BJD Orbyrarium Discussion Thread

All you lovely people who love this book make me want it! *facepalms* No extra money to speak of: If I did buy it I'd be dipping into my funds for my boy, so I'm a little less than willing ^_^; But congrats to everyone involved, and (hopefully) one day I'll get it.

((I always have this irrational fear that if I don't get a book immediately thats come out that's not being kept in major book stores, then when I do have the money for it, there won't be any available copies. Silly, I know *sighs* ))

 

Too cool. Thanks biscuitbear.

Nicole

 

I assume all of our books were packaged the same?

My copy arrived 'wearing' a durable, thick see-thru plastic book protector (well-fitted, I might add)....that was slid into a thin cardboard box and sealed....and that was slid into a manilla envelope and sealed.

Each page is suitable for framing...gorgeous glossy paper!

I immediately went online and ordered another for a Christmas present. Don't tell Pippagirl. shhhhhhhhhhh!!

 

I think the earlier books sent out did not have the cardboard box, which is why some were damaged in shipping.

Mine arrived OK--but didn't have the box, anyway!

 

Sebastion, that's not an irrational fear~~ or if it is, then that's what drove MEEE to order the book!!!

I thought--what the heck...at least I'll get my name on the waiting list for it.

Four days later, my copy arrived 0_0. I didn't even open it for several days because I thought it was just a phone book!!

 

I finally obtained this book a couple of weeks ago and I was pleasantly surprised to find all sorts of customization instructions, with pictures, in the back. I know a lot of the same info has been posted or linked on the forums here, but you have to gallivant around the web to find it, and in some cases I had additional questions that did or did not get answered based on whether anyone happened to notice the thread.
I was particularly happy to see the diagrams about how to pierce using just the drill point and not the Dremel. I have a Dremel but had wondered how best to control it when trying to use it on the dolls. The method in the book makes a lot more sense.

I thought the book was just going to be basically a coffee-table book with pictures of different dolls but all this useful information makes me really, really glad I bought it. I would recommend it to anyone who is just starting out to do their own customizations.

 

OMG!!!!!!! Mine finally arrived JUST NOW!!!!( Am busy at the mo), but what I've seen( couldn't resist a flick through), looks BL**DY AMAZING!!!!!!
PLUS my new boy Soom Rian ( Xmas prezzie from Hubby* LOVE*), arrived as well....SO;
HAPPY CHRISTMAS .....MEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
* EDIT* Well, I've had a chance to look through it, and I think it's really lovely! There's something in it for everyone, and it IS a great coffee table book....
So next time someone asks you:'So what ARE BJD's then?'...Just hand over the book....explains everything....

 

Hey folks, I know this is an old thread and I've been keeping up with it but I just had to say that I finally ordered my own copy of the BJD Orbyrarium. I simply cannot wait for it to arrive!

 

really love this book and am not sorry I bought it but, I bought mine for the patterns the way I buy most BJD publications.

I forgot that every pattern I have tried from Haute Doll has had something wrong with it. Their sewing editor must be brain dead.

The darling pattern for the Liebchen has no instructions for the hat, skirt or boots. It is also missing the pattern piece or measurements for the flounces on the skirt. Is there anyone who has tried to make this pattern? If so, how did it come out?

I really want to try the one Knitted dress there. My yarn shop did not have an appropriate yarn so I will be searching on the internet.

 

I'm glad you enjoyed the book, and I'm sorry that you've had problems with some of the patterns. Each pattern is the responsibility of the person who provided it (the seamstress) Haute Doll is not able to check each pattern by making it.
Most of the seamstresses/patternmakers are members on DoA, so if you have a problem or questions about a particular pattern, you can probably find help here (I'd be happy to help you find the member, etc.)

 

I have a copy of the BJD Orbyrarium, I will be honest, for me I found it to be more a 'pretty book to look at' than really containing anything I found truly useful. Though I do have alot of experience with creating and making things I guess in reality, it would appeal to those that have really limited knowledge, but for the most part I don't feel it was money well spent, other than to look at pretty photos. I cannot comment on the patterns and such as they didn't really appeal to me either (plus I make my own patterns so the idea of using someone else's really isn't up my alley)

I am however glad that there is an english source out there for those that are wanting to learn about bjd but really there is more useful information that is freely available on the internet on boards like this one, and on individual webpages.

 

with all the tutorials and step by step instructions... I find it hard to think that most people would find it to be only pretty to look at,... it seems to me that even someone advanced could learn something from the artists who shared their work methods... but I'm sorry that you didn't find it to be useful.

 

Hi Group!!!

Aimee has covered this very well, but I must admit I am brain dead when it comes to sewing. I do edit all instructions as they are submitted for grammar and punctuation, but there is no way we can make each outfit from the patterns. We rely on our contributors to send patterns in a way that they can be resized for publication as it is not practical to be able to print them at 100%.

That being said, my layout person makes every effort to check the scale and enlargement instructions for the patterns. I do not know what happened with the SD and MSD kimono pattern. She said she double checked it and it was correct. Obviously something is amiss.

We intend to upload the corrected pattern on our website. Our website person--Charlene-- has been out of the office due to the death of her father. We will make the pattern available as soon as possible--hopefully next week.

We are a small publishing firm. If someone would like to volunteer to be our pattern editor, I would welcome them with open arms. We do the best we can and if the patterns are not useful or done right, and we cannot correct the problem, we will leave them out. We feel we offer a good product with or without the patterns.

As far as the BJD Orbyrarium goes, we are proud of the product we came out out--with the help of many of you on this board. If you do not find it worth the money, I can understand. Everyone has different needs and different ways to spend their hard earned money. I would love to do this again from the vantage point of having done it once and finding ways to make it better. It is doubtful this will happen--but you never know. Print media is a tough business and very expensive---and you all know---from the comments here, that is is impossible to please everyone.

Thanks for all your support and, especially, all of your help and contributions. I wish you all the very best in 2007. Happy New Year!!

Love,
KarenC
Truly brain dead with patterns!!

 

Well, I guess since I didnt buy mine for the patterns, it's not surprising that I am more than happy with it.

It is a lovely resource! I love that it didn't focus solely on one facet of the BJD world, i.e.. customizing, sewing, faceups, or only one or two companies. The spotlights on particular designers were an intriguing addition as well. The photo choices were fantastic and really showcased the beauty that is possible with these lovely dolls. I was also impressed that the clothing styles represented weren't all punk or lolita because as cute as these fashions are, they do seem to overrun all the other styles in availability.

From what I had read, I wasn't expecting this level of quality. I was very happy with it. My only criticism is that it feels as if the pages will fall out.

Overall, I think it was more than worth the money.

 

Hi Lesree,

I used the concept of the three tiered skirt fo make one for my Kira. I couldnot use the pattern given as Kira is not the same size as Liebchen. I am waiting for La Promesse. I used a pattern for a circle skirt which I knew would fit her and then just shortened each tier. It was very easy to do this. I initially printed the skirt pattern out three times and then cut the skirt pattern, after adjusted the length of each tier by eye so that each was a shorter version of the previous one and looked good together. Then all three were sewn together with a waist band. I think the top tier came out too short (see picture below) but I will fix that when I redo it. I used a very lightweight fabric for this skirt. I would have done the same thing using the pattern in the book.

Here is a picture of my Kira in skirt and sweater.



The sweater was made using the tunic pattern in the book from Biscuitbear, again I had to modify it for a bigger doll. I also purchased yarn to make the pink fluff dress for a Unoa, (I will be using it for Liebchen who is the same size, as Unoa). Biscuitbear had listed a site which carries the yarn. Although the site is in Belgium, it was easy to order from and the wool was shipped within 48 hours. Let me know if that is the dress you plan on making and I can send you the info. Be happy to help with modifying the skirt pattern for you as well.

 

I got my book at a local doll store for about 20 bucks

 

Ok,

after my book getting lost in the mail Haute doll was so nice about sending me a new one. I recived it a week ago. And I must say I haven't put it down since. I love it. And I have a number of things bookmarked to try out as soon as I have some extra time.

I will have to order another one to keep on the bookshelf.

Nicole

 

Does anyone know where I can get the 1/2" thick foamcore that the Creating Wall Blocks tut calls for. I live in New York.

Thanks

Nicole

 

Any craft store should have it. Give Pearl Art Supply a call.

 

Thanks. I tried so many places and everyone was like how thick? LOL

Nicole