Hunting for Great Finds

One of the things that I do to save $$ in this hobby, is to search for anything that I can find that I can use for my girls in a variety of places. I check the obvious places like retail store toy aisles, etsy, DoA marketplace, etc. But I have also found many cool things at thrift stores, flea markets and garage sales. I am going to post a couple of those things today and as I find more "Great Finds" I will add them as well. My husband, myself and my kids often go thrifting together. One of our latest adventures resulted in this find that was spotted by my hubby and youngest daughter. It is a New in the Box 2004 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention: We are Family collectible chair. It was a steal at only $2!

 

Sometimes I even find things in places that you might not think to look. For instance, in the picture below Kira is wearing a cute sweater and hat. These were both found in the Christmas aisle at Meijer, a retail store. The sweater's original purpose was a wine bottle cover and the hat was a tree ornament. I found them after Christmas for 75% off. So the sweater was around $3 and the hat was about $1.50. Not a bad deal.

Whip It!

I recently finished a commission. The person who commissioned me requested a full outfit based on Oliver from the movie Whip It! She sent along the following reference pics.

Oliver from Whip It: front view

Oliver: Side View

She also requested some dark blue distressed denim jeans. I love the challenge of finding just the right materials and trying to make something that is close to what is requested. This outfit was for a MSD Dollzone Megi. Here are the final Results

Whole Outfit

Over Shirt/Jacket Details

Jeans Front Detail

Jeans Back Detail

Supernatural Fun!

Did a commission for a friend of a Co-worker. It was really fun, especially since it involved one of my favorite TV shows, SUPERNATURAL. Initially she requested a t-shirt, button up shirt and jackets for the characters Sam & Dean. She had found a couple of Ken dolls that could pass for them.

I was able to find a vintage Ken jacket that passed for Sam's coat so I didn't have to make that, but I did send it to her. Then came the task of scouring thrift stores for just the right material in the right scale to be Sam & Dean worthy.

Sam Winchester Found Coat

Once I had all of that rounded up, she let me know that she had also picked up a couple of GI Joe figures that she was going to use as John Winchester and Bobby Singer. So I then began searching for just the right materials for that too. I really enjoy the hunt :D

All said and done, I made the following items for this commission:
Sam- 1 Button up shirt & 1 t-shirt
Dean- 1 Button up shirt, 1 t-shirt, and faux leather coat
John- 1 Button up shirt, 1 t-shirt & jacket
Bobby- 1 Button up shirt, 1 t-shirt & a ball cap.

Bobby's Ball Cap

John Winchester: t-shirt, button up shirt, & coat

Bobby: Button up shirt & t-shirt

Dean: t-shirt, button up shirt & Coat

Pictures Below were provided by the client.

A lil about me

I started sewing 20 years ago for the porcelain dolls I was making with my Grandma at her doll shop and for my children. Since 2009 I have been sewing primarily doll clothes. I started by making my girls clothes for their American Girl size dolls. And in early 2011 I started sewing for my own bjd dolls.

I have been sewing like crazy for bjds ever since. I have done several swaps & trades, a few commissions and items for my etsy shop. I find that I love sewing for bjds and that it is very relaxing to do so. I like to sew many different styles and often enjoy the challenge of making something I haven’t made before.

Welcome to my Blog

This is a Work in Progress. Over the next several days and weeks I will be adding info to this site - various bjd related information. Such as a BJD measurement table, a list of bjd related forums, a sewing section which will include pattern links, tips and tutorials, bjd maintenance tips and suggested supplies, terms & definitions, an FAQ section and whatever else I can think of to add that would be helpful. Please feel free to make suggestions for additional content. Thanks for reading and stopping by :D