From the Virtual Doll Convention: "How Doll Collecting Makes Your Life Better"

 Virtual Doll Convention puts out a ton of reading material and video content. Today I was looking through their posts and came across this article dated February 24, 2023. 

So, just in case you didn't know already, doll collecting makes your life better! Here are some of the ways it does so.

We are ALL about doll collecting here at Virtual Doll Convention. Expanding our knowledge, creating communities, and enjoying the hobby is where we thrive. And chances are that if you are reading this, you might feel the same. 

 The thrill of the hunt: Doll collecting can be a fun and exciting hobby because it involves searching for rare or unique dolls to add to your collection. This can include scouring antique stores, flea markets, and online marketplaces to find the perfect addition to your collection. Click the video to shop at the Flea with Rachel, Allison, and Paul. It was so much fun!

 Learning about history and culture: Collecting dolls can also be a great way to learn about different cultures and historical periods. Many dolls are made to represent specific ethnic groups or time periods, and researching the background of your dolls can be a fun and engaging way to learn about different parts of the world and different eras of history 

 Creative expression: Doll collecting can be an excellent outlet for creativity, as collectors can style and display their dolls in various ways. This can involve creating custom outfits and accessories, setting up displays and dioramas, or even creating their own stories and scenarios for their dolls.

 Connection with other collectors: Collecting dolls can also provide an opportunity to connect with other collectors who share your passion. This can involve attending doll shows and conventions, joining online forums and social media groups, or even hosting your own events to share your collection with others. 

Nostalgia and sentimentality: For many collectors, dolls hold sentimental value because they represent a connection to childhood memories or special moments in their lives. Collecting dolls can be a way to reconnect with those memories and hold onto something special from the past.

Sense of accomplishment: Collecting dolls can also provide a sense of accomplishment as collectors work towards completing a collection, finding rare or unique dolls, or restoring damaged dolls to their original condition. This sense of accomplishment can boost self-esteem and provide a sense of pride in one's collection. Can you remember a time when you felt accomplished in your doll hobby?

Overall, doll collecting is a hobby that can bring joy and fulfillment to collectors of all ages and backgrounds. Whether collecting for nostalgia, aesthetics, historical or cultural significance, or as an investment, the beauty and intricacy of dolls make them a timeless and cherished collectible.

Source: https://www.virtualdollconvention.com/virtualconventionblog/benefits-of-doll-collecting

Meet My Smart Dolls

 I have three now. There is only one more that I want but I can wait. I love looking at these gals. It's so different for me. 

For a few years, I owned several 21" Madame Alexander Cissy dolls. I loved them because the MA company made their fashions so beautifully and so detailed. I came to feel that they weren't fun. There was very little flexibility and posing was limited. They passed on to other collectors. 

These Smart Dolls are very flexible and pose beautifully. A huge benefit is that I don't have to handle them with gloves (literally.) They're not going to get shiny from being dressed by clean, bare hands. Not that I wanted to, don't be ridiculous, but I accidentally dropped London this morning. Her hair got messy. That's it. What freedom! 

I adore my other dolls but I have room in my life for these girls, too.

London, Brooklyn and Paris 

Originally Chitose Multiverse Semi-Real, Future (Semi-Real ver. Mirai) and Prowess Cocoa.

Chitose was purchased as a head only. 

Here is Paris in Chitose's wig. Meh.

Brooklyn's wig is not on correctly. Oops. It is a lace wig. I know that many human wigs are made this way. This photo was taken in my bedroom, lit by a lamp at night. I had just put the wig on her for the first time. The next day, I removed it and carefully cut the lace to the hairline. I've never done that before.

All their clothes, except for Brooklyn's hoodie, are Mirai labeled. London and Paris are wearing wigs from the Dallas Doll Co. Brooklyn's wig is from Sophie's Toy Paradise. 

This is the first time in over 20 years that I felt certain dolls needed names. Just calling them by their sculpt name didn't make sense to me.  London is a city I love. Brooklyn is where I was born and grew up. Paris reminds me of someone I knew in Woodstock. I may have decided upon the name of my next one but I'm not telling yet.

Starting on Another Path: Smart Doll

 

Prowess

Chitose

Prowess

She is Loki's new friend now.

Kingdom Dolls Koal and Queenie

Koal is the most recent Kingdom Doll release. She came with everything in the first photo except I changed her shoes. In the second photo, I switched from the Dragon Lady nail hands to her gold-gloved hands. In that photo she is wearing the short pants and shoes she came with, a different wig and a piece of jewelry from elsewhere.

Queenie (12/21) was the most amazing gift set. She came with four pairs of hands and a load of other goodies as you can see in the first photo. She is fun to play with as is her puppy, Princess.

Some of my Newest Photos

Draig is modeling an ensemble by Kha Hoang. The gown is beaded and the detachable train is fully sequined. Wig by Chewin.

 

Koal is the latest doll released by Kingdom Doll. 

MoneyQueen Dolls by Nataliia Luka

Unfortunately, I have to say this again: All the images and text on this site are copyrighted by me except in the case of other attribution. If you wish to use one of my photos, you need to get permission in writing from me. Thank you.

MoneyQueen Doll

I have taken several days of consideration and many photographs before writing a review on the MoneyQueen doll that I purchased at the end of August 2022. She arrived in a big box from Poland just after the new year. This purchase was pretty much outside of my comfort zone as I am firmly a Kingdom Doll collector who makes occasional forays into the 12" and under vinyl doll category. 

I don't remember what sent me in this direction at that time other than she looked nice and had two faces and wigs. She was not inexpensive at $700. plus $30. postage.

She did not come with a fashion or doll stand.  

See the editor's update at the end of this post.

What I Received

The order was not delivered in its entirety with the additional head and wig and the CoA was not included either. Nataliia is not fluent in English and apparently, there was a 'misunderstanding' about what I ordered. I did not misunderstand at all. I did know the CoA would be late and told her I did not want to wait for it to be ready. I received a pair of lower legs with a fixed foot. At first, I thought perhaps it would have a flat foot but it is just like the other feet without ankle articulation.

Nataliia's Photo

This is the posted advertisement upon which I based my order.  Nataliia told me she will make a new head for me and I will get the missing wig. 

As I do with all my new dolls, I had her in my doll room and tried to find shoes that would fit. I had no luck at all. Her feet are wide. They look good but I'll have to get a pair of shoes for her. 

Before I go further, I need to explain that all the photos I shot with my iPhone in my doll room have been color corrected to my taste. The above photo and all the ones I shot with my SLR in my studio are not retouched or color corrected at all. In one case, I removed stray hairs that were on her face. 

Why did I color correct when my iPhone usually corrects everything automatically? The blushing on the MQ has an obvious orange tint. I did not like that at all. Here is a full-body shot that clearly shows the orange. This is a matter of personal taste. I would prefer a more neutral blushing on the body and face. 

The photo below shows a comparison between the original, unretouched head and the color-adjusted shot. Let me just repeat, this is my taste and not a defect.

As long as we are on the subject of the head, several collectors have made comments about the shape of MQ's head. I didn't notice that it was really unusually large because her face appears to be proportionate. However, after studying my photos and those from Nataliia, I see that they should be minimized. 

Left - color corrected iPhone. Right - no adjustments.

MQ needs a size 5-6 wig.  I have a few non-hard cap wigs and did some quickie try-ons. These were size 6-7. I didn't fuss with them obviously, and they don't do anything for her. 

This 5-6 wig fits her. I didn't say it looks good but any soft cap wig will need to be styled after it's put on. Trimming is often necessary.

The rooted scalp system is clever but a bit fiddly to put on. And, it would look better if the head/forehead were smaller. 
I'm going to put a ribbon through the stringing inside her head. That makes it much easier to pull up to remove or replace the head. 
Notice that she has inset as opposed to painted eyes. According to the BJD mavens, that makes her a true BJD. 

During her photo shoot, I decided to move the upper chest joint. It seems to have been too tight and left some marks. 

Her hands are lovely. The nails neet just a bit of refining. I will polish them myself with a tiny brush, acrylic paint and gloss sealer. I'll do the same to her toenails.

MoneyQueen has incredible flexibility. I think she will make an excellent lingerie or bathing suit model in my collection. The extra joint in her upper hip allows all sorts of leg positions. It also sacrifices a bit of stability when standing. The stringing is very good.

MQ is a lovely doll that needs refinement. Most of all, her head needs to be made smaller. Her feet need a narrower sculpt to be in line with shoes that are readily available. The color blushing needs to be less orange.

Other changes I'd like to see are:
-an extra set of differently styled hands that can be switched out,

-closer attention to the eyebrow painting.
-a doll stand

-a face shield.

Editor Update:  At this time I do not recommend purchasing this doll. There are too many refinements missing and the size of the head is wrong for the body. In addition, one would have to have custom shoes and fashions created for her.