Angel Egg Resin Dolls by Marmite Sue

So it looks like some serious issues with the current batch of dolls- has anyone had an update recently (or received their doll?) I know AE dolls are always delayed, but am starting to get a little worried about whether the new orders will ever be finished.

 

No news for me. I've been checking her blog but haven't seen any updates. I'm also getting a little worried. My girl is supposed to be in the second batch and the first batch hasn't even been finished

 

Mine was in the first batch- last I heard, she was expecting to correct the issues and ship before the end of the year. But I haven't seen any updates. It's terrible that the flaws didn't show up until after she had painted them, I feel bad for Eli, I hope the project doesn't get scrapped. I'd rather have a flawed doll than none at all...

 

How awful! All that hard work & when she was almost finished *poof* I really hate to hear that. I'm with you; rather a doll with some flaws than no doll. I assume if she does stop working on them we'll get refunds, but I'd really rather have the doll

 

I didn't order one of these new dolls since I already have one of her resins and happy with just that. I wasn't sure if I liked this new product she was doing so thought I would wait until others had got their dolls. What is this problem? I hadn't heard anything about there being flaws after she painted them. How horrible for her after all that work. When I ordered my doll from her I found her to be very nice and cooperative so I am sure she will refund money or make you a new doll. Maybe if she decides this new stuff she is making the dolls out of does not work she will go back to resin dolls.

 

Well I emailed her and she was so kind and gracious in her reply- she hasn't given up, she is working on the dolls now and says she will not disappoint us or send a flawed doll (I had suggested that would be okay with me) - what a relief!

I know art is a process and can't be rushed- plus it is just her making the dolls and painting them, which takes time and inspiration- and of course they are mixing the slip by hand for the latest batch.

I think all of her new products have had pretty lengthy delays- but it is true she has always come through- and of course the wait will be worth it-

She really is such a creative artist- she is always doing something new with her dolls-

 

Maybe what would be easier for everyone is in the future if she made a few dolls up ahead of time and after they have passed her seal of approval then she says they are for sale and then you send money. I don't like sending money for something I have to wait too long for. Of course this may not work for people who what something different in painting but for those of them who want a doll as shown this would work better. I have always had a problem sending money for dolls that are not anywhere near ready. I have waited 6 months for a doll and I didn't like that. It was supposed to be a shorter period of time so that was part of the problem. When I ordered my Angel Egg resin doll I didn't wait long as it was a doll she had decided to sell at the last minute and was basically almost ready plus I didn't' get it painted.

 

My guess for why this rarely happens with any doll artist- is that they need money first to buy the materials they need to make the doll. I like the idea in principal, but whenever Marmite Sue ha dolls available in advance, they sell out instantly and I can't get near them. So at least signing up for a really long list for a brand new product- made it more likely I'd get something

 

Yes I was thinking that after my comment. I just hate handing the entire amount over when I am not getting a doll for a long time, Maybe what an artist should do is ask for half of the money upfront and then when the doll is done get the other half. And the waiting should be in a timely manner. I really don't feel it is our responsibility to be supporting any artist while they are still working on the item. In the real world no one pays for something upfront and then gets their product months or even a year later. For some reason BJD companies have been expecting us to wait for a long time when they have our money and we have no doll. I am not pointing fingers but it just seems to be the trend, in the case of Marmite Sue this is something a little different as she is working with a product that is new and she has run into problems, from what I know about her she will correct the problem but it still isn't easy for anyone waiting, I am glad I didn't order a doll. I am not a patient person, and never will be.

 

Well, I paid half for my doll & will pay the other half when she ships. I think folks who paid in full are the first group to go out, so I'll be in the second batch. I'm confident I'll get my doll but I really wish things will get sorted for Eli and she can work out whatever problems she's having. I wonder how many orders she has for the new dolls? I think this new material might be more temperamental than regular porcelain, causing delays. I knew there'd be a long wait, and I knew this was a brand new material so I can't complain that it's taking so long. Well, I can complain but it won't make any difference, lol!

 

Well I am impatient too- but I can understand the system and don't begrudge an artist requiring payment in advance. I think BJDs are more like commissioned art than one of a kind unique pieces- which you do generally pay in advance or make a substantial downpayment on. Even for furniture- I know that we paid for our sofa before they made it and sent it to us.

This is usually a good idea for several reasons 1) it provides funds for materials 2) it ensures that the artist isn't wasting valuable time and resources making something that might never sell 3) it prevents people from flaking out on the artist

Poor Eli in this case- she had already painted all of the dolls in the first batch and evidently there was an iron contaminant in the slip that didn't show up until the second firing. It must have been devastating for her since the dolls were not salvageable and the slip had to be hand-mixed again.

I am not concerned with the delay (art takes time, patience and inspiration truly can't really be rushed- you do NOT want your doll painted by an artist who is not feeling it) - more so I was concerned that the set-back was so devastating that she wouldn't be able to afford to start again or be too disheartened. But after getting her email, she is still full steam ahead and the first batch of dolls are evidently going to be ready soon. I can't wait!

 

I sure hope she hadn't done too many dolls before she found this out. I wouldn't have wanted to be in the room when she realized they would all have to be garbaged especially since they were painted. That is really awful for her. I am sure there were a few tears spilled, at least I would have. I bet her next batch will be smaller and just paint one doll first. It is nice for her everyone is being so understanding and patient. Much better than People getting mad at her.

 

I know the painting was done on the dolls, and she said that the flecks were everywhere, so not even a single limb could be salvaged. How sad is that? I think my heart would have broke if it had happened to me. She did admit it was a shock and she is trying to forget about it and move forward- poor thing! She really is so incredibly creative, I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

 

So were the dolls OK before painting, you said it was iron in the slip. Maybe it was in the paint. I sure hope the next batch works out. If it doesn't she might give up. She must have done it OK before so this next one should be right.

 

She said it was a contaminant from the mixing equipment which was metal- something about that was mixing with the slip. Apparently the flaws were not visible until the post paint firing. She was afraid any other mixing equipment might do the same thing after a couple of rounds- so they have been mixing the slip by hand and "working around the clock" to recast everything.

I am impressed at her spirit for not giving up in despair- I don't know what I would have done if the dolls I had been working on for months- which were already a bit late but nearly done- were suddenly ruined requiring starting completely over. I wish I could help her actually!

 

She needs some strong helpers mixing the slip. I hope she has someone helping out and giving her moral support. I do sewing, quilting, a little customizing on Blythes, etc. and making stuff for my dolls, etc. and I know how I get really involved with my work and if little things go wrong I am upset. I like my stuff perfect. I can't even imagine how she is feeling.

 

Oh, poor Eli! That must have been a shock and a devastating blow after so much hard work. I admire her spirit to carry on....I would be tempted to throw in the towel after something like that.

 

I know, me too. That is actually why I contacted her again- I mean, that is a really devastating thing, not to mention expensive. I was thinking that if she was really in a bind and couldn't afford to refund the cost of the dolls or really proceed- I'd be happy to just take a flawed doll. Truly, I don't want to push a talented artist under trying to struggle to fill doll orders. But she said they (I think there is another person who helps her out - not sure if it is an employee or a partner- does anyone know?) that they had been working round the clock to remake the dolls- and she is to the point of painting the first batch of dolls now- so I am relieved she didn't give up.

But yeah, poor thing, I want to give her a hug or fly over and help mix the slip. That has got to be exhausting.

 

I wonder if Eli's Dad is helping, since he was instrumental in developing this new ceramic material with her? I wish she would share a photo of the damaged dolls. Who knows, some might still be able to find beauty in them...no one is more critical than the artist herself. If that were the case, she may be able to sell them at a discount and at least recoup some of her loss.

 

I've noticed most artists don't like to post pictures of their failures- I think I can understand that, Eli has the Marmite Sue "brand" or image to maintain after all.

I bet it is her dad helping out, although I didn't ask.