Moonchild Extravaganza Packages

Numbers 6 and 17 were chosen by the Random Number Generator. Jill and Tracy. Thanks to all who entered! xoxoxo

In keeping with getting all of my customs lined up for the year, I am offering 2 custom doll packages here on my Moonchild Dolls blog. The packages will include the following:

One Moonchild doll of your choice - Traditional, Full Moon Baby or the new super limber Little Moon Baby. You get to choose the size (13" or 15"), gender, skin tone, hair and eye color and a few other details. The doll will come with 3 outfits, sleepwear, a hand knit sweater, crocheted cap and shoes and a Moonchild doll quilt. I will also be adding some extras that will depend on the type of doll chosen. Moondrops, hair ribbons, felt shoes, a purse, a little suitcase, a small doll, other little toys etc...

The cost of each set is $380 + shipping.
The complete set will be shipped before the end of October. Just in time for the holidays. If you would like to enter to purchase a set and be on your way to a custom Moonchild Extravaganza, leave a comment on this post. Make certain your email is in the comment so I can contact the winners.

I will use the Random Number Generator to choose the winners on Friday, May 20 at 4pm (pacific). I will contact the the winners and they have 24 hours to make their payment.

Due to the unique nature of these doll packages, everyone is eligible. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have concerning these doll packages.
xo

Custom Doll Information

So here is the skinny:
Tomorrow, May 18th, I will list 10 slots at 9:30am and 10 slots at 3:30pm (pacific time). These will be in my Etsy shop.
Here is the info that will be with the listings:
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Thank you so much for your interest in a Moonchild Doll. The last custom slots of 2011 are happening now. These dolls will be in shipped before the end of October. They will be home in plenty of time for the holidays. Please read my policies before purchasing. Within 24 hours of purchasing I will send a convo to you to get the pertinent information about your doll. You may take the time you need to get it back to me. Please try not to make changes to your order if it is possible.

Here is how it works:
You choose size 13" or 15" (the price is the same for these listings only)
You choose body type, Traditional, Full Moon Baby or Little Moon Baby (very movable limbs)
You choose gender, skin tone, eye color, hair color and hair length.
You choose to have a nose or not to have a nose.
You indicate colors you would like or not like and I will make the perfect outfit for your doll.

You can see most of the dolls I have made here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonchild_studio/

Limits:
One doll per family please. If you have a doll on order with me already, it is okay to add another.
If you are on my "invitation only sale" list for June, it is okay to purchase a custom slot.
If you already have a little collection of Moonchild dolls please give others a chance at owning one.
I only send dolls to the name and address on the Etsy and Paypal account that purchases the item.
You may add one additional outfit if you choose. I will invoice you for the amount of $40. This does not increase the shipping costs.
I will not be adding sweaters or shoes to the dolls. You can ask Michelle of Turtlekeeper Designs to make shoes for your Moonchild doll. Sweaters are available from many shops on Etsy.
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These are the last available custom slots for the year. I am on the fence concerning custom dolls for 2012. We'll see.
xo

Somthing to Ponder.....

......custom Moonchild dolls. Offer them? Provide only in-stock dolls? Run 'Invitation Only Sales' for those who have never owned a Moonchild Doll? They each have their advantages and drawbacks.

I love to make dolls for my shop. The kind of dolls that just seem to appear from the tips of my fingers. When I am finished I look at them and say "Oh my! I made that little one" Very sweet indeed. I stock the store with them and 'poof'...they are gone.
"invitation Only Sales" provide a mix. I still make what my eyes, heart and hands naturally come up with. The dolls are then put on display in the special blog I have just for this purpose. A select group of people that have never owned a Moonchild doll will then have an opportunity to purchase a doll without going through the skilled and cunning process of an upload. Uploads can be very frustrating for sure. The doll/buyer ratio is very favorable to the buyer in this system.
Custom dolls have always been a bit of a squeaky wheel. While I have severely limited the amount of customs I offer and have also put limits what choices the buyer has, I find my wheels still turn a little slower in this department.
I have turned a custom around in a day and I have taken many many months to complete some. There are a variety factors that lead to each scenario.

There have been many occasions where thought I would hang customs up for good. While I like to have a specific child or family in mind when I am creating a doll, I am always worried about people having to wait for me. It does make me a little anxious. I love the part where I can send a picture of the new doll and let the customer know that the doll they have been waiting for is on its way.
I used to worry whether the outfit was just right or the hair was exactly the color they were expecting. This is no longer a concern for me. I choose the outfit under most conditions now. I take color preferences into consideration. I know my doll clothing is exceptional. I take great pride in my clothing construction and fabric choices. If I would change anything it would be that I had more styles ready to go.
Since I dye most of my yarns, there has to be some leeway in expectations there. I do not use bright and wild hair colors or big chunky yarns for the hair on my dolls. There are many doll makers that do this and do it well.
So to sum up:
I will continue to provide in-stock dolls in my Etsy shop
I will occasionally do a clothing upload in my Etsy shop
I will have 2-3 invitation only sales this year
I will offer 20 custom slots to be posted in the mail before October 31, 2011.
These will be the final custom slots available for this year.
This feels like a good mix to me.

This is one sweet dog!
xo

Keeping up with Lunette and Berrie makes a pool

Lunette has landed in Anchorage Alaska and is visiting with Shannon and her family. You can keep up with this wee girl on a big journey by checking in with her new blog.

This picture has nothing to do with Lunette and her travels. This is me around 7 years old. I grew up near the beach in Southern California but still wanted a pool. This was my solution.

Lunette has left the building!

Lunette is on her way to Alaska for the first leg of her "Round the World" trip. She will spend some time with Shannon of The Pine Cone Gnome. Lunette is taking gifts to share and is so excited to meet Shannon and her family.
xo

Sweet Baby Lunette

This is Lunette (Little Moon). She is a new style of doll I'm working on. Her arms and legs are very movable. She isn't button jointed though. I am so pleased with her 'floppiness" and all around feel.
Lunette is about to embark on a trip around the world. She will visit 11 other doll makers. They will add on to her name and possibly even make her a little something for her travels. Lunette will keep a travel diary and she will deliver gifts from one doll maker to another.
While she is getting her passport in order and packing her bags I will be making a special satchel for her to travel in. What a lucky girl.

Bon Voyage Lunette!
xo