February 27th, 2009 by admin

So surprise #1 arrived yesterday and it only took a week to get here! It’s a Minimee head of the Japanese singer Daigo Stardust! I don’t really know much about him but he has a great facial structure and looks very versatile for many different looks. My quest for a realistic manly doll has evolved into the idea that too much realism is a bad thing (see the uncanny valley theory) so by making the doll slightly less specific (Daigo has a very smooth face with not so many dips and creases), he can still look masculine but not too much so.

I don’t expect him to get a body any time soon but he will definitely be getting a high quality faceup and some nice 12mm eyes. Not sure what his style should be, though. So far I’m not thinking a tough guy who’s a gentleman underneath. More like a nice guy who’s trying to be a little badass.

So enjoy my weird little photo story I made while opening. =)

February 20th, 2009 by admin

Oh boy oh boy I’m still on that “just threw my money out the door and now I can’t wait to get what I paid for” high. All BJD owners know the feeling: guilt from spending so damn much money but insane excitement for what’s coming in return. Best part: they’re local so I don’t have to wait three months like I did for Hazy! Wow, I might buy all my dolls second hand if I can deal with such nice people again.

Wait. ALL my dolls? These ARE all my dolls…Right? lol.

Here’s a little preeeevieeeeew!

February 7th, 2009 by admin

Saturday was my first meetup ever and wow, was it packed! Soooo many dolls in one place and so many people to chat with! It was great to see such variety and get to meet the people behind the dolls. Meeting Ms. Cholong was a blast, too, because she is just as nice and friendly as everyone says! Big thanks to Ebi for taking me there, lending me her carrying bag, and generally showing me around. I won a cute shirt in the raffle and bought some slippers that are just perfect for Hazy while I was there. Now without further ado, on with the photos (Click to view larger pics):

Only a part of the dolls on display!

My favorite couple of the bunch. That pink theme just floored me.

My second favorite couple. Their styling, makeup, size, and everything was just perfect!

Well, that settles it. Akando could never be Hazy’s boyfriend. She’s half his height! He would crush her! Yay, $1,000 saved. Although Ebi’s SD16 is another story…..hehe!

Ah, she was just so great. I had to get a picture. (I omitted Ebi because she didn’t seem to want to be in the photo. I’ll just keep the original shot for myself.)

And finally, Hazy with her new skirt from Softly She Walks, vest sewn by me, shirt won in the meetup lottery, and shoes I bought at the meet by Dale Rae. I’m so happy! She finally looks almost like what I imagined!! Her final piece of her outfit should be arriving in the next couple of weeks.

To see the rest of the photos I took there, click on this link!

February 2nd, 2009 by admin

As it turns out, I have a chance to go back to Japan in 2010! I was just there less than a year ago and I’m already dying to go back. Of course, one of the first things that popped into my mind was, “Volks Tenshi no Sumika!!” And then, “Soom Japan!!” And then, “Other dollies!!” I went to the Volks store in Akihabara last time and loved looking at their display models and the FCS parts and almost bought an SD, but pulled back because it would have used up all my money ($700 doll in a cash economy = not good).

There is another problem (or several) that come attached to buying dolls in Japan. First of all, how the hell was I going to carry an SD box from the 5th floor in Akihabara all the way to the Yamanote line, all the way back to the hotel and then on the plane and back home? Also, how the hell was I going to get it past customs without heavy taxes? The answer: I wasn’t.

Not only that, but the exchange rate and the low value of the dollar was going to make sure that I paid 1.5 times what the doll was worth and exchanging my money at the bank or airport into and out of yen would make sure that 10-20% of my money got paid in “fees.”

With all that in mind, I come to this question: Why would I ever buy a doll in Japan that I couldn’t just buy online? Sure, the shipping cost is high and I still have to contend with exchange rates but it sure seems worth it. It saddens me because that day I visited the Sumika, I had had such a great time in Japan that I wanted to top it off with bringing home my very own doll, but couldn’t.

For this trip, I definitely want to visit Soom Japan to look at the dolls, but not buy. I will be on the lookout for clothes and things you can’t buy in the USA but who knows if I will be able to recognize it when I see it. I am still considering buying less expensive dolls like Momoko and J-Dolls while I’m there, but I’m not sure what the yen limit is before getting taxed at customs. Does anyone know where to buy Momoko and J-Doll in Tokyo, though?

I’m sad because I used to associate shopping for things I want with an experience. The experience of traveling to the store, finally seeing the thing you want in person, holding it in your hands, exchanging money with the cashier for your possession, and excitedly driving home, hardly being able to wait until you can open the package. Now it’s just the click of a button and a long, long wait.

One other thing: I really wanted to take Hazy with me to Japan but obviously can’t. Way too much danger in her getting damaged and she would end up slowing me down and annoying my travel mates. I wish I had a tiny (or even liked tinies) so I could bring one with me. Ah well. I guess I’ll have to enjoy my people companions (lol).

In other news (briefly mentioned above), I am becoming obsessed with JDoll, by Jun Planning. They are like mini BJDs in looks and are by far the prettiest 1/6 scale dolls I’ve ever seen. I want one soooo bad right now but I’m trying to refrain from spending any unneccessary money. As you can tell, I’m currently saving for a boy BJD and now this trip to Japan! Plus, all the ones I want are sold out! Ack! Again, I ask: Does anyone know where to buy Momoko and J-Doll in Tokyo? Take a look at these beauties: