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New set: Ethan’s doll studio — and some new dolls for dolls!

New set: Ethan’s doll studio — and some new dolls for dolls! published on No Comments on New set: Ethan’s doll studio — and some new dolls for dolls!

I finally put all my toys for dolls to good use and created a set of Ethan’s doll room. Besides doll customizing, he also likes robots, radio controlled things, steampunk, and sewing, so I put in appropriate miniatures in those categories. Continue reading New set: Ethan’s doll studio — and some new dolls for dolls!

Shalkaverse dorks and photostory problems: when you’re hampered by lack of accessories

Shalkaverse dorks and photostory problems: when you’re hampered by lack of accessories published on No Comments on Shalkaverse dorks and photostory problems: when you’re hampered by lack of accessories

Don’t you hate in when that happens? Continue reading Shalkaverse dorks and photostory problems: when you’re hampered by lack of accessories

NERDS Show, Lowell, MA, 03/05/2016: transactions and evaluation

NERDS Show, Lowell, MA, 03/05/2016: transactions and evaluation published on No Comments on NERDS Show, Lowell, MA, 03/05/2016: transactions and evaluation

I attended the NERDS Show to meet fellow doll fans and new dolls. I hoped that I would sell some stuff, preferably enough to break even, and maybe find some doll stuff to buy, but I didn’t really expect to. I was therefore happily surprised to a) offload some stuff I didn’t want and b) acquire some stuff that I did.

 

In terms of riddances, I sold a Sleeping Elf/Tinybear Bon Bon [$125.00] and a fur wig [$5.00]. I got rid of a pair of Dikadoll jointed hands in a sale [$30.00] + partial trade [wig]. That was more than enough to cover the expense of table and room rental [$35.00], and I even got a small chunk of change to put toward taxes.

 

In terms of acquisitions, I picked up two freebies: a leotard and a sparkly overskirt. The second will work for Isabel, but the first may not be adequately modifiable for her, though it will certainly fit a narrower 1:6 scale doll. No pictures.

 

I took pictures of my more exciting acquisitions.

 

Continue reading NERDS Show, Lowell, MA, 03/05/2016: transactions and evaluation

December doll update 1: more dolls for dolls

December doll update 1: more dolls for dolls published on No Comments on December doll update 1: more dolls for dolls

I’m cleaning off my memory card before the end of the year, and I have quite a few photos on it that I have yet to blog. Les voici.

At Vermont Doll Lovers on December 12th, I purchased some gachapon minifigures from Lyrajean. They represent cutesy versions of some Japanese airline’s stewards’ uniforms throughout the airline’s history. Lyrajean, who picked them up in Japan a few years ago, says that they came as promotional items with different kinds of soda. [I think she was buying the soda just for the minifigs…] Continue reading December doll update 1: more dolls for dolls

Monster High Megabloks as dolls for dolls

Monster High Megabloks as dolls for dolls published on 2 Comments on Monster High Megabloks as dolls for dolls

Mattel gave the Monster High license to Megabloks, the building brick company that is not Lego, and the Megablok playsets have recently made it up to the northern reaches of the US. At Toys R Us yesterday I picked up Ghoulia Yelps and her Creepariffic Lab, as well as Ghoulia and Clawdeen figures sold separately. Here’s my sold-separately Ghoulia hanging out in her little lab.Continue reading Monster High Megabloks as dolls for dolls

Rement Pose Skeletons go pink and cutesy!

Rement Pose Skeletons go pink and cutesy! published on No Comments on Rement Pose Skeletons go pink and cutesy!

Pizako posted some shots on Tumblr of a Rement Pose Skeleton all gussied up and enjoying some Rement dessert delicacies. Very very cute. Too bad Beth and Death will never tend toward that aesthetic. I think it might be easier to find furniture and clothes for…

Monster High MegaBloks!

Monster High MegaBloks! published on No Comments on Monster High MegaBloks!

At this year’s Toy Fair, Mattel showed off its upcoming collaboration with MegaBloks on the Monster High line. In terms more pertinent to me, this means more highly articulated dolls for dolls, as the MH MegaBloks figures have jointed knees! I find them adorable, in part because the small scale reduces the bobble-headed proportions of regular Monster Highs to something more appealing to my aesthetic interests. I actually do not have any MegaBloks licensed figures in my collection of dolls for dolls, so I don’t know how big they are.

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Rement releases something interesting — 1:18 scale posable skeletons!

Rement releases something interesting — 1:18 scale posable skeletons! published on No Comments on Rement releases something interesting — 1:18 scale posable skeletons!

While I wasn’t paying attention, Rement released something besides licensed stuff that doesn’t interest me. Their Pose Skeleton set features a 1:18 scale articulated skeleton and various sets and accessories.  I find this both hilarious and adorable, as the accessories include Grim Reaper supplies, a toilet, explosives and an electric guitar. These would make great dolls for Isabel, if I could just procure two skeletons.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1678826.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Custom dolls for dolls

Custom dolls for dolls published on No Comments on Custom dolls for dolls

Over the past week or so, I’ve been customizing dolls for Isabel with the aim of creating as many articulated dolls for her as possible. Like me, she works quickly and rather messily, using a lot of hot glue and not worrying too much about matching skin tones. :p

Continue reading Custom dolls for dolls

Breyer Stablemates: more dolls for dolls?

Breyer Stablemates: more dolls for dolls? published on No Comments on Breyer Stablemates: more dolls for dolls?

Breyer, purveyor of plastic horses, has a 1:32 scale line of horses [obviously] that occasionally includes human figures in the playsets. It’s very hard to find pictures of them. However, they appear to be articulated at the shoulders, hips and knees at the least. I think they are about the size of my Hasbro Human Alliance Mikaela doll. They’re wayyyyyy cheaper though!

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1525114.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Isabel got more dolls today!

Isabel got more dolls today! published on No Comments on Isabel got more dolls today!

One was Bering Lusk, my Harumika mannequin who went to visit Andrea a while, then came back when I decided that Isabel needed a lifesize doll. I discovered that Bering’s arms popped out of their sockets, so I was able to dress her in actual clothes, as opposed to the strange tuck-and-wrap fabrics she was sold with.Continue reading Isabel got more dolls today!

Zombie dolls for dolls

Zombie dolls for dolls published on No Comments on Zombie dolls for dolls

As you may know because I write about it all the time, my next series, Zombieville, is currently developing. Zombieville features people who eat brains and lose body parts, but they are not the mindless, undead creatures of pop culture lore. Rather, they are average, living people with a condition known as spontaneous disintegrative disorder ["spondis"] that causes physical and mental degeneration, which may only be arrested through a diet of at least 50% fresh human brains. Most people with spondis [PWS] see themselves as people with disabilities, while most of the public sees them as pop culture zombies. Conflict ensues.

In one planned episode, Isabel, protagonist and PWS, encounters a vending machine filled with zombie dolls. The manufacturers model the dolls after pop culture zombies [drooling blood, chewing severed limbs]. However, the dolls also have mobility aids that many PWS actually use. Isabel’s response to these toys forms an entire story arc.

The foregoing explains why the creation of these zombie dolls did not just entail slapping red paint on some miniature figures. I wanted to make zombie dolls with electric wheelchairs, walkers and canes of the type that PWS would use.

Continue reading Zombie dolls for dolls

Dolls for dolls: Smaller Home and Garden figures by Tomy

Dolls for dolls: Smaller Home and Garden figures by Tomy published on No Comments on Dolls for dolls: Smaller Home and Garden figures by Tomy

A helpful Figurvore member has identified doll "I" from my recent lineup. She is a member of the Smaller Home and Garden family made by Tomy. I happen to have all 4 family members in well-loved [and chewed-on — the dad and daughter have human teeth marks in their legs :p ] condition. Here they are.

Continue reading Dolls for dolls: Smaller Home and Garden figures by Tomy

A selection of my dolls for dolls

A selection of my dolls for dolls published on No Comments on A selection of my dolls for dolls

We all know that I like to play with dolls [or otherwise I wouldn’t be here]. Well, not only am I a doll enthusiast, but so are some of my dolls! Yes, my dolls like to play with dolls too.

 
Here’s a selection of miniatures that I use as dolls for dolls, maker and product line identified where I can remember that information. Unless otherwise noted, the miniatures are unarticulated.

Continue reading A selection of my dolls for dolls

Messing with miniatures

Messing with miniatures published on No Comments on Messing with miniatures

Lemax Collection makes several different sets of little decorative tabletop resin fantasy villages with [all white] people, vehicles, buildings, animals, plants, etc. They have a "Victorian" village [in quotes because it doesn’t look Victorian to me], a "coastal Massachusetts" village [ditto], a Halloween village, Santa’s village, etc., etc. Am I the only one who thinks it would be hilarious to cross-pollinate elements from one set [mostly the Halloween one] with others?

Think of the possibilities:

  • Grim Reaper stalking daredevil skiers [or the Girl Scout parade]
  • Skeleton mariachi band baking up Victorian carolers
  • Killer clown mobile home [no really!] lurking at the edge of Santaville
  • Santa’s Wonderland sign in front of a little cemetery

Then again, these ideas are coming from someone who thinks that vampire + 1989 + ice cream = cute, so your mileage may vary. :p

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1488765.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

I think it’s adorable how much Isabel loves her dolls.

I think it’s adorable how much Isabel loves her dolls. published on No Comments on I think it’s adorable how much Isabel loves her dolls.

Here she is with her BJD, played by Jujube. Isabel is about 11 inches tall [28cm]. Since 2 inches = 1 foot in 1:6 scale, Isabel would be 5.5 feet [1.67m] in real life. Jujube is about 5.5 inches tall [14cm], which would make her 2.5 feet high in real life. That’s 76cm in real life, on the huge end for a BJD. 1:12 scale [Jujube] is like 1:2 scale for 1:6 scale [Isabel]. Therefore, even though Jujube is minuscule to me, anyone who sees her in Isabel’s arms will certainly remark on how huge she is! ^_^

I improved Jujube this evening by wiring her limbs with 22 gauge wire, repositioning her wig and removing her way-out-of-scale shoelaces.

Continue reading I think it’s adorable how much Isabel loves her dolls.

Some dolls for Isabel

Some dolls for Isabel published on No Comments on Some dolls for Isabel

At Toys R Us, where I got Megan her slightly improved body, I also got Isabel some dolls in the form of Mattel Winx action figures. They are articulated at the neck, elbows, thighs and knees, which is also where Megan’s new body is articulated. The Winx figures’ soft, rubbery skirts and hair are supposed to permit posing, but they don’t really. Their molded hair is way too heavy, making them pitch backwards. I plan to rip it off and replace it with fiber.

Continue reading Some dolls for Isabel

2-inch figures!

2-inch figures! published on No Comments on 2-inch figures!

Disney makes a bunch associated with Tinkerbell and all her groupies. Cheap!

Do you know how hard it is to find 2-inch [1:36 scale, i.e., 1:6 scale for 1:6 scale] figures?

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1454018.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Wait…wait…54mm ARMATURES!

Wait…wait…54mm ARMATURES! published on No Comments on Wait…wait…54mm ARMATURES!

54mms come in PIECES! You can buy sprues of heads, hands, weapons, etc., etc. And you can get not only generics, but ARMATURES [= skeletons], some of which can actually POSE a bit! And some of them are in RESIN,  a material I actually like working with much better than vinyl/ABS/action figure plastic! This means that I can make SOMEWHAT POSEABLE DOLLS FOR MY DOLLS WITH VARYING BODY TYPES, FIBER HAIR AND REALLY SIMPLE FABRIC OUTFITS!

I am so excited about this! I’ve wanted articulated ~1:6 scale dolls for my 1:6ers for YEARS!

JMD Miniatures provides a 3-pack of articulated armatures without heads or hands. They appear to be guy bases, but I don’t really care. They also have two sets of 5 heads and 6 pairs of hands apiece, but, irritatingly enough, all the heads are for dudes.

Historex Agents makes a 5-pack of female heads with sculpted hair. They also have a wonderful series of 5-packs of "expressive heads," again, all for dudes, but more versatile than JMD Miniatures’ because there’s no facial hair. On this page, they’ve also got hairless heads and massive packages of hands.

EDIT: Wonder if I could buy heads and hands and make my own damn armatures?

EDIT 2: Red Lancers has some Historex heads and hand sets. And they’re a US dealer!

Colorado Miniatures, also a US dealer, has Hornet head sets and hand sets. The "African" and "East Asian" head sets are pretty neat. There’s a "Female" set too that frankly has nothing to distinguish it from the "male" sets.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1431755.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

54mm generics!

54mm generics! published on No Comments on 54mm generics!

Well, that took long enough to find. Bronze Age Miniatures sells 54mm unpainted generics, which are the minifig equivalent of naked dolls. As with 1:6 scale action figures, there are only two body types available: 1) ripped and boobular ["female"] and 2) ripped and slightly taller ["male"]. God forbid that anyone be fat or scrawny!

I could probably work with a generic, though, giving it at least some fiber hair and a simple skirt like Flower and Mellifer’s. I really need to know, though, about the body modding potential of these individuals. Does white metal respond to Dremelling? Sanding? Sawing? Addition of modeling paste? If so, I could easily get a female generic and perform Ye Olde Masectomie on it to have a body shape more approximating Lucian’s. Hmmmm…

EDIT: I really wonder about some of these minifig sculptors’ grasps on anatomy. The erect nipples on all the femfigs are way out of scale.

EDIT 2: Bronze Age Miniatures female generic #2 is a possibility, as are #3, #4, #8, #11 and #21. #8, #11 and #21 are relatively neutral stances. #11 and #21 are notable for having minimal knock knees and relatively relaxed arms.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1431448.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Is there some ordinance I’m unaware of…

Is there some ordinance I’m unaware of… published on No Comments on Is there some ordinance I’m unaware of…

…that requires every single freakin’ minifig to be holding things in both hands and/or waving their arms around? I understand that minifigs are supposed to be in dynamic stances, but, when everyone has a ridiculously huge weapon in one hand and the other arm flailing over their head, it looks silly.

Context: Poking through tabletop wargaming minifigs again, I was looking for a Lucian doll for Ellery and Jamisia. I finally tracked down some male elf mage/wizard/sorceror types in heroic scale. Here’s one, a Mordheim elf mage. And here’s a cheaper dude, Larnach the gray elf mage.

I’d like to go with Mr. Mordheim Mage because he looks less tense than Larnach. His ears also appear more in proportion to his head, and his clothing resembles Lucian’s the most of the two figs. He appears to be 28mm, which is about 1 inch, which would make him 6 1:6 inches high. I wish he were double that, but ugh…he was hard enough to find in the first place.

Whenever I’m poking around in the world of minifigs, I think of the Calvin and Hobbes strips where Calvin is trying to put together model airplanes. He and Hobbes grow increasingly frustrated and baffled by the confusing directions and their inability to make the pieces resemble anything as it is shown on the box. At one point, Calvin asks, “How’d they paint eyebrows on a pilot less than an inch high?!?!?!?!”

Hobbes, looking at the model box, says, “I think that’s a real plane superimposed on a toy stand.” :p

EDIT: Holy poop, this guy is even better! He’s much closer to 12 1:6 inches, plus he has a sly expression. He has gratuitous wings, but that’s okay because he doesn’t come with them on. The only thing is that he’s ridiculously ripped, but I’m willing to live with that.

Of course I’m interested in the guy who’s extra expensive because he’s some collector’s edition. :p

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1430561.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

More dolls for dolls

More dolls for dolls published on No Comments on More dolls for dolls

After I posted about beautiful, but expensive, 54mm minifigs, Elizabeth Jr. clued me into the fact that the original Polly Pockets were less than an inch high and therefore approximately in range for 1:6 scale for 1:6ers. I poked around for them ["vintage polly pocket"] on Ebay, but the prices were too high for my liking, at a few dollars per figure. I decided to seek other sources.

I’ve had success in the past with Homies, who have the added bonus of being hilariously sculpted. Unfortunately, the price of individual Homies seems to have gone up since I last purchased them to by Ellery’s dolls, but I have found some alternatives. Vendstock on Ebay sells the following sets that could be useful as a source for female dolls [Isabel, my latest doll nerd, isn’t really into male dolls]: American Girl [no, not that American Girl], So Fly Divas and Tomy/Barbie.

Incidentally, Vendstock also sells the latest Domo series. [That’s the fuzzy brown rectangle with big teeth that serves as the Japanese TV station NHK’s mascot.] I have actually seen this series in local vending machines, where I was amused by the Domo wearing bling. This set also features mustachioed Domo, luchador Domo, Domo with big blocky glasses, Domo with an inner tube, Domo in diapers, devil Domo and Godzilla Domo, who is, of course, bigger than the other Domos. I think I might have to get the set, since Domo has always amused me. ^_^

EDIT: In my search for fat Homies for Isabel’s collection of fat dolls, I discovered that there is a Trailer Park series of Homies [Trailer Parkies? :p ]. A majority of the Trailer Parkies are fat, thus playing into the stereotype that people who live in trailer parks are poor, stupid and disgusting. I’m also disturbed that there’s only one woman among the Trailer Parkies. Her name is Moo Moo Ma. [Yes, she’s fat.] How’s that for sexist, anti-fat objectification?!!

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1426440.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

54mm minifigs

54mm minifigs published on 2 Comments on 54mm minifigs

I have another protagonist who plays with dolls — Isabel — so I’ve been thinking about 1:6 scale dolls for 1:6 scale dolls again.

54mm minifigs, AKA tabletop gaming white metal figs, are pretty much perfect for 1:6 scale dolls for 1:6 scale dolls. I have problems spending upwards of $1.00 per millimeter, though. SIGH.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1426174.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

For the truly infuriating zombie wannabe

For the truly infuriating zombie wannabe published on No Comments on For the truly infuriating zombie wannabe

First things first…all these references to zombies you’ve been seeing refer to the denizens in my future saga entitled Zombieville. Many of the denizens have a degenerative condition called spontaneous disintegration [spondis], which causes their body parts to drop off and which make be arrested only through a diet of at least 50% fresh human brains. People with spondis tend to refer to themselves as PWS, but the public calls them zombies. As Burlington, Vermont has the highest concentration of PWS in the country, its nickname is Zombieville…hence the saga’s title.

Anyway, there’s a truly infuriating minority of abnormals [the PWS’ term for people who do not have spondis :p ] who wish that they had spondis themselves. Unfortunately, their idea of spondis comes from the pop culture image of zombies, so there’s a lot of shambling, bleeding and "Braaaaaaaains!" involved, which has very little to do with the actual daily lives of PWS.

Abnormals who are wannabes fetishize PWS in all the ways you can imagine. Some dress up as PWS, with canes, fake blood and cans of pork brains. Some collect zombie memorabilia…and that’s where these little zombie figurines by Zombie Planet, 1 to 1.5 inches tall [6 to 8 inches in 1:6 scale] come in. For just a few bucks, I can furnish a wannabe with an obsession!

EDIT: Apparently there’s a whole tabletop gaming subgenre of zombie figs…This review provides details of several makers’ zombies.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1425017.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

A doll for Ellery

A doll for Ellery published on No Comments on A doll for Ellery

Ellery plays with dolls, so, naturally, I need to get her some dolls. I would like the dolls to be around 1:36 scale, that is, 1:6 scale for 1:6 scale people, but I can go with slightly larger or smaller. Anyway, I bought Ellery an awesome little replica of Silken Flame Barbie and her carrying case. It is a Hallmark ornament with two pieces, one the doll, the other the carrying case, which actually has an opening drawer. It's either 1:36 scale or a little smaller. Pictures when I get mine! No, I won't tell you how much I paid for it.

EDIT: I also got her a set of 3 1:36 GI Joe ornaments, including a GI Joe, an ATV and a mummy's sarcophagus. Yay, now she will have truly scaled dolls! No, I won't tell you what I paid for those either.

EDIT 2: I also got her a set of 12 Homies figures, which are 1.75 to 2 inches tall, just right for 1:36 scale. It was only $6.00 for 12!

1:6 toy chest

1:6 toy chest published on No Comments on 1:6 toy chest

Here are most of my 1:6 toys. Can you find the [not all are listed] Barbie [starting from top left and working toward bottom], warrior woman, zombie, American Maid, princess, woman with stole, blond girl, 1:144 dollhouse furniture, doll of Jareth, happy family, angel, baseball glove and baseball, basketball, soccer ball, mushroom mat, ray gun, pink squirt gun, [now moving up the right side] cars, VW bus, school bus, backhoe, stuffed pigs, stuffed bears, stuffed bunnies, puzzle mat, helicopter, duck pull toy, dog, penguin, caterpillar, lunchbox, swan training potty and toy shelf with black-haired girl, bunny, devil girl, horse, bird and art supplies?Continue reading 1:6 toy chest

The flower shop or the doughnut shop?

The flower shop or the doughnut shop? published on No Comments on The flower shop or the doughnut shop?

At some point recently, Rement came out with extra-super-miniature shops, called Tiny Houses, with furnishings, goods, clerks and customers. One shop is a "donut" shop; the other is a flower shop.

From what I can tell, they are very small; I think the scale might be 1:48. As usual, the number of movable pieces and the details — a paper wrapping station at the florist, for example — really make these sets shine.

I want one for my 1:6 dolls to play with, but I can't decide which one to get! Here are both for sale as a set at etradersplace.com.

Rement issues hina ningyo, a.k.a. dolls for your dolls!

Rement issues hina ningyo, a.k.a. dolls for your dolls! published on No Comments on Rement issues hina ningyo, a.k.a. dolls for your dolls!

One of Rement’s latest sets has a Hina Matsuri theme, which is to say that it celebrates the Japanese March 3 Girls’ Day. During this celebration, elaborate little hina ningyo, or dolls, are displayed representing an Emperor, Empress and court attendants from the Heian Period. Rement’s set duplicates the hina ningyo, their platforms, accessories and settings in 1:6 scale. Hooray! I’m always looking for dolls for my dolls.

Best Microman ever: Fyana from Votoms

Best Microman ever: Fyana from Votoms published on No Comments on Best Microman ever: Fyana from Votoms

Well, I think it’s the best Microman ever because it’s basically a super-articulated, naked female figure with a painted face, no hair and a broad array of hands, waiting to be customized. Unfortunately, she comes with some sort of electronic coffin, which exponentially jacks up her price. Yes, I know she’s a character from an anime series, but I don’t care. It’s a little naked doll waiting for a kitbash! Also did you see that she has articulated feet?!

Dolls for my dolls

Dolls for my dolls published on No Comments on Dolls for my dolls

Anneka and Will are each supposed to have some dolls of their own in 1:6 scale, but I’ve had a horrible time finding affordable figures in the 1:36ish range…until now. The Homies series of plastic figures, all 2" high or less, presents models of various urban characters, one set of which, the Micro Icon Punks, would be perfect for Anneka and Will’s dolls. But I still need to make at least one mermaid for Anneka and a Bru for Will…maybe out of paper…

Barclay’s O Gauge Corner sells O gauge [1:48] civilian figures for reasonable prices.

Here’s a 1:12 scale girl doll [by Sophie Drummond?] that might work as Will’s Bru.

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