How time flies...it has been too long.

I can't believe I haven't written anything since shortly after GoGa! June and July flew by and now InnoSera is only a few days away.

I will be helping at the Dollheart sales table at InnoSera and I hope to see some of you there! I continue to have reservations about its possibilities for success. There is still no list of exhibitors on the official website. I can't help but wonder if the organizers are afraid of less attendance if it's known in advance that few vendors will be there. Frankly, I'd consider keeping quiet about it, if I were organizing a con.  But keeping quiet about such a thing is not exactly a good way to inspire trust in people either. It's kind of a lose-lose situation. It's unfortunate that so few BJD companies are attending. Last I heard, Elfdoll will be the only company with any kind of presence. After seeing the decreased attendance at GoGa, with its well known organizers and track record, I just can't picture InnoSera being a success. Hopefully I'll be proven horribly wrong and I will have to eat my words. In that situation, I'd be more than happy to do so.

I was asked to write about the continuing effects of the economy on both my own doll collecting and what I see happening with other BJD companies and retailers. Personally, I can't remember buying any true BJDs since I closed the shop. I keep up a bit with what's being introduced by various companies, but have not been buying much in resin form. I'm still lusting after a Luo but have yet to take the plunge. I did receive the vinyl Evangeline I ordered at IDEX, and like her-and her fashions-a lot. I'm planning on buying a wigged version next, as I bought the rooted redhead. I confess to buy buying a couple of the Tonner BJDs. I especially like Sydney and Lady G, but I don't consider them true BJDs. Currently I'm getting into the 14" Kish Chrysalis dolls and Ellowyne Wilde. I bought a couple of Ellos with glass eyes, done by "Jim Dandy". They have yet to arrive. As far as I'm concerned, as with the Tonner vinyls, the Kish dolls are overpriced for having been produced in China, which means I will buy fewer.

As far as BJD retailing in the U.S., I honestly think I got out at just. the. right. time. Thank heaven. I can't imagine trying to keep a doll business going in this economy, not with the low profit margins and having to immediately discount new Tonner and Kish items, for example. I feel for those trying to keep their businesses alive; it can't be easy for anybody. Even before we announced our closing sale last year in August, sales were starting to slow down, including our hottest sellers like Dollheart. More people were having to cancel their layaways or pre-orders due to having lost their income. I see on various forums and groups that lots of collectors are trying to sell their dolls and accessories, either to be able to afford new stuff or just to pay other bills. Like so many others, I myself hope to sell a few of the BJDs I managed to accumulate over the years. I don't have the space, money or desire to keep everything. What I hear from friends is that they've had trouble selling unwanted dolls, so I'm not sure how successful I will be either. Lots of folks have stuff they need or want to sell, which means those lucky enough to actually sell their stuff will get less for it, unless it's something relatively rare. I may find myself offering layaway once again!! It truly is a buyer's market, at least regarding pre-owned stuff.

Even now, I keep seeing new BJD companies announcing themselves on Den of Angels and I have to wonder how long they'll last. The small companies might have an advantage over the big ones in today's economy. If just a couple of folks are responsible for sculpting, marketing and actually producing dolls, they keep the money themselves, as opposed to the bigger companies which hire factories to produce the dolls they paid a sculptor to create. There's no way all the companies currently in business can survive, nor should they. Hopefully those who survive will be the ones who offer the best service and product for the best price. Hopefully-and I admit to prejudice here-it won't be only the Chinese companies that survive. Like so many, I consider the BJDs made in South Korea or Japan to be the only true BJDs. It would be a huge shame if most of the companies in those two countries failed and disappeared.

I'll post again during or after InnoSera. I've got to make sure my camera is charged and ready to go! Next,  I'm planning on going to the Modern Doll Convention in October. It'll be my first time to that particular con and I'm looking forward to it. Our beloved Ms. Cholong will be presenting a BJD primer there which should be fun. No doubt I'll come home with a couple more dolls which I'll then have to make room for. That means clearing out even more of what's already here. The cycle continues. :)