#stop digging

[maleficentmrsofallevil]

In a hole; still digging

Something I didn't mention in two prior posts about Luts: as I've said (ad nauseum), I've been a BJD collector for a few years now. With BJD collecting, there's a lot of - let's call it opaqueness. Den of Angels used to be the foremost authority on all things BJD, and honestly, while there have been tons of theories as to why the forum has lost popularity, I would point to one major factor: when image hosting stopped being free on Photobucket. Seems like as soon as Photobucket ended that particular perk, folks moved to free spaces like Instagram.

But I digress. The point is - this is a seriously niche hobby, and information is thin on the ground. Sometimes, you have to take clues from patterns you see, and after collecting for a few years, I've learned to view deviations from those patterns with a bit of suspicion.

For example: when a company only shows pictures of a doll's face fully painted (no blank photos), and the face is always pointed downwards, I will no longer buy. I need to see front and side/profile pictures of the blank sculpt. Otherwise, I'll get a head with a jarring feature (usually a poorly sculpted nose) that I do NOT like.

If the doll is always dressed, or posed with fancy fabric or props that conceal the joints (especially the knees), I will no longer buy. Chances are decent I'm going to get a doll that doesn't pose well.

Another pattern I've noticed is that the big, established companies tend to sell only their own dolls, and no one else's. Some examples:

Fairyland

Iplehouse:

Dreaming Doll:

There are two reasons I never ordered a doll directly from Luts. 1) There wasn't a sculpt that I just had to have, and damn the consequences (i.e., price).

2) I hesitated because...:

Luts has a "Brand Doll" tab that looks like a doll dealer tab. That's a LOT of brands that aren't Luts. I've seen doll dealers that carry fewer brands.

One of the things I've been told repeatedly is that doll companies are more like studios or machine shops. You are dealing directly with the people who make the dolls. Frequently, it's a 3-4 person operation. They tend to be a little rougher around the edges, and there isn't a dedicated customer service department. (Which is why folks who need customer service should order from dealers.)

So... how does Luts have time to be a dealer for all these other doll companies, and make their own dolls?

Even though I am almost certainly hated by Luts doll collectors, I would like to assert AGAIN that Luts makes gorgeous dolls. I just disagree with how the newer bodies are engineered. Considering the numerous other brands Luts offers for sale on their website? I don't think I'm alone.

Others are likely afraid to say anything bad (small hobby - word travels fast - people get pissed). I OTOH am a cranky old broad who has no issue throwing my big bull ass around the BJD china shop.

ONE HUGE EXCEPTION: VOLKS

Volks is the OG of BJDs. Volks is the GOAT of BJDs. Volks invented BJDs. Volks started life as a hobby company, and BJDs were incorporated into the business. If you're brand spanking new to the hobby and willing to drop a grand or two on a new doll, Volks offers the BEST new collector experience. My first Volks purchase was a dress, and I was stunned by the thought and care that went into the construction. I watched someone unbox a new doll from Volks, and when I then saw a used, complete SD one-off doll on Mandarake for under $600, I snapped it up. It was from 2009 and worth every penny of what I paid.

I completely understand why some people are loyal to and buy from Volks only. Buying a new Volks doll is like buying a new luxury car. Other companies... well, they're a bit more like DIY kit cars sometimes. Which I like! But I don't recommend for new collectors.

I don't shill for Volks because of the price. That's a lot of cheddar to expect from someone who knows nothing about these dolls.

[momentsofmusic]

Stop Digging by Skating Polly

[ruthimages]

[flipit-turnways]

@bipbopdepmop

words of wisdom from wikipedia this evening

[hotcinnamonsunset]

🎣lure me in, baby!

[soranker]

tomorrow :)

[yi3248]

napping

[shkika]

hes wobblin'

[jadvvigadoodlez]

the classes of all time ⛏️

[solarockk]

Sometimes I can't help myself at all

rip doggy allience you will be missed

Kind of a sequel to this

[forbiddenseason]

More about Loser Baby but about the moment where Angel calls himself a “coked up dick sucking ho”

He calls himself that to demean himself. Many other characters (antagonists usually) use the same kinds of words to demean Angel and imply he isn’t worthwhile.

But Husk says “baby, that’s fine by me.”

And it makes Angel smile, it’s what really cheers him up.

The entire song is about having value as a person despite where you are in life.

[fraternum-momentum]

fucking kill me

[canisalbus]

I could see Machete as one of those goats that has their horns grow into their head

Like you know some type of "can't run from the inevitable" type of analogy or something

.

[mechagender]

i hate finding caches with everything in me

[undercoverangell]

the best way to put how i feel

[lowkeiloki]

here's a hot take

i love gwen stacy BECAUSE of all the dumb shit she does in ATSV when she meets miles again. for opening his collectable, going through his sketchbook and all the other (admittedly) horrifying stuff she does because it shows her socially awkward side. she isolated herself from everyone after losing her peter, she doesnt really know how to act around her peers anymore, then she starts warming up to miles, but had to leave him too and then when she got to see him again she got overly excited bc ofcourse she did. she opened the collectable probably thinking its a harmless tease, possibly as a "revenge" for him ripping his hair, she goes through his sketchbook potentially wanting to show interest in his hobby, she calls his parents by their first names bc maybe she didnt wanna sound overly formal or because its just a normal thing in different cultures (and gwen is from a whole other dimension so god knows what the culture is like there)

in so many movies (especially action movies) in teams where there is one woman, that woman has to be the collected and serious one that rolls her eyes at the boys screwing around and i cannot stress enough how refreshing it is to see a female character who is not that, a female character who is allowed to be awkward and silly and cringeworthy and genuinely wants to show affection but doesnt quite know how, ESPECIALLY in a marvel movie