Wonderland

Avatar BJD

My world is full of strange new things these days: toy-safe EN71 clear coating (SO amazingly hard to find a toy-safe one). Ball-Jointed Doll detailings, customs, OOAK (One Of A Kind)s, miniature clothing samples... you name it. What a journey it's been, trying to make a new toy from scratch.

We're so, so close though: some major hurdles to continue to wrangle include coloured plastics available for the SLS printing we're using, and how to make the finish dirtproof. But the doll stood, and balanced, on one foot today. There's not many dolls out there that can claim that: we've made an action doll ;-)

In my search for a paint expert in the UK who can help us with finishing & face painting dolls and action figures, I came across this Avatar custom from Lunar Pendrith, I'm told one of the UK's very best BJD "faceup" artists:

And while we're on blue, have a look at this amazing steampunky Blythe custom by Lawdeda:

Cute freckles. 

Hide & Seek's 10-11-12: "Ten games from 2011 that tell you all about 2012"

It's free, it's a briefing, and it's ten games from last year that show what's unfolding for this year (and beyond).

The general message is: fragmentation. Opportunity everywhere, and always up against big people with big money (though that doesn't have to spell disaster). How do you get noticed in that world, especially if you're not a giant brand with deep pockets? Even LEGO felt it had to spend $40m to market its new line of girl-oriented Friends products... Getting attention is hard.

These themes point the way where there's still a chance to be first, or superniche, or surprising. Good stuff.

The Replicator's playset characters music video

Have a look at this: Playmobil/LEGO-esque playset characters, 3D printed on a MakerBot Industries Replicator, acting out a little story set to music:

This all new stop-animation music video was made with Michael Curry’s playset characters and a number of other MakerBot-made pieces! The princesses story was written by MakerBot CEO and co-founder Bre Pettis and the song was written and performed by local Brooklyn musicians Scary Car (Bryan Scary and Giulio Carmassi).

<3

(via Makerbot)

Skyward Sword-ready sword & shield

Aw. So dinky. May have to have.

Currently out of stock (must be popular!), but I'm sure they'll get more.

Codecademy

I couldn't love this more. I've done the first module, and it's brilliant - a cheery, easy way to learn something, and coding, no less. Specifically, javascript. Useful, and fun.

The start of many learn-tos, I hope. Looks like a great place to work, too!