u/BugMemory

There was a super well done MLP-looking doll by QiMeng; unfortunately the link I saw was from xhs, which I don't have access to, but someone did post the taobao link on the larger bjd Discord (I also don't have an account on toabao buuuut if you can access it, you can preorder one if it's still up: https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=1022599712230&mi_id=0000tprQ5VihI13MmCKJTsWtK6KkPr-H81cSFUdH0_B5As8&spm=a21xtw.29178619.0.0&xxc=shop)

On the note of sculpting: I have sculpted several quadrupedal dolls! I will say that there really aren't many examples (that I like...). Many of the "pet dolls" companies make look very awkward to me, and most artists do not properly learn animal anatomy even though there is much overlap between animals. Anyway, if you'd like a link to the bjd-makers discord, please message me and we can try to help with your sculpting journey if you still wanna go that route. I have attached an image of the MLP doll.

https://preview.redd.it/orxf9x4rn5xh1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9b3ad02b6c9d144bb77e0b70127d3af5098d164e

s'all good

I'm not seeking critique on my sculpts

You say you have used Nomad before for sculpting, so I'm assuming you still have an iPad that can run it? (I know they have a desktop version as well). Stick with Nomad; it is easiest to use and I use it exclusively.

As for learning jointing and stuff... I started out by just buying a 3d printer (Elegoo Saturn S, which I still use years later) because I didn't know/think someone else could print for me. I'm all for fearless crafting and independence. You will learn SO much more if you have your own printer and have agency over how much to print, when to print, and not waiting for someone to mail it to you. You also have no control over how they support your model (or, if you support it yourself, you will not be good at it in the beginning), and whether they printed it with the correct settings. I have seen other doll makers have their prints done by someone else and they come back with shift lines and the company/individual will go "that's part of the normal printing process." Um, no it isn't. It means it was either supported wrong or had the wrong settings. If you printed it yourself, you could see exactly where and how things didn't go ideally, and could fix it.

But, that being said, my philosophy is very wary of others doing things for me, and I want to learn and explore things myself. If this doesn't sound like you (printing has a big learning curve and many people don't want to deal with that), then, do what you think is best. I do think that it'll be more financially efficient to get a used or refurbished printer yourself and just do it. You'll have print fails, but, if your goal is to sculpt an entire body, I really think you should print it yourself. Otherwise, someone else prints it for you and then you need to do a few revisions, and they print it all over again? And you're paying each time? If you do it yourself, you can print like, one specific joint to test it (you can do this with a service but it'll prolong the process by so long... I'm thinking a few hours as opposed to weeks per print because they have a queue and then have to ship it to you)

As for learning to engineer joints, I can only recommend looking at dolls (if you own any), looking at photos, and asking on the bjd makers discord? There is bad advice everywhere, though, and I believe the best teacher is experience and just trying and seeing what works. Don't rush yourself, though... it takes me on average a year to sculpt a doll body so that's kinda what I expect from myself

I live in WA and got the plant here, so if it were outside in a nursery it may have gotten some conifer in it. I would have liked to keep it as another house plant but I guess I can't really if that is what it is (I don't have a yard to plant it in, unfortunately). Thanks for your responses!

https://preview.redd.it/emi11ft2vh0g1.jpeg?width=604&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ec7a8c54256d39a11658f17231e2610a6b703392

It does not have a woody sort of stem, has been in the pot about a month if that helps. Do you think it could be something like this plant? (sorry for the bad pic, I hope it loads, but don't know what it is called as it was in a group houseplant photo)

Thank you! She's 68cm tall.

I have done layaway through both Alice's Collections and LegendDoll, yes. I actually got my first doll through Denver Doll. If I remember correctly, I think DD and AC want you to finish the layaway within like four months but I think LegendDoll might offer a longer period of time? I can't remember for sure but I think you can check the site or email them to see how long they offer it.

Most doll dealers offer layaway, btw! I would avoid bjdivas just because I have heard they might not order your doll until your layaway is done, which can make waiting for your doll take like... over a year or longer. New Clover Singing is another site I have ordered from and did not have any issues (she also offers layaway), but recently some people have been getting the wrong items from her.

When I do blushing I basically just accent parts of the sculpt with pastel. You can definitely find tutorials for this, but, basically you'll want to coat the blank doll, then you add layers of color. When I do blushing just to accent the sculpt, I'll put some pastel on a brush and brush it into the "indents" etc of the sculpt and then wipe off the excess with a magic eraser (many of my sculpts have sculpted-on fur, so I do this for them). Then you coat between layers (most people use Mr Super Clear; I do two very light coats of this between pastel layers) and coat MSC again on top to protect the work (I do three very light coatings on top). I am unsure whether or not you'd have difficulty doing blushing if you have some mobility issues, but general body blushing doesn't require a lot of precision (and is easy to fix before you seal it, unlike some parts of a faceup such as drawing on eyebrows), so it's worth a try if you're interested.

I don't think you'd be significantly limited! You certainly do not need to assemble the doll yourself (the vast majority are already assembled unless you get a "kit" which are very rare and usually only offered by independent artists). Even then, those same people tend to offer them assembled. People regularly send their heads out to get faceups, and many people still do not like to do them themselves because it takes a bit of practice, so I'm sure you can find someone to customize your doll!

Also.... as an artist myself, I have found that the essential aspects for human dolls for me are just a faceup and clothes. I don't really care about body blushing because I don't usually display my dolls without clothes. Basically I would recommend finding an outfit you like, and then either finding an artist to get a faceup done from or you can get one from the company you order it from if they offer that option. Most companies don't do custom faceups but will have photos of the style they offer. Independent artists will usually offer a more custom approach if you want a specific look. But, you can also get a "full set" doll that comes with the faceup, body blushing, and outfit, if you like a specific doll's styling.

I recommend browsing Alice's Collections (acbjd.com) or Legend Doll (legenddoll.net) to see what kinds of dolls you like! I recommend both as dealers, but find LegendDoll to have slightly better QA (both have good customer service, though).

I do second finding a local meetup group. If you're on Discord, there are regional bjd servers on there (as well as larger ones where you could ask for local group recommendations). Your local people are a good resource and could likely even help you customize your doll.

I was also going to recommend artist heads. I have one that is 1/3 size! And many other artists do, too. There are some really interesting head sculpts from independent artists and it's worth looking around Instagram or getting recommendations on the bjd Discord server if you know what vibe/style you want

These were made by dollsbynika for the fullset orders from the preorder

Thank you, I really couldn't miss the opportunity to have a little shoot of them together. I hope it gave them good juju to have a little coven meeting before parting ways.

Two that come to mind for me are DollZone Snow Fulai and Doll Chateau Violet. DC Violet in particular has big horns, and also ears and hooves. Snow doesn't have sheepy ears but has horns, wings(?), hooves, and a tail

Hey, thanks for your interest! If I do, it would be more than a year out from now, although I am doubtful I will do another order of them for a few reasons. Namely, I have several other dolls I want to create first, which will take up my time and energy; and I find that, for the most part, I don't have a strong interest in a particular piece once it is completed, which means I most likely won't devote energy to revisiting old projects, even if it is only to re-promote something I made previously. I'm not ruling anything out, but I feel that most likely I will not.

I probably won't be doing another preorder (at least anytime soon), only because I have several other projects I'd like to make first. If I do another, I guess it'd be like at least a year down the line and only if I can see there would be a demand for it ^^

Sculpt is BugMemory Harold ^^

For context, I plan for this doll to be 1/3 scale. I hope to be able to prototype her within the next month or so.

Oh actually I also have a hybrid light gray/smoke color one that someone had swapped their order for; if that happens to be a color you'd want, feel free to DM me (the color isn't pictured in this mock-up but it's a combo of the light gray and dark gray transparent color)

I'll have 4 extras of a few colors at Resin Rose in August! If I don't sell them all there, I'll have them available online afterwards.

Specifically the head is the first prototype of my "Violet" sculpt and the body is an extra of my large size "Muriel" sculpt in the Key color

I really like this little guy Miracledoll is making, but back then they said it was still "in production" and I haven't heard anything since then: https://www.instagram.com/p/CzgX94ErIXu/

Hey all! Here is a link to the preorder info page, where you can see options and fill out the form to request to join the preorder. Thank you so much for your interest and support!

https://bugmemory.bigcartel.com/harold-preorder-2024

Credits:
Eyes by ashuradarkeyes on Instagram
Robe by kiwininamori_bjd on Instagram (I added the brooch and did weathering/staining)

The cloak was made by kiwininamori_bjd on Instagram! She sewed it for me and then I added the brooch and did the weathering and staining effects.

I should also mention the eyes are custom from ashuradarkeyes on Instagram as well, if anyone else is wondering! I plan to include some of the eyes with every order, and offer the robe as a fullset option.

I haven't measured his exact height but he is 1/4 scale! I scaled him to one of my 1/4 dolls, and he can wear 1/4 clothing for his upper body. He doesn't stand as tall as a 1/4 human doll, though, because his back legs are tiny lol