Then when we went on our fall trip, we started at the Ottawa Doll Show. There were two vendors selling very inexpensive naked BJDs, all legit dolls. There were too many different kinds for me to decide which one to buy, so I made a phone call out west to ask Nat directly. I described the dolls that were available, and Nat chose a smaller anime style one with elf ears. So I bought it for just $50 Canadian. No taxes, no shipping costs, and no Customs taxes or handling fees!
Back in June when we went out west, we stopped in to visit our son and his family. Our daughter-in-law and one of the grandchildren were very interested in my dragons. Nat was also interested in my BJDs, saying that they and a friend were considering getting into them, maybe even making one of their own. When we got home I started up an email conversation with Nat trying to figure out what kind of BJD they might enjoy. My plan was to find a less expensive 'starter' doll, make an outfit, and send it as a Christmas gift. Then when we went on our fall trip, we started at the Ottawa Doll Show. There were two vendors selling very inexpensive naked BJDs, all legit dolls. There were too many different kinds for me to decide which one to buy, so I made a phone call out west to ask Nat directly. I described the dolls that were available, and Nat chose a smaller anime style one with elf ears. So I bought it for just $50 Canadian. No taxes, no shipping costs, and no Customs taxes or handling fees! The doll is a Fen Jie Xian Fairy by Dividing Line. They are very inexpensive legit dolls, and it did not come with a COA. I looked them up on DoA for more information. The dolls are YoSDs that are released on a limited run in a 'lucky box' system and the basic ones are only offered in MDD semi-white and blank. There are 5 basic sculpts and 3 special ones (in the special colors: purple and black and 1 transparent one) If you buy a 6-pieces set, you are guaranteed to get all the 5 basic ones and a random 6th one. That can either be one of the basic ones or one of the specials. Buyers are not given a choice if they only order one. The doll is a lovely smooth resin, and is double-jointed. It poses very well, although she has limited wrist movement. Nat and I were in email contact, and I asked what kind of outfit they had in mind. Nat suggested a yellow T-shirt with a blue gingham jumper. So I gathered some fabrics and some yarns for a possible sweater set, and sent a photo. Nat approved and also liked both yarn options for a sweater set should I choose to knit one. And I started to make a hard wig cap, as it's always better to do something that messy before the doll gets painted. Nat was hoping the doll could have pink hair, so I took out the only pink mohair I had and stitched it into fringes, and applied Gemtack glue down the centre along the stitching lines... Once the glue was dry I cut the strips down the middle and combed them... A few weeks later I brought the doll away to Charie Wilson Grenier to be painted. Charie asked how Nat wanted the doll painted, so Nat sent some photos, which I forwarded to Charie... It was of Sigewinne from a popular video game. I realized what Nat was really after was an 'anime' character, so I did some research Nat had specifically suggested a yellow T-shirt with a blue gingham jumper, so, without totally starting over, I wondered how to turn the outfit I'd made into more of an anime outfit. Nat suggested adding lots of bows. So I added some pale pink lace around the hem of the jumper, added some pink embroidery, an apron with bows, and a bow at the neck, ...and a huge double bow at the back... When I went to pick up the doll, Charie had even given her pink eyes, and blue eyebrows. Now, I'm totally not into anime dolls so it took me a little to get used to this new style. But I dressed the doll and took photos of her with some different wigs.... And back when I hadn't yet realized Nat was really looking for something anime, I'd made this second outfit, complete with sweater & hat. I'd send it too as an additional option. Then while I was waiting for the Postal strike to be over I took some holiday photos... The strike ended a week before Christmas, but the parcel still arrived quickly, nicely on Christmas Eve. Nat absolutely loved the doll!
2 Comments
Dorian
12/29/2024 08:43:21 am
Nat is so lucky - the doll turned out perfectly. I think she is just adorable either as anime or just a cute little fairy.
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Dorothy
12/29/2024 10:29:37 am
The doll is adorable. I love the outfits. I see that she shows your special touch. "Martha made" ensembles are always beautiful and notable.
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AuthorMartha Boers is an award-winning Canadian doll maker and costumer specializing in fantasy and historical-style costumes. Archives
February 2025
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