Volks Dollfie Dream 2B – NieR Automata

Hi friends!

It’s been a lonely, boring few months of isolation so I wanted to share the box opening video that I made of my Volks Dollfie Dream 2B. It’s been such a long wait for this doll – I had this teaser poster saved from May 2017!

The pre-orders for her were opened from October 20- Dec 2nd 2018 and she finally arrived last week. The 20 month wait period is something I expect from certain indie resin doll brands but this is a first for me. The delay was in part because of severe damage that affected Volks’ manufacturing facilities last October when Typhoon Hagibis hit Japan.

The delay actually worked out since we didn’t have to pay for the remainder of our pre-order until earlier this year and it helped us with our trip budget to Tokyo in January.

She’s so incredibly beautiful. This video is a bit long – putting on the socks and boots and whatnot took while. >_<" I hope that you enjoy watching!

– ♥ Archangeli

Volks Dollfie Dream Saber arrives!

Hi friends!

I wanted to share the box opening video that I made of my Volks Dollfie Dream Saber. The original Saber has been one of my holy grail/ #1 wishlist dolls so I jumped on the chance to get her in the pre-order in autumn 2017.

She’s so beautiful. I hope that you enjoy watching!

– ♥ Archangeli

Hi friends!

I wanted to share the newly released Smart Doll Kanata with you! I ordered her a few days ago and she is already here! I fell in love with her serious face when Danny Choo shared her on his social media and have been patiently waiting for her to release.

She’s so sassy and beautiful.

I hope that you enjoy watching!

– ♥ Archangeli

Sailor Moon Dollfie Dream Box Opening

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share the box opening video that I made when my Sailor Moon Dollfie Dream arrived a few weeks ago! She is so beautiful and I love her to bits!

I also documented the process of piercing her ears. This was a bit nerve-wracking as I have never done it before and was very nervous of making a mistake.

I hope that you enjoy watching!

– ♥ Archangeli

Box Opening Video: Dollfie Dream Sheryl Nome

Hi everyone!

It’s been a while since my last update but I wanted to share my unboxing video for Sheryl Nome! I ordered Sheryl and Ranka the first day they because available last November, and now after almost a full year they both arrived! I’m so excited to share this box opening with you! I didn’t realize until I was splicing clips together that it was almost 40 minutes long! >__<”

There’s a tutorial about how to put in the CoolCat aluminum reinforcement pieces in this video. If you are already familiar with them, you can skip that part of the video.

Updated information about the outfits:

Valkyrie (Default) outfit: I checked the bustier 24 hours after putting it on Sheryl to check on the blue and red threads that I was concerned about didn’t leave any stains. I’ve put some tape over them just to be safe.

Lion Dress set: the top is lined in grey on the inside. I had Constance (Alisa) wearing it for about 3 hours and the socks didn’t leave any marks on the tops of the thighs or on the bottoms of her feet.
I’ve had updated reports from XOHimitsuOX and thebobness that the threads on the top of the socks can leave stains (after a few days). I personally didn’t have this problem, but my dolls are in a cool, dark space with little humidity. If you live in a warmer or more humid climate then take appropriate precautions! The gloves can stain the hands a little bit where the seams are – it’s a problem with the thread that Volks used rather than the fabric.

Sheryl Casual Date Outfit: The inside of the blouse is not lined, but the black shorts are lined in a pale grey inside. Sidonie (Saber Extra) wore it for about 3 hours and had no signs of staining from the shorts or the socks.

Ranka’s video will be coming soon!

– ♥ Archangeli

My First Order from Smart Doll – Unboxing Video

Most of you know that I adopted a SmartDoll Mirai a few weeks ago from TheBobness ^_^ I had her with me at Anime North at the Dollfie Dream panel that I hosted with PlasticFantastic, and she was also at PlasticFantastic’s figure collecting panel and hung out with us at the Nominoichi on Friday evening. She was extremely popular and I was pleasantly surprised with how many people recognized her.

I recently placed an order from the SmartDoll store to order some awesome boots and a couple of other accessories for Mirai and I made an unboxing video when the parcel arrived today. I rarely buy things specifically for one particular doll (I like my girls to be able to share!) but these suede boots were too lovely to pass up!

– ♥ Archangeli

Welcome Home Super Dollfie Ryo!

This weekend when I was at the Volks USA showroom for their final weekend events, I noticed this dapper young boy sitting amid the dolls in the Dollfie Orphanage and his big blue eyes caught my attention. He is a discontinued standard model – Super Dollfie Ryo (凌). I didn’t go into the store event expecting to come home with anything but he looked so polite, shy and oddly familiar that I decided on the spot to adopt him. When I was chatting with my sister about him afterwards, it’s no wonder that he looked familiar – his headmold is the F-11, which is “Nono.”
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His headplate says 05.05 so he is an older doll, and his face was painted to look like the pictures in his paperwork. Many of his seams have been sanded and he is in very good condition considering his age! That is what I love about collecting Volks resin dolls – I know that even as they age they will look beautiful. He came “as-is” with the wig, outfit and boots you see here. The outfit is quite special since it is from the 2011 Full Choice System release and I love the boots (they are similar to another pair I already own!).
Super Dollfie Ryo
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Rin & Serena Visit Volks Tenshi-no-Sato in Kyoto

One of the highlights of my trip to Japan in October was having the chance to visit the Volks Tenshi-no-Sato showroom in Kyoto. It is their gorgeous flagship location and an absolute must for any Volks doll collector. Admission is free, however reservations must be made in advance by simply emailing Volks. The staff at the store had no record of our reservation, but luckily AlphaZ had a copy of the confirmation email saved on his phone! (For future visitors, I recommend printing out a copy of your reservation just in case!) It was actually quite easy to get to Tenshi-no-Sato from the train station, however I found this guide on Angelden.net to be very helpful.

Volks Tenshi-no-Sato, Kyoto

Unlike other Volks showrooms that also carry their hobby kits (model airplanes), Tenshi-no-Sato is dedicated only to dolls and the special relationship that owners have with them.
Volks Tenshi-no-Sato, Kyoto

After unpacking, we left our bags with the staff and borrowed a lovely basket to carry our dolls in during our visit.
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There are indoor photo areas, but the true gem is the Japanese garden outside. Since the weather was beautiful and sunny we went outside to take advantages of the beautiful garden.
Serena at Volks Tenshi-no-Sato
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Magdalena and Annalise visit Volks USA – February 9, 2014

By now most of the Volks doll collectors in North America have heard the sad news that Volks USA will closing it’s doors after March 16th. I took the opportunity to pop by earlier this month to avoid the rush of people visiting the store the last few weeks. My hubby, AlphaZ, came along with me and we brought Magdalena (Volks DD KOS-MOS) and Annalise (DD Rise Kujikawa) with us to hang out with InnocentSaké and her hubby, David for breakfast before heading over the Volks USA showroom.

Magdalena & Annalise visiting Volks USA's Showroom
The Volks photo-space was still set up for Christmas, so I brought some hearts along to give a  Valentine’s Day vibe. (I won’t judge though, I’ve been to lazy to take down my own Christmas tree >__<” ) InnocentSaké brought Melon (DD Mashiro Mito) and Yuri (DD Saber Lily) with her! We spent some time upstairs chatting with Vicky and Kimberley (two of their new staff) and shopping before heading down to goof around in the photo area.
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Welcome Home Dollfie Dream Alice Kuonji!

It’s been quite a while since I’ve welcomed a new doll into the family, but I’ve been patiently paying for my newest doll on layaway for the past 6 months. Moe-chan was first to greet the postman so she brought the box into our room, where Micaela, Médée and Serena were also hanging out.

Volks Dollfie Dream Alice Kuonji Arrives

The shipping box looks so small! It was a snug fit but with Micaela’s help, Moe was able to unpack it! Here is the box for Alice Kuonji – one of the standard yellow Dollfie Dream boxes!
Volks Dollfie Dream Alice Kuonji Arrives

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“Strawberry Sugar Milk Cookie Lolita” & Desserts Appreciation Day!

Did you like my crazy post title? Last March, Volks released two adorable outfits called the Strawberry Milk Heart set, and the Sugar Milk Cookie set; and earlier this year they re-released them with a colour flip (called the Strawberry Milk Cookie and Sugar Milk Heart set)! Are we all utterly confused with the names yet?! I know I am! A few days ago I rounded up Machiko, PlasticFantastic and Sam on short notice to come to my house and celebrate these adorable outfits!

Lily, Yuki, Mashiro, Serena, Nia, Juliette, Maya and Cirno look so sugary sweet and adorable!
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In my title I did mention something about desserts, didn’t I? ^__~”
A magical box arrived from Snowfern Clover a few days ago containing some of her stunning miniature desserts. Sid was captivated by the raspberry-rose and lychee Ispahan.
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Here are Juliette and Lily showing off both flavours of the Ladurée Ispahans – the purple one is Cassis-Violet.
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Doll North 2013, Café Delish 2013 and the debut of the AkibaStar Cosplay Café!

Hi everyone! I caught a little cold right after Anime North (a.k.a. “post-con plague”), and have been super busy since so I apologize for this late convention write-up! Machiko and I arrived at the convention early Friday afternoon to pick up our badges, check into our hotel and move our luggage inside and that process took longer than we planned. We then went over to the convention center to visit Whitefrosty in the Crafter’s Corner, and Machiko set up a few little things to sell since they were sharing the table.

Afterward, I met up with Kevin and we walked across to the Crowne Plaza hotel to check out the Doll North events. It was awesome to see the marketplace area completely dedicated to dolls, as well as a room that was for panels, games, and workshop. PlasticFantastic and I presented a couple of panels on Dollfie Dreams and it was great to see some new faces, as well as a few familiar ones too! We had some audience members from as far away as Ottawa, Edmonton and Buffalo! Thank you to those of you that came to the panel! Here’s a lovely group shot of the lovely DD’s that were out for the evening!
Dollfie Dream panel at Anime North

Meo brought his beautiful Sasara out, and here she is serenading everyone on her harp.
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Photo by: FukamineRiko (Mahoro)
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Welcome Home Dollfie Dream Aoko Aozaki!

Today Rin and Serena were having a relaxed afternoon playing with Médée. So many plushies!

Welcome home Aoko!

Suddenly Gabi appeared out of nowhere with a big package that the postman just delivered! Angry Bunny was suspicious so he came out to investigate too.

Welcome home Aoko!

Gabi whipped open the box and peeled back the protective layer of bubble wrap to check out what was inside. I recognize that distinctive yellow box!

Welcome home Aoko!

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