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Post by allurose on Dec 13, 2014 22:24:55 GMT -8
I've been reading more about how to make a pbjd and there are many more steps than I thought. 1. Drawing and planning. 2. Making an Armature. 3. Modeling the Human Figure with clay. 4. Designing and making ball and socket joints. 5. Mold making (rigid multiple-piece plaster slip-casting molds - for each doll part) 6. Casting (working with porcelain slip - specific gravity - viscosity) 7. Refining the castings 8. Kiln Firing (loading and operating a high-temperature piece of equipment) 9. Refining/sanding again 10. China Painting (including kiln firing after each layer of China paint) usually repeated 4+ times 11.Adding leather 12. Assembling with tension 13. Wig making (skull cap, knotting, styling) 14. Shoes (a whole craft skill in and of itself) 15. Clothing (design and making miniature clothing or jewelry - another discipline) 16. Stand (making a stand) 17. Packaging (nice box, custom stickers/flyers/etc, safe wrapping 18. Photography 19. Marketing (website, social media, conventions, galleries, business cards, so much more) (Edited from a list here: woodlandearthstudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=3779&sid=a2670eddc3b1f5a00017e52432662c97)Honestly there are few art fields that require so many different kinds of skills. A painter needs to know at most how to mix paint, make canvasses, sketch, do the paint, and market. They don't need to know how to fire a kiln, make a stand, create a wig, etc. These artists are so skilled, we are all lucky to own their works for any price.
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Post by bibarina on Dec 14, 2014 1:35:12 GMT -8
I agree Allurose! If you were to truly add up all the unpaid hours of blood sweat and tears over the years I think people would be shocked! whilst on the one hand it can be depressing for me that I may not be able to afford a doll that I have truly fallen in love with, I don't resent one penny that the Artist makes on them. They deserve to reap the rewards of what can be many years of hard work.
I also agree with you and Fragile Dolls, however, that a few new Artists in my humble opinion have not perfected their work to the same degree as others just yet, but are charging the same prices! Whilst there are others, who's work is really detailed and finely executed selling for a lot less than I believe they could!
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Post by lilithskyblue on Dec 14, 2014 7:36:54 GMT -8
Personally I don't think time spent on art means that much to a buyer. You can work on a piece of art/doll for 6 months and if it's not what the buyer wants, those 6 months don't mean a thing. No one has ever bought art/doll because it took a long time to make. If Marina could make a doll in a week because she knows precisely what she is doing and has a great work ethic, would you not still buy it? No doll maker has to justify why they charge what they do, it's up to them as an artist. You may feel the price is totally outrageous for the quality it is, that's fine, because when the doll consistently does not sell, the artist will have to start asking themselves, why? and hopefully figure it out on their own, in their own learning process.
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Post by allurose on Dec 14, 2014 8:03:47 GMT -8
Personally I don't think time spent on art means that much to a buyer. You can work on a piece of art/doll for 6 months and if it's not what the buyer wants, those 6 months don't mean a thing. No one has ever bought art/doll because it took a long time to make. If Marina could make a doll in a week because she knows precisely what she is doing and has a great work ethic, would you not still buy it? No doll maker has to justify why they charge what they do, it's up to them as an artist. You may feel the price is totally outrageous for the quality it is, that's fine, because when the doll consistently does not sell, the artist will have to start asking themselves, why? and hopefully figure it out on their own, in their own learning process. That is a very good point Lilith, thank you for saying so!
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Post by KittyBubbletea on Aug 20, 2015 16:06:52 GMT -8
I agree with you Allurose and Fragile Dolls. There are some really talented artists emerging, who will be as successful I'm sure. AAArgh- Paperwhites for sale and I missed them? The one I remember best was a few months ago, not long after you got yours. She was one of the Miss Poppy series. I considered getting her but she looked very similar to my my Alisha with her redhead coloring, so I let her go to another. Oooh ooh, that must have been ME! *smiling* Poppy #2 loves living with me, but keeps asking for a sister. ;-)
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Post by bibarina on Aug 21, 2015 4:47:36 GMT -8
The one I remember best was a few months ago, not long after you got yours. She was one of the Miss Poppy series. I considered getting her but she looked very similar to my my Alisha with her redhead coloring, so I let her go to another. Oooh ooh, that must have been ME! *smiling* Poppy #2 loves living with me, but keeps asking for a sister. ;-) He he Robin! Odette keeps asking for one too! I missed one that became available not too long ago, but sadly no dolly funds at the time!
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Post by allurose on Aug 21, 2015 8:52:42 GMT -8
The one I remember best was a few months ago, not long after you got yours. She was one of the Miss Poppy series. I considered getting her but she looked very similar to my my Alisha with her redhead coloring, so I let her go to another. Oooh ooh, that must have been ME! *smiling* Poppy #2 loves living with me, but keeps asking for a sister. ;-) What happy luck that you have found us here then!
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Post by bibarina on Aug 21, 2015 10:31:14 GMT -8
Oooh ooh, that must have been ME! *smiling* Poppy #2 loves living with me, but keeps asking for a sister. ;-) What happy luck that you have found us here then! We should all get together and organise a Paperwhite photofest session!!!!
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Post by allurose on Aug 21, 2015 10:52:00 GMT -8
I would so host this. Paperwhites unite!
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Post by KittyBubbletea on Aug 22, 2015 12:40:37 GMT -8
What happy luck that you have found us here then! We should all get together and organise a Paperwhite photofest session!!!! My poor girl doesn't have any clothes yet, but she has been buying fabric online without my knowing. I only find out when the package arrives. ;-) My Poppy has the barefoot style feet so her little toes are a bit flared. I had asked Teri if she would ever be able to make some "shoe" feet for me one day. But at he time she had just started her new job and was really busy. So my Poppy will have to be barefoot under her clothes. unless I make her some Birkenstock sandals or something. Haha. a photo shoot sounds fun. Have Paperwhite. Will travel.
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Post by orchidsdesigns on Aug 24, 2015 18:23:27 GMT -8
We should all get together and organise a Paperwhite photofest session!!!! My poor girl doesn't have any clothes yet, but she has been buying fabric online without my knowing. I only find out when the package arrives. ;-) My Poppy has the barefoot style feet so her little toes are a bit flared. I had asked Teri if she would ever be able to make some "shoe" feet for me one day. But at he time she had just started her new job and was really busy. So my Poppy will have to be barefoot under her clothes. unless I make her some Birkenstock sandals or something. Haha. a photo shoot sounds fun. Have Paperwhite. Will travel. My girl "Leveche" has the early flat feet too, Teri tried to make her little shoes when I asked her but after weeks of trying she had to let me know it wasn't going to happen. I'm in the process of making her little Geta slippers ^.^
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Post by bibarina on Aug 25, 2015 11:30:17 GMT -8
Little Geta slippers sound lovely- looking forward to seeing them! Odette has the ballet feet, but I would love the flat feet too. They look lovely in the pictures I've seen. Leveche is so pretty, she is one of the first Paperwhites I ever saw.
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Post by KittyBubbletea on Aug 27, 2015 13:47:38 GMT -8
So, speaking of finding a sister for my girl (who somehow lost her name because it didn't seem to stick) looks like is getting her wish. A deposit has been placed. ;-) To get back to the main topic, I definitely think that the price tage is quite high for many of these dolls. But, as has been discussed, the time and labor that goes into these dolls really is remarkable. They're pieces of art that we can interact with and that's the bonus. :-) I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to my new porcelain family member. But, it's all hush hush for now. So pretend I didn't say a word. Hehe.
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Post by delicatedoll on Sept 18, 2015 9:48:36 GMT -8
When I have a more established source of income, I could see myself easily spending $1,000-$5,000 on a gorgeous doll. I am an artist myself, I attend college for arts, and I admire the amount of discipline and craftsmanship that goes in to these dolls. With my husband's permission, I do not think I would hesitate pulling the trigger on something like that, which I will cherish for my whole life.
As other's have stated, Marina Bychkova's Enchanted Dolls are in a world of their own. Considering the international recognition she has received for her works, the prices are accurate. After being shown in galleries, having many books published, etc., I think she has achieved a status that all other doll makers and artists hope to climb to. The fact that Forgotten Hearts is now having a spread in a book titled "The Most Beautiful Dolls in the World" is such a step to be celebrated. I hope to see more artists get the recognition they deserve for their lovely pieces.
At this point in my life, I cannot imagine myself being able to spend $100,000 on a doll. But if I had the means to comfortably, I would do so in a heart beat to own Marina's work. Because it is fine art!
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Post by kamia on Sept 19, 2015 1:44:28 GMT -8
My fiancé told me yesterday if he won the lottery he would tell me by winning the next Enchanted Doll eBay doll So yes, unless I win the lottery Enchanted Doll is out of the picture. I am starting work full time for the first time ever next month (bye bye student life) so I would love to start saving for my first porcelain doll. The price is still a massive mountain to climb for me though for now
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