Doll Plans 2023

Never too late! Plenty of us are still making and changing plans. (I'm here to fix up my list too.) Also welcome~

I THINK this will be my last update this year? (who am i kidding, i know this hobby)

I have all my previous orders and i am DELIGHTED with all of it~

Added a doll to my "to sell" list; he's incredibly frustrating and there's really no way he'll work for my plans if he's so poorly constructed, which is sad because he LOOKS beautiful. Not meant to be. Also sold one of the dolls previously on that list to a friend for one of her favourite characters and she seems to be delighted with him, so i think that's a win-win~

I reshuffled my vinyl plans so i can get more of my resin priorities; the next four are no longer Souldoll, but Dream Valley, Withdoll, and LUTS. The two Dream Valley heads will be coming home this year, and hopefully if i can move those other dolls i can get their bodies too.

I also decided eventually... at the end of my list... i want ONE SD-scale Dollfie Dream. (But that's not this year, that'll be a long ways down the line.)

SO the list as it stands:

1. this year: two DV heads, bodies if i can sell things
2. better list of priorities for AFTER this year including:

• a Withdoll head
• a body (for the Withdoll head if the Souldoll hybrid i'm planning doesn't work, or for the head currently on that souldoll body if it does)
• one full LUTS doll
• one DZ doll (still deciding if i love the head)
• (probably more to come, i know myself)
• three full vinyl dolls including
  • one DD body (to hybrid with a head i already have, whose body will get one of the Parabox character heads)
  • two Parabox girl heads plus one full boy doll from them
  • a body i haven't decided on yet for the remaining head

​

The list always grows. Luckily for the most part the changes i've decided on are SLIGHTLY less painful for my wallet, but there's always more.

 

1. I want to finish my l-bi up completely (wig, eyes, and face up by me and most clothes bought or perhaps sewn by me) before this year ends. He also needs his clothing style figured out, so that will be some trial and error until I achieve something I like. Personality wise, he has been figured out though!
   
   
2. There is a plan for another unoa project next year, maybe a brother for my l-bi ~ I enjoy the idea of sibling rivalry, and was thinking of the elder brother dolls for that. It really depends though, as I do not see the brother dolls pop up at all.

 

I'm focusing on getting the girls I currently own finished before purchasing anyone else. I'm almost done getting the last girl's face up done. I still need to find a wig for one and clothe both of them though.

 

I just saw my previous post where I said I would like to not buy anymore dolls... I've bought no less than three this year. Oops...

Well, now the plan is to stop buying, because I'm not sure I can afford any new dolls anyway for the rest of the year, (money is spoken for,) and I need to take care of all the new ones coming in. The dreaded "running out of room" is beginning to happen here. Let's hope I can keep it up this time.

 

1. Welp the sculpt came and went and I saw it for sale and felt... nothing. Oh well, easier for the wallet.

2. I am in love with Leonie's new wig. First wig I can't bring myself to take off a doll's head, even with the threat of staining. She also doesn't have any new dresses, I talked myself out of it. I might get a rain coat because I live in rain city and it would be cute.

3. Progress on the Peppermint front! I am really intrigued by Luts KDF Maneul. Now if only I could get those elf ears in purple/grey/pink...

I gotta go visit my family on the other side of the continent, so I doubt I'll be making any more doll purchases this year.

 

Updates:

• Finished faceups for this year, on probably the very last day that the weather was suitable. Which I think was the case last year as well, though that time I did decide to leave at least one of the faceups for this year, so I guess I did a bit better this time at least. And even though I had to hurry again I don't feel like I burnt myself out on dolly stuff this time, but nonetheless, I hope next year I'll finally remember that although July is in summer, it tends to be rainy, so I really should try to start working on these projects in June at the latest. Oh, and I did indeed redo Nephele, the mystic kids vanetta character, Dahlia, and on top of that also Octavia, Peregrine, and the extra Impldoll Leona head I've had for a while as I finally realized who she's going to be.
• No progression on doll completions. Even though I could get this done simply by deciding which buttons to use on a skirt for Anise and sew them on...
• I did take and upload pictures of April and Kerry with the thought that some of them would be excellent profile pictures, however, have yet to get around to actually do the doll profiles for them or anyone else for that matter, but I'm still somewhat optimistic that I'll get this done as it doesn't require physical energy.
• I realized not that many characters had actually changed that much after all, all I really had to do was update some album descriptions and titles as some had changed names.
• I've been doing a lot of organizing, and I think I've finally found the ideal system for me. I'm particularly happy with how the most difficult stuff, accessories, are now stored. Most of them are now in a 3-layer storage thingy that's actually meant for sewing supplies. The top layer has spiky things meant for holding spools which turned out to be great for holding all the neck ruffles/collars/chokers and so on, and the 2 other layers have 6 decently sized slots each that were perfect for organizing hair and clothing accessories (like, the stuff that's attached with safety pins or something).
• Have continued writing the story, been having a break from it recently though but writing it has definitely turned into a yet another hobby for me so I've no doubt I'll be continuing it once the weather is more tolerable (my brains really don't handle the heat well).
• Haven't bought new dolls, however as I mentioned earlier I finally realized who the impldoll extra head is going to be, so I'm now planning on buying a new body. Not for her though, but for the head that she stole the body from. As the body will be for an older character that I'm not inspired about atm I don't feel hurried to order it this year, however if I end up having the funds for it this year I won't be holding myself back from it.
• No progression on the furniture making front.
• I bought more apoxie sculpt and uhh... there was an attempt on the ears. I was able to mix a color that was good enough that I wouldn't have had to paint them to match the doll's skin tone better, but that color mixing was the only thing that wasn't an utter failure. I'll have a go at them again eventually, thankfully I actually kinda prefer if they weren't movable/jointed, so the way I'm intending to try to do them next time should probably work out. Will have to buy more magnets though.
  
• Haven't done any wigs yet, but I think I'll start working on the blue one I had mentioned soon, as the character it will be for now has a face (for some reason I find wigs hard to do when the face is blank).
• Ditched the diorama in a closet plan, because I realized that yep, as much as I like the idea of a permanent diorama, I don't enjoy it in reality. And when I took those pictures of April and Kerry with a temporary backdrop I found myself enjoying setting it up, so there really just is no point in making a permanent one.

All in all, yay, I've done way more than I had actually anticipated to this year, and it's still just August. There's actually a chance I'll finish all I had planned. Though granted, completely abandoning the diorama project basically cut the needed effort to finish everything at least by half, buuut I'm going to ignore that fact now.

 

1. Buy Dollzone Bodhisattva (was a grail) - completed. Fortunately I bought it! Probably for me she is an ideal doll and friend.
2. Buy the 2nd head of Dollzone Bodhisattva Half Open Eyes Version - unfortunately not.
3. Sewing more - so far not, although I really want to.
4. Buy Doll Chateau Hubery (Grail) and DollChateau Medusa - unfortunately no ((
5. Learning to photograph - no
6. Make a wig not from synthetics, but from goat hair - the other day.
7. Buy/make everyone shoes - unfortunately not.
The year has not yet been completed, I have time =)

 

End of August check-in. I've updated my original post (quoted above), and also wrote a mid-year review of my Doll Plans on my blog.

After buying my grail doll (and an unplanned doll) in June, somehow, the temptations to buy new resin have dropped off, and I'm feeling quite contented with my crew. No new releases have swayed me out of this contentment... yet.

Finally made a move on using my DSLR camera more, and I used it to shoot a big chunk of this photostory. My goal is to shoot 3 more photoshoots using the DSLR over the next 4 months - I think this is doable. I also will sit down to learn some photography principles soon.

I was trying to pick up sewing and made a few things in July... but I wasn't able to gain traction on this. On the other hand, I DID get the itch to practice faceups again, and have dived in with gusto. So sewing is gonna have to wait - I'm now practicing faceups, and have a few more aesthetics/modding goals in mind, including repain the faceups of 2 of my dolls.

I'm glad that some goals on the backburner are now taking front stage and I'm making progress on them.

 

I mainly plan to craft and organize my collection , sell the unwanted stuff and do all the things I wanted with my dolls and be more active with the hobby

 

Checking in on past goals -

Goals:

• Finish setting up their little cabinet cubbies (wallpaper, some wall decor and props, furniture, etc.) - lots of progress / almost done! I can add props, but the majority of the work is taken care of
• Faceup my blank floating heads - 1 head is better than none... will see if I get around to the others
• Sell a couple dolls and bodies that I've been holding onto - done!
• Sell some clothings / wigs, probably mostly in-person because I'm too lazy to list and mail stuff - no real progress here
• Buy a little rebel andre? and maybe a delf arwen. Both dolls I've wanted for 5+ years - likely not this year. I'm not sure I want too many new dolls after acquiring a couple already this year
• Snatch up any old CP Delfs whose sculpts I like XD - done I've acquired a dreaming lishe head, a delf moon, and a breakaway head after seeing great deals
• Do a bit of maintenance and restring old dolls, replace old wigs, get some refreshed clothing and wigs - in progress
• Go to meetups - yes!!!

 

And it's a big fail for the "only three new dolls for 2023"! Well, we discussed about it and we agreed that we can buy more dolls it we sold some before. But... anyway, I bought more than three dolls already.

For the tattoos, it's ok! I painted a doll in 2023 first months, so I'm happy no matter what else I will do!

 

Time for a check in...

1) Make each of my dolls a unique complete outfit
Having some luck on this front. I've got an outfit for my Dollmore girl and have been drafting patterns for my MSDs. The warmer weather is a good motivator to change outfits too. So far that's 2 outfits done out of 11 but hopefully the upcoming holidays in my state will give me the time.

2) Properly sort out storage for wigs/eyes/clothes etc
Some progress made on this front – I now have a Wig Box, Maintenance/Faceup tool Box and Clothes Box, though the clothes box is rapidly filling up...

3) Get the materials to try my own faceups
Some progress made – I've started gathering the cleaning supplies, and my paints and pastels from Volks have arrived. Once my practice head gets here, it'll be time to get a respirator and some MSC.

4) Start on a doll diorama section of my room
Slow progress on this front. I did find a nice to-scale display cupboard and have plans for a campsite diorama.

5) Give all my dolls a proper and thorough clean
6) Learn to restring dolls so I can fix the floppy ones and suede them if need be
These two go together! After experimenting with hand switching (I will never take the Volks one touch system for granted) I've ordered some forceps. At least my Volks dolls come with instruction manuals. My poor Hound and SDC Miko are so floppy they can't stand. Elastic and restringing tools are going on next paycheck's shopping list.

All in all, some progress, but a lot of valuable trial and error. Even if I don't have as much time to spend with my dolls as I'd like, I enjoy sewing for them and maintaining them.

 

I've bought a couple this year that I am in love with but hoping I can buy a couple others I saw too. I intend to shell some characters, but it's a long list between males and females.
I plan on actually dressing a few dolls too. Working on finding proper outfits and accessories is a bit harder than I imagined. Space is a huge killer too but I am not letting it stop me.

I have maybe two or three other dolls I want to get this year if money allows it, as well as grabbing other items. Hoping to save enough since a couple of them has huge shipping price tags sadly.

 

So far I'm holding strong in terms of not buying dolls.

I have one doll room completed, and another close enough to finish. I haven't finished three of the ensembles I set out to do, but at least those dolls have more than underwear on.

 

I've only recently returned to DOA actively so I thought I'd go ahead and answer this question even though it is late in the year. I've spent what some might consider an obscene amount on the hobby and still it thrills me after being here for over a decade. That is pretty special. I love the combination of using all sorts of areas of creativity and the fun of admiring what other amazingly talented people do with their doll worlds.
I will put it out here, trying to make the decision weightier in my inner child (NO never!)
....and ADULT ego (you MUST choose some to sell!!) ~B*A*T*T*L*E~

mORe SIMPLY put: my plans (promise to myself) = I will put at least a few out for sale.

 

End of October update. I got a lot done since my last update in August!

With resin no-buy... The two floating heads I bought in June arrived earlier this month, and I preordered a body for one of these heads. Aside from this, I've been very well-behaved and not impulse-bought any unplanned resin! There were a few temptations, but I was able to resist them. At this stage, I'm more keen for all my preordered resin to arrive home instead of getting new dolls.

I started dabbling with my DSLR camera again, and finally got some breakthroughs with photography. I like using a real camera so much that I've pretty much ditched my phone completely when taking indoor photos. I hope to try out the DSLR with outdoor pics eventually.

I did a LOT of faceups/aesthetics in September -- for a total of 5 faceups, hand/feet blushing on my entire crew, and a body mod/blushing. I made some breakthroughs and improved my faceup skills a great deal, which is encouraging. I'm really happy with how my dolls' faceups turned out!

Currently I'm sewing - I finally launched on this and am now learning how to sew some casual clothes. Very encouraged by my progress and I'm keen to make more clothes for my dolls, so I think I will be sewing all the way into November.

I've made so much progress on 4 of this year's 5 goals, that I've decided to drop my 5th goal. I've done nothing about the flight studio this year, and I doubt I'll start anytime soon. But that's OK, it means I have something fun to pursue next year. I'm making great progress on all my other goals anyway.

 

I was so sure I would buy a doll sometime this year and still haven't done it. I asked around in various doll specific threads and still haven't made up my mind on what to get. I originally planned to get a doll for my birthday in July... now it's for Christmas.

Currently I'm thinking about one of the Xagadoll 45cm boys or a Luts KDF girl.

I just want to make 100% sure I am spending money on something I truly want and then end up not getting anything

 

That's totally valid, though. This hobby is really expensive and it's hard to tell what you'll love before it's in your hands. (Though of course there's always reselling if you don't love what you got. i've sold on a good half of the dolls i've ever had, i think, and it's made me much happier with my small collection.) i don't want to encourage you to take the plunge before you're sure, but you have options!

Oh boy updates! Let's see where i was here:

ummm. i decided on a different body for one of the vinyl dolls, and will be getting that very soon since a hobby friend has one to sell. The DV heads//bodies are back on hold until such time as a sale pops up, but also i added another DV body for the Withdoll head i mentioned (different sculpt, but he'll be perfect!) Also added to my vinyl plans and sold the doll i had just decided to sell in that last post, which was a huge relief!

I have not crafted stuff like i mentioned in my earliest posts in this thread, besides making my AP girl a circle skirt instead of sleeping so i could take her somewhere for photos (which turned out great!) But, you know, crafting takes time and time is a luxury i currently lack, so i'm trying not to beat myself up over it.

I feel like i've bought a lot this year, but in retrospect, besides the DDS boy who hopped the line in front of the DV order (and cost the same amount as two full resin dolls x.x) it has mostly been small things like eyes and wigs, which i had planned to get in the first place, and one full (hybrid) doll who was also on my list. (Okay and one inexpensive vinyl doll, and my AP girl that i already mentioned. But again, that was planned-ish.)

So my list has shifted a little bit again, but i am again much happier with its current state (even if it got expensive again. C'est la... hobby.) Still gotta get a wig that suits one of my dolls, as the one i wanted didn't work out, but everyone else has theirs and the eyes are all the right colour, even if they're not the final sets, so that part is close to done!

Soon we'll be on to 2024 and... boy that list is gonna be weird for me, lol.

 

Time to update my goals:

Weiss: Needs to be dyed purple-gray, face-up, horns painted
Red: Needs face-up, sword dyed
Webb: Needs new sword, that sword needs to be dyed and modded, new scabbard
Crow: Need to finish cloak, scarring, fix face-up
Soul and Kaiserian: Need face-ups