Yay! BJDs for Beginners in Europe!

Amazon is now distributing my book in parts of Europe! You will be able to find it available for sale - if not now, than shortly - on Amazon's websites, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Spain:

• Amazon.co.uk
• Amazon.de
• Amazon.fr
• Amazon.it
• Amazon.es

Unfortunately, Ball-Jointed Dolls for Beginners is only available in English so far. However--if you have writing and translating and BJD experience... contact me! I'd love to chat!

Why you need an ultra-fine black marker in your supply box

As most of my readers know, I welcome questions, comments and suggestions on this blog, and I have a new one to address today, thanks to new reader Barb. It is, technically, a correction to the book.

On page 56 of my book, Ball-Jointed Dolls for Beginners, I recommend adding an ultra-fine tipped black water-soluble marker to your supply list for new BJD owners. As you read through my tips and techniques, you may have noticed I neglect to mention how exactly this marker comes in handy.

I use a brush marker tip to correct fine mistakes. Here are a few ways in which this tool comes in handy.

Eyelash repair or replacement


Generally, I recommend a clear-drying craft glue when replacing doll eyelashes. Occasionally, even the "experts" among us will get a small glob of glue that doesn't quite dry all the way clear. In this case, the brush tip of the black marker will help cover those globs (once they have dried 24 hours) to blend them in to the rest of the eye. Simply dap just the tip of the brush marker to the glob of glue (I use reading glasses or a magnifying glass, while resting my hand on the table for steadiness), and allow the glue to absorb the color.

Light eyeliner repair


When working around a doll's head, I recommend using wooden tools, such as toothpicks or a rounded cuticle stick, when doing fine work such as eyelash repair. I have been known (as officially the clumsiest "expert" in the world) to accidentally ding a doll's eyeliner when replacing a doll's head, if I'm not paying attention or if it's in the middle of the night. If you accidentally do this with hemostats, even lightly, you risk removing the eyeliner or painted eyelashes.

The black water-soluble marker comes in handy for these tiny repairs. I only use mine for eyeliner, since I don't feel steady enough to touch up the delicate painted eyelashes. I recommend practicing on paper first.

Damage can usually be avoided by:

• working during times when you are fully awake and alert
• using a pipe cleaner to grasp the doll's S-hook when reattaching the head to the body, as shown in the book
• using only wooden implements around your doll's face, and very gentle movements
• not picking at your doll's face-up with your (painted) fingernails

Why I don't recommend Sharpies

While Sharpie markers come in many forms and sizes and are readily available, I recommend staying away from this type of marker for several reasons:

• These are permanent markers. You can't fix mistakes. Once it's there, it's there.
• The ink can bleed deep into the resin, as resin is porous. Even a think line can get larger and thicker over time.
• On most resin, there is no way to remove Sharpie. Even heavy sanding will not remove the permanent marker from resin. And sanding will ruin your face sculpt. Just don't risk it.

I hope you find this helpful. As always, I welcome your questions and comments!

Win the book, for free!

We're raffling off two copies of the book, Ball-Jointed Dolls for Beginners, at the Fashion Doll Review.

To enter, leave a comment here. I will do the drawing when the number of Google followers on FDR has reached 300.

To enter a second drawing, leave another comment on this post. This drawing will be run as soon as our Facebook followers have reached 400.

Visit the post to see more chances to win, and the details of each drawing.

My book on sale...

If you check out the following sources, I have my book on sale at the following places, for a limited time:

Amazon has BJDs for Beginners listed for $20.23, with free shipping for Prime members.

I've got several copies listed on eBay, in stock, which I can sign for you. I'm listing them for $22 each, and that includes US shipping. I will be donating 25% of the final sale price to Toys for Tots.

If you'd like to take advantage of my sale here my website, I've updated the one-button checkout to receive the same $13 discount as eBay.

Feel free to ask if you've got any questions. Thanks so much!

BJDs for Beginner book sale on Amazon.com

Don't forget--pick it up while it's on sale. I can hardly get it for this price, people!

Ball-Jointed Dolls for Beginners is a great book for those considering the hobby, already in the hobby, or those who have been in the hobby as "collectors" for a while, looking to get more involved with their beloved doll.

Currently, the book is on sale for $17.24 at Amazon.com, 51% off original retail. That is fabulous! Put it on your wish list!

BJDs for Beginners - at 50% off!

Save over 50% when you buy my book through Amazon.com. For a limited time, you can purchase this $35 book for just $17.19. Prime memberships even get free shipping.

Thanks for looking!

Dolls Magazine Digital Edition - January 2012

Dolls Magazine Digital Edition - January 2012

Be sure to check out the January 2012 edition of DOLLS Magazine (and pay attention to page 8)! The book, Ball-Jointed Dolls for Beginners, has a nice little write-up in there. Woo hoo!

BJDs for Beginners - autographed copies available

Have you been waiting for a new sale for the book, Ball-Jointed Dolls for Beginners? Now's the time!

Free shipping on US orders, and only $30.00 will get you an autographed copy, personalized with your name if you specify what you'd like in the notes, now available on eBay.

International orders are welcome, too, and they will ship either first class or priority. Feel free to contact me if you've got any questions!

The books are in stock here, and I will ship within 2 business days of receiving payment. Thanks!

French manicure preview

®All rights reserved.

®All rights reserved.

I'm pleased to be able to preview pages 91-92 from the book, Ball-Jointed Dolls for Beginners. We teach you a simple way (really--it's simple!) to give your resin BJD a French manicure, using watercolor pencils and Liquitex gloss varnish. It's really easy to do, and even if you can't draw or paint, you will be able to have amazing results when you're finished.

Personally, my hands shake pretty badly, so I am not very good at drawing or painting (or coloring in the lines); but even I can do a manicure.

If this looks like something you can do, consider buying a copy of my book. About half of the book is filled with techniques like these that show you short cuts on how you, too, can customize your doll.

Through the end of July, use the code FAKRYNLB at checkout and get free standard US shipping (or a $3.59 credit toward shipping) on your order.

The book is now available on Amazon.com

We're thrilled to announce our book is now available for purchase on Amazon.com. The Look Inside feature is now available, so you can have a sneak peek as well!

Don't forget--our $5 off the retail price of $35 expires August 31, 2011, but this coupon (6MYWJBH2) only works through the CreateSpace store directly. Enter it in the coupon code space when you check out.

It's published!

BJDs for Beginners, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Hooray! It's finished, and ready to be ordered!

You can order directly through the website here and have it shipped directly to you.

The listed retail price is $35, but use the code EXB3X2RR (upon checkout) for a special $10.00 off, valid only through the end of this month (June)!

If you have any problems, please let me know. This title is for sale in the US and internationally.

You can download a rather large Preview here.