Wednesday Addams Obitsu, & New Obitsus [page 2]

[MeltedCaramel]

Hey there werepuppy! Floods and Ice and Snow, oh my!! The world is just giving us all the middle finger isn't it? My newest weather forecast is over eight inches of snow and then an ice storm the next day! And you can't even canoe in it!! *Sobsob* On a more serious note, glad to hear everyone is okay!!

So far finding a crochet hook has been a hard thing to do, but I should be able to get into town soon enough and have a bigger selection of places to try. I understand what you mean about the obitsu heads and wigs. It really is frustrating

<----If you can online shop, Ebay is your best friend. Bought a set for around $2. They really are invaluable for pulling those darn tiny sleeves through!! Oh man, with the wigs, it's gotten to the point that I just go "FORGET IT" and slap jewelry glue on them. Jewelry glue is amazing because it's got a thick, viscous consistency that really helps grab and "hold" a wig in a very short amount of time, and it doesn't really bleed through the wigs (at least, not enough to hinder styling that I've experienced and I use A LOT of the crap ). Thankfully(??? I won't be saying that when I'm rerooting the guy) my next customs project-in-waiting involves a simple reroot for the guy and the girl got a prerooted Obitsu blonde head. I'm hoping they do nice thick rooting like Volks does because the girl has a short hairstyle in the back that I'm a little worried about (we're talking "boy cut" short).

Hehe, Matilda custom will need to wait for a long while though. First on the list of 'hobby related' priorities is getting my old bear repaired. I've had him all my life, and he's looking a bit worse for wear now. He's very dear to me, so I'd like to make sure he's got a good bit more time left in him.

<---Oh, you're after my own heart! I have a stuffed wolf plush I've had her most of my life as well and she means sooo much to me! Surprisingly she's looking decent for being a bit over twenty!! So what are your plans to repair your bear? I wouldn't trust myself to repair my plushie, I would have to find a professional.

Matilda still sounds like a worthy doll custom though.

Ugh, Mattel and quality. I got a Cerise and her hood is covered in little hole marks from those damn tags they insist on shoving through the back of the doll's head. She's okay to look at from the front, but I daren't turn her round, even from a good bit away I can see these holes.

<---Those holes drive me insane!! I mean..they can't find a less ivasive way to keep the dolls steady? I like how certain companies (do they even still use this method) literally just used some thread to sew the doll to the cardboard back, so all you had in terms of collateral damage was one thread hole and they would usually just sew through a doll's hair and the back of the dress/clothes. Bring that method back into style!! When I got my Clawdeen I was like "...What the HELL?" There is so much needless deboxing with MH and (I'm Assuming Here) EA stuff.

The show did have a character called Ivan in the second series, he was the main character's uncle. The show's called Young Dracula. It's a CBBC show, but it's gotten progressively darker as it's went on and it's now in its 5th series and, well, there are a lot of moments when you go "we sure this is for kids?" In a good way. And yeah, I understand what you mean by Draculaura's personality, it does grate a bit.

<----As a child who grew up watching Don Bluth cartoons I can appreciate and have a certain nostalgic fondness for shows that have that "are we sure this is a kid's show?" vibe to them. I liked movies that didn't dumb things down and in fact when you look back on them as an adult you realize just how adult some of the jokes and complex themes were. I know Young Dracula was put on American television at one point, so that's probably where my memory is coming up insistently with "There was an Ivan in it!" So, who is Nikolai the son of? (Remember, I didn't follow the series, just have a passing "Hey I knew that was on at one point" Random Thought Moment about it.) What really drives me...err...no pun intended I swear, batty, when thinking about Draculaura is I can't pinpoint the reason why exactly she rubs me the wrong way.

And you're right. The customs are for when there isn't an already available doll of that character, or doll that can be easily modified into that character.

<---I think this is why many people get into customizing, or think about hiring someone else to do it: The necessity (well, perceived necessity) of having certain characters in one's arsenal that aren't provided by a mainstream company. Just looking at my customs list, what I have ordered from the forum's resident expert on anime customs Setsunakou and the customs I'm tackling myself, they're all dolls I want that no one has stepped up and said "I'll do it" at a major company yet, nor are they likely ever to. Some of the choices of who does and doesn't get made baffles me, so I just fill in the gaps where I can in my collection!

It's just awesome having a new member that's obviously so passionate about dolliehs! (Took a quick peek at your blog, adorable! <3 )

[werepuppy]

First of all, sorry it's taken me so long to reply on my own thread. I just sort of got caught up in RL things, and never seemed to have the time to come back and reply. So yes, apologies to all. I just want to echo the sentiments of hoping everyone is safe, even though its not as terrible now, but still... Nice to be nice, yes?

I will try and get the crochet hooks from eBay. Failing that... I'll see if my Aunt has any spare; she does a lot of crochet work, so she's probably got tons of the things. I did manage to find a really good glue, but I think I will look into getting jewellery glue, and see if that is more effective. If/when I get around to making another custom; it's likely to be a long while >< I've got one of the pre-rooted Obitsu heads - Wednesday's to be exact - and I know pulling it into pigtails makes it seem a bit ... bare in places at the back. Again, when I find my camera, I will take pictures to show you.

I do plan to get a professional to repair my bear. There's one in Edinburgh, so that's not too far out of the way, an hour or so, so it should be doable. The problem is I really do rely on the bear to help me with some... issues I have, so being without it for a while is something that, I'm not going to lie, will likely lead to a lot of tears from me. I did get a Rowlf from the Disney Store to stand in, and he's adorable and I love him, but there's nothing really like that plush toy you've had for years, is there?

Matilda is a custom I've wanted to do for years, even before I really knew much about customising. I have a little plush rag doll that I call Matilda, and I've very fond of her, but I think I'd like to try to see if I can get a little more book accurate. Well, as book accurate as materials will allow me, anyway. It's odd, actually, I would have thought with the musical they would have jumped on the chance to make an 'official' doll, but so far nothing. (Watch, the minute I start making my custom, an official one will be released.)

There are less invasive ways, I'm sure of it. Actually, I'm positive; I've unboxed other dolls from different companies with no problem like that - even Disney Store packaging doesn't irritate me as much in the head department as Mattel does. I like the EAH box style, but you're right, there is so much unneeded, and it just makes for a lot of clutter. I'm not really in the habit of keeping boxes unless it's for the action figures that come with all the tiny little parts, and I want somewhere safe to keep said parts, but with EAH boxes in particular, I feel horrible at just throwing them out. I'm looking for some decent recycling place.

Ah, you are a person after my own heart. I am immensely fond of media aimed at younger audiences that do not condescend, but treat their audiences with the credit for intelligence they deserve. One of my favourite shows for that growing up was Press Gang, and I really recommend it to anyone - the episodes are likely on youtube, what isn't these days? In short, it's about a group of kids starting their own newspaper. And it is far better than it sounds, believe me.

From Young Dracula, Nikolai is the son of the main character, Vlad, who I did a gender-swap of and called her Mira - short for Vladimira. The gender swap was really me just playing with fic cliches and putting probably far too much thought into things, but I like being able to do stuff like that, and Nikolai's become his own person, with his own supporting cast. Who may never make an appearance, but I'd like to find his sister and his best friend at the very least.

With some characters, it really can be a question as to why there isn't a doll/figure of them yet; or at least not a decent one. You're not the only one baffled by the choices that get made. While I can understand some of the choices, some are just... very odd to me, and leave me in a very confused state.

Aw, thank you for looking at my blog! I really should put up a new post, I have a vague idea for one, it's just really getting the time and posing the dolls and hoping no one interrupts. I'm passionate about a few things, but I enjoy my dollieh passion, I just love the design work that goes into so many of them.It's hard not to smile when seeing them, y'know? (Which reminds me, I really ought to make a post about my action figures. I've been collecting for years, and they're feeling a bit neglected ><)

[MeltedCaramel]

First of all, sorry it's taken me so long to reply on my own thread. I just sort of got caught up in RL things, and never seemed to have the time to come back and reply. So yes, apologies to all. I just want to echo the sentiments of hoping everyone is safe, even though its not as terrible now, but still... Nice to be nice, yes?

<---That's quite alright werepuppy. I'm still here.

I will try and get the crochet hooks from eBay. Failing that... I'll see if my Aunt has any spare; she does a lot of crochet work, so she's probably got tons of the things. I did manage to find a really good glue, but I think I will look into getting jewellery glue, and see if that is more effective. If/when I get around to making another custom; it's likely to be a long while >< I've got one of the pre-rooted Obitsu heads - Wednesday's to be exact - and I know pulling it into pigtails makes it seem a bit ... bare in places at the back. Again, when I find my camera, I will take pictures to show you.

<----The crochet hooks are very, very cheap. I just bought a simple plastic set, the main tip is to make sure it's a small, thin one because you're pulling small, thin doll clothes! As for the prerooted heads, I forget exactly what we were talking about, but for customs that require a certain hairstyle, sometimes rerooting is the only way to go, to combat the sparseness you mentioned. Pain in the ass rerooting is as I'm learning, but it's invaluable for those times that there just isn't an alternative! Are you still working on Ayem? I know you mentioned that you were going to do press on stickers for her. As for Morpheus, have you decided on face/arm tattoos/markings? If you need any help with that just let me know and I would be glad to help in any way I can!! <3

I do plan to get a professional to repair my bear. There's one in Edinburgh, so that's not too far out of the way, an hour or so, so it should be doable. The problem is I really do rely on the bear to help me with some... issues I have, so being without it for a while is something that, I'm not going to lie, will likely lead to a lot of tears from me. I did get a Rowlf from the Disney Store to stand in, and he's adorable and I love him, but there's nothing really like that plush toy you've had for years, is there?

<----Ah, going for a professional is a good idea, but I completely understand the bear and anxiety (? I'm assuming, I apologize) issues. I'm glad that Rowlf can at least be a stand in though, but I agree that there is absolutely nothing like that life-long fuzzy friend you've had. I can still remember getting my wolf plush at the ripe old age of three. I actually remember receiving her. No idea why the memory sticks out so strongly but it does. So I completely understand the comfort of having that plush with you.

Matilda is a custom I've wanted to do for years, even before I really knew much about customising. I have a little plush rag doll that I call Matilda, and I've very fond of her, but I think I'd like to try to see if I can get a little more book accurate. Well, as book accurate as materials will allow me, anyway. It's odd, actually, I would have thought with the musical they would have jumped on the chance to make an 'official' doll, but so far nothing. (Watch, the minute I start making my custom, an official one will be released.)

<----I'm terrible, I don't know much about Mathilda, or if we're thinking of the same character. The children's lit book about the young girl with magic powers? I'm not sure if that's who you're thinking of. But what kind of look does she have? A lot of times their look really dictates the complexity of the custom. I always go over the top with weird anime characters so I stick myself with these complex dolls!! I actually have a literal case of 1/6 katanas that I ordered because I needed a whopping 6 of the same style katana for one doll.

There are less invasive ways, I'm sure of it. Actually, I'm positive; I've unboxed other dolls from different companies with no problem like that - even Disney Store packaging doesn't irritate me as much in the head department as Mattel does. I like the EAH box style, but you're right, there is so much unneeded, and it just makes for a lot of clutter. I'm not really in the habit of keeping boxes unless it's for the action figures that come with all the tiny little parts, and I want somewhere safe to keep said parts, but with EAH boxes in particular, I feel horrible at just throwing them out. I'm looking for some decent recycling place.

<----Honestly the 'holey' problem can be remedied completely with that simple sewing method I was talking about. Mattel really goes for the cheap when they box. I don't mind that, but when it actually starts ruining your doll? No, no, no. I like the Disney Store's streamlined packaging actually, it feels less cluttered than a lot of the packaging 1/6 collector's dolls come in nowadays. Most of my Medicom dolls come in massively oversized boxes that just make me roll my eyes.

Ah, you are a person after my own heart. I am immensely fond of media aimed at younger audiences that do not condescend, but treat their audiences with the credit for intelligence they deserve. One of my favourite shows for that growing up was Press Gang, and I really recommend it to anyone - the episodes are likely on youtube, what isn't these days? In short, it's about a group of kids starting their own newspaper. And it is far better than it sounds, believe me.

<----Ahhh, another person who shares the view that media for children doesn't need to be insultingly simple!! I may have mentioned that my favourite movies growing up were usually Don Bluth movies, like The Secret of Nimh and others. These movies made children think, which I adored even as a young child. I knew that these movies weren't handing me everything on a silver platter, that I had to work and actively think to fully enjoy them. I recently found out that Journey Home, a movie I enjoyed when my younger sister watched it, is in actuality a movie made out of the UK cartoon series The Animals Of Farthing Wood. Even cut for a lot of violence not deemed suitable for American children (the US is just starting to realize that cartoons are enjoyed by people of all ages, but when this was introduced the industry was very much of the thought that cartoons automatically equaled extremely young viewers) the movie was done in such a way that it was obvious it wasn't going to give the viewer their happily ever after without some sacrifice and heartache along the way. I adore anything along these lines!!

From Young Dracula, Nikolai is the son of the main character, Vlad, who I did a gender-swap of and called her Mira - short for Vladimira. The gender swap was really me just playing with fic cliches and putting probably far too much thought into things, but I like being able to do stuff like that, and Nikolai's become his own person, with his own supporting cast. Who may never make an appearance, but I'd like to find his sister and his best friend at the very least.

<---There's nothing wrong with doing what you did! You're flexing a creative muscle. Essentially you're doing your own version of what Monster High and EAH do! And there's no such thing as "too much thought"! The more you've thought about him, the more three dimensional he's going to feel and seem to others. I like that you used the source material as a jumping off point rather than enmeshing Nikolai into the fabric of that universe as well. It seems more in the spirit of the other MH dolls that Nikolai is his own fully developed character with his own friends and siblings. I would adore seeing (or at least hearing) more about his best friend and his sister! Are they feasible customs to create?

With some characters, it really can be a question as to why there isn't a doll/figure of them yet; or at least not a decent one. You're not the only one baffled by the choices that get made. While I can understand some of the choices, some are just... very odd to me, and leave me in a very confused state.

<----Most of the characters I pick to do literally have no chance of being made into a 1/6 figure. *Sigh* There just isn't a market for most of them, and many of them don't even have action figures. Sometimes I can live with just action figures, and in fact I sometimes customize them as well, but for those really special characters I find that only a good 1/6 figure really satisfies me. It's also a fun sort of challenge to see how well I can recreate these characters that I love. Of course a lot of the credit goes to my amazing friend and seamstress, but it's still really fun to paint and style their hair and whatnot!! I just wish I could sew, it would make my life so much easier!

Aw, thank you for looking at my blog! I really should put up a new post, I have a vague idea for one, it's just really getting the time and posing the dolls and hoping no one interrupts. I'm passionate about a few things, but I enjoy my dollieh passion, I just love the design work that goes into so many of them.It's hard not to smile when seeing them, y'know? (Which reminds me, I really ought to make a post about my action figures. I've been collecting for years, and they're feeling a bit neglected ><)

<---Oh, why in the world are you thanking me dear? I thoroughly enjoyed browsing your blog!! And I completely understand about the interruption thing. Though mostly with me it's setting up all of my customizing stuff and making sure everyone leaves me the heck alone! And I completely agree about the design work that goes into the dolls. They just amaze me with how incredible they're made so often!! *Perks up* Action figures? Ohhhh, what do you collect? I have so many!!! And what's rather hilarious is there's no rhyme or reason to my collection. Transformers share space with Naruto and Queen's Blade (these figures are hilarious, their clothes come off! I must admit it's rather novel, if strange!), and countless others!!

So nice to hear from you again werepuppy!! Hope to hear from you again soon!

[werepuppy]

Hello to all, and to all hello!

Ah yes, that would make a lot of sense. I will do my best to ensure that I get only the small, thin crochet hooks. There's a few shops I can try, and a few online places I can try, so there's actually a good bit as resources, when it comes down to it. Re-rooting is something that I don't think I can ever really bring myself to do. I think I would be too worried about messing it up completely; which really isn't the best attitude to go into any customisation project with. As for Ayem and Morpheus, I am still working on them. I'm waiting on the MSC to arrive so I can actually put Ayem's eyes on. Morpheus' markings are taking a little longer to come to mind. I keep doodling down patterns, but so far nothing is popping out at me as being the 'right' one, if that makes any sense.

Don't apologise, you're quite correct. Anxiety, stress, crowd fear... there's a whole lot of issues in me and the bear helps a lot. Actually, the issues are probably why the collecting has become more of a thing over the past few years; it's been a way for me to relax. Well, that and I get into terrible panics and next thing I know, I've bought something that I don't actually remember buying. I've had my bear since the day I was born, one of my cousins brought it to me in the hospital as my Mum always told me when I was younger, so there's a lot of sentimental value attached to him. I think I need to email the professional again though, it's been about a month and there's no word.

Yes, we're thinking of the same Matilda, I think. The book is originally by Roald Dahl, and it's about an impressively intelligent little girl who develops amazing powers as a result of her mind not being challenged enough. Her look is ... well, it's dictated by the art style of Quentin Blake, so I probably won't get an exact replica because I am not good with sculpting. Ah, 1/6 scale weapons, you never quite know when you're going to need them

The sewing method does seem like the best idea. The problem, really, is trying to get all the companies to implement it. I get very frustrated with Mattel's packaging when it ruins the look of my doll - Cerise has to always face the front because even with my terrible eyesight, it's like I can always see the holes on the hood of her cloak. Disney Store does have really streamlined packaging, I agree, it's a nice feeling when unboxing. Not so much to mess around with. And aaah, Medicom. They did an Ankh doll - from Kamen Rider OOO. I'd love to be able to afford him. Or Gokai Red, but consistently out of my budget, and in that area where I feel a bit nervous spending that much on a non-useful to the household item. I can understand the rolling of the eyes at oversized packaging though. There's a few things like that.

The Animals of Farthing Wood! I loved that show/series of books when I was little! Oddly enough, I can't remember much of it now. And I think a story that gives children the knowledge that sometimes you need to work at life for it to be happy is a good thing, especially nowadays. Media aimed at a younger audience has a more delicate line to tread, I know, but that doesn't really stop the creator's from being intelligent about their work. I love the studio Laika for that reason; their movies are always very well thought out, and really pushing their ratings for all their worth.

Flexing creative muscles... such a fun turn of phrase, I've always thought. Can you be creatively buff? What would a creatively buff person be like? Hmm, the mind, it ponders! Nikolai's sister is about 20 years younger than him - vampires - and she's quite ... peppy, I think the word would be. Her name is Valerica, Val or Baby Bat to Nikolai (Nik, or Nicu when he was little), and she's ... Right, Nik's dad is not his bio dad. He knows this, but still considers his Dad as his Dad. This Dad IS Val's bio dad, and when Val was born there was a bit of worry that he wouldn't be as wanted. Needless to say, it was a silly worry on Nik's part. His best friend is - ironically - the daughter of his mother's old best friend. Her name is Raven - her own mother loved the poem - and she gets turned into a vampire on her 21st birthday after an incident with Nik's half-brother ends up leaving her with a stake in her chest. .. Nik's only half-vampire, did I mention that? He gets called a lot of unpleasant things by the very stuck-in-the-past hierarchy of vampire society. Are they feasible customs? Probably. Not really thought on it much.

Ah, the characters that I would love to make into a 1/6 scale... Sewing is a tricky skill though, and anyone who has mastered it to the awesome extent I've seen people in the dollieh community have, well I take my hat off to them. Seriously, the skills some people have... I envy them in the best possible way.

I'm thanking because... it's something I do, I thank and I say sorry a lot. Never quite understood why, but by this point in my life, it's just a habit.

Actions figures... well I've got a lot. Been collecting them since I was 10, off and on, so I have an interesting variety. Let's see... DC Animated Universe, Lord of the Rings, Doctor Who, DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Ben 10, Harry Potter, Torchwood, Wrestling... Company wise; I've got a Play Arts Kai (Lara Croft), two Revoltechs (Jack Skellington and Krauser), a whole bunch of Figuarts - including the new Sailor Scouts! - a Figma, some Funko Pop!, and two Death Note Not-doriods (Light and L). I thought they were Nendoriods but it turned out they were bootlegs and sadly I didn't realise this until ... about a week after they'd arrived. I still find them very cute, and if I get the change to replace them with the real deal I will. I used to do action figure stories on my LJ, and I'm thinking of getting back into doing some again.

... Maybe I should consider a flickr or something, for photos of this lot.

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

I'm thanking because... it's something I do, I thank and I say sorry a lot. Never quite understood why, but by this point in my life, it's just a habit.

Nah, it's just cos you're British(*)
I have no idea how (or even if you can) to embed Youtube here, so here's [urlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkF_XpA5P48]a link to a vid of a song called I'm British[/url], the lyrics of which start:

I begin every sentence with an apology.
Sorry that's the case. That's just British policy.
Probably the case with, Everything in honesty.
I use ten words when two would do, honestly.

Actually, I should probably head over to the music vids thread

(* Ignoring the issue of the forthcoming vote for devolution for the sake of this thread and the possibility of introducing Professor Elemental to a few more people )

[werepuppy]

Okay, ShortNCuddlyAm, that is a truly brilliant song and makes me wonder if you've heard of I'm Proud of the BBC. On a more dolly related note; I should get my Doctor Who dolls out. (Two Doctors, one companion - who happens to be the awesome Martha Jones) to do something awesome. Hm... Or the figures for Tardis...

I'm taking the song to the music vid thread. It's fun. Thanks for the introduction to Professor Elemental!

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

Glad you liked, Werepuppy I had heard of I'm Proud of the BBC but for some reason had never seen the vid - so thanks for that! And it now makes me wonder if there's any other Mitch Benn vids I've been missing out on...

[werepuppy]

Aha! Yes! Finally, my MSC arrived. Now all I need to do is remember where I sat the eye decals for Ayem, and put them on her. Course I need to finalise what colour I'm going with, but that shouldn't take too long. Before I use it, is there anywhere I can look for tips or hints on using MSC? Just want to set out on the right foot.

[MeltedCaramel]

Aha! Yes! Finally, my MSC arrived. Now all I need to do is remember where I sat the eye decals for Ayem, and put them on her. Course I need to finalise what colour I'm going with, but that shouldn't take too long. Before I use it, is there anywhere I can look for tips or hints on using MSC? Just want to set out on the right foot.

<----OH SHI--errr....werepuppy I am so sorry for dropping the ball on this thread!! I just realized I never answered your last message. Ughhhh. Okay, small consolation: MSC, The Toxic Wonder! Okay, some basic use/customization tips/things/stuff:

-Use in a well ventilated area, preferably outside. Wear at the very least one of those filtered cardboard masks you get at the hardware store. I know many customizers who only occasionally use MSC that play a little fast and loose with this rule (me included ) but you definitely want health first, project second.

-Shake the can.

-Drying time varies wildly depending on humiditiy/temperature/etc, but a coat takes around anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour to be dry to the touch.

-Since you're just putting decals on (and I would suggest possibly blushing her lips as well to give her a bit more life) I would only recommend two coats. MSC is mostly for faceup work, and since decals take about five minutes to put on...I would basecoat it, and seal it, and I'd call it a day. Less MSC is better MSC. Only use what you need.

-When you spray, hold the can around a foot away from your test subject (you're going to want to wrap Ayem's hair up in saran wrap or something similar unless you want an epic MSC bed-head and possible sealing issues with it sticking to her forehead AND hair) and move the can up and down, and side to side. Try your very best to lay down a thin, even coat. This really cuts down on any potential "clump" and gives a nice, invisible coat to adhere your decals to.

There are a million people who can explain that better, but I thought I would give you my two cents!

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

Definitely use it outside if you can (you want a dry and relatively insect-free day) as it stinks. Oh - and if there's any breeze, you want it behind you, blowing the MSC away from you.