Unconventional Beauty

KYOTO20, a photo by sakanohiroyuki on Flickr.

What a lovely way to incorporate knitwear into her traditional style!

Moved! A Small Cup of Tea

I have officially moved the blog to tumblr. ^^

It took me forever to decide on a layout, which is why the huge delay (and I went to Otakon, lol).

I'm still moving over all my links. I've realized how much cross-pollination has occurred between 'ball jointed doll links' and 'artists and photographers', so I'm trying to get everything sorted in a more easy-to-reference manner.

Here is the link!

A Small Cup of Tea

Also, Moving Blog to Tumblr

After much thought, I have decided to move this blog to tumblr. I will definitely be keeping this one here for archival purposes, but I have decided that I have a greater affinity for the polished look of tumblr and the ability to more easily manipulate the html in their templates.

I'm going to be fiddling with the new site (and it's also going to be given a new name!) so please stay tuned for more updates. ^^

Not Dead Pt. 2

I don't have anything good to report - just that my newly arrived K-r turned out to be defective, and I'm never going to buy Pentax equipment again. The switch for SR on my K10D broke off and I had to get it fixed, and on this newest incarnation, the K-r's mode dial was actually broken, rendering most of the advantages of quick, preset goodness completely unreachable. My K10D was metal, heavy, solid, weathersealed, but the K-r feels like a toy in my hands (and I have small, old lady hands! XD). I returned it to the AMAZING people at Amazon (who let me return it even though it was opened, and exactly 33 days after purchase when their policy only allows for 30). I'm now waiting for it to get to their hands/from their hands to the seller's hands (I purchased used to save money).

I had no idea how much it could hurt not having a camera. I am totally blowing this thing out of proportion, but I am really feeling down without it! Even the wonderful news of my MNF Shushu's shipment doesn't quite make it through the fog. Maybe when the girl gets here she'll cooperate with me while I'm giving her a faceup so that I don't want to throw her faceplates and cry like a toddler. >< I haven't even finished 1 cosplay for Otakon (out of my 4 - one for my friend, 3 for me). I have the feeling that I won't be motivated to do much of anything because I'm too distracted by my mental whining.

I'm a mature person.

I'm Not Dead...

... just very busy! Otakon is fast approaching, and I've been doing all sorts of things to make myself busier.

I'm sewing 3 cosplays, opening a photography commission shop, my faceup shop is picking up, and I work a full time job with another part time on the way!!!! I overloaded myself for sure - I don't think I'll be posting until after Otakon!

Switch's Romantic Emerald and Models

(Note: I apologize for the large gap between the pictures and text, there is a rather large bottom border on that last one.)

From-Switch (aka SNG) has just announced release of their new 'Romantic Emerald' outfit set. The set is designed and manufactured by Uyuchagongbang, and sold through Switch's website. This is the first of their 'Switch's Ensemble' series - and if this is a sample of the sets forthcoming, I'll have to keep my debit card away from me in a guarded location.

Blinded as I was by the sheer awesomeness of the outfit itself, I did take time to note that ... wait... those are Switch heads on those girl bodies! Honestly, that shouldn't have surprised me, because, well, their main products consist of their boy heads. However, I think I was interested to see company pictures of their 'boy' heads on girl bodies. I've seen the female hybrids on DoA, but never before has the company released photos of their heads on girl bodies. It was interesting that they also see and endorse the androgyny of their sculpts, though they market all of their dolls as male.

I was also surprised by my response to the photos. I personally like girl dolls more than boy dolls, and I found myself looking up Javi because he appealed to me much more as a girl than as a boy. Yet I'd never spared two seconds for him before. If they marketed future heads as girls, would I be more interested in buying them? I have no idea.

What do you think? Does the gender of the doll that the company is marketing effect the way you view them or want to buy them later on?

Regrets

I really, really, really, really miss my Volks Kurumi. Words can't describe how stupid I feel selling her. I guess pragmatically it's still for the better - proceeds from selling the Unoa Zero will go towards furniture, and somehow I feel better about getting a Shushu and some furniture from the Zero's blood money than with Kurumi's.... but still. I should've just bit the bullet and bought the Ariadoll body for her, whether the resin would be an exact match or not......

I've never experienced such huge sales regret before. >< I never realized it could sting this much to just part with an object.

My only consolation is that I shall be getting her in the future..... someday, I think. A DP20 version that may be less yellowed (but by that time, who knows T_T).

Forsaken World

For some inexplicable reason, I randomly acquire a need to play MMORPG. This is my new addiction. I played Perfect World back in the day, and I remember liking it, so I decided to give this new on a try.... and who can resist the lolita Dwarf class? First time ever seeing a cute dwarf makes me wonder why no one's made female dwarfs cute before this....

The Website

Cadenza - The Most Beautiful Clothes in the World

I've been watching Cadenza for a while now, and it never ceases to amaze me that all of her outfits are delicate and well-coordinated pieces of art. This yo-sd dress is actually my favorite creation of hers ever posted. Each outfit retails for around $100-200, and on the second market those prices are even higher, and that's only if you can find someone willing to part with theirs.

This is only a small sample of her work. Each outfit has many more photographs that accompany its posting in a set on her blog or flickr page.

Cadenza has an Etsy shop which does not see frequent updates...

...which is wonderful for my nerves and my bank account. XD

Rolling Doll

Rolling Doll always has exquisitely dreamy outfits with delicate lace and sheer fabric detailing. The shapes are based off of sailor outfits and pretty, billowing gowns; it seems as if Rolling Doll also has some lingerie sets. RD mostly makes SD sized outfits, but there is the occasional Yo-SD outfit.

I wish I could read Japanese or Korean already, in order to have a better chance at obtaining outfits like these from Y!J auctions without a shopping service. There always seem to be such talented seamstresses and customizers overseas!

Shadowing Haven

I stumbled across Shadowing Haven's faceup and photography work while browsing through the gallery on Den of Angels. Her interestingly multi-colored faceups and shadowy photography (no pun intended) really caught my eye! ^^

I love the delicate, gothic feel of her pictures and settings, and her faceups are quite good! I believe that she is restricted from taking splits and commission work on Den of Angels for an unknown reason, so I do not have a link to commission, but it is obvious that she is quite talented. ^^ If you're interested in seeing more from her, please visit her blog here.

Cup of Tea Esthetics Shop

I'm almost open for business! The MSC just came in today. I'll be having 5 $10 faceup slots to celebrate the opening of the shop, and to build up my portfolio. I have yet to open a DoA thread, but that's coming soon (tonight or tomorrow), and my website is finished. ^^ I'll be updating the grahpics for the site over the next few days. So excited!

Here's the website: http://cupofteaesthetics.tumblr.com/

Faceup Shop in the Works

I've ordered a huge pack of MSC Flat for my faceup shop! I'll be taking commissions as soon as the cans arrive. <3 In the meantime, I'm planning out the thread and deciding on prices, etc. There will be 5 'free faceup' slots so that I can build my portfolio. This Switch Milwha head belongs to me (I got him in the New Year's Event for my birthday... self presents for the win?) and I don't have a body for him yet, but I decided to faceup him. He's definitely not supposed to be so dark and gothy. T_T But I wanted a good 'technical' example of my work, so I went with whatever was easiest for me to do.

Doll Meets

Not-so-recently, A and I went to a doll meet (that's her Lisette there, with Tryphosa). We only stayed for a short time, and it felt a little awkward. The more I go to doll meets, the more aware I get of the awkwardness that I feel at them. It's not that people are mean or foreboding; usually it's just the opposite, where everyone tries to make each other feel welcome. But I guess it's just the knowledge that I have nothing in common with them other than dolls that makes me feel falsely cheerful and kind of odd in conversation. There are some meets where it's less awkward, but those are few and far between.

I'm not sure what my concept of a meet was before I started to notice this. Maybe it was 'a gathering of friends with dolls involved', where the emphasis is on friend-making? Or perhaps it was 'a chance to see other people's dolls in real life'? That seems just as likely. I go to the Otakon doll meets, but those are just to trade or buy things, and I usually don't really find anything I love there.

What is your concept of a doll meet? Have you been to meets? Did you feel awkward as well? Do you feel at home there? Why?

New Blog!

I am definitely still keeping this one, but I made a new blog just for when I'm fooling with the Dream Selfy tool. Now I can save my Selfy dolls somewhere.... it makes me so happy!

Digital Dollhouse

CSaw Feature

I've been a huge fan of CSaw's for a while! As you can see, her photos are full of color, life and light that just radiates from the computer screen! The Thailand based photographer has a beautifully faceupped collection of Volks dolls which can be found in the sets in her Flickr, or viewed at her blog named Pastel Cottage. Robin, this Volks Miruku, really made me miss Kumiho... T_T

Her beautiful F-01 dolls also softened my originally harsh opinion of the mold with their beautiful clothes and well-done faceups. The colors in her photographs always give a serene and cheerful feeling! So refreshing (points! XD).

Her SD Lisolette makes me want one, too.... Her collection of cute girl dolls makes me die of moe! I really admire her collection and her photography! Please check her websites often for updates..... I don't post a lot, so I'll be lurking right along with you! XD

Mio (m2k Dolls)

I know that when I first started the BJD hobby, it was exciting to me that people made such exquisite and beautiful doll-sized productions of clothing. I wanted to get a doll almost solely to own clothing for it. The person that really introduced me to quality doll clothing was Mio. I had never before seen doll clothing that was so elaborate and so to-scale. Her designs were always so well-balanced in color, texture and fit. I aspired to be like her; I still dream about being able to make such amazing clothing for ball jointed dolls one day. I resolved that if I came into any flexible funds, they would go towards Mio clothing for my doll. I wanted to collect every outfit, and win every auction. My circumstances and lack of a consistent doll size didn't enable me to do that, but I had always dreamed about it.

...But now I'm hard-pressed to find even these two pictures of her splendid work. It seems that she has disappeared. Her Den of Angels account is dead, her Flickr deleted, her website gone. And she didn't just leave after finishing her last batch of orders - it seems that she took everyone's money, as well. There is a long and sad thread on Den of Angels in the Problem Transactions forum that was started in 2009, for orders not received from 2008! To my knowledge, nothing new has turned up. Try as they might to contact her, those who ordered from her last received neither their items or a refund.

She had last been contacted some time in early 2009, claiming that her father was ailing and she needed to take care of him. They gave her a lot of time to work herself out, but there was still no word. Time passed and they are still waiting for an answer. I do not think that anyone took a police action against her, as many were in different countries and their jurisdiction did not extend to Korea. My knowledge of international criminal laws is about zero, so I don't know what could've been done, but I'm sure they tried something, given that they lost several thousands of dollars collectively.

What would make such a prominent member of the bjd community just leave like that? Why did she suddenly decide to turn into a scammer? For someone who could make such exquisite clothing, and who must love dolls as much as she did, why would she disappear from her customers and the hobby? I understand personal obligations and personal conflict can be tough, but, as was mentioned in the Problems thread, emotional turmoil is not an excuse to turn to thievery.

I suppose it's a mystery that will never be solved.

Interior Design

I've been obsessing over reorganizing my living space for a while now, and I've been scouring the internet for pictures of very small apartments with very fresh interiors. I came across a blog called 'Deco Photo Blog' in my net travels. The pictures are airy and light, and each house/apartment is given tourist treatment, with every room pictured as if you were going on a virtual tour. I can't read the text, because it's in a different language, but the pictures are enough for me.

This Narae

...I need her (stole her picture from Andreja on DoA). Her owner has put her up for sale on the Marketplace and I really do absolutely love her. Maybe this is real dolly love? Lol. She would look so good with the Shushu and Tryphosa, too. I'm thinking she might be Leathie Rivers from my novel! Maybe, maybe not?

EDIT: Turns out not. I had a bit of trouble with her current owner, and I really don't want to go through with the transaction because it seems like it will be unpleasant for the both of us. I decided to try to give my Shushu the same expression, and hopefully it'll work out better that way. I bet I wouldn't like the Narae body anyway *tries to console self*

Doll Rooms - Keera and Flickr Group!

I was browsing through Andreja's flickr, and I noticed that she had won some kind of amazing lati-sized diorama from an auction. Wondering from whence this delightful creation came, I followed a few links and found myself at Keera's flickr and website. Keera is a talented doll artist - the term is really general, but it's the best I could think of to encompass her broad range of skills and talents. She makes miniature foods and sews all of the covers, pillows, drapes, etc. herself. The little books, the notes strewn over the desk like real notes would be, the cutlery, dishes, everything in these well-put-together little scenes are made by her!

In addition to making these amazing dioramas, she paints pictures of blythes and also customizes blythe dolls to put up for auction.

...And if all that wasn't enough, she sews Lati Yellow-sized clothing and puts them up for sale on her Etsy from time to time.

While digging around to find more mini rooms by Keera, I found a group on flickr named 'The Ultimate Doll Interiors' which is aptly titled. You'll find Keera's works and tons of similarly amazing mini-room artists, each with their own style in interior decoration!