Settling in...

He is settling in, as you can see. Janus Miho is making great friends with Erica (IH nYID, special real skin). She seems to have claimed him as her own. But we'll see what happens. Cute couple so far!

Time out with Aria

Here's another photo from yesterday's time out. This is SID Aria, also by Iplehouse. I think she's quite lovely--she has a face up by Iplehouse as well. I forget who made her corset, but her skirt is by MegannArt. She's wearing a wig by MegannArt.

See some additional photos on Flickr.

Mari by Iplehouse

I was working on my book today--finally!--and I found I needed a few additional photos. I'm far from finished with the photography, and the work is going ever so slowly, so I thought I'd take another break and do a quick photo-share on the blog.

I'm not sure what it is--well, actually, I do know--but I haven't been able to move along with the sequel to BJDs for Beginners as quickly as I'd like. I've been wasting time on a couple "confessions" Tumblr blogs, and while it's sure entertaining, I don't think it's very encouraging--especially not for the part of me that needs to be enthusiastic enough to get a book finished.

This is Mari, a CDS doll from Iplehouse. She's on a peach skin tone nYID body--by far my favorite body type--and she has makeup Type C with pierced ears. I think she's simply gorgeous.

You can see a few more photos of her on Flickr.

Iplehouse Audrey

Iplehouse Audrey, a photo by alington on Flickr.

She's here--and I forgot to post about her arrival.

You can see my box opening photos and some redressing photos on Flickr.

Audrey is an nYID Iplehouse girl in white skin with make-up style C. She has the medium bust. I think she's lovely.

The Addiction: BID series

Additionally, Iplehouse has also added four new tiny vampires to the Addiction line in BID size. My favorite of the four is Elin, but you can also find Byuri (she's been on my wish list as a basic for a while), Efreet and Erzulie. All the BID sculpts have sculpted pointed ears.

A base price of $230 starts you off with a basic doll, 12mm eyes, default hand parts, flat feet, and Iplehouse's standard packaging. Additionally, you can customize your doll as follows:

• Choose white, normal, peach gold or gray +$10, special real skin +$20, or light brown +$40 skin.
• Choose from boy or girl body, +$10 for a mobility thigh
• Add a fantasy head for $90-103, depending on skin tone
• Choose from basic makeup +$40, fantasy A +$40, or fantasy B +$50
• Add fantasy hands +$20-44, depending on skin tone and blushing options
• Add wings for $39
• Add horns for $15
• Add any or all outfits A +$55, B +$49, C +$50, D +$52

If you'd rather just order a vampire version, you can skip the basic head, and head over to the Fantasy BID section, and customize your cutie this way. No basic head is included with this doll.

These dolls are available through December 31.

Photos are property of Iplehouse.

The Addiction: Fantasy Stella

Iplehouse has introduced several new dolls to The Addiction line.

First, it's Fantasy Stella. Base price is $650. She includes default nYID girl hands, 12mm eyes, basic flat and heel feet, and all the traditional Iplehouse goodies. This gorgeous SID girl is available with the following options:

• normal or white skin, peach gold or gray +$30, special real +$60, light brown +$90
• glamour, large or small size bust (wings will fit only on glamour or large busts)
• general or mobility +$20 thigh 
• blank or with fantasy makeup type A or B +$80
• Fantasy hands (ranging from +$32-58, depending on blushing options)
• Wings +$114 (extra for blushing)
• Horns +$17 (extra for blushing)
• Outfit A +$170 or B +$190

She's on sale through December 31. Wigs and shoes are available separately.

Photos are property of Iplehouse.

Jessica Pierrot EID

**Update** She has been sold!

Are you looking to add Iplehouse EID Jessica to your collection at an affordable price? You may be able to find the perfect one on the secondary market from Jan. You can see lots of beautiful photos of this limited edition doll, Jessica Pierrot from 2009, on her website here.

For $550 (shipping and insurance is additional), you will receive the nude, normal skin (large bust, general type non-mobility thigh) doll with the company face-up, an additional set of hands, high-heel feet, extra elastic, including two Iplehouse wigs (blonde and brunette), and three pairs of 12mm eyes (green, blue and brown). She includes her original box and certificate of authenticity, and the seller is her original owner. (You can rest assured you're getting an actual Iplehouse, and not a recast.)

According to her seller, originally, this doll sold for $846. She was one of the original dolls in the Noctarcana Circus collection. You can see her page here.

This doll uses the first EID body, and looking at her photos, she has a very even skin tone with no visible yellowing. She is in incredible condition. She's lovely!

Because she is so heavy, her owner would like to ship her within the US only.

I have to confess, Jessica has never been on my wish list before--but this girl is really amazing. And this price is such a steal! Someone should pick her up. She's an incredible doll, and really, one of the first limited edition dolls that helped put Iplehouse on the map. (Plus, if you buy her, then I won't be tempted, LOL!)

Photo belongs to Jan Carmen.

Ashanti in SODA

Ashanti in SODA, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Ashanti said yes to the dress by Atelier Soda!

This was another secondary market purchase for my rather demanding Iplehouse ladies.

Ashanti is wearing an Angel-Studio necklace, and wig and shoes from Iple. She is a real skin EID with face-up style C from Iplehouse.

See more photos on Flickr.

Mari in silk

Mari in silk, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Mari is the happy recipient of a new gown as well. She's dressed in designer silk, and Iplehouse shoes and wig.

You can see additional photos of her on Flickr.

Mari is a custom doll order, and uses a peach gold nYID body, with faceup style C. She also has pierced ears and a large bust.

Rexy in silk

Rexy, a photo by alington on Flickr.

My quest for contemporary fashions is well underway and going splendidly.

I was able to pick up some absolutely amazing gowns off Prego last week, and I could not be more thrilled. See the rest of Rexy's photo shoot on Flickr.

Rexy is an Iplehouse nYID girl in special real skin, face-up style C. She's wearing glass eyes from Mint on Card, and a wig from Peak's Woods. Shoes by Iplehouse.

More dolls on the wish list

Audrey, nYID by Iplehouse

My BJD wish list is growing, and my doll collection is morphing again. While the fashion dolls are being reshuffled, I've realized some changes in my BJD tastes.

Sticking to the theory of collecting what you love, rather than just like, can be painful if you tend to get attached to things. I find that some BJD collectors aren't really collectors in the sense that fashion doll collectors are. BJD collectors are more enthusiasts, which is great. They build up a doll and wardrobe based on her character, without simply collecting things based on how sparkly things are, or how well it happens to fit "the theme" of a collection, or, for example, how nicely it happens to look with the paint in the living room.

So my current BJD wish list is filling up with Iplehouse dolls. I really like Audrey, nYID size. I like her type C make-up best, though I might prefer make-up that is a bit paler in the lips. I have to admit I wasn't impressed with her at first, as I found her type A make-up a little bland. As I've seen more owner photos, though, I've fallen for her. I might order her in peach gold skin, I think.

Bianca, The Addiction, Iplehouse nYID BJD

I wasn't convinced I wanted to add Bianca to my collection until I saw the limited edition Bianca from The Addiction collection. I like fantasy colors in other people's collection, but I think I'd like her in either white skin or peach gold. I'd want to order the YID size from the Doll Choice system. I have to say--I really like the pink fantasy make-up, and I might make a special request for it, for a more couture look for my girl, but she isn't my number one priority at this point.

Lahela - Elder Limited edition BJD from Iplehouse

Lahela is one of those grails for me. Every time I see this girl pop up on Flickr I do a double take. I absolutely love her! I think she needs to come home. Because she was a limited edition, she's only available through Iplehouse's Doll Choice system. I love her natural make-up style B shown above, and I think I love both the light tan and ebony resin options. I might consider a secondary market purchase for this doll--but I think I might prefer an SID or nYID body for her, so a Doll Choice purchase might be a better idea. She is probably next on my list.

Asa - Iplehouse EID BJD

Asa - One of the original Elder size girls from the Iplehouse lineup, I've loved her versatile beauty for a long time. While I'd consider a secondary market purchase with an unusual face-up (and oh--there is one I've been watching), I've fallen in love with make-up style A and the either the new EID body or the SID body.

Let me just state the following on Iplehouse dolls. These dolls are only legitimately sold through the Iplehouse website in Korea. There are many companies who have recast these dolls and sell them on eBay. While they might be cheaper, they are illegal to buy (and sell) in the US. Additionally, recast dolls seriously affect the legitimate artists employed by Iplehouse. Aside from the only large BJD company in the world, Volks (which also makes other items, not just resin BJDs), companies employ less than ten people, and some only run on one to three people.

To me, it's not worth saving a few $100 or even a year's worth of saving on my part, just to get a doll I want a little sooner. I'd rather help keep the company in business, and keep seeing wonderful new sculpts--from this company and others.


Photos are property of Iplehouse.

The Addiction: Bloody Tales of Castle Bran

The Addiction_Bloody Tales of Castle Bran, a photo by Iple House doll on Flickr.

Part II: Teaser photo of Lisa - Vampire head! It looks like gray skin will be an option for Lisa, as well. Ack, she's cute! I love her hands, too.

She goes on sale September 9 through October 9, 2013.

Her base price is $290, and here are some details for you:

• Skin color options are: white, normal, $15 extra for peach gold or gray, $30 for special real.
• Basic make-up A or B are available $50, and Fantasy A or B.
• Fantasy head is available for $90 (white or normal), $95 (peach gold or gray), and $100 (special real).
• Add $10 for a mobility joint.
• Fantasy hands are available for $20-42, depending on skin tone and blushing options.
• Wings are $119, including blushing.
• Horns are $15, and an additional $4 for blushing
• The outfit is $109, and includes a dress, underskirt, choker, train, arm warmers and veil.
• A weapon is also available for $19, or $27 including blushing.

The wig should be ordered separately.

Photos are property of Iplehouse.

The Addiction: Bloody Tales of Castle Bran - Lisa

The Addiction_Bloody Tales of Castle Bran, a photo by Iple House doll on Flickr.

Eeeeek! Coming soon from Iplehouse! It's a new character, Lisa. She's actually the 35 cm KID size. I've been wanting to add one of these girls to my collection for a long time, and now, I think I've found the perfect excuse!

According to the Iplehouse message board (you'll have to set up a free account and log on to read the full message), this character is inspired by Claudia, played by Kirsten Dunst in the film, Interview with the Vampire. According to Daniel Yoon, her designer, Lisa needed to "have some dark feeling" as well be cute.

Her outfit will be made of taffeta and lace, and will include a little red in addition to black. She will also include wings, similar to the current Addiction series character, Claude.

She should be released soon. Since Claude's pre-order period ends September 22, my guess is that Lisa should go on sale around that time. I'll keep you posted!

Photo is property of Iplehouse.

nYid Mari, dressed

nYid Mari, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Here is Mari again, all dressed. She's wearing clothing from Iplehouse.

She stands about 57cm in height, a little taller with her heel feet. I also ordered an extra set of hands for her--my friend Melissa has sort of convinced me those extra hands are awfully cool and convenient.

If you missed yesterday's post, this is Iplehouse Mari, ordered from the CDS (custom doll system). She's only available through there at this point. Originally, this head was sold as an Elemental Guardian on the SID body (slightly taller and less curvy). My girl is on a peach gold tone nYID body with a large bust (and there is one size larger, too). She has pierced ears, and I asked for make-up style C.

Deboxing Mari

I love her!, a photo by alington on Flickr.

She's here, she's here!

My custom doll system (CDS) has arrived from Iplehouse, and she's perfect! (The CDS system is available during the first few days of each month.) She has pierced ears, makeup style C from the original limited SID Elemental Guardian version, and mine is on a large bust peach gold nYID body.

You can see more photos on Flickr. I also ordered a long Sienna wig as well, which I think suits her perfectly.

Mari is on her way!

Ack! I received a shipping noticed from Iplehouse for my CDS order for YID Mari! She's in customs now--I just am so excited! The YID body is my favorite. I have been wanting to add Mari to my collection since she was released, but have just been able to do it recently.

I can't wait to share photos of her arrival with you. Hopefully by tomorrow or Friday!

Aria

Aria, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Iplehouse SID Aria is showing off a new dress from Iplehouse. She's also wearing new lingerie under that dress as well. Her wig is by Michele Hardy.

More photos can be found on Flickr. Thanks for looking!

Stella

Stella, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Miss Stella - my Iplehouse/Fairyland hybrid - is moping around in her new IH Marilyn dress.

Isn't she gorgeous?

Rexy in new Iplehouse fashion

Rexy, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Finally, nYID Rexy has some fashions that fit well, and she's pleased about it.

This adorable outfit, the Sky Flower Set, is one of the new outfits available from Iplehouse designed just for the nYID body. You can see additional photos of Rexy on Flickr.

Rexy has makeup from Iplehouse (type C), Mint on Card glass eyes in cyan, and a wig by Iplehouse as well. She's tan--special real skin.

Kisha hyrbid

Kisha hyrbid, a photo by alington on Flickr.

A quick shot of Peak's Woods Kisha/Dollmore Glamour Bust Model Doll F body hybrid, normal skin--she's quite well endowed.

Here, she's wearing a DollHeart wig, and squeezing into a very stretchy dress (EID size) by Iplehouse.

You can see additional photos on Flickr.