Doll Paint Adventure 2

Hellu!

So as you all know, Tai (my Dollfie Dream) was spray painted to be tan skin. I used Tamiya spray paint in tan colour and I was really pleased with the colour. Unfortunately I didn't let the primer and main coat dry long enough so the paint ended up sticky and Tai ended up with the nickname "Sticky"

(Tai's sticky body)

After visiting a hobby shop for counsel, one of the paint experts told me that she could be saved and that I would have to sand the sticky parts off, reprime and paint the body. I got the needed supplies and finished the procedure but looking at the time from then until Doll north (it was about 4 weeks away) I knew the body would not be dry on time.

(Body pieces after priming)

(A few body parts drying after main coat)

Tai held up at Doll North for the most part but she got a few marks and her clothes started sticking again. I knew that her paint job would need to be repaired so I let it slide. After the convention I was going to repair her but I got busy as usual so the poor thing was sitting there for a while. After I got Shiera (Iplehouse Cocori) and the rit dye process went well, I wondered if I could do the same with Tai. I recalled seeing someone who dyed their Dollfie Dream and it seemed to work. I'm also getting interested in this VHT vinyl dye that I have been reading about so I'm not sure which route to take.. 
Either way I thought I'd see if I could get Tai's multi-layered body completely paint free. For anyone wondering, it works! All I needed was some Windsor and Newton brush cleaner (not much) , a few spoonges and some time. She is completely cleaned and normal skin again. I was sad to wipe her face, especially since it was the only part to completely dry..

(Haneino Tsukiko 's dyed Dollfie Dream Karomie)

(Tai's primed, painted, and primed again bust piece after being wiped)

(Tai after being cleaned and Shiera)

(VHT vinyl dye)

My future plans for Tai involve her bring tan again and I'd like to continue her character development into a gyaru (either B-Gal or Bibinba). So far she has her wig and a few gold accessories. I'd like her face up to look something like this minus the piercings:

(Tai's possible new look)

Not sure how long Tai will stay normal skin since my work schedule is crazy and Michael's arts and crafts is a couple hours away from home.

Until next time!

-K

Grail doll #1 arrived!

Hello all,

I finally received one of my grail dolls yesterday, iplehouse Gentle Cocori! I was so happy when I saw that she arrived in Canada and was out of customs within a day. Surprisingly the brokerage fees were not bad and I got her in early morning (which rarely happens).

When I opened her, I was surprised to see she came with a soft doll carrier. Make life easier for me as I don't have to squeeze my two girls in the coffin carrier (I think it's possible though, we'll see once Reily makes it here). Inside the carrier she was wrapped in two pillows and bubble wrap. After releasing her from the carrier, I immediately brought her to my sewing room to see what she could wear in the mean time. She's borrowing a shirt and pants from Tai (surprisingly they find with some little adjustments).

(Tai and Raven's first meet)

(Raven and Tai)

 I usually make my doll wigs but I saw a nice wine coloured one at Anime North and decided to buy it for a doll so I tried it on. Not too sure how I like it with her so I'll be making a new one today or later this week. Here's a few pictures on her trying on Tai's wigs.

(Raven as Brunette)

 (Raven as Blonde)

(Tai trying on wine wig, not too bad)

I was having fun attempting a face up but sadly I had to work last night. I didn't get too far with it and I definitely need more practice. Some how I found it easier to paint Tai's face, Raven's requires more details. Anyhow, here's was a came up with in a short amount of time, most likely its going to change.

In other news, I went to a local doll meet on Sunday and I shall be posting the pictures in a later post. Until next time!

-K

Here we go! #1

Hey, Kai here!

So I've had blogs in the past.. Trials and failures.. I'm taking a stab at this (again) with a nice clean slate. I'm going to try to write here at least once a week, one step at a time!

So let's get down to business, I've been interested in the doll hobby for a year now. I was introduced in April of 2011 while watching an episode of Danny Choo's "Culture Japan" where they had a visit to a doll factory. During most of his episodes he shows off his dolls in the background and I found myself being more interested in them. Since eight months of thinking about dolls, received my first doll part (head) in January of this year (2012) and the body in March. My first completed doll is a Dollfie Dreams from Volks. Her head is an HDD-02 and the body is a Dollfie Dream Dynamite (huge chest and derriere). I call her Tai Blüdhaven.

(HDD-02 head from Volks)

My second ordered doll is one of the dolls that I first saw while researching the hobby, Dollzone Cherry. I originally planed to order her later but Dollzone was discontinuing her along with some other dolls. I put her on three months layaway from April and now I have one more payment to go! I call her Reily Hamilton.

(Dollzone Cherry)

My third ordered doll ordered is the third doll I saw and fell in love with, Iplehouse YID Gentle Cocori. I never thought that I'd have a chance to get her since of the price and that Iplehouse discontinued the whole YID doll line. After a few weeks of being discontinued, Cocori and an other doll appeared back on the iplehouse website for sale (assuming some people cancelled their orders) in normal and white skin only. After searching the Den of Angel's market place for months for a tanned version of the doll, I bite the bullet and bought the last Gentle Cocori in normal skin two days ago. She's been shipped so I shall see her soon! I call her Raven Stone.

(Iplehouse Gentle Cocori)

Now for my blog name, BJD Alchemist. First is because I like to be creative. I make all my dolls clothes, wigs and accessories and only plan on letting myself buy shoes. Secondly I want to make by dolls unique with and plan to mod them. Lastly I just finished watch Fullmetal Alchemist and Brotherhood so I'm still riding that high lol! My first doll Tai has modded eye holes, pierced ears, a sanded down chin, a modded bust piece, a cut and sanded down nose and was spray painted to be tan. As my other dolls roll in, I'll reveal my plans for them. Until then, here's a few pictures of Tai after her mods.

-K