A Question About Carry Bags

[paladinari]

So, I'm looking for some advice from the ones who have been at this hobby a while and might actually have these. I started my collection about a year and a half ago now, and I keep saying to myself, "I really should get a carry bag!" But I still haven't. I have a plastic box lined with foam that can carry Little Ari, Gilan (if I take his head off), and Mina laid on top. But now that I have a new Yo SD here, I don't think I'll be able to take the whole crew with me anywhere in that box. Plus, the box looks very suspicious and I could never take it somewhere where they might think it was dangerous...

Anyway, I've been looking into carry bags, and I think I might have found a couple in my price range. But I have a few questions:

1- Are they worth it? Between the price of the bag itself and the cost of the shipping, are these worthwhile investments?

2- Could a 60cm bag safely (and effectively--like could I use the straps and such) transport 2 MSD dolls 1 Yo SD and a Tiny?

3- Are there any things to look out for when shopping for a bag? Are there any features that I should make sure are there or things I should avoid?

Thanks for your insight!

(traveling in style...? or just foolish?)

[Yanagi-sen]

I have an MSD bag by Dollmore that I use to routinely carry around 3 MSDs and two tinies. I have fit 4 MSDs and a tiny in there before. I wrap each doll in white fabric and have face up protectors for the MSDs. I've used this bag for about 3 years with no real wear on the bag, it's gone on planes and been hauled to school at least once a week.

I think it is a good investment if you carry multiple dolls around often. The MSD sized bag is just small enough to fit under the seat in front of me on the plane (diagonally). It may only be designed for 1... but if I have everyone in there there is no way for them to move around anyway.

[OutBriefCandle]

A dedicated doll bag is definitely worthwhile, and I've carried multiple MSDs in my SD Dollmore bag before, and I always carry my Hujoo in one of its external pockets. For a whole bunch of smaller dolls though I ususally use the small pilot case that came in my luggage set, I typically carry four MSDs and two Hujoos in there along with whatever else I need to bring with them, and it has the benefit of rolling instead of having to carry it by hand or on my back.

There's always the option of making a bag, if you've got spare fabric or something around. I wanted a bag that I could use to carry one MSD, so I made one using a pair of my own pants that were too damaged to wear anymore. With some planning you can probably do compartments for the different dolls or something.

[DollyKim]

Depends on the size. Anyone under 40cm can be wrapped in a blanket and fit in a tote bag. I sprung for a Dollzone bag when I got my 70, although they spend a lot of time in their boxes, when I do go out I can stuff it and feel everyone inside is protected. When not traveling its a great place to keep their stuff.

You could always get a novelty carrier. For my mini family I have a candy dish coffin, it's hard and could use a handle but they fit inside nicely. I've managed to find coffins for the teeny tinies too.

[AlmySidaKay]

For carrying the whole family I use a Volks SD carrier, I bought it way back before I even had my SD. It easily fits about 6 of my MSD girls and a camera. Otherwise I just picked up a flute case actually, it easily fits 2-3 girls even in their BBB pillow cases. And it's got a a few extra pockets that could even fit a Yo or tiny. If you don't want an actual brand doll carrier, people also swear up and down that yoga bags work great, as well as wheeled craft totes. Really it's up to you how you want to carry your dolls.

Here a some photos of my cases and such.

I don't oddly, have any of my girls in this one, but here is my big carrier, and the blanket (which is actually a pillow sham) for carrying around all my crew.





And then here is the flute case I actually just picked up yesterday, at my local music store for $20.

[Sixoclock]

I would LOVE to buy a carrier. I could have sworn JS used to have the DZ ones, but they may be sold out because I can't find them on the JS site. Honestly, the oly thing stopping me from buying a carrier is the fact that most of the sellers of carriers are International and I don't want to pay the same for shipping as I did for the carrier. :/

[kittyasauras]

I want a carrier too! I'm always going thrift digging and I'm looking out for a train case. Some are very lovely, some are very bland:
http://www.etsy.com/search/vintage?sear ... ship_to=US

I actually found one the other day that was big enough for MSD, but it was locked, and had no key. o___o So I didn't get it...

For a smaller doll, I bet even a hard camera case would work? Or even a musical instrument case!

[arrowchild]

I use my carriers ALL the time, (I have one big SD one and one MSD one). It just makes life easier when you're hauling dolliehs around for meetups or photos...I defiantely recommend them. If you have access to the DOA marketplace, you can sometimes find second hand ones there that are less expensive as well-that's where I got my MSD bag because it was such a good deal lol

There are lot of alternatives that LOOK just like BJD carrying bags as well-like the aformentioned flute case I used to use a carrying pouch that came with BBQ utensils for my MSD's-I bought it for $5 at a discount store, (and gave the utensils to me dad as a gift). It was the perfect size and I used the gold BBB pouch that I had here as cushioning. My mom has since adopted that case for her yosd sized boy

[MissIscariot]

I just bought a train case at a second hand store for $5! It fits my two 1/6 dolls quite well, and it has four elastic straps along in the inside that work nicely as "seatbelts." A 1/4 would probably fit inside if you sat her up. I would def recommend something like the one I have.

[Llwynog]

I have a crafting case on wheels or it might be a sewing machine case. I can put 2 SD, 2 MSD, 3 YO, several tinies, and extra stuff in it at one time. It's darn heavy if that's all resin.