Save 10% off Mystic Kids from Junkyspot

Junkyspot is offering 10% off the already low prices of all in-stock Mystic Kids! These dolls are a relatively new company, but have a good reputation, some fantastic face sculpts, and even better prices. If you are looking for a lower priced introductory doll, this might be a good time to dive into the hobby. Junkyspot is a great place for shopping, too! The sale lasts through August 1, 2014.

Amelia Thimble specials and new items!

There are some very special deals happening at Wilde Imagination right now through August 17 at 9 PM EST only. You can get free continental shipping and special pricing on two items:

Basic Amelia - just $99 (retail $145)
and
Sew Enchanting outfit - just $45 (retail $65)

All other customers, just email your order to customer service (see the instructions here) for a $9.95 credit toward shipping charges.

The doll includes a faceup and basic outfit. The outfit includea dress, wings, shoes, and her own little doll. So cute!

While you're visiting, check out the new additions--such as Hamish and Izzy, two new friends, and On Pins & Needles Amelia. Additionally, several new outfits and accessory sets have been added:

• Rolling Along Tricycle $69
• A Sunny Day Set $65
• Ice Cream Princess set $55 - I might need this just for the sundae
• Sleepy Time Set $45 (OMG - the bunny!)
• Amelia Thimble wig set $65
• Bubbles and Bows set $60
• Pitter Patter Shoes set $25

If you collect any type of small doll--LaTi or Puki--these sets might be perfect for you. Amelia is only 4" (about 10.2 cm) tall, so keep these in mind! This is between Real Puki and Puki Puki, or close to LaTi White size.

Photos property of Wilde Imagination.

Why are BJDs so expensive?

Peak's Woods Sky, as imagined by Val Zeitler
A.k.a. the one that got away

When you do a search for BJDs on Google, one of the first questions that comes up in that search is, Why are BJDs so expensive? With this post, I hope to shed some light on this topic.

First, when you say the word expensive, what exactly do you mean? Well, a resin ball-jointed doll can range in price from $75 to over $1000, and even more, depending on edition size, whether it's a basic doll or full-set, and so forth. Primarily, here are some factors of what influences price.

Handmade production
In the BJD world, the production of the ball-jointed doll is an arduous process. The heads and bodies of the dolls are first sculpted by artists, usually in clay, and cast into molds. Each piece of the body must be engineered carefully to include a canal for the elastic, so the doll can stand on its own.

Polyurethane resin is a toxic substance, which is liquid when poured into those molds--each part separately, and by hand--and then left to harden. (Resin bubbles easily, and it takes experts to pour it and mix it perfectly.) After each piece is removed from the mold, and seam lines are scraped, sanded, and often polished. The molds must be cleaned after each use. The dolls are strung by hand.

If there is a face-up, the face is painted and sealed, gloss accents are applied to the eyes and lips. Eyelashes are attached. Eyes are set. Then the heads are attached, and the dolls must be securely packaged for overseas travel.

For an absolutely fascinating and detailed description on what it takes to make a BJD, check out this interview with artist Kaye Wiggs with BJDmagazine.

Production location
Dolls manufactured in China usually cost a little less than dolls manufactured in Korea or Japan. Labor is generally less expensive. Especially in today's market, you'll be able to find dolls with the same quality as dolls poured in Japan and Korea.

You only need to look at companies like Resin Soul and sister company Bobobie for some examples of quality resin. In my experience, the doll comes to you already sanded, and prices are really good. However, production times can vary widely, so I'd recommend going through a dealer, such as Denver Doll Emporium or Junkyspot for these dolls. Often, dealers stock these inexpensive dolls, which range from $75 to $220.

Edition size
Another item to consider is the edition size of the doll. Are you looking at a basic BJD or a limited edition (either a monthly doll, full-set, doll party exclusive, etc.)? The full-set or limited edition doll will add a significant cost to your doll. Of course, as your doll will be more limited in production, the doll may indeed hold its value. A basic doll is usually more affordable, and you can style your doll the way you like, in a true one-of-a-kind look.

I tend to try to plan ahead as much as possible. If you enjoy collecting from a particular company, you can look at their previous year's releases. Or it's possible to contact them at the beginning of the year and ask about upcoming editions, so you can plan your budget. (They may not give away details, but you might be able to plan ahead.) You can use layaway if needed and budget ahead of time.

Resin color
If you're a fan of tan or colored resin, you may be disappointed. It's usually more difficult to match colored resin than it is to use white or pink skin tones. Some companies charge $10-15 extra for colored resin. Others may charge up to $30 for dark resin.

Face-ups
You can always add the face-up later, rather than purchasing a company face-up. This may save $50-80, depending on the company. I often find that when trying to saving money on a doll, however, I would rather have the company face-up, or even spend extra on an artist face-up, as this tends to really make the doll.

BJDs as works of art
Keeping in mind how much of the doll is handmade, being able to obtain one for just $75 is a pretty sweet bargain, in my opinion. It may be out of your current budget, but we are living in a Buy-It-Now culture. It won't kill you to save up for your dream doll. Trust me, that doll will probably come to your home eventually anyway. Why not save up for a little while, even if it takes more than a year, for the doll of your dreams?

To me, when you can support a smaller company, one-of-a-kind artists who do face-ups or create clothing or outfits, just for you, you're contributing not just to the economy but also to the world of art. It's worth it!

Doll Leaves Christmas event and new doll

We actually have one of these inexpensive dolls--Faye--which I bought for my daughter for Christmas last year--and she is lovely and well made. Her face is cute, the resin in good quality, the face-up adorable. And she's a unique sculpt.

If you're looking for unusual ball-jointed dolls and don't have a lot of money to spend, Doll Leaves is an affordable way to go.

Plus, save even more with their Christmas event, between November 5 and December 22, 2011.

Purchase any DS-line product (a doll) of $180 or more (before shipping), and choose one of the following items for free:

• one DS blank head or
• one sleeping Jax bunny (white or normal skin)

Purchase any DS-line product of $350 or more, you can choose one of these gifts:

• One pair of jointed hands for a 60cm boy BJD or
• One sleeping Jax bunny

and you may also choose one of these gifts, too:

• 50% discount on a second DS-line doll, which must be used during this purchase, but not on the qualifying $350 amount, or
• Open-eye bunny, Jax (white or normal skin)

Additionally, there is a new sculpt that has been released, Daphne, to the 1/3 58cm girls line. She is $370 blank and nude, $40 for the face-up, $20 for her wig, $18 for her shoes, $65 for the outfit shown.

Bobobie Isabella

Bobobie Isabella

I'm a fan of the bargain BJD, and Bobobie and Resinsoul are no exceptions. Technically two separate Chinese ball-jointed doll companies, they work together and share sculpts and body types. The bodies come to you perfectly sanded, well cast, and with original sculpts. The prices are very reasonable. Isabella is a tiny doll, 27cm or about 10.5", and slimmer than YoSD sized dolls. She can wear some stretchy Barbie clothes, but her waist is thicker and bust slimmer.

This doll has has her face painted by Beesou of Overnight Flight on Den of Angels. Bobobies are available with a face-up for an additional $10, but they are usually very light. I'd recommend a new or at least enhanced face-up.

Some of the larger Bobobie dolls have some stringing issues, but these can easily be fixed by either tightening the elastic or switching to a slightly larger diameter (less stretchy) elastic. I'm happy to report that Isabella hasn't had any stringing problems.

She is available in-stock for purchase from Junkyspot or Denver Doll Emporium for $88 blank or $98 with a face-up. Because of the ordering time length, many dealers won't accept preorders for these dolls. Pre-orders can take between 8-16 weeks or even longer. The dolls are available in many colors, including white, tan, light tan, pink, green, blue, lilac, normal skin, and sky blue.

Outfit credits: Isabella is wearing a wig by Peak's Woods, acrylic eyes and a dress from Hallmark exclusive Barbie, My Fair Valentine from 1997.

See larger photos on Flickr.

 

Planet Doll Emma

Emma, a photo by alington on Flickr.

I think I should start a series on affordable BJDs. Planet Doll is a great place to start. If you're looking for a mini BJD (one that stands about 16-17"), Korean BJD company Planet Doll carries some fantastic sculpts. This size runs at $195 for a blank doll, and is available in white, normal skin and tan.

You'll often find them in stock from Denver Doll, in fact, so you won't even have to wait. If you order a doll with a face-up, it's an additional $60, but these sculpts lend themselves well to the face-up artist.

The doll shown here is Emma. She usually looks quite pouty and girlish. I'd consider her very close to MSD size, and she can wear Dollheart clothing perfectly, including shoes, as shown in these photos.

This girl has recently had her face painted by Beesou of Overnight Flight. The result: simply stunning. Her over-emotional pout is replaced by an innocent girlish look, just with a softer lip shade and higher eye brows. She's just so sweet.

Another cool thing about these BJDs is their body sculpts. They have single jointed arms and legs, but their joints bend at more than 90 degrees, as you can see from her elbow joints. She just poses like a dream.

Other credits: Wig is by Peak's Woods (surprise! It's so cool!) and eyes are acrylic by Glib in Cobalt, I believe.

See more photos on Flickr.