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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Oh, alright Sakura dear.

“Whee! Look I’m flying!”

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

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

“Aw, man.”

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

“…Oooh, so dizzy…”

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

“Whee! :)”

“Shiro wants to try too!”

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

“Yuki knows what to do, right?”

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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Doll Owner’s Corner: Pros and Cons of Collecting

It’s the first of the month, time for another Doll Owner’s Corner.  When I, the doll owner, talk about anything at all.

This month’s topic:

The Pros and Cons of Collecting Ball Jointed Dolls

Pro - Dolls are so small and easy to collect, they take up so little space.

Con - One doll takes up very little space, but if you have several (plus accessories) they will take up all shelf/closet space in you room/home.

Pro - It’s fun to make and sew things for your dolls.

Con - If you aren’t good at sewing, trying to make doll clothes can be torture.

Pro - If you can’t sew doll clothes very well, there are tons of cute options for bjds from sites like Alice’s Collections and Dollmore.

Con - All those cute doll clothes sold online come with not so cute prices.  Imagine spending as much on your doll’s clothes as your own, and that’s assuming you can find clothes that fit your doll.

Pro - It can be easy and fun to shop for doll props and furniture in toy stores and such.

Con - It’s hard to tell your friends/family that your dolls “are not toys” if you shop for doll props at toy stores.

Pro - By carefully saving up for your doll purchases, you can learn so much about handling money responsibly.

Con - You could try to be responsible with your money, or you could just as easily spend your rent money on that must-have limited edition bjd.

Pro - You can actually earn money on the side selling your own handmade doll clothes or commissioning face ups and customization.

Con - To earn money making doll stuff, you first have to learn how to sew/paint/etc. and actually get good enough to earn something from it.

Pro - Doll collecting is an interesting hobby in general, and collecting bjds is particularly unique.

Con - Interesting hobby or not, it’s hard not to feel like you’re “that weirdo who collects creepy dolls” at times.

Pro - It’s fun to go places with your dolls and there are plenty of places to take them like conventions, meet ups, museums, etc.

Con - To take your dolls anywhere you first have to decide which ones to take, plus you have to pack them carefully to prevent any sort of damage on the way.  And that’s all assuming you are comfortable taking dolls out in public at all.

Pro - By buying from doll companies from other countries, you can learn fun and fascinating things about their culture.

Con - Dealing with language barriers.

Pro - All that time spent waiting for orders to be processed and your dolls to be shipped teaches the importance of patience.

Con - Waiting.  So much waiting.  Waiting for everything! 

Pro - The joy and excitement of receiving a package in the mail.  It’s your new doll and you can’t wait to unbox it.

Con - Getting your new doll in the mail and after wrestling through all the packaging to get the darn box open, suddenly getting hit with the strong smell of new resin (gag).

And that’s just a handful of the many fun and not so fun things about collecting bjds.  Have any more you would like to add?  Leave a comment below.

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Doll Owner’s Corner: When Dolls Take Over Part 2

Beginning of the month, time for another Doll Owner’s Corner.  When I, the doll owner, talk about anything I want.

This month’s topic:

When Dolls Take Over Your Life

Continuing on from this post with more fun.

You know the dolls have taken over when:

• You realize it takes you more time to dress your doll than to dress yourself, but hey, it’s way more fun anyway.
• You plan trips to thrift shops, antique stores, flea markets, yard sales, etc. solely to look for furniture and props for your dolls.
• You regularly receive small items as gifts from friends and family members because they thought you could use them for your dolls.
• Most of the YouTube Channels you subscribe to are about dolls…
• …And so are several of the blogs you follow.
• Your dolls have more toys than your kids do…
• …And they have more clothes than you do.
• You frequently talk to your dolls, and catch your family doing the same.
• Just when you decide you have enough dolls already and it’s no more dolls for you, holiday sales hit.
• You spam your friends on social media with almost non-stop photos of your dolls, and dolls on you wish list, and doll tutorials, etc.
• You’re talking to someone about your new ball jointed doll and tell them it was “only $200”, and then you wonder why they seem so shocked.
• You find yourself learning more about holidays and customs of other countries because doll companies located in those countries have corresponding sales and events.  Happy Spring Festival.

And there will be more of these in the future as my dolls slowly infiltrate every part of my life, whether I like it or not.

Look forward to it.

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Wordless Wednesday: Chasing Your Tail

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Wordless Wednesday: Healthy Choices

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Wordless Wednesday: Doll Selfies

 

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Wordless Wednesday: Chillin’ with a Head

 

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Wordless Wednesday: Playing Catch

 

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Wordless Wednesday: Bubble Wrap

 

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Decluttering a Doll’s Wardrobe

I have a sizable task on my hands today.

As previously mentioned, Anna has acquired this adorable storage container for me to store my lovely doll clothes and possessions.

However, first I am required to sort through my entire wardrobe. 

Sigh.  The labor I must endure.

Oh look!  This is that gorgeous pink dress Anna made for me over a year ago (see It's Finished! And It's Gorgeous!).  It took her ages to complete, but it looks wonderful.  Definitely keeping this.

And here are a couple of circle skirts Anna made when she first started sewing for me (see Of Bjd Fashion: Circle Skirts).  This red layered skirt was my particular favorite.

And my lovely coat and matching beret.  Anna made them both as a Christmas present (see Early Christmas Presents). 

She did however mention something about making me a new coat.  But this one is so soft and lovely, I couldn’t possibly part with it.  I suppose it’s fine to own two coats, Arizona does get chilly enough in winter.

Here are few more early pieces.  Anna first made these lacey tank tops to accompany the circle skirts (see Of Bjd Fashion: Lace and Tank Tops).  They are quite nice although I never really cared for the one using off-white lace.

This other tank top made with pretty pink ribbon is a newer piece.  It was made along with several similar ones intended for Usagi (see Of Bjd Fashion: Sweet Doll Tank Tops).

Oh, I remember this tulle skirt, it was made along with the other skirts.  I almost never wear it, but it is so beautiful.  Such a difficult decision.

These three different sun dresses were all sewn using the same method (see Of Bjd Fashion: Dresses to Sew and a Tutorial), but came out so different yet wonderful.  I must cherish them all.

I may have found something to discard.  These two skirts, though of fine materials are sadly not quite my style. 

This off-white one especially is too short and not my taste at all.  I only have it because Anna made one for Usagi and they insisted on making a matching set (see Of Bjd Fashion: Mini-Skirts?!).  No harm in ridding myself of it.

“Oh goody, you still have that skirt.  Let’s wear then together, okay? :)”

……

Now this brings back memories.  It is a light jacket and matching skirt made of a gorgeous lavender colored fabric.  The same fabric Anna used to make my carry bag for the few occasions Anna takes me on outings. 

Sadly, the only places she has taken me include her place of work, the residence of a few friends and to church (see Traveling with Dolls: Bjd at Church).  There is still so much of the world I have yet to see.

What steady progress, I am now down to the accessories.  Like these headbands (see Of Bjd Fashion: Headbands for Dolls with a Tutorial) and the lacey hair ornament for my favorite pink dress.

Here are my old sandals and my simple black flats.  They are Anna’s very first attempts and making footwear for dolls. 

I do still need the flats, that is until Anna provides me with a more suitable pair of closed toes shoes. 

But what of the sandals?  I have a new pair that are of far better quality (see Of Bjd Fashion: Improved Lace Sandals with a Tutorial), but these have a certain charm to them.

Ah, my lovely little purse and hand bag.  Anna made them for me last summer (see Of Bjd Fashion: Felt Doll-Sized Purses).  I’m afraid I don’t use them very much at all since I rarely leave the house.  But that may change very soon, so I think I must keep them both.

I cannot forget my jewelry.  The beautiful pearl necklaces and bracelets I received for my birthday last year (see A Doll’s Birthday, Or it Was).  Naturally I can not part with any of them.

Then there are these novelty items.  My two My Little Pony figures, one received for Christmas (see Finding Doll Props: Blind Bags for Christmas) and one given to me by Usagi (see Finding Doll Props: Surprising Blind Bags).  They are both too wonderful to toss.

Then there’s this odd yet charming Santa hat and the Care Bear figure that is just as odd.  I suppose I shall keep them both for the sake of novelty.

Here are some stockings and undergarments.  They are necessities that must be kept.

Hikaru, those are shorts not undergarments (see Of Bjd Fashion: Knit Shorts for Dolls).

They are lacey and look like under clothing and I will treat them as such.

Whatever, as long as you actually wear them.

Last but not least, it is my doll card and a business card for the Junky Spot.  That is the fine online store from which Anna purchased me. 

They naturally included their business card in my package.  I suppose I could dispose of it now, Anna is unlikely to forget them.  But just in case…

And now my sorting is complete.

The results?  My lovely new box is filled with all the things I will keep in my possession.

As for this neat little pile, I am still considering them.  Maybe I will keep them after all, which means there is nothing to part with.

Nothing?

……

After a bit of…persuasion, Hikaru decided to let Usagi have one of her skirts and tank tops and to get rid of her old sandals.

And now the task is complete.

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