Narae and Narin 60cm Discussion part 2.

@StrontiumDog thank you for your kind words about my boy. his unique faceup is what completely hooked me. they are shimmery silver white and so beautiful in person, I need to work with my lighting to try to get some other shots to show off the pretty caramel tan where it's not over exposed. a necessary evil to pick up his eyes in this case though.

I wound up getting just the head for Narae, to my knowledge the one I got was maybe left over stock. it was cast in an older resin tone, which was fine with me since I wasn't looking for the body this time. I would like one of his bodies eventually though. I will be interested to see how the new engineering and proportions look

 

Bimong told me in the beginning of December last year, when I placed my order, that it'll take 3-5 months to finish the doll. I had no prior experience ordering from him but expected it would be about that, seeing as he's very productive. I asked about the situation mid-March and he said he's still remaking the joints. I asked again in June and he said he's working on the Narae40 currently and it will still take about three months for the big dolls. He also asked if I would want to opt for a refund since it's taking longer than expected.

I thought about it for a while, and decided to request a refund since I had a feeling the 3 months might not hold either, seeing as these big dolls are most likely his least popular size and get pushed aside the easiest. I would have felt more comfortable waiting if I had been waiting for a full doll to use as is, but I was going to ditch the head and use the body for one of my floating heads. She'd been bodyless for so long at this point that I decided to try and get her some other body. Bimong was very nice about the refund and sent it promptly. In 7 years it's the first time I've ever requested a refund due to the wait time being longer than expected (Dollshe aside, but I think we've all done that lol), and it sort of makes me feel guilty seeing as I had been requesting him to make another batch of this body for three years in a row.

 

Well, what do you know. Bimong just teased 1/3 Narin and Narae heads on Instagram. It proves nothing, but perhaps he's starting that update/redesign of the 1/3 doll bodies.

 

Is bimong still taking orders for Narin 65 then? I kind of want that doll sometime in the future…

 

@StarFennec Best to ask Bimong directly - you can DM him on Instagram (@bimong11) and he's very friendly and responsive. Right now he is working on Narin68 and this is the doll I ordered. I'm not sure if Narin65 is also available.

 

I might soon, but yeah I’ll ask. Thank you!

 

Oh the new Narin elf guy is so handsome! I always thought Bimong makes the best jaw shape.

 

Breaking news from Instagram: Bimong is retiring at the end of this year.

Based on the IG post... There will be a final doll preorder opening in November, for a month. He hasn't said which dolls yet, but I'm willing to bet there will be 1/4 and 1/3 dolls available. He'll make an official announcement about all this later with full details, I'm sure.

I had a feeling there was a good explanation why he was taking so long with the 1/3 dolls order. I think my Narin68 (whom I ordered back in January and PIF already) will be part of this final preorder. I'll contact him to be sure - but I'll give it a few days as I'm sure he's getting mobbed with questions!

It's sad that Bimong is closing up shop, but he's been in the BJD business for something like 20 years, so his retirement is well earned! I'm very thankful that I discovered his 1/3 dolls this year (for some reason I thought he only made slim minis), and I've never been so glad for my insane impulse-buy of Narin68.

 

I have been waiting for a 68cm body for my Narin Elf head. I will have to watch my spending so I can order one!

 

Oh myyy, he will be missed! I have ordered from Bimong many times over the years and even though I don't own most of those dolls now (due to my pickiness and various other circumstances) I treasure the Dandelion heads I have. She will always remain one of my top-favorite sculpts and I hope someday to find the perfect body for the heads to share.

I don't know if I will be able to or want to order anything in November, but we'll see! Tan Dandelions would tempt me, as would 1/3 Naraes - I've gotten used to my 57cm girl so I ought to be able to handle that size now.

Thank you for the heads up @aihre!

 

I hope I could buy one last bimong doll in November. Just a question, please! What is the most light normal skin color in all the NS he is offering?

 

@Follow-the-Wind - I would say the "D Skin" option. That is what I ordered last year for my Dandelion heads. It isn't white skin by any means, but it is a shade lighter than the "classic normal" skin, so basically a very pale pink-peach color.

 

Thank you so much for your answer, @StellaMarigold !

 

You're welcome! The skin color names get a bit confusing haha - but they are all lovely shades!

 

Bimong has opened orders via instagram dm – apparently the website will be updated in a few days.
I've ordered via insta and got a reply very quickly: Bimong is great to communicate with!

 

Oh dear, I caved after wanting the jointed hands since Bimong made them. They will not be a perfect match given my Narin and Narae are from 2017. They are super expensive but its the last hoorah and paying them off in 6 parts makes it easier.
Could someone please tell me the actual number for the Narin Elf head? Maybe it also must be added to this final order. Bimong was so lovely in messages.

 

The Narin Elf head is N61E. Congratulations! I have an older Elf head that is selecting a body, but I decided to get the new body, another elf head and the jointed hands! Layaway does help!

 

Congratulations to you too, lucky thing! Getting whole new dolls would be lovely, on a budget I am delighted with two pairs of hands and have now written to see if I can add the elf head. Thank goodness for generous layaway times!

 

Am I missing something? The website still doesn't seem to have been updated as far as I can see, and I'm not on Instagram, so...
(I really shouldn't buy any more dolls this year, but the fusion body was on my list... )