Doll Plans 2023

November update...

Still working on sewing – I have limited time because of family and work circumstances – but I've drafted an MSD shorts pattern that needs a little bit of tweaking. The weather's been so up abd down that I don't know whether to make summer or winter clothes.
Storage is pretty good for now, but I'll be moving house in the next 3-4 months, which puts any substantial storage or diorama plans on hold.
I have all my painting and cleaning supplies but I'm still waiting on my elastic (come on Dollmore). I've managed to disassemble and clean my Hound, including wiping his faceup and removing headcap magnets because one was disintegrating. If I get some time off I might start on his faceup.
Slow progress, still...

 

Alright, how did I do in 2023! I wrote an end of the year review on my BJD blog, and in summary...

I completely flunked my doll-buying goal. Aside from the 3 dolls I bought at the start of the year, and the one "grail" that I'd planned to buy (and bought), I snuck 2 more dolls home. I bought 6 new dolls this year - such a huge indulgence!! Although I only have 2 of them home and I'm still waiting for the other 4. What I also learned was how to resist a whole lot more tempting dolls (some of which were very major temptations), and figured out strategies for saying No to them so I could say Yes to the 6 I did buy. Valuable lessons! So yeah, I flunked no-buy, but I have no regrets whatsoever.

I made enormous progress in painting faceups, taking photos, and sewing doll clothes. I had major breakthroughs in all 3 goals, and it was so fun. I'll keep doing all 3 crafts next year.

I didn't make any progress on my 5th goal of the "flight studio", but I've been so engrossed on all the other fronts that I don't mind at all. But I want to take action on this in 2024.

Yay, I think it's been a very successful year of meeting goals. Keen to continue this next year.

 

SO here we go...

Uh so the wishlist completion is not good lol, a lot of my doll plans changed over the year as my taste changed so my wishlist is def v different. As far as more character building and lore refining... I am happy with the state! But yeah... most of my purchases
were time limited dolls, souldoll was the company that most tempted me with me snagging two fo their limited dolls

I also changed my mind on having default outfits, I just find that I enjoy dressing up my dolls and changing them into Dif outfits too much lol, and so this year flew by without me sewing more than one doll sized outfit.

I haven't really done much sculpting either, so its a goal to set for the new year

I did complete my wish on buying boy dolls! I now have more boys than girls atm lmaoo though only one is complete and the other's are ordered/waiting for parts to arrive lol

But overall 2023 was a year for sure!

 

Argh. Well, I got some face-ups done. Layaway was paid off, too. And I've given up on getting a Chicline body. I've found a couple hybrid options that work. I have been taking more pictures, but with my phone. Pushing forward to 2024, I want to use the fantastic camera a family member gifted me.

And Doll No-Buy 2023 was a catastrophic failure.

In fairness to me, everything else got pushed back by new job and new job requirements...

 

Well, I think I did OK. I managed to do more than half my list to one degree or another. I did manage to try and sculpt a custom head and have a newfound respect for doll sculptors because that was really bloody difficult. I learnt that I really like making shoes and doll-scale armour. Doll scale sewing remains incredibly fun and rewarding.

Actually finishing things once I've started them, however, is still a realm of things that I'm exploring.

I've also done some things that were very much not in my plans when I made them. Attending a doll convention and doll meetups, for example. I didn't put things like no-buy on my list but I was pretty successful in that as well, since I only bought an Elf Jude (who has arrived) and a 47cm Huajing body which won't arrive until next year.

 

Alright, here we go, end of the year now!

New Dolls: I've ended up keeping the SD boy, the Feeple65. Not exactly because I'd miss him, but more because he's being a hassle to sell. I also ended up bringing home three more dolls-- A Realfee (Scamp), a Dream Valley Olivia (Medli), and a ChicaBi Bora (Bonnie). Two were more or less impulse buys, but the Olivia, my Medli, was a need, if you will. I missed out on her pre-order and was so upset about it so to find one exactly how I needed, blank and in tan, was amazing. I've also ordered a custom colored body for my Lanaya from Alice's Collection with DF-A and I'm so excited about it! But the real victory here is that I've finally, after all these years, have been in the right place at the right time for a Harucasting Maji. She's been a grail for years and I'm finally going to be bringing her home. I'm beyond ecstatic!

My theme continues with the mostly Fairy Tale collection of MSDs too!

Faceups: I sent out four heads for faceups in the later half of the year and three of them took an exceedingly long time but the end results are amazing so I'm not upset anymore. Still waiting on the fourth head but I only sent it out a few weeks ago and it's almost done I did the faceups for my Dream Valley Olivia too and it came out wonderfully! Also did the ones for Lanaya and Bonnie (ChicaBi Bora) but I'm less happy with those. Lanaya's is still cool though.

Accessories/Clothes: I got more clothes, especially for my pukifee, Briar Rose because she just need them/an update/seasonal clothes. I still want to get more clothes, it's an eternal want. I've also bought a few more wigs in "natural" colors and they're working out pretty well. And the fox ears and tail came in and they look amazing! My F60 Scarlett, Rena, has a new look now and she's perfect!

Crafting: I don't have the space to set up my sewing machine for the time being so I haven't even been able to try and make clothes but I did manage to convert two small bookshelves into dioramas for two of my little ones!

Hobby Involvement: Posted a few more pictures on Instagram and I've been trying to be a little more active, but not that much. Better than I was a few months ago though! I was stagnant for a while.

So yeah! There's my update!

 

I've continued to not buy dolls. I'm happy about this. While I can save money, it's much harder to get storage space, let alone display or play space.

One long term sewing project is complete. Two others are not. Better luck next year?

One diorama is finished, while the second is servicable, though not what I originally envisioned.

 

Lets see:
Buy new dolls: Check! I've added 5 new members to the crew (well, technically 4 1/2).
Buy new accessories: Also check; but not a lot of stuff
Get more involved in the hobby: To be honest, it stayed about the same (ie posting here)
Learn new skills: FAIL! I checked this one because I'd planned to learn to do my own faceups. I didn't do that, but to be fair, I was recovering from a surgery in January for most the year, and then was in an auto accident over the summer that jacked my shoulder up, so... Next year, for sure! (crosses fingers behind back)

 

I ended up selling a lot of dolls I had. Probably half. So to be honest I can’t even tell you which dolls I’m referring to with my first 2 goals I think I completed all the faceups I meant too? As of now I have one I’d like to do, but she was not around in 2022 to be on 2023 list. All my dolls do have an outfit though! So that’s great for my goal list

My fav completed goal was joining in on the sewing journals! I love the community feel and advice. I did make two new hat patterns for my knitting goal. So that kinda counts lol Going into 2024, I want to make even more variety!

 

Lets see how my 2023 went:
Buy new dolls: 1 went to 8 very quickly + a few random resin pieces
Buy new accessories: I need to do more of this in 2024 to complete my dolls but I did finish 3 dolls as of now and am waiting on clothes/shoes for the 4th!
Craft new accessories: I gave up on clothing but some new wigs were made
Learn new skills: Photography! I think I have the knack for it!
Get more involved in the hobby: Check! I joined a new forum and trying to show off my photography skills.

 

I think it's interesting to check back on myself at the end of this year and see that I did do what I hoped. That feels nice. I sewed a lot less than I hoped and there was no weather for faceups, but the spirit of my goal was there, especially in other ways

 

Buy new dolls

 

2023 is nearly over so time to see how I did!

Be more active in the hobby again - I think I was a little more active this year? And my dolls are actually fully dressed and out of storage now even if I don't always post lots about them, so that's nice!

New face up for delf breakaway - I still haven't done this and I still want to do this. But in my defense, there is a particular artist I'm waiting for. Putting that on the 2024 list again and praying - hah!

Get a matching delf body for the breakaway - I DID THIS. I'm so happy I did this. I genuinely wasn't expecting to find one and it totally happened by accident (I bought a Yder head and the seller was like, "hey, I have a body too but it's a bit crap, don't suppose you want it?" YES I DID WANT IT)

Get a Migidoll Ryu again - okay, I didn't get a Ryu but I DID get a Miho which is close enough right? I still want a Ryu but I'm in no great rush to get one, so I won't be adding that to my goals list again this year.

Find a look/name/character I like for my sleeping Soony - I would say I'm still in the process of doing this. I chose a name I like (Gigi ) and I've been getting really excited about some outfits and accessories I've ordered for her. I have a look in mind and I'm just hoping it works out!

 

Final update:

Noticing how close to finishing everything I was back in August really managed to light a fire under my butt and IIRC that day or the next I started working on the blue wig and finished it in probs two weeks or so.

Then I started to work on a new couch which took me... about 3 months? I was about to write a novel about all the issues I ran into with it but I could feel the extreme mental exhaustion creeping back so short(er) version instead: spent hours making the base -> oops chosen fabric isn't as big a piece as I had thought, have to skip armrests and still can't afford to screw up even once -> still stuck with the fabric choice even though I don't even like the look of sofas without armrests -> so much regret but sunk cost fallacy and all that -> somehow miraculously managed to finish the sofa -> huge surprise, it didn't magically sprout some armrests to make me like it. I could have just saved that lovely fabric for an armchair or something instead...

Didn't work on anything doll related for a while but 4 days ago suddenly realized the year is about to end which again motivated me to try and finish the rest of the goals. Thankfully I had misremembered the goal of completing a doll as completing an outfit instead so I thought I still had a realistic chance, had I not thought that I probably wouldn't have done much anything.

Started another wig project and finally had another attempt at sculpting new ears for the bunny doll. Wig is pretty much finished now, just have to glue a tiny strand of hair at one spot and then cut it and style it, and the ears I finished just this morning even though I had to change the plan with their attachment a bit again as the second plan failed as well. I did end up using magnets but rather than conserving the ability to switch to the original jointed ears with no effort, I ended up gluing the opposite pair of magnets directly to the doll itself, inside the tunnels/holes that the original ears were strung through. Oh and since I had the sculpting stuff out anyway, I also started and almost finished sculpting a bust stand for my floating head DollLeaves Ida. Yup, that wasn't even a goal this year but I'm glad I was able to get that project started already anyway.

All in all despite not finishing one of the goals I definitely consider this year a success, this is probably the most doll stuff I've ever been able to do let alone finish in a year.

 

summary of 2023

It was the 3rd time that I was taking part in this challenge (and I've already filled up the 2024 one ) and I must admit that this year wasn't as bad as it could have been, considering 3 moves (incl. 1 overseas and back), one graduation (involving tough defence examination), and a change of job...

so, my plans were:

1. Use up as much fabric and craft supplies as possible. I merely made a dent... but I did the following:
2 dresses
2 skirt+crop top sets
some underwear (stockings, for example)

2. Sell some stuff that's been stored in the "for-sale" boxes. Here, I was more successful Firstly, I exchanged some clothes for resin, and then got rid of one large box of dolly props! I still have a small one and a bag ful of such stuff... it's my now spring-time project to take on

3. Bring back my character of Vic Richmond. I got him and he's super cute I got some clothes and a cute wig for him (with plans to make some more myself)

4. Sell one or even two girls. Well, after a lot of internal struggling, I listed one for sale, but I decided to keep everyone else

5. Re-learn to paint some basic, decent faceups. I'm back in it, just not intensely... only when I need it But, it's practically accomplished I repainted everyone in my crew that I wanted to!

6. Make some wigs. Nothing done in this matter...

7. No hard limits on minor shopping I just got some couple pairs of shoes, wigs, and clothes. Nothing major, everything could fit in a small parcel box

8. Downsize on all the shipping BOXES and wrapping material and envelopes Well, sort of accomplished, but by giving it away at some point, before my overseas move... now it's all slowly getting back to me How can I say no to some cute lil bubble wrap piece from time to time tho?

9. Maybe downsize significiantly on my Barbie collection to make some room (mostly in my mind) for the BJDs. Spent a whole year debating and doing NOTHING literally aside from moving them in and out of boxes during my moves. Meanwhile, I'm mourning over one collectible silkstone... while realising I only spend time playing with my BJDs... Iconsulted many opinions (including here on DoA), and I still dunno what to do about it. I'd like to imagine shifting all my space and energy to BJDs only... but I have no heart to get rid of my other dolls...

10. Take out my dolls for photos :P Now this one i something I feel supper proud of! Several sessions, some published here Some of these pics are just better than any I've taken in a couple years! Also, I learnt to enjoy taking crappy WIP pics meanwhile too

Overall... it's been a hectic, crazy year... but I managed to do something.

 

• I did NOT fully restring most of my MSDs, because I wound up buying a replacement shell for one! And thankfully, the one that needed to be restrung the most only needed his legs restrung, which I have done. All that's left is my Soom boy.
• I did put together my SD girl, who went through so many different changes this year. I went from finding her the perfect wig, to rethinking her hair color, to rethinking her hair style, and now she has a new wig entirely and different clothing style than I first imagined for her!
• I did develop a style for my Dollfie Dream girl. She received her first wig and eyes as well as a cute pair of boots and a full outfit. She's sort of morphed into early Taylor Swift, but I'm okay with that. She will need a new faceup this year and possibly a new body, as her neck piece was already broken and I think it's only gotten worse as the year progressed.

Overall, I did manage to complete most of these goals. I also mentioned in my original plans that I only wanted to buy a doll for my birthday this year. Well, I got a new job and was able to buy a lot of dolls! I made 9 resin purchases in total. Sometimes, when I shouldn't have. Going forward I will be doing a Doll No Buy until I get my room cleaned out and have more storage space for clothing and accessories. I will be working on my buying discipline after the No Buy ends as well.