"Kintsugi" (金継ぎ), literally translated as "gold joinery," is the Japanese art of repairing pottery with lacquer containing gold powder.

While most repair techniques attempt to conceal and restore an item to its former glory, kintsugi highlights the cracks with a visible gold join to show that the breakage was part of the object's history - and at the same time, creating an evolved version of what was once before.

Kintsugi is a form of Wabi-Sabi that embraces imperfection as part of its beauty.

We all have a story to tell about our scars - I have a deep scar on my ankle, which I got from my leg getting trapped under a playground roundabout as a child.

However, not all scars are visible on the outside but remain with us as scars in our memory. While some of these memories may have been an ordeal, these experiences are the kind that mold us into who we are today.

I wanted to use the art of kintsugi to represent the invisible scars that we bear - be it an ordeal that we experienced - or a fight with an invisible illness.

I've had my fair share of ordeals throughout life - some of the events have left me with sadness, frustration, confusion, anger, and questions about why I was chosen to go through all that poo.

However, it's only now that those questions are being answered - I realize that without those ordeals, I would not be who I am today doing what I do - and for that, I am grateful. 

As for the ordeals that I continue to face - "bring it on!" I say ;-)

Kintsugi is a process that takes time and patience to repair a breakage - recovering from an ordeal is no different and will take time. But just like kintsugi, your scars from an ordeal are a testament that you have unlocked an evolved version of yourself.

Relentless is a reminder that the days that break you are the days that make you. The mended kintsugi cracks are a visualization of all the times when something (or someone) tried to break you - but ended up making you even more relentless.

Reasons Not To Buy

1. Our Smart Dolls are hand-painted, and even though we use paint masks, no two Smart Dolls will ever be the same. Face painting entails slight splashes, but this is more noticeable with the gold kintsugi paint - they kinda look like electric sparks. Zoom in on some of the photos to see what I mean. 
2. The gold kintsugi paint has a shimmer, differing in strength depending on the lighting condition - darker lighting - less shimmer.
3. As the kintsugi mark is located on the contours of the face, depending on the lighting condition, the shimmer will not be even due to the way shadows are cast on the face. If you expect the shimmer to be constant no matter the lighting condition, you will be disappointed with this product.
4. The kintsugi mark may have blurred or sharp edges like any facial component.
5. There are no plans to release Relentless without her kintsugi mark.
6. We can't do special requests to create a version of Relentless without her mark. 
7. Folks have asked about kintsugi body parts - no plans right now, but it is something that I may consider in the future. If we eventually make kintsugi body parts, we can't give them away for free or at a discount.
   
   If you want to try to make your own kintsugi parts, this paint is similar to what we used for prototyping, but you will have to mix in some brown and reds.

ABOUT COCOA SKIN

Soft vinyl, while a wonderful material, is prone to scuff marks. While these are almost invisible on Cinnamon or Tea skin tones, they can be more noticeable on Cocoa. To address this, we provide a free Melamine sponge upon request with your order. Include a note in the order field requesting the "free melamine sponge."

When removing scuff marks, gently buff the surface with the sponge in a circular motion. If the scuff is on the face, take extra care to avoid disturbing the makeup. The process may leave a bit of sponge residue, but it's easily brushed off. Following these steps, scuffs will either vanish or become significantly less apparent.

Please be aware that due to the slush casting process, minor blemishes can occur, which might be more visible on the Cocoa skin tone. If you anticipate this as a potential issue, we recommend considering this factor before purchasing.

ABOUT TAKING PHOTOS

We often hear feedback suggesting that our cocoa skin tone dolls pose a challenge to photograph. For those finding it difficult, consider researching photography techniques or trying out camera apps that offer adjustable exposure settings.

It's worth noting that this advice isn't exclusive to cocoa dolls - it can equally apply to our cinnamon skin tones, where overexposure can be a concern. A slight adjustment of exposure settings (and willingness to learn) can go a long way in getting the perfect shot.

仕様について

ソフビは材質特性上、表面に傷つけやすくなっています。シナモンやティーの肌色には表面の傷はほとんど見えないが、ココアでは目立ちます。このため、メラミンスポンジを無償でおつけすることができます。ご注文の際、メモ欄に「メラミンスポンジくれたまえ」と一言記入お願いします。万が一、爪などで本体にぶつけたら、かすり傷をメラミンスポンジで軽くこすってください。傷は完全になくなるか、ものによっては浅く残ります。

ソフビには湯ジワ、黒点は成形中に発生します。シナモンやティー色の外皮表面には見えていますが、ココア色は逆にこういったシワなどは目立ちます。湯ジワや黒点、白点のない外皮はないので、「こりあダメだわ」と思ったらスマートドールの全ての商品の購入を控えください。

About the wig

The wig that comes with this character is designed with a "turnover" construction allowing the hair to be swept back while minimizing the amount of wig cap showing.
The challenge with this design is the initial difficulty in putting it on. On the upside, it ensures the wig stays firmly in place, minimizing the chances of it being whisked up by the wind and landing in dog poo.

For those with arthritis or similar conditions, it's worth noting that you can leave a note with your order requesting that the wig be attached prior to shipping. We typically add double-sided tape beneath the wig for an added layer of security, but be aware this may leave residue between the head and the wig cap. Check out the video below to see how to attach the wig.

The wig, similar to any tight-fitting apparel, can leave indentations on the vinyl. While all our wigs can cause such marks, this wig tends to produce deeper and more noticeable indentations due to its construction that does not employ elastic - photos on this page are an example.

The styling oil used for the wig might sometimes permeate the wig cap, producing a residue on the head. This residue can appear dark, but it's typically the oil rather than an ink stain.

It might be possible to mitigate some of these indentations by employing a hair dryer and rubbing with some thinner (like the Mr Hobby type shown in the photo). However, outcomes are not guaranteed. If you're planning to keep the wig on perpetually, these concerns may be negligible. But if they pose a potential problem, reconsidering your purchase might be in order. It's worth noting that we don't allow options to select specific wigs, omit the wig from the order, or adjust the cost by excluding the wig's value.

The 'Perfectly Imperfect' document further details issues with our wigs that you should be informed about.