AT-AT wants to go out.

On Flickr, NickIsConfused has a set where he took pictures of a Star Wars walking robot AT-AT toy so that it looks like a house pet.

Saga of international shipping concludes. Also our economy is in the shitter.

Well, somehow the French buyer for the Dollshe body argued her way out of paying customs fees on the full insured value, and she only ended up paying them on the postage and a nominal value. So, anyway, she's happy because she got the body parts [and some extras] in perfect condition, and I'm happy that this needlessly complex transaction has completed...also that I have half a thousand dollars heading toward my furniture bill!

Sardonix' Thaasa body is still up for sale, but no one wants it, so she's staying. In yet another sure indicator of economic crap-out, the DOA marketplace has slowed considerably. In fact, I see on the DOA marketplace some interesting trends that show anecdotally how shittily we are in the economic shitter:

• I've seen a spike in the number of dolls on the block because people need the money for various reasons [job loss, mortgage payments, car payments].
• I've seen a slight increase in rare valuable dolls on the block, such as Dollshe Bermanns. In an illustration of this point and the previous one, my friend actually sold her Bermann late last year because she and her husband needed the $$$.
• Dolls remain unsold for longer periods.
• Many sellers are lowering prices. Some really want or need to sell their dolls so badly that they start dropping prices by $25 or $50 after a few days or a week of no responses. Others offer free insured shipping, usually only to locations in the same country where they live. I've also seen many people selling "regular" dolls [e.g., not limiteds or highly coveted ones) at a 15-25% loss.

All of these indicators prove advantageous to buyers, but there aren't as many buyers these days as there are sellers.

Planetdoll Tiny Riz fits into Tonner Agnes Dreary clothes?

She might, according to DOAers. If that's so, then that's an even greater incentive to get such a body for Absinthe, since I really like the Agnes Dreary clothing.

• Minor Conundrum outfit [unfortunately comes with doll] has a bit of a fetish edge.
• Dreary Dinner Doldrums [unfortunately comes with doll as well] looks like it's made out of spider webs spun from dried blood.
• Recess in the Cemetery is nice and serious and subdued, but I think that the lace collar and cuffs detract.
• Naughty or Nice [dammit -- a doll] would be great formal wear.

While I've got an interest in Tonner 12-incher clothes, I might also note that Marley, Alice, Lyra, Dorothy and Gerda are the same size. Do they have anything interesting??

• Alice's Victorian Stripes [unfortunately comes with doll] is just beautiful.
• Marley's Upstate Weekend is good for climbing trees.
• Lyra's Lyra at Oxford outfit is simple and practical.
• Lyra's Svalbard outfit contains a glorious clash of patterns and textures, not to mention an awesome parka.
• Gerda's outfit is simple and practical and subdued.

Little Will doll is back after much travail.

After being commissioned about 2 months ago and having his open-eyed plate eaten by USPS 1 month ago, Little Will has finally gotten his free faceup from tiffanyjbt, and he has successfully returned to me. Hooray! The faceup is pretty much as I requested, and it does a great job of making this otherwise perky and cute headsculpt look weary and worried.

After 2 months of annoyance, Little Will is STILL not finished. As you can tell from the flyaway mess on his head now, he needs a real wig, one NOT made by me out of spare Barbie hair....probably a mohair one.

When Little Will gets his little hair, he will finally be done. Then I want him to earn his keep, so he'll pay me back for all the cost and aggravation associated with his creation by getting his own side plot.

Speaking of side plots...

• Absinthe currently has one running, although, at the rate she's causing me grief and money as I seek a resin body for her, she's either gonna get ANOTHER side plot or be incorporated into the main cast a lot more quickly.
• Susie has a side plot coming eventually. I have its arc sketched out, but I haven't written it yet.
• Little Will's gonna get one.
• If Little Will gets one, then Little Anneka gets one for parity. Also I'll take any excuse I can to use Alexandra, Max, Mamie and Minerva.

Wow, it's BUSY in LHF land!!  ( Read more... )