So.
I remembered hearing about the sad passing of a local doll enthusiast, Anja of Dark Dollhouse last year, and I also remember feeling torn about attending the doll-related memorial held for her in London, because even though I had interacted with her online (and almost attended the Momolita workshop with her that April which we had discussed - although I couldn't go in the end), I didn't really feel it was my place to attend. I'd only really met the Pygmalion Society (London bjd group) once and, despite my best efforts, I'm not very active online in all the forums etc, so was, and am, still a bit of an outsider I feel. In that respect.
After a few months we were informed that her husband wished to sell / pass on all of her dolly things to other doll hobbyists.
Again, I don't know why, I felt a bit conflicted about this.
I looked at the list that was compiled though, and WOW! Some of the dolls she had were stunning. She had been to Japan and attended Dolpa (and the beautiful part is that they had just managed to finish one of her dream holiday to a Dolpa in Japan - hadn't even unpacked all of her purchases - when she passed away suddenly a couple of nights after returning) so, in my opinion, her knowledge and tastes of the doll world were quite refined.
I saw some Quluts dolls on the list, and knew from a flying visit to the LFCC one year that the artist Destiny Blue had been inspired by a Unoa Lusis to paint the picture I bought from her. So on seeing a Lusis in D.Arks list I had to enquire. I knew I could give the doll a good home.
But then I looked on DoA to research the prices in order to make an offer and my brief idea stopped there! Cripes! They aren't cheap! And I think they were even more back in 2011/12 than they are now!
Anyway. Suffice to say that I didn't follow it up as I couldn't help what I saw as a 'cause', and knew that I'd only torcher myself wanting a doll that was out of my league. I did sneak a peek a few days later but it had gone.
A year being tied up with a Blythe reroot, lost dolls and a continuing Makielab obsession passed until a recent post on the Pygmalion facebook page featured Anja's husband informing us that he would slowly wrap up her website and sales list and close them down, and if we wanted to share any of her information before that happened we were free to do so.
So firstly, I have shared her site (above) as there is a font of dolly information on it for bjd owners and general interesting stuffs.
And secondly, when I looked at the list again I saw what I thought was the same Unoa back on the list!! It said Sist on the box but (knowing how rubbish my memory is) I just thought I'd misread it the first time and that perhaps he'd only sold the clothes.
This time I felt different.
I had originally just assumed that the dolls would be snapped up and loved. I felt sad that this girl had put so much of herself into her hobby and no one was appreciating it now (...they were, however, I just thought this at the time). So I compiled a list of things that I could use (and wrote another letter to her husband Rob thinking that as some of the pictures were old, maybe they had sold already), saw that there were a number of Unoa faceplates available too (so could get a Sist or Lusis regardless of the box lid), and after a little information and a couple of mails, made an offer as, unbelievably, it was all available!
Some of it was a little tricky as neither he nor I knew the 100% value of all the things on the list. For the Unoa stuff I think my offer was current - and that was important to me (thank God for credit cards!) but I was a bit embarrassed when my £20 for 2 dolls that just looked like random plastic asian dollies turned out to be a bit out for two Mamachapp dolls! Lol! (worth googling)
Now I know what they are I wish I could have afforded them too... but I had to draw a line.
Which was hard :(
Anyway. He is a lovely, lovely man and I went to meet him (and the stuff) just to bridge the missing link I'd had about Anja over the last couple of years.
I'm so sad I never met her.
After talking with Rob and seeing their home (and MAHOOSIVE collection which apparently is nothing compared to what it was before he started selling!) I realised that we have a lot in common and I don't know why I was so reserved about being involved before.
It's not about bereavement. I lost both my parents at a young age so I have empathy for his loss. But death is something that can have a line drawn under it. It is a certainty that has to be dealt with - heartbreakingly early sometimes, but also, when it is time. And I have learnt that for Rob and Anja, it was time.
I think my issue had been more about wanting to keep her passion (hobby) alive, but thinking it wasn't really my place.
But after talking with him, it's as much my place as it is his... or yours... or that friend you have who plays with bjd's.
The doll I bought is loved. It has been loved. It's old. It's evenly yellowed. But it's still a grail doll I've wanted nearly as long as I've been in the hobby.
I look forward to sharing what happens with my new (Anja's old) doll things, even with the backlog of other doll things I'm doing.
There's no rush.
But I feel good in my heart and I keep looking at the Azone doll I got (primarily as the next Blythe body, but now left as she is because she's just CUTE, lol) and it makes me smile.
I must find out who/what she is some time!
So take a look at his list as there might be things you can keep the doll torch alight with, and if in doubt, just ask. I don't know if it's fully up to date (there I things on it which I bought, but Anja may have had more than one. For instance, I believe he's [only] keeping three of her Unoas.
Three.
The whole experience has been just wow.
So as you can see from my last post. I won't forget June 1st in a hurry!
Thank you Rob for your help and hospitality.
And RiP Anja. I would have loved to have met you, but instead, I hope a little of your passion will stay alight in the adopted branch of my collection now.
x
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| The Azone Pure Neemo doll :) x |
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