Preparations for IDOLL

Stock preparations for Tsukifly have been more or less completed.
Clothing stock includes few tiny sized dresses, one or two MSD sized items and mainly SD/SD13/SD16/Supergem sized dresses, mix&match pieces and other items.

IDOLL exclusive dress completed the other day. Largely lace inspired. A sister dress for the other dress made out of the same lovely blue lace used for the skirt part.
I am quite pleased how it turned out. Mostly handsewn, but seams should be as strong as any. After all don't need to go that far back to remember the time without any sewing machines.

IDOLL exclusive - Blue lace dress with choker

Moreover, it was fun to make something in Supergem size. Its been a little while. Sheri was a fine model with a hint of new style.

Now listing of the stock is the only remaining issue.

Some of the flower headbands will be remain and there are sketches of the new ones which I plan to test / make at some point. Maybe for summer ? Additionally MNF sized stock will be updated, also likely sometime in the summer time. pl

Few new necklaces completed as well. Some have mint coloured resin flower as their center piece, clock parts, beads.
Speaking of clock parts they are likely to follow in larger scale as some dress details - to reveal a hint or two what might be expected.

Necklaces 

I believe that is all about the updates for now. IDOLL stock will be off and plans continue to develop. I will be back in due course.

Major flower headband update

Long time no see!
I have been busy with all sorts of stuff, but that is of no relevance for this post. Possible only to justify my irregular / rare recent updates. Apologies about that.

A little holiday and those many materials I got for headbands made it possible to get on the business. Finally if I may say. Sketches have occupied my table, but nothing concrete was created until just very recently. Better later than never, right?

Idaheika's Ceylon modelling roseband with feathers

I was reminded about the fact that IDOLL is approaching. Tsukifly stock - headbands, jewellery and clothing will travel there for sale. I am eager to see how Tsukifly brand will be received there. Event prices may be attached on some products. Prices will be considered closer to the event in more detail as to minimize the effects of possible currency fluctuations.

First I will note that stock of around 25 OOAK Tsukifly headbands will be there. Some examples may be seen from these pictures. Mostly SD/Pullip/SG sized, but as they can be gently adjusted any design will fit smaller dolls as well. Whether SD design is plenteous on an MSD/Tiny is another matter though. Depends what one is looking for.

Idaheika's Ceylon with one of my
personal favourites

Rose cupcakes - may be tied on doll's head,
waist or even owner's wrist! 

To my eyes these newer headband designs include plenty of foam roses together with different paper flower, feather, ribbon and/or lace details.

Sets of wreaths - two smaller, two bigger

Curious design in MSD/Tiny size

This time I wanted to make few in several different styles so that there would be larger selection of choice. At least for those who get to see the whole stock. These newer ones are exclusive for IDOLL. Only after the doll fair any remaining ones may be offered for sale.

Few simpler designs

Some prototypes will be there too. Like Rose cupcakes, two of them, which came out with rather varied list of possible usages. Alongside of rich rose/flower filled headbands are some simpler flower band designs as well as few wreaths - four in total.

Longer, but not too heavy in detail. 

What comes to Tsukifly clothing stock it seems all those that are still around will be send off. Next weekend will show whether I am able to finish any new pieces in time to be included in the sales stock. Sketches for few supergem sized dresses are around, one for DDS size.

I hope this picture filled post is able to give you some idea of what will be available in IDOLL as well as what has been happening in "planning / preparation line" of Tsukifly despite been somewhat quiet lately.. Please keep checking back. I am going to update some pictures of what will be send in total.

Doll crew got a new member as well. She arrived in March, but while she did not have anything in right size to wear I was unable to take any proper pictures. Here is Ella (FL MNF Mio) and thus we finally have a MNF size model in around. Therefore we proudly present the first MNF sized Tsukifly dress - prototype so it is without tags and with minor errors. This may give you some idea what is coming. Currently I like to experiment Babydoll / Empire waist styled dresses. Something with buttons has been in my sketch book for a longer while Hope to see something done at some point as well. Plans are there.  

First MNF dress with blue toned headdress

Flower power

Large portions of my time are devoted to studying at the moment.
That fact is decreasing the time I have available to do anything else and it appears to show,
However, I haven't entirely forgotten everything.
Just a small study hiatus if you like.

I vaguely remember that I mentioned something about Taiwan.
Yes. That is still in planning. All the completed pieces are going but I do have plans for few new ones provided I do indeed have time to complete those sketches before the goods have to be shipped on their way to be in time.

Largely because of the lack of materials I haven't been able to complete much. My dear friend decided to remedy the situation a little. I received a lovely package from China just today ~!

And look what was inside. My room has been invaded by flowers now. They seem to be everywhere. But it is good to have materials around to complete some new headbands. 

Foam flowers in several sizes and colours~ 

Size comparison

 I discovered I am still lacking some basic elements to get any headbands done so first to gather a list of everything needed and then off to shopping some small stuffs. That will have to wait till Thursday I am afraid. That trip is likely to take few hours and rather have proper time to find everything in one go.

And Tenrai is grumpy for his place has been invaded by flowers..

While waiting that to happen I am bound to stare these piles of flowers. Whoah! Didn't expect there to be so many.

Even Tenrai is perplexed about the amount and the fact that the box he sits is also full of these foam flowers in various sizes. Have to cope with it. Maybe next time I have something to show assuming I get something done out of these ~

A new year and activity increase?

I feel rather worse for having neglected this blog for so long.
While studying in another country I haven't got even a single needle in my possession at the moment. Let alone anything with which I could do anything productive...

While I did make several sketches of possible new designs - mainly in MNF and DD sizes I didn't have time to touch my sewing machine during the holidays. You know how it is. Be away for a long time and go back to visit and you just need to visit everybody within that short period of time since who knows when the next possibility will present itself?

Tenrai - Doll-chateau Russell

Anyways, at least I got Tenrai during the holidays. He had been patiently waiting in his box since September. Originally I think I ordered him in April - long wait but I am happy with my little fantasy foxie. He is so nicely sculpted. In need of new eyes but no immediate hurry. I have also sketched a plan for him - kind of jacket thing once I have the possibility.

Additionally Rein, my lovely DD model is more or less ready to step up on stage. Sodadress is absolutely gorgeous and that deer headdress is more than cute.

Button themed dresses are on my planning list. MNF size will be tested once my little MNF model arrives. Possibly during Easter I will have some extra time to get into working again.

Additionally it may be that Tsukifly products will end up all the way to Taiwan this year? Who knows...

So there, nothing much of an update but at least few nice pictures of my new models and some hints of the coming plans. I try to provide more information sometime in the future.

I am planning to post some old pictures of some very first Tsukifly products. Once I come across them.. Oh the nostalgia (?)

Hope to see you around ~
~Tsuki

Greeting from the UK

I feel like a bad person for not being able to write sooner.
Its been quite a while since my last entry and my life has been such a roller coaster.
Rather common things to say don't you think?

The thing is that I have changed my country of residence twice within three month time period plus all the other things I have been doing + travelling around. Work and summer. I don't really feel like I had a sufficient summer holiday although it was there...

Thus, in relation to my sewing and doll related things my time for them has been reduced to zero rather effectively. Unfortunately so. I was rather looking forward getting Nerida finisher, pictures of Rein, tiny clothing for Mina and so on... I have a list of plans but because of the distance it will be impossible to have any of those things done before Christmas.
I hate to even think it will such a long time before I get to see my dolls! Or to properly sew anything. This is because all my dolls are currently in Finland while I have just moved to UK with just one suitcase with me. Therefore only highly necessary things are here for now.

While I won't be able to sew anything I will be posting some sketches/other things of what I am planning to sew/do as soon as that is possible.

Please keep checking back ~

Busy summer

I haven't been able to update much around here for a while.
My apologies about that.
Some of you may know I moved around last month and such things always require time and energy.
Moreover, I was working as well so no free time in the beginning.
Now while I have some free time to enjoy my dolls are elsewhere where I cannot enjoy them.
Maybe next week we see some change to that situation.

I haven't been able to update or sew new clothes for sale either.
Despite of this fact I have focused my time on something else. I have completed few new jewellery pieces.
There were others as well, but as I happened to forgot my camera charger elsewhere as well.. No fabulous pictures to share at the moment.

Antique brown/silver dragonfly choker
and tiny umbrella necklace w/ light blue stars

Additionally I have been painting a bit. I have previously taken occasional face-up commissions and decided to give it a try after a longer pause. My 'victim' was a lovely NS Supia Lina head. Brown colors, natural looking lips and eyebrow model to follow. I had her eyes and a brown wig to match the tones.

Supia NS Lina head w/ Tsukifly face-up

I was concerned that the face-up came out as too dark, but with her wig it looks very nice indeed. Hope to see pictures of her later once her owner adds eyelashes and finishes her look. I had very much fun painting her, but this isn't exactly easy cup of tea, all those small details take hours to finish. But I am happy about the practice I got. I hope to do more commissions at later stage as well.

Moreover, I have another project besides the finished face-up commission. Nerida (previously Soom FC NS Amber) made her return as an original Soom Amber w/ gorgeous Soom default face-up. Her eyes are elsewhere (will be blue) and her fantasyparts are currently waiting for a blush / some color on them.
I am still having debate over violet / brown or a combination of the two, but I should probably make my decision soon and get over it. I don't want her to wait for them too long!

Glimpse of Nerida and her parts going for blushing ~

I should do an update of Tsukifly clothing and everything. Maybe at the end of the week I might have some possibility to do something along the lines. My plan book is also full of new ideas if only I find time to try them out!

One plan involves laces bonnets. 

Have to test those patterns I drew before I am ready to show any pictures though.

Please keep checking back!~

~ Tsuki

Assembling guide for a Volks Dollfie Dream Sister (DDS) body

As you see this is going to be totally different kind of post.
It seems I have been experimenting with lots of new stuff this year and this is one of them.
Both in terms of assembling and in writing a tutorial about it.
I believe I spoke about Volks Dollfie Dreams somewhere in my previous posts, maybe I even mentioned my plans to get one. That has been done, more or less. I decided to have a start by getting the body.

I got my hands on Volks Dollfie Dream Sister body parts. Normally if you wish to buy this directly from Volks I believe you have to purchase every part separately (and naturally hope everything will be in stock..).

Initial observations what I find to be very nice aspects in this body:
- Its size, its not quite as tall as DDII and DDIII bodies
- DDS body can still wear Volks DD outfits
- Enhanced posing abilities - arms have an extra joint and the body holds poses very well.

What you need:
The body itself consists of total 8 parts (excluding the head).
Here is the list of parts I have used - numbers differ according to skin color and options.
❀ M size bust - DDS-B-01
❀ Arms - DDS-A-01
❀ internal frame - DDS-BF-o1
❀ HDD-01 hands (basic hands)
❀ waist / lower torso - DDS-W-01
❀ thighs - DDS-HL-01
❀ shins - DDS-LL-01
❀ feet - DDS-FO-01

All parts out of box and ready for action

Getting started
Here we have all the body parts (8 in total).
They were all in separate boxes so took a little while to get them ready for action.

Each package contained assembling instructions in Japanese. I could make sense of them to some degree, but not too many pictures this time (remember seeing Unoa assembling guides with lots of pictures..).

Lovely instructions in Japanese.

I cannot say where you should start your assembling process. Some prefer to start building from bottom up. It seems I went in for kind of mixed plan. I started completing hands. Attaching hand parts to arms to get them out of the way.

Hands to arms
Please see the picture for reference in order to attach it the right way. Although I believe that hands don't quite fit on their place if you try to attach them the other way. So the flat side up. Then just slide each hand on their place using gentle amount of force.

Attaching the hands to arms - flat side up (arm parts).

When you have arms fully completed we move on...

I decided to 'attack' to complete the upper part of the body first. To my opinion attaching the thighs to shins is the most difficult / demanding part in the whole assembling process and this time I preferred to leave that among the last ones.

So, get ready for the next part by gathering the needed parts. First this funny looking internal frame as Dollfie Dream bodies are not hold together by strings like normal BJDs but they have sort of 'skeleton' within the body.

Slide internal frame to the peg. They fit nicely together.

Internal frame to lower torso

DDS Internal frame

Internal frame fits nicely to the peg sticking out from the waist / lower torso part. All you have to do is to slide the internal frame on its place. Which way, please see the picture.

Bust to lower torso

Attach internal frame / waist to bust part
Looks as pictured when its on its place
(observe from armpits)

The basic hands look like this.
You can also buy variety of different hand parts from Volks.
They are easy enough to change.

After you have attached internal frame to lower torso / waist part you need to apply the bust part in order to complete the whole upper body. Again, this is rather easily done. Just slide the bust part on the lower part so that the peg sticking from the top of the internal frame goes though the neck hole. Then just fit it right so that you are able to attach arms. Observe from the armpits - the holes should be in the middle.

After you have made it to this point all you need to do is to put the arms in their right places. Right and left, slide them in to holes you see in the middle of each armpit. Again you may need to apply a bit of gentle force as they are quite tight fit. This enables them to hold poses really well.

The upper part of the body completed
Missing legs..

Attaching thighs to shins
I found this to be the hardest part in the whole assembling process. From first glance you may observe that the parts don't even seem to fit together - the thigh holes look way too small to fit the 'huge' pegs sticking out from shins. Don't worry. However, I found it easier to work with after giving the vinyl a bit of 'heat treatment'. So I would suggest to use a hair dryer to make the vinyl more pliable. As I did not have access to hair dryer while doing this tutorial I resolved to boil some water and use the steam arising from it. Keep each thigh part above steam for a short while, not too long as you do not want to melt it.

Attach thighs to shins

When you feel the vinyl gives away a bit then proceed and use your fingers to get the peg from inside each thigh part and slide it outside through each hole. After this attach shins to the pegs - be careful which is right and which is left as it is rather hard to get them off should you not succeed in selecting the right parts. It can still be done so it is nothing final but makes it a lot easier to get it right the first time.

Get the peg from inside the thigh part and slide it outside through the hole.

When you have attached shins to the pegs sticking out from each thigh then you need to push this completed attached peg inside thigh. This requires you to use a bit of gentle force to get it all in but it is possible and something you need to do. If you wish you may use the heat treatment again to make the process easier.

It requires a bit more force to push the peg all the way inside.

Completed legs

Feet, legs & completing the rest 

Feet to shin

Feet are rather easy after you have survived thighs and shins. Just slide the right foot to right shin. As far as it goes. Then you should have completed the legs. All that is left is attaching the legs to hip sockets. This is quite easy as well. You just fit the pegs sticking from hip sockets to each hole inside each thigh and push gentle to slide them as far as they go. When done you are able to test how the legs move.

Additional info: I understand that some owners prefer to attach aluminum reinforcement pieces in between the thigh - hip joint as this is one of the places where cracks may occur at later stage. I didn't have them for this tutorial but I might consider getting them later. I recommend you to take a look.

Once you have successfully attached thighs into each hip socket I can congratulate you for completing your assembling process. Now you should have the completed body (except for the head) ahead of you.

In order to complete your Dollfie Dream all you need is to attach a head into the body. This is done by sliding the peg sticking from the neck through the hole in the head. Volks sells variety of heads separately but you also have an option to hunt down a limited head. Limited models occasionally pop up at DoA marketplace.

All finished and completed

Sneak peak

I wish you luck with completing your own Dollfie Dream and I hope this tutorial helps you with your assembling process. Should there be any questions I am happy to try to answer them.

My DDS body. I believe I mentioned I plan to get a DD Saber. She originally had DDIII body which I do not like as much so getting the head separately is my decision. Off to DoA marketplace to check.

Next update will be about clothing. As I now have DDS body I have several plans to try out outfits in DD size. Those will be available later I hope.

Thank your for reading!
~Tsuki