Ball Joint Dolls

5Star Doll Becca

I ordered through Denver Doll Emporium's awesome layaway program a 5Star Doll Becca in gray resin, without a faceup.

She arrived last week, and here are some highlights of the photos I took of her "de-boxing".  

She is a lovely grey resin.  It's a light clor, and the resin is very smooth.  There are no seam lines to worry about on this doll, so when I go to do her body blushing and faceup, I won't have to do any sanding first.

She also came dressed in a bra and panties, instead of "nekkid", which I thought was a nice extra.

She came very tightly strung, which is good and bad.  Good because she will pose well immediately out of the box, but because her head was not installed by the factory, it caused me a little grief when I tried to attach her head.  There will be pics to come of that outcome, but suffice it to say, attaching the head will be a two person job for me, because I don't have the strength on my own to stretch the elastic enough while simultaneously getting the head and the S hook into the correct position.

For the base price of $248, plus modest shipping from Denver Doll Emporium, I am extremely pleased with this purchase.  For this price, I feel much braver attempting a full faceup and body blushing on my own.

The doll came with light purple eyes, which with the grey just aren't quite dark enough.  They will do for now, however, until I can order a new set of 16mm eyes from the Etsy seller I've purchased two sets from already.

Stay tuned for more photos on my progress.  I am doing this mostly for my benefit, but also in case anyone else may be able to learn from my mistakes as I go along.  :)

I have a ton more pictures here:  Picture Gallery

New Doll!!

Darn day job means I only have time to look longingly at the box, and post a pic of it waiting for the attention it deserves.

But I have a new lovely to consume my attention. She is a 5Star Doll Becca 2 BJD in grey resin, without a factory faceup. I will be trying my hand at full customization with this doll. I am nervous, but more excited than anything.

I will post a proper photo set this weekend. I will also document my progress in doing her faceup, mostly for my records but also in case anyone else may find it interesting.

Now I have to resist diving into this new project until I have a good amount of time (and more importantly, energy and brain power) to devote. :D

Tonner's Basic Patsy #4 Auburn Doll Has Arrived!

I kept my dignity when the UPS driver arrived late this afternoon, mostly because I was still working when the driver pulled up, and my hubby received the package.  I still kept my dignity when my hubby brought the doll into my home office.  I kept my inner kid's jumping in excitement all internal.  I didn't even pull a muscle from the effort that took.  :D

I already have a Tonner Patsy, the 2013 New Year doll.  I adore her.  But she has a different personality than the new Patsy Basic #4.  It's mostly in the eyebrows, but their makeup palettes are slightly different, and their wigs make them look like cousins, rather than identical twins.

Basic #4 comes in a short bob wig (mine is auburn) with a white hair bow.  She has a pink outfit consisting of a tank top and bloomers.  The tank top closes with snaps in the back.  She also has socks, and little shoes with straps and tiny seed bead buttons.  The shoes come on and off easily, but I think the tiny buttonhole will quickly wear if I choose to swap her shoes frequently.

Basic #4's wig is definitely glued to her head securely, where New Year Patsy's wig, although listed as being glued, came as if she were designed to easily swap wigs.  The little auburn bob style gives her a young appearance, while New Year's long curls make her look a little older.

I may want to swap Basic #4's wig eventually, and when I do it will take me patience and work to get free.  However, in the meantime I'll not have to worry about her wig slipping on her head just when I get her in the perfect pose!

I compared Basic #4 to Ann Estelle, and to my Bambicrony Lottie dolls.  Basic #4 stands about ten inches tall, roughly the same as Ann Estelle and the BJD Bambicroy Lottie.

You can also see that the skin tones between the two Patsy dolls are slightly different, even though both are listed to have the "cameo" skin tone.  It's barely noticeable, but Basic #4 is just a shade darker in skin tone. 

Basic #4 also has a slightly worried look, compared to New Year's more optimistic eyebrown arch.  Both are still extremely sweet, but definitely have different personalities as a result.  New Year seems more confident, and maybe even a little more mature. 

Both of their eyes are inset, and have a green hazel tone.  I definitely love Basic #4's eyes with her hair color!

Basic #4's knee joints also give her extra posing options.  I hope we will one day see a child doll like this with elbow joints, as well, because there's only so many poses you can put her in with stiff arms, but those knee joints are flexible!  Look at her pose!

For the base price of $89.99, Patsy Basic #4 is worth every penny.  If you have the funds, I recommend you snap one up now while they are still in stock.  Once they sell out, the eBay prices are going to sky rocket.

Patsy can easily swap clothes with Ann Estelle.  With the BJD Bambicrony Lottie doll, the swap will be trickier, because the BJD is skinnier.  But props like furniture will definitely work for all.  This is a great size to work with, being big enough to find props and make clothing without too much trouble or cost (unless you choose to go all out), but not so big that you can't display them on a bookshelf. 

Be sure to check out my gallery, which has a lot more pictures!

New Eyes Make A Brand New Look

My little Bambicrony Lottie doll, Sofia, got a new pair of eyes from that awesome Etsy seller, CandyKittensEmporium. They are 14mm in Kiwi Kandy.


Her original blue eyes gave her a soft and innocent expression. These new green eyes make her look mischievous, and slightly otherwordly.


Definitely worth the less than $20 (including shipping!)