Restructuring...or Maybe "Consolidating" Would Be a Better Term

[kiyakotari]

I've been thinking about this for a while, and discussed it with one of my local friends. I thought it would be nice to get some thoughts from you guys about it.

I'm considering restructuring my doll collection, in several different ways. One, I know now for sure that I prefer 1/3 scale dolls to 1/4 scale ones. I don't do much of anything at all with my MSD-sized dolls. I still want their characters to have doll bodies, for the most part, but I've been moving toward getting 1/3 scale resin versions of almost all of them. Once I do that, I'll do even less with the 1/4 scale ones. Stangely enough, I found that while I don't like the tiny-tinies or the MSD-sized dolls, YoSD-scale fits me rather well.

If I did this, it would mean selling off the small versions of Luke Alan, Aiko, probaby Daiichi, and Tyaeli. I would get larger versions of Aiko, Luke Alan, and Daiichi. Tyaeli...I don't think I would re-embody him.

Which brings me to the second aspect of this restructuring I'm looking at: I've slowly come to realize that I'm not well-suited to owning dolls that I didn't...look for. I guess that's hard to explain. I'll try: Most of my collection are sculpts that I've found with a particular personality or character in mind. I wanted to make a resin version of that character, and I searched (and in some cases, purchased, changed my mind, discarded and re-purchased) until I found the sculpt that would work. These dolls speak to me, quite clearly, and very, very actively. They are the ones I do the most with. They are the ones that have an existence outside their resin selves. However...I also have dolls that I bought because I desired their sculpts, and in these cases I created a personality to go along with them, or perhaps the personality created itself, but in either case the same holds true; They are tied in inextricably to their resin forms. They are not separate, and they are inseparable. I cannot draw a line there. If I sold Tyaeli, I would not re-embody him simply because he exists only within the B-el sculpt. This is the reason I sold my Soah - she only existed because I wanted her to.

If I removed those dolls from my collection, it would mean selling off Umbrae, Tyaeli, Little Evil, and possibly Unnamed. Unnamed is a bit more complicated, because it was a gift from Volks, and I'm not sure yet that I can approach the idea of selling it due to that, even though I have almost no actual desire to do anything with it.

I'd feel guilty getting rid of Umbrae and Tyaeli, though, because while I don't feel strongly invested in them anymore, I do know that some of my friends are. Especially Umbrae. And I do adore him, I just...don't want to do anything with him. And I don't like the idea of him sitting naked in my bedroom (which is where he's been for the past five months or so) gathering dust. Though it's also a bit painful to imagine someone else owning him and getting him repainted (especially getting him repainted), I'm not the type to sell a doll with some stupid "but only if you don't ever _____."

Thoughts on this? Maybe it's just a sign that I'm looking for or approaching a period of some changes in my life.


If I did make these changes, these would be the results.

I Would Own
Darryl
Wren
Talon
Jian Yuan
Rafe
Hideo
Big!Aiko
Big!Luke Alan
Hiiroshi
Oracle (A Project Doll, and Really More for Display than Activity)
Heero

I would Still Want to Buy
Hunter
Laith
Tekla
Abigail
Big!Daiichi
Duo(?)
Wufei(?)
(etc)

I Would Sell
Umbrae
Tyaeli
Little!Daiichi
Little!Luke Alan
Little!Aiko
Little Evil
(possibly)Unnamed

Comments

[doll-paparazzi.livejournal.com]

You should sell the dolls and don't worry about what people think. People will get over it and move on. You need to worry about and do things that will help you be happier. And why have a doll that is making other people happy? Use the money and create something that will make YOU happy, and then, mos likely, it will make other people happy in the process.

[kiyakotari.livejournal.com]

Use the money and create something that will make YOU happy, and then, mos likely, it will make other people happy in the process.

Sometimes, you say things so clearly it makes me want to laugh at myself for not seeing them that way in the first place. <3

[kellyhime.livejournal.com]

I'm finding that I really have to force myself to pay attention to my MSDs now, but it doesn't mean that I want to part with them. I really do prefer the SD13/10 size and like you, enjoy the YoSDs as well, but the MSDs are still an important part of my family structure that even though they don't get a lot of attention, my doll family wouldn't be the same without them.

[kiyakotari.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I can see that point of view. The big thing for me is that the dolls are all about the characters, and I'm getting 1/3 scale of all but one of my MSD-sized dolls...and that one, it's because I just don't have any desire to own him anymore. I can see my doll family without them...very easily.

[greenjudy.livejournal.com]

You should restructure. It sounds healthy and good.

I'll cop to being one of your friends who will miss Umbrae, yeah. But the thing we did - with Simon and Umbrae - is great, and still stands, and it doesn't mean anyone has to hang onto any piece of resin around it.

The posse you describe up there is more internally consistent and more original to you. I look forward to seeing how your world develops, all the time, because it's always on the move and always seems to be growing more strongly and uniquely your own.

[kiyakotari.livejournal.com]

That's good to hear. I think that's a big part of what I'll miss, with Umbrae - his connections to my friends' dolls. Not so much my connection to him. I think I've about 98% made up my mind to move ahead with this.

Still not sure about Unnamed, though. I'm having trouble with the idea of selling that guy off, simply because...well...it feels dishonest, somehow.

[saintsavin.livejournal.com]

I can understand this. I think I mentioned this to you before, but they say that when a miniatureist sees something tiny, the same part of their brain reacts as does when someone with a fetish is exposed to the object they fixate upon.

Just as some people like rubber and some people prefer leather and not all of the leather people are into shoes, so do some people prefer different sizes of dolls, though they all love dolls.

You know, I think I lost my train of thought in there someplace. That's not what we were talking about >_>.

Anyway! I say more power to you! Make the best doll hoard for you. And hey, I mostly dig MSDs myself. I might be interested in adopting one of your little scamps :D.

[kiyakotari.livejournal.com]

I think I understand what you're getting at. I like all dolls - or at least most of them. I just respond better/more to 1/3 and a few of the Yo-sized ones.

**grin** Well, let me know. If you want any of the "little scamps," you'll have first crack (aside from Tyaeli, since he's already been taken).

[saintsavin.livejournal.com]

Wellllllll~. I did just kind of go on a bit of a binge, but oh noes LITTLE FAIRS. *ded* I have to think carefully about this!

[danaka-dollfie.livejournal.com]

I say go ahead and sell the dolls that aren't fitting. Funny I've already done this myself XD. I found while I do like msd, I connect more with SD. So I sold all of my msd but one....and now she's for sale too. I still have one msd but that's all I need. :) I have Key and Xane in Sd form now and it suits them a lot better I thinl. Also I think the characters you have for the dolls would be better suiter for SD size too. Umbrae is awesome and will be tough yo have go but as you said...he hasn't been seen much lately. So it's not much a change really. The character will still be around, just not in doll form. So the connections to other friends and dolls will technically still be there hehe.

Considering how long you've been in the hobby and how little sales you've done this is nothing. But in the end it's all up to how you feel and what you think is the right idea etc.

Good luck selling! >3

[kiyakotari.livejournal.com]

Not only hasn't he been seen, I just don't really have a connection to him anymore. I mean, I still like the character, and can imagine working with him in RP and such, but he's not coming across as strongly as he used to. I tried to do a photoshoot with him a while back, and it fell completely flat.

[lionhearts.livejournal.com]

I think you should do whatever best serves your personal aesthetic and preferences, since you are pretty dynamite when it comes to both of those.

The MSDs are just... hard when you're into the bigger, and smaller, dolls. I waffle about Saph on a near daily basis.

Umbrae will be missed, of course, but sometimes characters just need to move on. And naturally GinI will miss unnamed, because DAMN. SO cute. But if it makes your whole more cohesive, then... move 'em along. :3

[kiyakotari.livejournal.com]

Well, for now at least Unnamed is staying. So Ginyou can still get cuddles in. ^_~

...now I have that song stuck in my head..."it's T-N-T...dynamite...T-N-T.."

I'll own that

[soft-n-strange.livejournal.com]

I'll own the responsibility of being that irl friend that nearly crashed the car when Kiya suggested that she was going to rid herself of my Hound friend. He's my favorite, everything from his size, sculpt, and color. However, I know whatever you decide to do will be the best thing and I don't think you should worry about what others have to say about it. 0.o Doesn't mean I won't look at you like you just grew a third head.... ^-~

Re: I'll own that

[kiyakotari.livejournal.com]

**laughs** I know you like him, and I do, too. But realized that my appreciation for him is, at this point, purely aesthetic. He's beautiful; but that's all. And for me, that's not enough to keep a doll in the house.

It WAS kind of funny, wasn't it? Maybe I shouldn't have brought it up while you were driving...

[pris84.livejournal.com]

You know, I think there must be something in the air or something to do with the season, but I see so many people going through their dolls and doing changes. I think you should do whatever makes you happiest. At the end of the day, they're your dolls and you should do as you see fit. Your real friends will always understand. I can understand completely why you might not want to sell your unnamed, as it was a gift from Volks. That's a hard call.

I hope you don't mind but I'd like to add you as a friend. :) Meet you a couple times at Dollectable, Dolpa and Anime Evolution (Vancouver con). You've got some cool dolls and I'd love to learn more about your ideas/stories. Please feel free to add me. :) Not sure if you have any filters but I'd like to be on as many as you'll have me. Thanks!

[kiyakotari.livejournal.com]

Hey there! ^_^ I've friended you back. I don't really do filters - it's either friends-locked or not, and VERY few things are friends-locked (most only original writing that I'm considering pursuing publication on, and don't want bandied around the general intarwebs).

I've been thinking about doing this for almost a year now, and decided to finally bit the bullet. It's going well, so far, if with a few moments of cringing.

[euphorias-child.livejournal.com]

Don't feel guilty about wanting to sell them. You should do what makes you happy. But if you sell Umbrae, I will be a wee bit depressed. ... I'd give him a good home. I would. >.< *pets him.*

[kiyakotari.livejournal.com]

I know you'll miss him, but I'll still use his character in RP, he's just...no longer concrete enough for anything larger, or for a resin form. I'm also really trying to bring my writing efforts into focus on the big projects I'm working on.

Mmmmm, that's part of it, though. I want to...get rid of the character, at least his doll form. I couldn't stand for him to be out there still, in that same personality, and also in my head and being written occasionally. If he leaves, he'll have to go to someone who - while they'll take care of the doll - won't be using him as the same character.

In other news, Strider's head shipped. Not arrived yet, but he's on his way to me.

[euphorias-child.livejournal.com]

Yay. Glad to hear that he's on the move. I was wondering about my darling. I was thinking about your situation the other night. I wouldn't want my entire crew in doll-form. I'd have no room to breathe. Umbrae is a fantastic and wonderful character, but looking back into an old paper entry in a journal of mine, I did wonder why you wanted to bring him to life in resin form. I guess we all get a bit carried away with our passions. Wouldn't you agree?

My first impulse of course was to jump on the "Oh I'd give him a good home!" bandwagon, but after about five minutes of turning my computer off I thought that it was such a silly thought. Naturally I'd love to hold him for you in case you changed your mind, but I personally wouldn't know what to do with him except stick him in a closet, and what good would that do? Someone would really love to have the doll body I'm sure.

*yawns*Sorry, got up at five...

I'd say...As I said earlier, not to let yourself get buried in layers of things. The last thing on your mind should be what people think. You're not going to hurt my feelings if you nudge him on out there to give yourself breathing space. If he feels almost like an oppressive force at the moment, I'd want him out too. I always hate owning things that I do not use. It's smart to spread out instead of becoming lost in rat-pack (and I do not mean Frank Sinatra or darling Dean Martin) tendencies.

[euphorias-child.livejournal.com]

Seriously, Kiya.

You don't have to placate me or anyone else that you've ever been involved with when it came to your character(s)/doll(s).

Kick the sucker(s) out.

(I say that with the utmost respect. >_> Really.)

[kiyakotari.livejournal.com]

Well, the reason I embodied him in the first place is that his character was born out of the sculpt. I didn't have an "Umbrae" until I saw the promo pictures of Hound. So it seemed natural that I should buy a Hound to become him. But now I've moved on, am refocusing my writing efforts, and since my dolls are so closely tied in to that, it's time for my collection to reflect it.

[euphorias-child.livejournal.com]

Exactly, Miss.

*prods you with a stick.*

...Ahem. I was involved in the whole long hours of conversation as you fretted about buying/creating/talking about his invented self. You don't need to tell me, silly! >.<

... Actually come to think of it, I've seen your darlings grow dramatically. O_O ...

...

Oh lord. I suddenly feel...

oddly old.

[torimiko.livejournal.com]

I can see with who you interact with, which dolls you bring over to play with, that this looks like a good decision. I haven't even seen Umbare for almost a year. YOu don't bring him to meets, or to play or even talk or write about him. I'd say he's a dead thread.

I also am looking at MSD scale and trying to decide if its right for me. I love Icarus, but he's hard to dress, buy clothes for, or really plan for. I play with my trinity of Hael, Dark and Drew more than any of them, and Drew is one of my newer dolls.

Do what feels right, and make some money doing it so you can restructure.

[kiyakotari.livejournal.com]

I know. The "who I actually spend time with" factor is really weighing in on this decision. ^_^