Casting Call for New Book

The doll clothing designer, MegannArt, is currently seeking a variety of contributions to her new book, Dolly Bureau (Vol 3):  All About Tiny Dolls [working title].  The dolls in the book have a requirement of being 11.5cm/4.5in or shorter.  How great would it be to have some of your own dolls or handmade designs in a published book?!  Dolly Bureau books are gaining popularity and would help people notice your work.

Contributions would include temporary use of the following: 

• All dolls 11.5cm or shorter (e.g. Ruby Red Galleria Honee B, Mattel Kelly, Fairyland PukiPuki and RealPuki, Peak's Woods Monthly Fairy, LillyCat Colline, Wilde Amelia Thimble, Lati White SP, Felix Brownie, Angelregion Gienie Lilica, Doll Leaves Cherry and Milk, Dollzone Yu with B10-001 body and Teng with B10-001 body, HZ Doll tiny dolls like Tian Tian Roro, IslandDoll Leshy, Polly Pocket, Azone Picco Neemo, Mame Momoko, Fidelia Fireflys, vintage dolls, etc).  The list of dolls is endless.
• Handmade clothing, accessories, wigs, and props that would be appropriate for dolls of about this size.  Items must be made by the contributor.

MegannArt will photograph your items and send them back to you in a timely manner.  The deadline for accepted items is mid April 2015.  To those who contribute, credit will be provided in the book.  MegannArt also provides a contract for contributors to guarantee return, credit, and protection of your property.

Contact her for more info!

Please update your blog feed to my new website!

Dear readers,

I've just managed to update my website to an elegant Squarespace account. You will now be able to read all of these entries (and future ones) atwww.fashiondollreview.com/bjdsforbeginners. I've also posted a for-sale page, and linked my Fashion Doll Review blog there as well.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Hatsune Miku Dollfie Dream is back!

It's been a while since I've had a Dollfie Dream (vinyl BJD) in my collection, but this girl is really tempting! She's the latest Volks release, Snow Miku, based on the popular Japanese Vocaloid Hatsune Miku. I love her mittens, gorgeous two-toned blue hair and headset.

Some parts are made of clear plastic, and she includes adorable knit mittens and a scarf. She is now available for preorder with a September 2016 delivery date (yikes--dates according to the Volks website--I had no idea the turnaround was so long).

Her retail price is $650, with a down payment option of $50. (Volks will keep the deposit if you change your mind.) She will be available for ordering (with a pick-up option at Volks USA if desired) through April 12, 2015.

The specs: 

This doll uses the Dollfie Dream Base Body III in semi-white skin, with the SS bust size. She has a new Hatsune Miku/Snow Miku head sculpt, sculpted by Serika Misaku of Zoukei-Mura, Inc. She includes the full outfit, designed and produced by Volks, and special 24mm Dollfie Animetic eyes.

Photos are property of Volks USA.

Dolls Party in LA coming soon!

Check out this link from Volks USA for complete details, but for now, add Saturday, September 5, 2015 to your calendar. This event will be held at the Los Angeles Airport Marriot Hotel, and it's been five whole years since the last Volks USA event in New York City.

This event is for Super Dollfie, Dollfie Dream and their owners--or would-be owners. Attendance details are still forthcoming.

In a panic...

Oh my goodness, what's a collector to do? I have to confess, I have been having a few sleepless nights and even nightmares after the latest Peak's Woods update. In one recurring theme, I watch my wonderful tan Briana fall on the floor from a high shelf, and watch her nose chip. Of course, after next month, basic Fairies of Color won't be offered for sale. And while I certainly understand the necessity to limit the number of sculpts a company offers at any given time to combine and group orders, I will be sad!

I'd love to add Wake-Up Cue, Yulli, and Vamp Briana to my collection, but I can't see that I'll be able to do this before the end of next month. Perhaps I might be able to choose just one or two more dolls--and possibly buy a blank head--instead. I currently only have Vamp Goldie on order, and I'm very excited about adding her to my collection.

I suppose I should just wait to see what the specials will be--but what if they add new faces? What will I do then?

New dolls from Peak's Woods - and change in basic dolls

Dandy Shaia

Wow--big changes are happening at Peak's Woods! First, there are four new Dandy boys coming soon:

• Dandy Briana
• Dandy Lottie
• Dandy Lavin
• Dandy Shaia

They go on sale February 15-28, 2015, and start at $590. Upgrade to suntan or blue-grey skin for another $80. Faceups are $90, and hand blushing and nail painting is available (natural or black) for $35. Basic dolls are 61cm tall (very close to SD13 long leg size), and include a pair of glass eyes, cotton cushions and certificate of authenticity.

Dandy Lottie

Dandy Lavin

Dandy Briana

Additionally, the four original Dandy boys will also be available at the same time (in normal or white skin). These sculpts include:

• Dandy Tristan
• Dandy Cosmo
• Segi
• Dandy Bella the Moon

After February 28, the boys will only be offered as limited edition dolls on occasional release, and basic dolls will not be available. Peak's Woods' update mentions that this is the last release of the original Dandy boys. This change should help increase shipping times, as they will only be offering particular sculpts at specific times. 

Next month, there will be a special event for the large girls (both FOB and AB) as well. Heads won't be offered separately, after this ordering period. For now, though, heads can still be purchased, but without a makeup option.

Finally, the selection of Oscar Eyes has been updated as well.

You can read Peak's Woods' update here. Photos are property of Peak's Woods.

Vinyl versions of Kinoko Juice Kiki for sale now!

Whee! I can hardly contain myself! Two new dolls are ready for preorder for later release this year, and I'm absolutely thrilled! There are two ABS/PVC versions of the popular resin doll Kiki by Kinoko Juice.

Azone is the manufacturer of these non-BJD girls. The body is new, and highly articulated with 23 points of motion. Kinoko means mushroom in Japanese, I believe, and you can see the the mushroom in her eyes. Two dolls are available--one with honey pink hair and blue eyes, the other with marmalade brown hair and green eyes. The dolls are 23cm (about 9 inches) tall.

I've been coveting a Kinoko Juice Kiki for some time, but just couldn't bring myself to make the effort to find a shopping service for these dolls. They are not sold outside of Japan. And these are downright affordable. Hobby Search still has them for reservation for 22,800 Yen (about $194 US). This is a link to the pink-haired girl, and this is the link for the redhead. I placed an order for the pink one. (Yay!)

 Photos are property of Azone and Kinoko Juice.