Holo Dolls Tutorial!

It's here! It's finally here! In this tutorial I use the same fine milled holographic powder that they use on nails and apply it to my dolls! Do watch and enjoy! Make your dollies covered in holographic glory!

MerryDollRound "Fang" Mock-up Speedpaint!

Fairyland Idoll Mock-up Speedpaint!

Unoa Sist Commission.

Alchemist Lab Unoa are one of my favorite dolls to paint. They are effortlessly cool looking and I've always wanted one of my own. So, when I was commissioned to work on this Sist with an awesome make-up theme and freckles in mind I jumped at the chance. Long ago I wanted to make a custom Blythe with white eyeshadow covering a majority of the eyes but let that project sit on the side. This was my chance to try that style out and I'm so happy with the results. I thank Andrea for allowing me to work with her and her Unoa Sist!

 

First Monster High Custom Success!

Sometimes, well most of the time, I fear failure. I fear it quite a lot actually to a crippling degree. Now I know this is a pretty serious way to start off a post about repainting a child's toy, but something compelled me to speak about it. The fear of failure hangs over me all the time and it's hard for me to shake. Even for small things such as this I find myself avoiding it and then watching compilations of bloopers on Youtube. So when I'm able to push through it, no matter how mundane or ludicrous the final result is, it's kind of a big mental victory for me! I put my mind to a project, worked through my ideas, pressed on through mistakes, and the outcome was final product that I was (mostly) proud of!

The downside is that the victory is short lived, because you can't help but point out flaws, what you should do next time, and all the other projects you have to complete; but that's definitely what keeps artists going. Some artists have an easier time than others riding that mental wave. I usually need to hide in a closet for a few days... weeks... years...

On a positive note, the outcome of this project has pushed me to try another Monster High repaint/custom. I purchased a 17 inch Draculaura and plan to make similar eye modifications and maybe even do a full alpaca fiber reroot! Once I start getting better at working with vinyl dolls I'll be able to share how I work with everyone. In the meantime, I will be working on completing BJD commissions. So stay tuned for those!

 

 

Returning to Commissions

Recently I decided to start taking commission again for BJDs. It was exciting to get back to the doll world, but I couldn't help feeling really nervous. Had it been too long? Had I completely forgotten how to paint a doll? This was one of the reasons I re-opened commissions. I was frozen by this fear that I was putting off working on face-ups and not doing anything. So I thought if someone else depended on me it would push me to actually start something. I'm glad I did this. The results of this face-up have built back up my confidence and desire to continue on many more projects. After having a bunch of fails with other projects prior I'm happy and relieved I can still do this. Onto the next!

Plans for Meggilu House

I created Meggilu House because I wanted to move on from just being Meggilu and only working on BJD face-ups. I wanted to create a place that encompassed all the things that I loved and liked to create. At times it's been rather overwhelming and frustrating to wrangle all of these ideas and projects to bring them here. So I think it would be helpful to make a coherent plan list that I, as well as my visitors, can follow to know what's in store. Here is what will occur in Meggilu House's future. Let's get to it!

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(V= video, L = livestream, P = Patreon content and B= blog post)

1. BJD Commissions (b)
I will be working on taking a few commissions for BJD mock-ups and face-ups.

 

2. Japan Trip Coverage (v&b)
I have a lot of exciting content and info from my month long trip this past Summer. I have a dedicated blog post linking to all the articles and videos I will create.

 

3. Reviews, Show n Tell, & Kits (v&l)
I plan to review items, share cute or awesome things I've purchased, and share putting crafting & model kits together!

• Doll house & diorama books


• My Japanese book collection (educational and crafting)


• Hamanaka felting kits


• Decoden start to finish


• Art supplies reviews


• My new bike show'n'tell
  (Maybes - Let me know if you'd like to see the following;)


• Let's Play Tsum Tsum, Animal Crossing, and other games


• Tamagotchi 4U translation & play guide

 

4. Launch Patreon Page
My Patreon page will help me continue to work on projects with your support! It will feature a lot of cool rewards and exciting goal milestones that we can all enjoy. Thank you all so much!

 

5. Doll Face-up Tutorials (v)
I plan to create videos breaking down each process of a face-up and give tips and instructions. These videos will be available for free on my youtube channel, but patrons will be able to see them before they're released!

• Cleaning


• Sealing


• Blushing & Shading


• Eyebrows


• Painting details


• Airbrush

 

6. Start Doll Projects (v,l,p&b)
I have a couple of projects concerning new doll types and characters that I would like to work on. Behind the scenes content and discussion of some of these projects will only be available to patrons. All overview and project 

• Unicorn Boy (SD Elysium Lime)


• Finish Evey (Blythe)


• Customize Witchy Hazel (Blythe)


• Face-up for Luna (Monster High 17inch Clawdeen)


• Finish custom Blythe for sale


• Build doll props & furniture


• Build a diorama


• Sculpting my own BJD


• Work on doll book

 

-Big Ultimate Future Goals-

7. Cosplay Builds & Convention Videos (v,l,p&b)
I hope to start working on designing and creating cosplay and wear them to cons! I eventually hoping to build for others as well! Right now I have one idea that's in it's beginning phase. I still have a lot to learn. Patrons will get access to the entire process of learning all the way to creating.

• First project - IT'S A SECRET! But here's a hint: It is a loose mash-up of one of my favorite characters and one of my favorite game's job class.

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I hope you are as excited as I am for the future of Meggilu House. I will follow this list to be able to get started on these projects and not sit around confused and overwhelmed. So, I hope you will join me in these adventures and thank you for following along!

 

Now taking commissions!

After a long weekend I believe I finally have my new commission process worked out and ready to accept new projects! So please head over to the commission page if you are interested in my services! A lot has changed so please read over the information carefully and contact me with any questions or concerns! I can't wait to get back to work! Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout the years and inspired me to return!

Name swap!

From the moment I purchased my 17inch Clawdeen Monster High doll I had been trying to think up what kind of character this doll would be. I was finding it hard to think up any ideas or get inspired. So I thought perhaps if I got all of her makeup off and tested some wigs something would surface. The initial result of this experiment, a bare face and wig of rolling locks, was that she looked so cute and sweet. Great! I've been wanting to use the name Lille for a character for a while and I thought it would be a wonderful fit... sort of.

 

On the other side of the doll story there was Luna, my EBL Samedi Marche Blythe. When I was going on a crazy Blythe purchasing spree I was working my brain to name all of my new girls. Samedi was the hardest one to name. You know when a doll's name will just come to you because of how she/he looks? Well, this little one's face kept giving me the "L" name vibe, but I could only think of Luna, Lulu, or Lele. I wasn't sold on those names, so I just gave up and chose what I thought was the best of the three; Luna. Deep down "Luna" still didn't feel right, but I didn't want to introduce her without a name! (What!? Naming dolls can be this big of a deal? YES! Character creation is serious business! Haha!) As time went on I needed to do something, and luckily I was able to come to a perfect solution!


Name swap!

 

I follow Lora_Arellano on Instagram as she is so inspiring and one awesome, talented lady! I was surfing my dashboard one day when I come across her spectacular posts! I instantly thought of my Clawdeen and who she would become. I loves the dark glassy brown eyes and the overall sultry look paired with body mods. Just seeing this gave me a bunch of other ideas for creating my doll's character and style. Woo! Inspiration!

Now that I had more of an idea what direction to take her in I knew for sure Lille would no longer work as a name. The revelation unfolded. Hey! You know what would work perfectly? Luna! But then what about my Samedi Marche...? I couldn't have dolls with the same name. (Why do I always run into this problem?) Wait! Durr! Name swap!

 Name swap!

You can stop with that now.

Ok sorry...

Now Luna is Lille and Lille is Luna and we can all celebrate! I am very excited to get Luna (Clawdeen) started in her transformation. I decided I would try doing an eye opening on her since she is more like a BJD and I am not familiar with painting 2D eyes on a vinyl doll. I'm not familiar with opening eyes on one either, but I seem to think that it go just fine... With my past two project turn-outs I don't know what to believe anymore. Haha. You live and you learn! Crossing fingers that I hope I will still have after I attempt this! See you soon!

Just saw some serious sh#%.

So a couple of weeks ago I came across this, and was instantly hit with a surprise brick of happiness!



I had no idea that Hot Toys even existed, let alone that they created a 1/6th figure of Marty McFly and the Delorean time machine! Not to mention with the most accuracy and detail that I've ever seen. Maybe there has been something like this or better before, but it'd be news to me! I have made it a goal to get my own Marty. Not only has the movie been a big part of my childhood growing up, but Marty McFly is one of my favorite characters ever (and Michael J. Fox is also amazing)!



All the detail in the clothes and props have me floored. The only thing missing is the branding from the props and clothing, which I have seen people take the time to add themselves. And for a 1/6th figure I think Marty's face is really well done. Even though it might not look like Michael J. Fox to a T, it still does resemble him a whole lot and the eyes are so life-like!





So sorry future BJD's, looks like I will be saving up for McFly over here! It is my density! I hope he doesn't become sold out before I can save up enough! Have to stop being a scaredy loser and putting off work or getting my artwork out there! Goddammit it's your livelihood woman! *shakes self* Ok, getting sidetracked. CHECK OUT THE PROPS AND PARTS! For $235 I'd say this figure is well worth that price. I cannot wait!



 

Failures and lessons.

Everyone fails at something, sometime in their life. Maybe even a million time before a breakthrough occurs! There's one thing I struggle with and that is facing failure. Sometimes the thought of failing at something will stop me from even attempting it! That's why I haven't even tried working on the tons of Monster High and EverAfter High dolls I have! Other times I will have this delusional idea that I will be pretty good at something right off the bat, and start a project full force to later realize it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. And actually, I kind of suck!

Working on the Souldoll Asiter has proved to be that type of journey. I've carved Blythe before, I've done a tiny bit of apoxie modifications. I thought this would work out just fine! I was wrong! Over-carving, asymmetry, and ignorance have gotten the best of me. I cannot for the life of my get both sides of the face to match up (the liquid eyeliner curse!), and that's caused me to over-carve to where I can poke my x-acto right through the crease of the eyelid to the inside! I also thought that I didn't really need to look at references, I could just use my own mind and eyes. PSSSHAW! What do they know!?! So it looks like I must move back to adding more apoxie to build back up what I took away.

The lesson of this is that I must not give up! I am determined to make a beautiful and unique doll! I really want to get better at this because I enjoy the idea of creating something (character, creature, prop etc.) from an idea with my own two hands! I will take a break to look up more infomation about sculpture and in the meanwhile work on completing Evey, my Blythe doll. Which reminds me! I also have a 17" Monster High Clawdeen doll now! Maybe I can practice working on vinyl doll faceups with her first since she's so large! Wish me luck!

First live workshop project!

This past Sunday was my first time live streaming my workshop, and I must say it was pretty fun! I did have a hard time getting it up and running at first, but I hope I'll get better with time! For the first broadcast I chose to demonstrate how I create mockups in photoshop using my modded Souldoll Asiter head. Doing mockups is great because you can learn more about what works with the sculpt in a way that doesn't drive you mad. I had initially thought about doing a very dark and intense faceup for this particular head since it has a lot of epoxy modifications (that was it's condition when I bought it). When I saw Mad Max I thought maybe this doll would work with a look like Furiosa. Doing the mock-up I could see that if this head needs to embody a character as cool as Furiosa then I'm going to need to mod it more. I want it to look more realistic and portray a brooding attitude. Right now it seems the eyes are too open and cartoonish for what I'm going for. I would have not known that just looking at the blank sculpt. Now I know my next step! I will start making more modifications to the head, which I welcome all of you to watch me doing on the workshop channel! So stay tuned!

Meet the New Blythe Girls!

While in Japan I went a little doll crazy! I bought way more dolls than I thought I would. I had originally intended to get just one, my dream doll a Volks F-26. I wanted to get her through Volk's Full Choice System thinking that it'd be possible because of my long stay. However, Tenshi no Sato is like Gandalf and if you're a foreigner "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" So, I resorted to use MANDARAKE as my main source of seeking out Volks BJDs and other types of dolls. The Volks I did find in all the MANDARAKE across Japan (well it felt like it) were not an F-26 and it didn't seem worth buying a BJD I wasn't 100% into.

I did keep my eye out for the Blythe dolls though, and after the second store in Osaka I found a Hello Harvest, practically like new, with all her accessories and in box! I've been wanting her for a very long time! Then in Tokyo I found a replacement EBL Samedi Marche for the one I used to have, and an EBL Rogue Noir. The EBL Blythe is my favorite version so I had to get another one! The Rogue Noir was only 18000 yen ($145.31 at the time)! My last MANDARAKE store was in Akihabara where I found my second highly coveted Blythe, Wendy Weekender!! So that's how I ended up with four Blythe!! I also made sure that when I went to Azone I bought them each a pure neemo body. I have big customization plans for the Rogue Noir. The other ones will be staying stock for now because their stock for is already so cute! We'll see what happens.

[caption id="attachment_2222" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Meet Margot! (Hello Harvest)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2221" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Meet Luna! (EBL Samedi Marche)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2220" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Meet Witchy Hazel! (EBL Rogue Noir)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2223" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Meet Elodie! (Wendy Weekender)[/caption]

Tune in next week when I introduce the other girls from the Japan trip bunch! It will include my new Licca's, Azone, and Obitsu dolls! Thanks for reading!

doll photoshop magic.

In June, I was asked to help with the ordering process of a Volks FCS. I was to create mock-ups for the client to show the artists how they wished their dolls' to look. I was happy to help as this wasn't as involved as doing actual face-ups, but was a way to fill the void of missing doing face-ups. Boy did it remind me of how much I missed it. (I hope I can even still hold a brush! ; 0 ; ). I worked on creating mock-ups for a MSD F20 and F34, as well as one of my dream dolls, a SD F26. It was so much fun to do something with dolls again. I cannot wait to get my time back to work with them.

Here are the results (before & after)! Let me know what you think!

- MSD F20 -

Before

After

 

- MSD F34 -

Before

After

 

- SD F26 -

Before (original photo belongs to a drop of color)

After

Dolly Wednesday #1

In June, I was asked to help with the ordering process of a Volks FCS. I was to create mock-ups for the client to show the artists how they wished their dolls' to look. I was happy to help as this wasn't as involved as doing actual face-ups, but was a way to fill the void of missing doing face-ups. Boy did it remind me of how much I missed it. (I hope I can even still hold a brush! ; 0 ; ). I worked on creating mock-ups for a MSD F20 and F34, as well as one of my dream dolls, a SD F26. It was so much fun to do something with dolls again. I cannot wait to get my time back to work with them.

Here are the results (before & after)! Let me know what you think!

- MSD F20 -

Before

Getting things in order.

In the middle of this month Meggilu.com turned 3! It doesn't feel like it's been 3 years, but I'm so happy it's here.

I've taken some steps needed for getting my site back up and running. First on my list was to allow everyone to be able to view the site when typing "meggilu.com" without the "www". Yes, it has taken 3 years for me to fix it. Oh boy. It's funny how excited I was when it was fixed. Ah, the little things. One task done!

I am also looking for new designs and fonts for the site, as well as a redesign of the Meggilu logo. I want to make it more personable and design it from a drawing. I'm doing research for how I should take on the crown and "M". Finding inspiration is key! Font pairings are another thing occupying my time. It's fun to be in the searching phase, but I'd like to move on as soon as I can. I have a lot more I want to get to.

I've decided that this site will have multiple topics with each topic having it's respectable day. For example, there will be a dolly monday, video game tuesday, adventure sunday etc. Each will have special titles I have created. This means I will have to post almost everyday (fingers crossed).

Dolls are still going to be the majority of this site. I am catching the Blythe bug all over again and I'm itching to get my hands on a new one to take apart and recreate (that sentence was disgustingly pun-y). One of my biggest Blythe goal is to finally re-root that mostly bald scalp I have laying around! I know I can do it.

I'm also really interested in making cute dioramas for my dollies to live in. This will help stifle the sadness I feel when I think about how I don't have a house of my own yet...
And yes, faceups for BJDs are destined to return. I'm still hesitant about taking new commissions as of yet, but I'm still going to be working with BJDs. Apart from that I hope to feature other dolls that I love like Licca, Jenny, Momoko, and Monster High dolls. Since I don't have much experience with vinyl dolls, and apparently they are just like working on Blythe and BJDs; I'm looking forward to using my Monster High dolls for my first experiments. Sorry poor dears.Lastly, I wanted to integrate my love of video games here. I am always looking for people to play games with me. I will be adding a widget for my Animal Crossing: New Leaf Dream Address. If you play FFXIV we can definitely join forces!! Minecraft, Gary's Mod, DayZ, Pokemon?! Lots and lots of fun gaming to do!

Wow, I covered a lot in this entry! That's all for now! Until next time.

Getting things in order.

In the middle of this month Meggilu.com turned 3! It doesn't feel like it's been 3 years, but I'm so happy it's here.

I've taken some steps needed for getting my site back up and running. First on my list was to allow everyone to be able to view the site when typing "meggilu.com" without the "www". Yes, it has taken 3 years for me to fix it. Oh boy. It's funny how excited I was when it was fixed. Ah, the little things. One task done!

I am also looking for new designs and fonts for the site, as well as a redesign of the Meggilu logo. I want to make it more personable and design it from a drawing. I'm doing research for how I should take on the crown and "M". Finding inspiration is key! Font pairings are another thing occupying my time. It's fun to be in the searching phase, but I'd like to move on as soon as I can. I have a lot more I want to get to.

I've decided that this site will have multiple topics with each topic having it's respectable day. For example, there will be a dolly monday, video game tuesday, adventure sunday etc. Each will have special titles I have created. This means I will have to post almost everyday (fingers crossed).

Dolls are still going to be the majority of this site. I am catching the Blythe bug all over again and I'm itching to get my hands on a new one to take apart and recreate (that sentence was disgustingly pun-y). One of my biggest Blythe goal is to finally re-root that mostly bald scalp I have laying around! I know I can do it.

I'm also really interested in making cute dioramas for my dollies to live in. This will help stifle the sadness I feel when I think about how I don't have a house of my own yet...
And yes, faceups for BJDs are destined to return. I'm still hesitant about taking new commissions as of yet, but I'm still going to be working with BJDs. Apart from that I hope to feature other dolls that I love like Licca, Jenny, Momoko, and Monster High dolls. Since I don't have much experience with vinyl dolls, and apparently they are just like working on Blythe and BJDs; I'm looking forward to using my Monster High dolls for my first experiments. Sorry poor dears.

Lastly, I wanted to integrate my love of video games here. I am always looking for people to play games with me. I will be adding a widget for my Animal Crossing: New Leaf Dream Address. If you play FFXIV we can definitely join forces!! Minecraft, Gary's Mod, DayZ, Pokemon?! Lots and lots of fun gaming to do!

Wow, I covered a lot in this entry! That's all for now! Until next time.

Yes it's true.

So as my very vague prior post states, I am looking forward to coming back to the doll hobby as well as my poor lonely website. I am planning to revamp and amp up the place with new things all over!

This semester has got me quite busy, but the ideas for what I have in store for Meggilu.com this Summer are already coming to me. I only have one more year of college left (fingers crossed) so I thought why not get a head start on this place before I really have nothing to do and this empty lonely site is just waiting for me. Graduate with a plan y'know? So, while I'm working on my BFA art show pieces this summer I will be documenting it here, as well as featuring dolls and perhaps taking a commission or two. I plan to do a lottery since I will be taking one doll at a time. I will also have to do a test run on my dolls to see if I still got it. Haha. Well, that's all for now!

Changes with the new season.

Right now I am working on the completion of the final 3 BJD faceup commissions that I have. I should have them finish for viewing by tomorrow night. And then that's it, commissions are closed and done with. I will be going through with changing the way my site is used and what it will feature.

I'm hoping to use this site as an artist blog so that I can continue showing my work just in a different way with more freedom. I will be continuing with dolls. I figured out that commissions were taking up much of my time leaving none for myself to explore the hobby. So I became bored. I also missed working with Blythe. Not only that but my recent switch into the illustration world in school led me off the track a little. All my inspiration and ideas were being focused into drawing.

Well, now I feel I can freely move from project to project, get new inspiration, and delve more into ideas I've had for forever. I want to work with building dioramas and doll homes, I want to draw new characters for my stories, I want to work on my horror themed art, I want to finally finish that Blythe doll I haven't touched since 2007, I want to continue creating and posting tutorials, and I bought a MH doll last year that I've been dying to try and customize... These are the types of things I hope will fill this blog in the months, and even years, to come.

And so, no more BJD commissions does not mean no more Meggilu. I hope everyone who has enjoyed my work over these 7 years would still continue to visit. Thank you all!!

So long Ante.

And so I did it. I placed Momochuu's form on the marketplace. Momochuu still exists as one of my characters, but she will no longer be the LTF Ante. Maybe someday in the future I will get a BJD that better fits the Tarutaru look. Ah, well, until then.

I've actually decided on allowing the person who purchases Ante for a custom faceup option. It will probably be the last commission I take.

This week I have to watch my uncle's dog while he is in Texas, so I will be back working on commissions Monday. It seems like my new job is now petsitter. I'm not even mad.