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Wednesday, July 22, 2015

The Quest for Perfect Articulation

I know that many of us are on a quest for the best articulation for our dolls. I mean, how many of us get a "stiff" doll and wait for the right skin tone on an articulated doll to really be able to play with that doll? How many of us watch for sales and stock up on articulated bodies just to have on hand for body swaps? How many tutorials have you seen out there sharing techniques on how to improve the articulation on a body with limited range or how to modify a head to make it work on a different type of neck knob (or visa versa) only with the goal in mind of giving that doll articulation? Why do we do it? For me, it makes telling a story with my dolls more plausible. It makes taking pictures of them more enticing. It makes playing with them so much more fun!

When I first started collecting dolls, I only did it for looking at them. I put them in a glass case for the pure pleasure of admiring them. With my vintage dolls, they still hold there place of honor in that glass case. I seldom would rebody one of them as there is something about preserving that aesthetic that won't let me modify them. 

One thing that finding the doll community on the internet with all of the wonderfully posed pictures and creative story telling and simply sharing a mutual joy of doll play and collecting is that my eyes were opened up to the possibility of telling my own stories and expressing my own creativity through my dolls. I found other adults like me who were not afraid of sharing their love for dolls. I feel as though I have made some truly wonderful friends through this connection. And although I haven't personally met any of you, I still feel that I know more about you and you know more about me than a lot of people I have met face to face! I do hope to meet some of you in person some day! Who knows, maybe at a doll convention or something similar.

Ok, I digress! The point of this post was to share what I believe is sheer articulation perfection! Without further ado, meet the latest additions to my little doll town (Hanaly Corners):

Meet Stephanie (Left) and Mayumi (Right). Just having a little girl talk and wondering about the possibilities of life in Hanaly Corners!

These ladies are both the new Phicen figures with the stainless steel skeleton. So far, these ladies have demonstrated the ultimate in articulation. The movement is like silk -- no clicking or "breaking" sounds, just free movement into a multitude of positions. And the feel of their skin is so realistic! Their bodies have realistic shading and they are anatomically correct! I had to be careful when posing them not to show off some of that correctness! They do not fit into most Barbie clothes, but they are seen here wearing dresses from my Mixis ladies. I do not know yet what their roles will be in Hanaly Corners. Will they be married and/or have children? Will they be single and play the field or will they have boyfriends? Their future remains to be seen! In the meantime, I did a photo shoot with them demonstrating some of the posing possibilities that they have!




Shoes are a bit of challenge for them. Mayumi is wearing a pair of high heeled pumps from IT Color Infusion









Stephanie is wearing a pair of red high heels for Cy Girl I found on eBay.

I hope you found this post interesting. I am going to try to post more often and work more on my town. I do have a lot of work to do and stories to tell!

Thanks for stopping by. I welcome your comments!


34 comments:

  1. Hello from Spain: I love these girls action. I also seek articulated body. I prefer the realism of the articulated bodies. I will also be delighted to meet you and others collectors. nice photos. keep in touch

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    1. Thanks for your comments. It would be nice to meet other collectors, wouldn't it? Especially those we have "met" through blogging and Flickr!

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  2. Wow, these ladies are exceptional in their posing abilities! "I had to be careful when posing them not to show off some of that correctness?" That line made my day- LOL I agree with everything you wrote in that first paragraph. Thanks for sharing, Phyllis. I don't know if you realize how valuable these kinds of posts are for new-ish collectors like me.

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    1. Ha ha, OMG, Jewell, you wouldn't believe the realism of what is under that skirt! There was a picture I took of Mayumi that I didn't realize until after I saw the picture on my computer screen that her V jay jay was well exposed! Obviously, I couldn't show that picture! I am glad you liked my post and understand how I feel about articulation! And, Jewell, I do consider you to be one of my doll friends and would consider it an honor to meet some day!

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  3. Hi Phyllis, I'm amazed by Phicen dolls, I was tempted to buy one some time ago, after seeing some pictures of them on Linda's blog. Not only they have wonderful bodies, but also extremely realistic and beautiful faces. I also saw that someone managed to rebody an IT Vanessa on a Pichen body it was simply amazing!
    Thanks for sharing, I believe that with their voluptuous figure they are going to make some noise in Hanaly Corners.
    I agree with you, it is wonderful to have such a community in internet, sharing our passion is something special!
    Kisses Billa

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    1. Thanks, Billa! I own an older Phicen doll too, Maybe from around 2011 or so. The older body has a plastic skeleton and you can hear clicking and she doesn't have the same range of motion that these do. Also, fabric residue sticks to her skin all of the time. Her skin seems a little bit tacky. I think Phicen really raised the bar when they came out with these. Oh I would love to see IT Vanessa 's photo on the Phicen body! I would bet she is awesome!

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    2. Hi Phyllis, jus google "vanessa on phicen body" and you'll be amazed!

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    3. Ha ha, Billa, I did that search and wow, you are right! Even some of my photos showed up!

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  4. Hi Phyllis, thank you so much for this post. The new bodies seem to be so much more improved! My Phicen made clickclickclick sounds that frightened me (and with reason: I broke an arm!). Now I'm tempted to buy one again with the new skeleton, your girls are just fabulous, I love them! I so agree about the doll community, it's awesome to know such lovely people, and it would be great indeed to meet each other some time :-)! xx

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    1. Linda: I don't think you could go wrong with the new Phicen bodies. These bodies are almost perfection! Thanks for stopping by! I always love hearing your comments!

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  5. I have been looking at the Phicen dolls. I love their posing capabilities. I always see them on Ebay modeling action figure clothes and shoes (while I'm clothes shopping for my male dolls). There is this line of clothing called Flirty Girl. I want to buy them for my girls, but I truly think only a Phicen can wear them as they should be worn.

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    1. If you do get a Phicen, I highly recommend getting one with the stainless steel skeleton. I have seen some of the Flirty Girl clothing too, very sexy! I agree that the seamless Phicen body is the best for that line of clothing! I am pretty sure that they would be too "roomy" for Barbie or FR lines like Poppy Parker and Dynamite girls, but they might work on Color Infusion although those girls would be way taller than Phicen! Hope you can get yourself a Phicen!

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  6. These dolls are fascinating! I rather like the clunkiness of seeing a dolls joints, but I would still like to test drive one of these.

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    1. I definitely think you should get one! Then you would no long have to take the arm off of a different doll to use as a phone holding hand, but then, what would be the fun in that!

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  7. Hi Phyllis, I think these dolls are just so cool! It's good to know there have been some changes with the skeleton making them more seamless. I can't wait to see them more in your stories!

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    1. They definitely will be! I am still shocked by the realism of their bodies.

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  8. Witaj Phyllis! Obie pokazane dziewczyny są piękne i wspaniale wyglądają! Fakt wytwarzania takich, artykułowanych lalek napawa optymizmem, że staną się coraz bardziej realistyczne i fotografowanie ich to sama przyjemność! Bardzo jestem ciekawa jak rozwinie się akcja w Twoim, lalkowym świecie!
    Pozdrawiam serdecznie!

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    1. Olla, I am glad that you like them! You will definitely see them again!

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  9. Your ladies are lovely! So nice to see a post about them. When I first saw this new rendition a few months ago, I was very impressed. I may have to invest in one (and start sewing clothes for her). This new version looks so much more ladylike to me. Of course that comment only applies if her vee jay jay isn't showing. LOL!

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    1. If you get one and start making clothes, definitely make her some panties! LOL! I have some patterns to make Mixis clothes, so I will see what I can make for them with those patterns. I will first try some of the other Mixis clothes I have so I can see where I have to make adjustments. Stephanie has the mid size breasts, so I have better luck finding clothes for her!

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  10. I love these new bodies as well. You know we deflectors are awesome and are no different from any other collectors who showcase their passion.

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    1. So true, but it is great to be able to be involved in something where you can share your passion!

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  11. Looking forward to seeing them in Mixis fashions. Such striking and interesting dolls you have!

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  12. Your Phicens look great. I don't have one myself, but I read toyboxphilosopher's very thorough review. The "skin" breaking and attracting dust and stains made me a bit wary, considering the price tag. The posing is incredibly realistic, though!

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    1. I think these issues are definitely more prevalent on the older version of the doll. I have notice that stuff does not stick to the skin on these bodies as much as the on the older ones. I haven't had any problems with the skin breaking (even on the older body), but I am very careful with how I move their joints. I am loving the flexibility of these ladies and how beautiful their bodies are!

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  13. Phyllis, these dolls are incredible. While I am strictly a Barbie girl (esp. pre-2000) and am all about the clothes, rather than stories, I love to see what other people are doing. Some of the story lines are so detailed and complex and the settings......well, there are a lot of talented people out there. I look forward to seeing how these two gals will fit into the neighborhood!

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  14. Hi Phyllis. I am simply amazed by the realism of this doll. She is gorgeous!!!
    Yes, I agree about what you said about this very dear doll community. I have learned so much about dolls and I have enjoyed being part of such an amazing bunch of creative people.

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    1. April, OMG, the realism is amazing! I so love being a part of the doll community -- a safe place to share your hobby. I tried talking about my dolls with my cousin last week, and she thought I was crazy!

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  15. You are spot on on the articulation quest, my dear! I was like nodding the entire time I was reading about it hahahah!

    I did want to get me some Phicen last year but for some reason someone advised me to wait for this batch (the one you have) because they are way much better, as she told me.

    Congrats on getting them!

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    1. These dolls with the stainless steel skeletons are so superior to the past bodies (although they are still selling the plastic skeleton bodies). I only have one of the older ones, but these are so much better.

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  16. incredible doll,I really like the skin too and she is so posable!!!I love posable dolls and I think that the wire armature is a great way for this,I'm just starting to pu wire armaturein my cloth dolls.

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  17. I nominated you for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award, see my latest post :-).

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  18. Hello! I love these Phicen dolls, and I make clothing and dioramas for them. Please visit my Facebook Page, Like and Join my Phicen Phasions Group! Thank you! Happy Designing! From Karen Carson-McGuire

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