Not sure if anyone is interested, but I just found out completely unexpectedly that Dollmore are offering free shipping this month. As you may know, ABJDs aren't my cup of tea - BUT this company also makes a relatively affordable 12'' doll in ABS plastic which has more fashion doll-like properties, except ball-jointed, and which has been on my imaginary wish list for the last year or so. I figure at some point I should probably own a proper ball-jointed doll, to see how they work and learn about stringing and things, and this one seems like a good 1/6 option.
I'm not sure yet if I'll be able to squeeze this into my doll budget (excluding pretty much everything else) before the month ends, but I hope so. You can get the body without a head too, so I'll probably do that and maybe keep an eye out for future promoes in case I decide I really want the head. Otherwise I'll try to find another head for it, although I'm not sure how the connector would work or if any of my floating heads would fit the style, not to mention the complexion. Trying to match skin tones from various photos is really frustrating, and with an investment like that I don't want to guess, so I decided to be clever and order two pairs of flat feet - which I'll need anyway - in each skin tone. Of course I'll end up with a pair of feet I don't need, but it's better than picking one blindly. Plus I ordered a bunch of tiny S-hooks which I haven't been able to find in hardware stores and which I'm certainly not going to pay x10 times their price in shipping for.
ETA: found some comparison pics of the 12'' Gem doll and Barbie. I'm not sure, but going by the outfit she comes in I think that's the doll with the darker skin tone (which is considerably lighter than most Barbies, like with Obitsu).
Personally, I enjoy looking at sale items even when I have no intention of buying. It expands my world with minimal pressure to actually do anything about anything, but also lessened pain if I'm utterly captivated.
ReplyDeleteI wish doll sellers of all stripes would go to a system of posing dolls with paint chip strips close to the skin tone and identifying the chip. There'd still be a certain level of fuss in trying to find the right chip strip, but at least it'd be a somewhat standard reference point, rather than guessing from photos.
That would be great, they could just give you the Pantone number or something. But different materials will still look different due to the light etc...
DeleteWindowshopping is fun, but it also guarantees you'll always have a long wishlist when you get money! :P
Thanks for the heads up! These dolls are beautiful, but not within my budget right now. I have not dabbled in the ball jointed doll world yet, but I cannot deny that they are quite intriguing. You do have me thinking though!
ReplyDeleteYeah, the price is one of the things that's kept me from BJDs. Not sure yet if I'll make the leap yet, but like you I'm getting curious to finally see what they're all about. :)
DeleteThanks for the heads-up! Time for a shopping spree! ;)
ReplyDeleteALways time for a shopping spree! Well, the imaginary kind at least...
DeleteThese are lovely. Pity the two I like the best are sold out (although that really saves me from temptation). I've noticed more and more BJD companies releasing 12" fashion type figures now - maybe because it's cheaper, maybe because they've realised that so many of us enjoy playing with them and it's an easier size to manage.
ReplyDeleteReally? That's good news! Ball-jointed or not, personally I can't imagine switching to the larger scale dolls.
DeleteI LOVE the posing on the Czech-language page. The figures look like they are dancing ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe Dollmore site was fun to look at. Kudos for them having playscale figures ...
It's definitely more interesting than just having the dolls propped up against the backdrop, although I wish there were more comparison shots of the range of motion of the legs.
DeleteYeah, playscale for me too, please. Nobody would be happier than me if more 1/6 bjds are being produced, like Carrickters said.