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Note to Readers

The majority of the text on this blog is written by Hikaru, a ball jointed doll. Try not to question it. The text written in pink font is commentary from Hikaru's human friend, Anna. Basically Hikaru does most of the writing and Anna keeps her from getting too out of hand.

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Thursday, July 26, 2018

Bjd Unboxing: Kids Sky Tutu Boy! and a Wig and Shoe Review

As I mentioned previously, Anna ordered a new little ball jointed doll through Alice’s Collections.  It is a yosd or 1/6 scale doll from Kids Sky.

A white haired msd ball jointed doll (Hikaru) and two yosd bjds (Sakura and Momoko) waiting to open a large-ish package.  Inside is their newest dolly friend.

Now, less than two months later, it has finally arrived!

The blond yosd ball jointed doll (Sakura) is looking at the brunnette yosd bjd (Momoko) as she makes a cute expession.

Dear little Momoko has been particularly anxious and excited for this new doll’s arrival, and with good reason.

A yosd sized ball jointed doll with brown hair (Momoko), she is from the same company as the doll we are unboxing.  Kids Sky.

The new doll is from the same company as Momoko (see Bjd Unboxing: kids Sky Doll Review Part 1).  Therefore, it is as if she is becoming a “big sister”, at least that is how Anna phrased it.

Inside the shipping box is the pink doll box with the logo for the bjd company, Kids-Sky.

Inside the package is the familiar pink box from Kids Sky.

Inside the doll box is weird plastic packaging with all the doll stuff buried underneath.

However, inside the doll box we see some sort of strange plastic packaging instead of the usual soft cushion.  How very odd, Momoko arrived with a cushion, so why didn’t this doll?

The bjd wig, shoes and a free cleaning sponge.  All still in their packaging.

In addition to the ball jointed doll, Anna ordered a fine doll wig and shoes.  And as usual, Alice’s Collections added a free cleaning sponge as a gift.

The doll card with the product photo, plus the Kids Sky booklet that comes with all their dolls.  It has tips on how to take care of the doll.

Here is the new doll’s card and the care booklet that seems to arrive with all the bjds from Kids Sky.

A Kids Sky Tutu 1/6 scale ball jointed doll boy.  Fresh out of the box with packaging still on the legs and arms and head.  He comes with pink underwear for some reason.

And at last, here is our newest ball jointed doll.  Such an adorable doll! 

Close up of the default face up of the the Kids Sky Tutu ball jointed doll.  It looks really cute.

Anna ordered this new doll with a default face up (it was free!), and it is beautifully done though more subtle than usual.

The close up ofthe Kids Sky bjd underwear.  They are cute, but possibly a little too girly for this bjd boy.  They are pink with lacey decorative elastic.

And thankfully, the company included pretty undergarments, just like they did for Momoko.  I feared they would neglect that detail as well.

The white haired msd bjd (Hikaru) is talking to the new yosd bjd who is still in his underwear and bald.  She thinks the new doll is a girl instead of a boy.

Over all, I would say this doll is a very sweet little girl and it is a pleasure to meet her.

The white haired msd bjd (Hikaru) is talking to the new yosd bjd who is still in his underwear and bald.  The new doll has pointed out that he is a boy, not a girl.  The white haired doll is looking at us in surprise.

“Um, I’m boy.”

You’re a what?  It’s a what?

Anna you never told me about this!

I thought it would be more fun to surprise you.  I ordered the Kids Sky 1/6 scale boy ball jointed doll, Tutu.  He is super cute, and I thought it would be nice to  have a little boy for a change.

The white haired bjd (Hikaru) is looking at the blonde yosd bjd (Sakura) and scolding her.  She is pointing at the new doll's pink underwear and asking about it quite bluntly.

“Hi! I’m Sakura, what’s your name?  Do you have a name? You’re a boy, Cool! Why are you wearing pink underwear? Is that normal?”

Sakura! Don’t point, and never mind such things.

The brunette yosd bjd (Momoko) and the pink haired yosd ball jointed doll (Yuna) have shown up to introduce themselves to the new doll.  Actually the brunette doll introduces them both because our pink haired friend is a little shy.

“Hello, my name is Momoko.  It’s a pleasure to meet you.  I’m your new sister.  And this is my friend, Yuna.”

“Sister? Yuna?…”

The new doll seems to really like the pink haired bjd (Yuna).

“…Um, it is nice to meet you…”

“Wow, you’re really pretty…”

The white haired bjd (Hikaru) is trying to get the new doll to go meet other dolls, but the new doll still wants to talk to the pink haired doll (Yuna).

Come now dear, it is time to meet Yuki, he will be a great role model for you (since you’re actually a boy).

“But, I want to talk to Yuna some more.”

The new is being introduced to the msd sized boy doll (Yuki) who is holding a small white deer doll (Shiro).

“…So, you got mistaken for a girl too.  This is Shiro.…”

“Cool.”

And they instantly bond, it this a guy thing or just a Yuki thing?

The white haired doll (Hikaru) is offering the new doll clothes to wear since he is still in just his underwear.  It is a white dress.  The new little boy doll just stares at it.

Now it is about time you were properly clothed, so I present to you the “new doll dress”.

“You want me to wear that? I said I’m a boy. :(“

While the dress is being offered to him, the new little boy doll turns to the bigger msd boy bjd for help.

Yuki wore it too, so there should be no problems.

“Yuki?”

“…I’m afraid she’s not gonna budge on this…”

The new Kids Sky yosd ball jointed doll wearing the too big white dress, even though he is a boy.  It looks cute on him anyway.

And with the “new doll dress” he is decently atired.

The new doll sitting next to a pretty but quiet msd bjd with long strawberry blond hair (Misako).  She was the new doll before him and use to wear the white dress he is wearing.

Misako was the last to wear the dress.  As such, it would be wonderful for her to give a few words to the new doll, yet she still persists in not speaking.

The pretty msd bjd (Misako) is patting the new little ball jointed doll on his still bald head.  How sweet.

Actions speak louder than words, Hikaru.  And a pat on the head is welcome enough for a cute little bjd.

Well, speaking of heads, it is time to adorn his with his new wig.

The new yosd bjd wearing a brown wig from Alice's Collections.  It is a short hair wig with a slight curl to it and a little longer in back then you would expect.  It is really cute on him, but maybe a little too girly for some tastes.

Anna ordered him this lovely coffee colored wig sized for yosd bjds.  It’s somewhat curled style is adorably sweet, though a little more feminine than one might want for a little boy.

Hey, I think it looks great on him.  The style seems to suit him, and the color is fantastic, though it seems slightly lighter in person than in the product photos.  And why fuss about a “feminine” wig when you made him wear a dress. 

Anyway, he seems to like it, though I think I know why.

The pink haired bjd (Yuna) is complimenting the wig, so the new doll decides he likes it just fine.

“…Um, your hair looks really cute…”

“Thanks, Yuna. :)”

The new little doll is holding his new pair of black t-strap shoes from Alice's Collections.

Anyway, it is time to try on his new shoes.  They are a simple pair of black shoes with t-straps.  Practical and versatile.

A close up of the cute new black t-shrap shoes for yosd bjds from Alice's collections.  They work for both boys and girls, but can come off as a little more on the girly side.

They fit our new doll nicely.  They slip on quickly and the buckles are easy to manuever.  Anna believes the style works fine for both girls and boys.


Anyway, our new doll hasn’t been introduced to Usagi or the cat quite yet.

The cheerful msd bjd with strawberry blond hair (Usagi) is holding her hands to her face because she thinks the new doll is so cute!  Her small purple kitty friend is next her staring at the new doll.

“Oh, how cute!  What an adorable little boy! :)”

“You can tell I’m a boy?”

The cheerful bjd (Usagi) is wondering why anyone would think the new doll is a girl instead of a boy.  The new boy doll is pointing out the white haired doll (Hikaru) who is out of the photo.

“Well, of course.  Why would anyone think you’re not? :)”

“That lady, thought I was a girl!”


Hikaru, isn’t it about time to give him the present.

Oh, yes.  The children prepared a little welcoming present for our new doll, however that was before we discovered he was a boy.  I do wonder if he will accept it.

It’s a little bunny I got from a gashapon machine, and I think he will accept it.

The pink haired ball jointed doll is giving the new doll a cute yellow bunny toy as a welcome present.

“…Um, Anna got this and said I can give it to you…”

The new doll is hugging his new bunny toy.  He only likes it because the pink haired doll gave it to him, right?

“…Do you like it?…”

“Yes, it’s cute.  Thank you. :)”

The new doll is enjoying himself sitting with his new friends (Yuna and Momoko) and holding his new bunny toy.

Well, it seems our new little boy is getting along fine with the other children.

A group photo of the entire ball jointed doll family consisting of 3 msd sized girls, one msd sized boy, 3 yosd girls, one yosd boy, a small deer, and a non-resin bjd cat.

And our bjd family has grown so much over the past few years.  Anna even had some difficulty getting everyone into this photo.

Even so, there may still be more new additions in the future.  But, we will keep you up to date on such things as always.

Until then, be at peace.

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Sunday, July 22, 2018

The Invisible Doll Stand Review, or Watch Them Fly?!

Just a small note: The lighting went a little strange in the photos, especially when trying out the doll stand.  Just one of the hazards of amateur bjd photography.

A few weeks ago, we receive an order from Alice’s Collections of many fine bjd clothes and accessories.


Among those accessories was the invisible doll stand.  It was only briefly mentioned, so it is time to properly review it.

The invisible doll stand, sold by Alice's Collections.

It came unassembled with no written instructions, though thankfully Anna managed to assemble it.

It consists of claw shaped gripping device attached to an extremely flexible neck, which screws into a translucent base.

Some strange parts that came with the doll stand.

There were these extra parts, for the life of me I can’t figure out their purpose, neither can Anna.

A ball jointed doll demonstrating the use of the invisible doll stand.

Anyway, I have tried out the stand and I find the grip to be most comfortable when properly fitted.   Anna was worried that it might scratch me, however there is some sort of coating on the grip as a preventive.

Anna did have trouble adjusting the “neck”.  It takes a bit of patience and strength to adjust it.

The end result is most satisfactory, I felt perfectly stable when Anna took this photo.  And the base of the stand is hardly noticeable and could have easily been edited out, if Anna wasn’t so lazy about such matters.

A peek at the invisible doll stand while in use.

When in use, the rest of the stand can be discreetly hidden behind me.

Anna says this stand can also be used to make dolls appear as if they are flying (MSDs and Yosds only).  To test this we will need a volunteer.

A yosd bjd (Sakura) raising her hand, she is volunteering to try out the doll stand.

“Oh, me! Me! I’ll do it.  Can I please?!”

Oh, alright Sakura dear.

A bjd pretending to fly using the invisible doll stand.

“Whee! Look I’m flying!”

A ball jointed doll playing with a doll stand while two other dolls and a deer wait in line for their turn.

And quickly a line forms behind her.  What is this, a carnival ride?

"It's time to get down, let someone else have a turn."

Oh well, it’s time to get now Sakura, let someone else have a turn.

“Aw, man.”

A bjd (Yuna) pretending to fly using the invisible doll stand.

Now it’s Yuna’s turn.  She seems to be enjoying herself.

The little bjd is dizzy from the ride.

“…Oooh, so dizzy…”

A bjd (Usagi) pretending to fly using the invisible doll stand.

Now for Usagi, I think she is enjoying it too much.

Whee! :)”

The tiny deer is trying to use the doll stand, but it's too small.  It looks sad.

“Shiro wants to try too!”

I’m afraid Shiro is too small for the doll stand.

The yosd bjd (Sakura) is asking the boy msd bjd (Yuki) for help with the deer.

“Yuki knows what to do, right?”

A bjd holding a small deer pretending to fly using the invisible doll stand.

Problem solved.

Overall, I we have been very pleased with this doll stand despite a few quirks, and would greatly recommend it to others.

Now before I let you go, there is such alarming news to deliver.

Sometime after placing this particular order, Anna made a second one, for a new doll!  She has discussed it with me somewhat.  It will be another yosd sized or 1/6 scale ball jointed doll, from Kids Sky, the same company as Momoko. 

What she failed to mention is that she has already received a shipping notice.  And it is scheduled to arrived at any moment now!  Why does she always wait until the last minute for these things.  There are preparations to make for goodness sake!

Anyway, we will soon be able to introduce the newest doll in our family.

Until then, be at peace my dear readers.

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Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Of Bjd Fashion: Turning Straw Hats into Doll Half Bonnets

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info. Thanks!

While shopping for various craft supplies, Anna came across these plain straw hats.

Small craft store straw hats, too small for the dolls.

They would make marvelous bonnets once properly embellished, except for one problem.  They are too small.

When I tried one on, it looked ridiculously tiny and they were too small for Yuna and Sakura as well.

What does one do with too small doll headwear?  Anna had a idea.

A small ball jointed doll (Yuna) wearing a half bonnet made from a straw hat.  Let's see how to make it.

Make bonnets, or more specifically half bonnets.

I came across a tutorial for them years ago on a Lolita fashion blog.  They took a child size straw hat and made it into a pretty half bonnet.  I thought, “why not make one for a ball jointed doll?”

It was easier than I expected and really fun.  Enough to want to make a quick tutorial for these pretty little doll hats.


Straw Half Bonnets for Dolls Tutorial

Material needed:

I bought my hats from Bookman’s, but most craft stores sell tiny straw hats that will work.  These hats from Hobby Lobby and these from Michael’s should work nicely.

One too small doll straw hat, let's turn it into a half bonnet.

My hats I used already had a bonnet-y shape which made it easy to use, but a regular plain straw hat is fine.  That’s what they used in the original non-doll tutorial.

Cut straight down the center and remove the top part of the hat.

First you need to cut the hat straight down (or is it up?) at the the back and cut off the top part of the hat. 

Trim the cut edges to fit on your doll.  It fits a little like a large headband with a brim.

Trim a bit around the cut edges, adjusting it to fit nicely on your doll.  It should fit much like a large headband or sun visor.

Use a glue gun the carefully cover the cut edge with bias tape or ribbon.

When finished cutting, it’s time to cover the edges.  I used thin double fold bias tape, but ribbon can work too especially if you fold and iron it first, carefully though.

Anyway, carefully glue and cover the edges with the tape.  I glued first on the inside side of the hat and then on the outer side.

The hat turned half bonnet with edges covered nicely with bias tape.

Now the basic half bonnet is done.

The bonnet is ready to be decorated, surrounded by all sorts of bows, ribbons, flowers and lace.

It is ready for decorating.  Ribbons, bows, flowerer, oh my!

Three finished and nicely decorated doll half bonnets.  The have ribbons for tying and small roses on the sides.

Here are the three I made.

One of the bonnets worn by a bjd (Hikaru).  There is white ribbon on the bonnet that ties in a bow under her chin and matching white roses on the bonnet.

I glued on ribbons to tie on the bonnet, and small flowers and bows to cover the ends of the ribbon and make the bonnets pretty.

The inside of the bonnets, showing off the ruffled lace along the brim.

On the inside, I glued on wide ruffled lace along the edge.  This frames the doll’s face nicely.

I hope these instructions were easy to understand and helpful.  Enjoy!

End of tutorial.

A small bjd with pink hair (Yuna) wear a half bonnet.  It looks so cute on her.

As Anna stated, the lace does frame the face nicely.  Doesn’t the bonnet look lovely on Yuna?

Of course it would have looked wonderful on me too, except Anna carelessly made this particular bonnet too small for me.

And I made two other bonnets that fit you just fine, so what’s the problem?

A msd ball jointed doll and a yosd bjd wearing half bonnets.

“..Miss Hikaru, that hat looks pretty on you too…”

Why thank you Yuna dear, and it’s called a bonnet.

Half bonnet, Hikaru.


Anyway, we shall greatly enjoy our fine new headwear.  And I do wish that everyone found Anna’s little guide most helpful.

Be at peace my dear readers.

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Sunday, July 1, 2018

Doll Owner’s Corner: Bjd Events

First of the month, time for another Doll Owner’s Corner (after missing the last few months).  When I, the doll owner, talk about anything I want.

This month’s topic:

Events: Shopping in the Ball Jointed Doll Hobby

Events

The first time some people hear about an event for a doll company or dealer, they may wonder “what is an event?”  The short answer is that it’s a big sale.  We all know what that means when it’s a grocery store or department store.  The prices on some things go down for about a week to get people to come in the door.

The difference is that bjd events tend to last about a month, and sometimes longer.  I’ve seen ones that were extended an extra month.  Giving more time to make your choice.  :)

A msd sized ball jointed doll and yosd sized ball jointed doll, both were purchased on sale.

There are various ways for you to save on dolls during an event.  Some companies will reduce the price by about 10-12% or even more.  That’s how I got both Usagi and Sakura here (in this older photo). 

Mystic Kids was having an event for 10% off all their dolls, so I bought Sakura from the Junky Spot (check out her unboxing).

Doll Family A had an event that included 20% off their msd sized dolls plus a free gift!  So, I ended up ordering Usagi through Alice’s Collections (check out her unboxing).

A pretty msd ball jointed doll, she was purchased from a Black Friday sale at an extreme discount.

Events occur throughout the year and usually coincide with holidays and seasons and such. 

For example, Misako was bought at nearly 50% off clearance as part of the Junky Spot’s annual Black Friday sale (check out her unboxing).  Several of my other dolls were purchased during Summer events. 

Other occasions for events include Christmas/Winter, Spring Festival (aka. Chinese New Year), New Year’s, and company anniversaries.

A cute yosd sized ball jointed doll with pink hair, she was purchased on sale.  Her face up was also included for free as part of the event.

Now, in addition to dolls being “on sale” during events, you do sometimes get freebies with your purchase depending on the company. 

For example, Doll Love regularly has events where their dolls are about 10-15% off with a free face up.  That’s how I got Yuna here (check out her unboxing), with her adorable default face up.

A pretty yosd sized ball jointed doll, she was purchased on sale.  Her face up was also included for free as part of the event.

Kids Sky has similar free face up events.  They were having one for Christmas, so I got Momoko (check out her unboxing).

A floating bjd head.  It was included free with the purchase of a doll as part of an event.

Other things you might get for free are other dolls or doll parts. 

As some of you may remember, Yuki started out as just a floating head I got for free when I bought Usagi (that free gift I mentioned).  Some companies will give you free (or reduced price) jointed hands with a purchase, and some more (relatively) pricier companies will include small sized bjds as a gift.

A pair of glass bjd eyes.  They were only $1 with the purchase of certain items as part of a special event.

One fun thing about bjd events is that it isn’t just the doll companies that have them, but also the dealers.  I mentioned before that Junky Spot has their Black Friday sale, but Alice’s Collections regularly has nice events.

For example, I’ve taken advantage several times of events at Alice’s Collections where you can order a pair of their glass dolls eyes for only $1 with qualifying purchases.

A cute little ball jointed deer doll.  It was on sale for a super low price with the purchase of certain items as part of an event.

And for more fun, Alice’s Collections frequently have events to get cute pet dolls for super low prices with a qualifying purchase.  That’s how I got Shiro.

And the deals can usually be stacked.  For example, if a dealer is having an event where you can buy a cute pet doll for $1 if you buy a SD sized doll, and a particular company on their site is also having an event where you can get a free yosd sized doll with the purchase of a SD sized doll.  Then you can buy your SD doll, get the freebie doll and throw on that cute pet doll.  That’s what I call a great deal.

A pile of bjd wigs still in there packages, they were bought on sale with free shipping.

I’ve mostly been talking about dolls, but all those cute bjd accessories go on sale too.  

I bought all these doll wigs at 10% off with free shipping during an event from Alice’s Collections (man, I buy from them a lot).  They also have similar deals on clothing, usually on new styles.

A close up of two pairs of cute yosd sized doll shoes worn by their bjd owners.  Both are super cute and were bought on sale and qualified for free shipping.

I got these cute little yosd sized shoes for Sakura and Yuna when they were 10% off, they were shipped for free too.

A group of several ball jointed dolls gathered around a package that came in the mail.  They are getting ready to open it.

And that’s just a small sample of the fun of bjd events.  Of course the best part is always after the event has ended.  When your order has shipped, and your package has arrived and is waiting for you to unbox your new doll!

Happy shopping everyone.

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