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!

Third Annual BJD Convention in San Diego

According to a post on Den of Angels:

The Third Annual San Diego Ball-Jointed Doll Convention will be held at the picturesque Marina Village on the waters of Mission Bay on Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 11 AM to 3 PM. We'll be located in the Terrace room on the south end of the Marina Village complex at 1936 Quivira Way, San Diego, California. 

This year's theme is 'Supernatural Orleans', a tribute to vampires, zombies, voodoo, witches, and all things eerie and magical. There will be doll costume contests, games, prizes, and raffles, plus refreshing drinks along with many of your favorite dealers!

$10 per person at the door. Please note that anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Some doll nudity is likely. 

Dealer and Sponsor inquiries welcome.

You can find the DoA discussion thread here. I'm planning to attend--I'll let you know what color my hair is before I go--but probably black and blue or purple--so I'll be easy to spot. Come say hello!

Welcome home, Lea!

Lati Yellow Basic Lea, a photo by alington on Flickr.

My very first LaTi doll arrived this week, and she is just adorable! Her DollHeart (surprise!) outfit hasn't arrived yet, but this cutie fits very well in Barbie clothes.

The adorable grey sweater was made by my Blythe-collecting friend Debbie, who made it for my first Blythe. I think Lea looks very cute in it.

I do have a pair of shoes for her, but of course I can't find them now.

I have to admit, after reading the less-than-flattering company reviews of Lati Doll on Den of Angels, I was a little nervous placing an order with them. But Lea arrived just like I'd ordered in six weeks and two days after I placed the order, with the face-up I had customized for her. I couldn't be happier.

At first, I thought her stringing might be too loose--I don't have many tiny dolls. But she and her little double joints work perfectly, and they fit well, and she can stand alone. I have no complaints. I need to blush her, however. She is just gorgeous.

See more photos of her on Flickr.

Buying the dolls you love.

Wake Up Cue by Peak's Wood
No longer in my collection but on her way

I'm currently in the midst of the infamous doll shuffle, the dread game of many dedicated doll collectors. You can look at it as paring down your collection, refining it, streamlining, decluttering--it comes down to redefining what you collect.

I know there are many collectors who don't ever do this in their collections, and often, I feel judged when I sell dolls that I buy. I wish I had the luxury to keep all the dolls that I own, quite frankly, but sometimes I need to declutter for the sake of space and for the sake of the budget.

How do you decide which dolls to keep? I know some collectors decide on a final number, and limit their dolls to that number. When a new doll arrives, an older one has to go. (I don't have that kind of discipline, but what a great idea!) For me, I look for themes in my collection, and concentrate on any shelves that look crowded. I also look at the dolls that have lost their main attraction.

1978 Sun Lovin Christie, a gorgeous Steffie sculpt
A doll I like but don't love 

Depending on how badly I need to sell them, I will try redressing them or restyling the dolls first--trying on a new wig or a outfit often changes the entire look of the doll. I enjoy the process as well, and it will often awaken a new-found love for a doll I haven't played with in a while. If it doesn't, however, then I know it's time to move.

If the doll cost under $200, or if it is a BJDs or non-vintage Barbie, I will often sell it on eBay. BJDs go on Den of Angels and the Resin Café. Vintage Barbie I will sell on consignment with Kathie of Kathie's Fashion Dolls. She can get a much better price than I can, and she has a huge customer base, and it's so much less hassle.

How do keep from being broken-hearted about my sales? The way I look at it is trading up for dolls I love. I might sell dolls I sort of like, but I'll eventually replace them with the dolls I love. I have tendency to buy dolls on impulse, or preorder dolls on a promotional photo, and then find the doll either doesn't meet my expectation or my collection theme. These dolls sit on a shelf, and I feel guilty about them. Why should I keep them if I could be trading them up for a brand new BJD on my wish list? I might have to sell six Barbies for a YoSD sized doll, but it will a) save a lot of space and b) give me more joy in my collection in the long run. It's worth the time and hassle.

I challenge you to do the same. Don't sell any dolls you love, though--and for some people, that might be many more dolls in your collection than mine. But what if you could find 5% of your collection's worth to sell? That might be able to invest you further into the world of BJDs! Wouldn't it be worth it?

Jpop Dolls is carrying Ajumapama clothes and dolls

Lots of fun mix and match clothing for ball-jointed dolls are available to pre-order from Jpop Dolls and Ajumapama.

This company carries lines of clothing for SD-sized dolls (boys and girls), MSD girls, and YoSD sized items (both boys and girls). Additionally, you'll find shoes and Kelly Sally BJDs, too.

Plus, you can't very well shop at Jpop and not check out their wigs--though be sure to check out separately for pre-ordered items and in-stock items. Add yourself to the mailing list to get in on all the latest specials!

BJD "experts" can get frustrated with dolls, too.

Elfdoll Olivia. Sweet sleepy BJD. Tiny terror of a doll to restring.

Quick. Someone take this gorgeous sweet doll out of my hands before I run her over with my Ford Flex.

It's living proof that even the "experts" can be terrorized by dolls the wrong size as well. Well, I wouldn't say the "wrong size," necessarily. I had all the right tools, all the right stuff to restring her. She had been in pieces for months--in her little plastic baggie. A project started, waiting to be completed. Guys, let me tell you. It's a miracle that book was ever finished. I'm a great idea person. I'm not what you'd call a "finisher." I'm always more comfortable with lots of ideas roasting on the fire. It makes me uncomfortable to actually finish a project.

It had been long enough. I thought, Hell, I wrote the book. She's little. (14cm, to be exact. That's 5.5 inches, to you Americans.) I'm bigger than she is, and I've had four kids. I'm a smart woman. Definitely smarter than a piece of plastic. And while I may use a lot more punctuation than a piece of resin (not just your ordinary plastic, mind you), I sure as sh#t am smarter, if you'll pardon my French.

At any rate, it took me six hours to restring Olivia. She's so sweet and innocent looking. Look at her adorable face. In fact, check out my listing for her at a bargain price on the DollPage or Den of Angels. She's so cute. I sanded her down, lovingly gave her a manicure, and tried to get the green staining off her hands that she had when I first got her. (Call me Lady MacBeth. I may have succeeded, but it's all I can see.)

After restringing--you use beading string, the stretchy kind that won't hold a knot--I also put pipe cleaners in her legs and hips to help her stand on her own, if you're patient. She's really cute. But there's only so much time I can spend on a doll till I get very bad feelings about her. And unfortunately, that time was maxed on this poor little thing. I was ready to throw her out the window, into my parents' pool, or run her over with the car by the time I was finished. And my "legal chill pill" didn't help. All the punctuation in the world wouldn't help me now.

She's such a cute doll, though. I almost feel bad for her. She's like an SD-sized doll for my SD-sized dolls. And she is out to get me.

A note to new BJD collectors

DollHeart's Little Alice set, photo property of DollHeart

I'd like to write a little note to the new BJD collectors I've recently introduced to these wonderful dolls, and give you a gentle word of advice. The past week, I've been scouring Den of Angels and the Resin Café marketplace forums to find myself a Lati Yellow sized doll--a size I don't currently have in my collection. I love Miel's face, actually (she's in the bunny ears).

"But I thought you were a Peak's Woods fan, Alison!"

I am. I asked at Peak's Woods' Q&A board to see if there might be plans in the works to make a doll of this size first, of course. (There isn't, so far, unfortunately.)

But I love these little Alice outfits. Technically, DollHeart calls them, "Little Alice in the Wonderland." I haven't decided whether I need the pink or blue, or maybe the set. Probably the set. Then I will have outfits for her. (You simply must check out DollHeart's Lati selection!)

OK. So my advice to you new BJD collectors: never buy an outfit for a doll you do not own. This is a bad way to go. First, what if you get the doll, and you don't really like her? It's always better to see the doll in person first, and decide whether you want to try a new scale. Then, if you like the size, budget for the doll and buy it. Only then invest in a wardrobe.

For goodness' sake, I wrote the book! Can't I follow my own advice? LOL!

New BJD from Peak's Woods!

KoonieS, Fairy of Spider, new Fairy of Bugs sculpt by Peak's Woods.

While I was away at IFDC, Peak's Woods released a new doll: KoonieS, a Fairy of Bugs resin BJD, who stands 42 cm (about 16.5"). She is a Fairy of Spiders, and she is adorable!

Her current list price is $315, and she is available with the following options:

• normal or white skin
• normal (flat or young girl) or large bust
• extra hand parts
• random 14mm eyes
• optional basic make-up ($60) or special gothic style make-up ($80)
• optional extra head $120 (you can add regular or special makeup to this head for the prices listed above)
• limited edition outfit shown ($60)
• boots shown ($36.90)

I don't see a wig included, so that may be extra. She reminds me a lot of a miniature Lavin or Lottie--like a younger sister to those dolls. Cute!

KoonieS, special gothic make-up

KoonieS, regular make-up

All photos are property of Peak's Woods.

Peak's Woods summer event

Peak's Woods is having a summer event!

From July 1 through August 31, one random item will be listed at 10% off every day (not including weekends), including dolls, parts, clothing and wigs. Lots of surprises will be listed as well.

The first 10% off item listed yesterday is still available, Fairy of Bugs Wake-Up Lady Bee Romantic Elf, listed for $280, or $340 with a face-up. Don't wait--this item won't last forever.

Don't forget--Peak's Woods offers lay-away!