
orientdoll-dae (carried on leekeworld's website)
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: WeepingPiano on January 26, 2012, 10:06:21 PM: I have (potentially) bad news for you Knibitz. I am not sure you'll be getting rid of me anytime soon XD
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: Knibitz on January 26, 2012, 10:07:46 PM: Quote from: WeepingPiano on January 26, 2012, 10:06:21 PM
I have (potentially) bad news for you Knibitz. I am not sure you'll be getting rid of me anytime soon XD

no this is awesome XD

You've actually inspired a HUGE project that I'm taking on with a team of doll friends :D
not going to say much about it since it's just buzz right now that we're talking about, BUT! you may soon have a good go to place for all bjd basics ;3;
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: WeepingPiano on January 26, 2012, 10:25:03 PM: Quote from: Knibitz on January 26, 2012, 10:07:46 PM
Quote from: WeepingPiano on January 26, 2012, 10:06:21 PM
I have (potentially) bad news for you Knibitz. I am not sure you'll be getting rid of me anytime soon XD

no this is awesome XD

You've actually inspired a HUGE project that I'm taking on with a team of doll friends :D
not going to say much about it since it's just buzz right now that we're talking about, BUT! you may soon have a good go to place for all bjd basics ;3;
*buckles in for the ride* This sounds exciting and promising! Ooh! those orientdoll-daes look like a very promising option! Thank you. *peruses site* Hmm... I know this is going to sound ludicrous, but for the character I am trying to make, I think the female orientdoll body is too well endowed. hmmm...
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: juliepinetree on January 27, 2012, 06:03:22 AM: I would suggest checking out Den Of Angels which is a BJD forum. There is a thread for meet ups, and you look for the one in your area. That way you can meet people with dolls and see first hand what they are like. It can really help you know what you want. For instance you might change your mind on size if you hold a SD (Large one), and say wow he is really heavy. Or he might be just right! But yea, meeting other doll owners really helps in this! Good luck!
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: Knibitz on January 27, 2012, 08:03:08 AM: Quote from: juliepinetree on January 27, 2012, 06:03:22 AM
I would suggest checking out Den Of Angels which is a BJD forum. There is a thread for meet ups, and you look for the one in your area. That way you can meet people with dolls and see first hand what they are like. It can really help you know what you want. For instance you might change your mind on size if you hold a SD (Large one), and say wow he is really heavy. Or he might be just right! But yea, meeting other doll owners really helps in this! Good luck!

DoA registration is currently closed till further notice ^^;
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: juliepinetree on January 27, 2012, 08:10:25 AM: Knibitz: True, but can't you just check meet ups without being a member? I thought we could.
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: Knibitz on January 27, 2012, 09:46:38 AM: Quote from: juliepinetree on January 27, 2012, 08:10:25 AM
Knibitz: True, but can't you just check meet ups without being a member? I thought we could.

I thought all you can see is marketplace feedback and news....

edit: yeah, all that shows up for me when I'm logged out is all the intro to DoA stuff, News, General Discussion, and then the feedback related sections of the marketplace
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: Radiance on January 27, 2012, 12:10:54 PM: When I first got into BJDs I wished you could rent them! Just to see how you liked different sizes and such, 'cause the BJD community in my area is virtually non-existent. Hmmm... wonder if there is a market for a Rent-A-Doll service...

Notdoll Lab carries Roxy Dolls, which are tiny (about 18cm) BJDs that are somewhat mature.
http://notdolllab.com/shop/step_submain.php?b_code=B20060613030512
The faces look somewhat child like on most of them, at least to me, but you'd be amazed what a face-up can do to alter the look of a doll. The problem with these little ones is it can be difficult to find clothing for them, but if you're handy with a needle you can make all kinds of awesome outfits out of scraps.
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: WeepingPiano on January 27, 2012, 02:33:11 PM: Well... Things might be changing for me and I might beable to buy some dolls sooner than expected. I will update and let y'all know how it works out tonight. :drunk: :yikes: :hope: :whoa:
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: okapishomapi on January 27, 2012, 03:52:36 PM: Quote from: WeepingPiano on January 27, 2012, 02:33:11 PM
Well... Things might be changing for me and I might beable to buy some dolls sooner than expected. I will update and let y'all know how it works out tonight. :drunk: :yikes: :hope: :whoa:

That's so exciting! I can't wait to see her/him!
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: tehrin on January 27, 2012, 05:40:41 PM: One option you can look into is dealers/companies that offer layaway. :) That's how I've gotten all of my dolls. I can never afford the full amount upfront, but paying it a chunk at a time is great.

http;//dollsoom.com <- Soom has lovely dolls and... well, when I bought mine a few years ago, they did have layaway. I donno if they still do though! $500+ and you divide it in 3 payments I think. The doll I bought from there was the doll I absolutely HAD to have, perfect sculpt for my character!

http://denverdoll.com <- They offer layaway too! They have a lot of dolls for sale there, but they don't offer some of the ones you're looking at, like Ipplehouse. But they do carry Fairyland, which is very high quality! There's also Dollzone and Leekeworld too which are good to great. As well as Resinsoul if you do decide to go with them.
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: okapishomapi on January 27, 2012, 05:50:43 PM: Knibitz, miss_tuneful, and renee_chan - thank you SOOOO much for all of your help. I appreciate it immensely..

*goes back to picking out a wig for her first BJD*

Post Merge: January 27, 2012, 05:52:43 PM

Quote from: miss_tuneful on January 26, 2012, 09:02:33 AM

So, my suggestion to Okapishomapi, when it comes to the doll you've picked out, is that if you want that head, go for it, and try to find a SOOM body (for example) with hooves instead, as I doubt she's going to pose very well.

So if I did this, would I have to buy the complete dolls? Or just hope to find the body second-hand? Or do people buy just bodies from SOOM?

*total noob*
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: WeepingPiano on January 28, 2012, 12:02:13 AM: Ugh... I am torn between so many dolls... what do y'all think?
http://www.eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=42 (http://www.eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=42)
http://www.eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=32 (http://www.eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=32)
http://www.eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=14 (http://www.eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=14)
http://www.iplehouse.net/shop/step1.php?number=2037 (http://www.iplehouse.net/shop/step1.php?number=2037)
http://www.iplehouse.net/shop/step1.php?number=1833 (http://www.iplehouse.net/shop/step1.php?number=1833)
http://leekeworld.com/En/Product/p_view.asp?it_code=3160&B_catalog_num=19 (http://leekeworld.com/En/Product/p_view.asp?it_code=3160&B_catalog_num=19)
http://leekeworld.com/En/Product/p_view.asp?it_code=3158&B_catalog_num=19 (http://leekeworld.com/En/Product/p_view.asp?it_code=3158&B_catalog_num=19)
I am looking to get a male and a female (and that really is the extent of my BJD want) preferably from the same company, so that they would look like they go together (that makes sense in my head) The only thing that keeps me from immediatly picking the Iplehouse dolls is their size. I like the size of the Leekeworld dolls a little better, but I am not sure their faces are perfect of my characters. That leaves the Luts dolls, which are very lovely, but the size thing comes into play again. So if the Iplehouse dolls and the Luts dolls are similar in size, *sigh* y'all make this look so easy.

So, my big news I eluded to earlier is that I was planning on asking my boss for a promotion when I went into work today. I figure that would be a milestone to celebrate (and treat myself with dolls ^w^) and I would be making more money, so I could justify the price and have the avaliable funds faster. Ultimately, I did get the promotion, and (after a extra bit of training) it should be official by March 1st.
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: Knibitz on January 28, 2012, 06:02:50 AM: Quote from: okapishomapi on January 27, 2012, 05:50:43 PM
Knibitz, miss_tuneful, and renee_chan - thank you SOOOO much for all of your help. I appreciate it immensely..

*goes back to picking out a wig for her first BJD*

Post Merge: January 27, 2012, 05:52:43 PM

Quote from: miss_tuneful on January 26, 2012, 09:02:33 AM

So, my suggestion to Okapishomapi, when it comes to the doll you've picked out, is that if you want that head, go for it, and try to find a SOOM body (for example) with hooves instead, as I doubt she's going to pose very well.

So if I did this, would I have to buy the complete dolls? Or just hope to find the body second-hand? Or do people buy just bodies from SOOM?

*total noob*

people do just about everything XD
but yep! they do buy just bodies, and then get heads later, or put heads of other companies on their bodies.

WeepingPiano - you picked out a lot of lovely dolls o3o and with your selection, you're extremely right, at least with the companies selected, they really go best separately. Iplehouse is a very realistic company in comparison with Luts who tends to be big bobbly heads.

I like all of your dolls you picked out, honestly. And if you lived anywhere near me I'd pack up my hoard of dolls and head your way so you could play with them XD.

I will say that my previous 70cm doll (the general size iplehouse dolls are) weighed 4 pounds.
Iplehouse resin is generally lighter than othe company resins, from my experience, but EIDs are still pretty heavy, SIDs are going to be smaller and lighter. Cherie probably won't be that bad, but EIDs really are huge dolls. And the boys at least I don't believe fit much clothing than what's sold by iplehouse, and then some specialty shops that do specific "iplehouse EID" clothing. Shoes HAVE to come from iplehouse for the EID males.

My vote would probably be fore the luts dolls. They're a fantastic "first company" They have great quality dolls and the senior delf is no exception. The bodies are solid and decent posers, not the best, but fine for the first time owner. you will shop for clothes generally sized for "SD13" rather than just SD, but most things just labeled "sd" will fit, just try to avoid things (mostly pants or things that don't stretch) labeled "sd10"

orientdoll are really cute dolls, but you aren't feeling their faces, and that's a hard thing to deal with in this hobby. You are more likely to get comfortable with their size before you accept a face you don't really love. And orientdoll is not a popular company, so in the event that you didn't like the doll and wanted to resell it, you would probably have a tough time.
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: okapishomapi on January 28, 2012, 12:52:36 PM: Quote from: WeepingPiano on January 28, 2012, 12:02:13 AM
So, my big news I eluded to earlier is that I was planning on asking my boss for a promotion when I went into work today. I figure that would be a milestone to celebrate (and treat myself with dolls ^w^) and I would be making more money, so I could justify the price and have the avaliable funds faster. Ultimately, I did get the promotion, and (after a extra bit of training) it should be official by March 1st.

Congrats, WeepingPiano! That sounds like a great reason to reward yourself. I'm hoping to get a job in next few months (I'm graduating in June) and do that same thing :D
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners
Post by: WeepingPiano on January 28, 2012, 03:41:45 PM: Rawr... now I have more questions. (First off, Yay I have good taste!!!) I think I have decided and I really want to go for http://www.eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=32 (http://www.eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=32) for my girl and either http://www.eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=14 (http://www.eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=14) or http://www.eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=42 (http://www.eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=42) for my boy.

I am trying to decide whether the four inch difference between Annette and Landy is too much.

My new questions are: wigs. How do I know if it is going to fit? I found these two - http://www.eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=5622 (http://www.eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=5622) http://www.eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=3202 (http://www.eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=3202) that I really like, but I have to be sure they are right.

Also, on the topic of wigs: The red one says not to leave the wig on the doll for long periods of time, because they might\will bleed on\stain the doll. Does that mean just the scalp? or anywhere the hair touches the doll? If it is just the scalp, that is not really a big deal, since I don't plan on switching the wigs out.

Eyes: The female says that the eyes it comes with are 18mm and the male says 16mm, but it says the eyes in the picture (for Landy) are 18mm. So when I go to buy the colors that I want (at a leter date) how do I know what size to get?

Clothes: Is it easy(ish) to find clothes for these size dolls?

A good place to find jewelry? (necklaces, rings, etc.)

Face up: aaaand, should I oder these dolls with face ups? Or should I A) do it myself later or B) find someone else to do it later?
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners (new questions on page three)
Post by: Knibitz on January 28, 2012, 07:31:52 PM: Senior Delf pairing with Senior Delf will be fine, Senior delf paired with Super Senior delf isn't going to work that well.

Wig sizes are set up with #/# meaning they start at # of inches and can be stretched to an inch more circumference. so an 8/9 wig starts at an 8in circumfrence, but can stretch to a 9in. Look at the doll's page and look for "girth/circumference of head". For example annette has an 8in head, she'll wear 8/9 wigs.
Always round up with the number (ie, if your head is an 8, get an 8/9 wig, not the 7/8, annette will not fit a 7/8)

It's mostly the wig cap that's going to stain the head, wherever the elastic cap touches the head is where the stains will be found. This may be covering the forehead some, depending on how you have your wigs positioned on your doll.
Honestly I would do your best to protect your doll from staining. It tends to damage their value, even if it's not a part of the doll you usually see.

when your dolls come to you, you'll see what they're eyes look like in them, then you can judge if you want to go down a size, or up a size. I would not recommend going up or down more than one size. (if you haven't already noticed, sizes jump by two each time; ie 12 14 16, etc)

Senior delfs with wear SD13 clothes and they're pretty easy to shop for.
Supor Senior delfs will wear 70cm clothes and will be more difficult to shop for, but not impossible.

Etsy is a good place to look for jewelery (look for terms like "bjd jewelry" "bjd necklace" "sd jewelry" etc

It's up to you if you want to order the face up or not. Luts does have really lovely face ups and will take some custom requests into consideration if you ask. (there may be a larger fee) If you do it yourself, realize the supplies to do it will cost you anywhere from 100+several hundred dollars depending on how high of quality products you buy.
You can commission someone for a lot cheaper than you pay luts to do it. However this means waiting a month to 3 months to get your doll from luts then turning around and shipping the heads to someone to paint them for you, and then you don't have your doll for yet another month or few.
However, this does allow you to get a more custom look for your doll.
Not all face up artists are cheaper, some cost more. For example, all of my dolls who have non company face ups (my delf Miyu and dollzone raphael are my only dolls with company faces right now) have all cost me 55$ and up to 80$. But I am very specific with my face up requests and get exactly what I expect.

The best place to find artists to paint your doll is going to be the DenofAngels forum, when they open up registration again and you get marketplace access.
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners (new questions on page three)
Post by: WeepingPiano on January 28, 2012, 08:57:47 PM: So maybe I could get a cap thingy of some sort to keep the wig from touching the resin?

and it looks like I am going to start saving for Annette and Howl

*edit* well... I was thinking about ordering the eyes later, but it sortof looks like I should get everything I want all at once. Shipping is soooooooo expensive! I am only getting dolls\wigeyes though, so I am going to have sad, nude dolls for some time.
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners (new questions on page three)
Post by: tehrin on January 28, 2012, 09:32:37 PM: Wig caps can help, but the first wig I had on my girl (red one) actually stained her shoulder just a bit. :( It's very faint and it doesn't bother me. But it's there.

Faceups: If you are good at painting/drawing etc, or at least have an interest in it, get your doll blank! I have had SO MUCH fun doing faceups on my dolls! The first were HIDEOUS, but now I'm good at it! If I might suggest some good beginner faceup supplies: watercolor pencils (one in the color of the wig, another a bit darker, white, and black), a few sticks of good quality chalk pastel (Winsdor and Newton is good, one color a bit pinker than your skintone, and some light browns are good, or however you'd like to do the eyes and lips! DO NOT USE OIL PASTEL. IT WILL STAIN!), Windsor and Newton brush cleaner (for wiping faceups, I also use it for cleaning ponies!), a sealant, Mr Super Flat is suggested, but I started buying the stuff from Volks which is actually just a bit cheaper than Mr. Super Flat after shipping. Also, Tamiya X-22 gloss, for the lips and around the eyes. You'll also want a kneaded eraser too, which is super cheap. :) Honestly, I spent... probably $40-50 on my faceup supplies. And you can get a little here and there, and try different looks as often as you'd like. So it goes a LONG way.

You can eventually go to paint, but honestly, I do all my dolls in watercolor pencil and pastel, and I prefer it over paint! I have more control. :D I love my itsy bitsy brush, but I use it on my customs now. XD Paint is the killer on cost though. Artist grade acrylics, good brushes, and an airbrush will make your wallet weep. This is why I suggest pencils. XD

The upside to getting a faceup done is that it'll come back great. The downside is that you're spending as much, if not more for basic supplies for a faceup... and if it gets rubbed, or your doll decides to take a plunge off the shelf and gets it's faceup ruined, you're out that money and you'll have to pay to get it done again. Which is why I went for doing my own faceups. XD (2 days after I got my boy, he nosedived into concrete.)

Clothes are pretty common for most dolls. I've made a lot of my own clothes too, but it depends on if you sew or not. Generally, the size difference in dolls of the same general size MSD, SD, SD17 etc are generally kind of the same. Although it can really flip flop with some of the smaller dolls. If you're going with snug-fitting stuff, you might find difficulties. Usually buying items from the doll company means you are getting clothes specific for that type of doll. But it also depends on the garment. I have SD17 leggings for my girl that fit wonderfully, but an SD17 tanktop that is really baggy and I had to take it in a bit to fit her. :) I couldn't fit SD size anythign on my boy cause he has a broad chest/shoulders and big legs. But SD17 fits him fine! I think the measurements for Volks SD17 and Soom's Supergem are only a half-centimeter or a centimeter off here or there. :p
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners (new questions on page three)
Post by: Knibitz on January 29, 2012, 07:30:05 AM: you don't have to get the wig/eyes from the company, you can buy them anywhere.

Ebay is a fantastic place to find eyes

(google these names) Denver Doll Emporium, The Doll Market, Cancan Wigs, Jpop Wigs, Monique Wigs, Mint on Card are all good places to find wigs and eyes where most of them are in the US, and the only one that isn't, cancan, they ship cheaply.

Eyes and Wig sizes are consistent through companies. (ie a 16mm eye from one place is going to be roughly the same as a 16mm eye from anywhere else, etc)
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners (new questions on page three)
Post by: FairyDust on January 29, 2012, 12:04:14 PM: I have so many BJD doll questions also. My first questions is trying to figure out the sizes in inches. I have a few Tonners and a bunch of Gene Marshall dolls. I was wondering if anybody knew what size (if any) might fit well so they can hang out with my other dolls.

Another question is that I've tried to find a doll that I liked but whenever I see one I like of like it's not a girl doll it's a boy doll. I'm looking for a girl doll that isn't a typical BJD type doll. I'm looking for one that has the strong features but also looks like a adult female.

I'm so confused of how to begin figuring this out. The closest thing I can tell you what I'm looking for is a doll that was in the Feb 2008 Haute Doll Magazine. The doll was called "Bewitching Hour Luchia" and I think she's a Fashion Royalty doll. (I was going to get this doll but I didn't get my magazine subscription in time to be eligable to get her. :() So think that doll but even more fierce looking in the eyes. lol I want a doll that might look good standing next to my Tonner Professor Snape doll (I think he's 19" tall).
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners (new questions on page three)
Post by: WeepingPiano on January 31, 2012, 10:20:47 PM: Oh you people! I went from not wanting to spend very much on this hobby to saving up for $1290.26 worth of doll stuff! And, that is 2 dolls + 2 wigs + 2 pairs of eyes O.O They are going to sit around my house /naked/ because I cannot find (or afford) clothes! (well, the right clothes for them and the period their characters are from) Sad, cold, nude little (little might be stretching it) dollies...

Two things though: Luts wigs are confounding me and I cannot locate their #/# measurements on the two I want >.<
Also, can someone explain to me how bjd eyes sit in their heads? I suppose it is a silly question, but inquiring minds (mine) want to know. Are they terribly difficult to swap out?

And I think that just about sums up my pestering. Until I buy them, that is.
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners (new questions on page three)
Post by: Knibitz on January 31, 2012, 10:37:25 PM: http://eluts.com/shop/step_submain.php?b_code=B20101202054300 (http://eluts.com/shop/step_submain.php?b_code=B20101202054300) see the light blue menu under the banner those are your measurements, click those links and it will take you to those size wigs.

for eyes, it's crazy simple. you take your "eye putty" which if you get your eye putty from luts, it will have the consistency of sculpy. I personally just use generic white sticky tack. but inside the head there are beveled pockets where the eyes sit in, you just roll and make a worm out of your eye putty, wrap it around the eye, put all that in eh socket and then mush the eye putty to the head till it sticks then push around the back of the eyes a bit to get them positioned how you want.

Youtube probably has some videos on "changing bjd eyes" if you want to go look :)
however, if you see a doll called a "hujoo", know that it's eyes are held in completely differently from a normal bjd, so disregard anything talking about them.
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners (new questions on page three)
Post by: WeepingPiano on January 31, 2012, 11:16:01 PM: *hugs knibitz and does not let go* My hero! I still mostly blame you for my currect perdicament! ^w^ I should have the money (between promotion and tips and ponies) to get both of them in well under a year.

umm... >.> does it automatically look bad if a doll has a slightly too-big wig?
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners (new questions on page three)
Post by: Knibitz on January 31, 2012, 11:46:35 PM: depends on what "slightly too big" means and what kind of wig it is.
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners (new questions on page three)
Post by: WeepingPiano on February 01, 2012, 12:37:52 PM: Well, Howl's head size is 8.7 and Annette's is 8. The wigs I was looking are http://www.eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=5622 and http://www.eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=3202
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners (new questions on page three)
Post by: Knibitz on February 01, 2012, 01:36:45 PM: hmmm, I think those are going to be too big. Both of them are 9-10 size

Here's one very similar to the first on in an 8/9: http://www.eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=3458

I can't find the red one on luts, but leekeworld has a limited event color right now called "Real Red" that's that same color and they offer a couple different styles in it: http://www.leekeworld.com/En/Product/p_view.asp?it_code=4269 (scroll down and you can see the styles they offer, then the drop down menu box at the top will tell you which are available)

However, this color is a limited color, so you'll need to order ASAP if you're determined to get a wig that color from them.
Also know that you'll be paying EMS shipping for the wig :/ and that's probably going to cost 18$+

People usually organize group orders through DoA to get the limited wigs and save on shipping. You could try to organize one here and see if there's any interest.
Title: Re: Help from bjd owners (new questions on page three)
Post by: WeepingPiano on February 01, 2012, 02:24:06 PM: D8 This is terrible! I don't know what I am going to do. I am having a hard time finding red wigs in the style I want, but that is alot of money to make a snap desicion over. This is stressful...

Post Merge: February 01, 2012, 03:25:37 PM

O.o oh my goodness, the Leekeworld address form is a little odd...