Pixies and Fairies and Sprites … Oh, My!

DreamHigh Studio Specializes in Fantasy BJDs

By Wil Peterson
Photos courtesy of DreamHigh Studio

When Donny Harijanto’s quest for the ideal ball-jointed doll began in 2005, he never dreamed that the journey would have both career- and life-altering repercussions. At the time, he was simply a besotted boyfriend seeking a birthday gift for his beloved, Kwong Linda.

“Linda had studied fashion design and had always loved art and crafts, so a BJD felt perfect,” Donny said. “Instead of buying one, I sculpted it myself, learning from online tutorials and sharing progress in BJD forums.”

That do-it-yourself approach quickly led to professional sculpting opportunities for multiple doll brands, followed by the successful 2010 launch of the duo’s own BJD line: DreamHigh Studio. Based in Surabaya, Indonesia, and primarily featuring small-scale, resin BJDs, the studio’s focus is on fantasy figures designed to be ethereal, enchanting, and utterly irresistible. From pixies and gnomes to fairies and fairy godmothers, creative output is limited only by the seemingly endless boundaries of the pair’s collective imagination.

“Our dolls are mostly tiny, ball-jointed dolls inspired by fantasy and fairy tales,” Donny said. “Many people know us for our little house elves, but over the years, we’ve also created sprites, childlike characters, and other whimsical figures. We like each doll to feel like a small personality, with its own charm and story.”

Donny and Linda, who married in 2011, are equal partners with equally important roles. “I handle sculpting and doll design, while Linda brings her fashion-design background into creating the outfits,” he said. “Together, this balance allows us to present each release as a complete character, combining sculptural detail with clothing that enhances the personality of the doll.”

Their dolls are intentionally on the small side. Some clock in at about 1.6 to 2 inches, while others range from 3.5 to 4 inches. “Our most popular line is about 12 to 14.5 cm (4.7 to 5.7 inches). We’ve also done a few larger ones in the 25 to 27 cm (9.8 to 10.6 inches) range,” Donny said. “Even though they are small, we try to give them as much articulation as possible so collectors can enjoy posing them. Some of them even have jointed fingers, even in the 14 cm (5.5 inches) size, which is quite rare to see. It’s something we feel makes them more expressive, and we’re happy that collectors notice these little details.”

While Donny and Linda were never traditional doll collectors, both gravitated to art and toys from an early age. “Since childhood, I loved clay, action figures, and customizing my toys when they didn’t quite match my imagination. That early habit of tinkering eventually led me toward sculpting,” Donny said. “I studied art and design at university, but when it comes to sculpting dolls, I still consider myself mostly self-taught. I learned a lot by trying, failing, and trying again, often with the help of online tutorials and books. Every project has been a chance to improve, and I still feel like a student with every new doll I make.”

Meanwhile, Linda’s background in fashion design and hairstyling prepared her for working with miniature muses. “That experience helps her create the tiny outfits and wigs that give our dolls their personality. Working in such a tiny scale is never easy, but she enjoys adding little details that make the characters come alive,” Donny said. “Together, we just do our best — me on the sculpting, Linda on the fashion — and hopefully people can feel the care we put into each piece.”

The couple’s collaborative work gained traction around 2008, when they were approached by several companies to sculpt and clothe dolls. They quickly learned how to navigate the doll industry and its production process. This knowledge provided the impetus to start DreamHigh Studio. “We didn’t have a grand plan, just a lot of passion and the willingness to work hard,” Donny said. “We prepared by experimenting with materials, asking for advice from the community, and slowly building confidence through small projects. Looking back, it was a simple beginning, but it was the step that made everything possible.”

Once decisions on initial doll design, size, and styling were made, then came obstacles and challenges that required ingenuity. “Working from Indonesia added another layer of difficulty. Importing materials that contained liquids or chemicals was complicated, and access to reliable supplies was limited,” Donny said. “Because we had no local references or established companies to learn from, we had to invent our own way of working. Most of the tools and equipment we used in production were makeshift gadgets of our own design. It wasn’t easy, but being forced to find our own solutions gave us resilience and helped shape a very distinct identity as a studio.”

Their efforts were rewarded when three full-set, urethane resin BJDs — Bunko, Tiko, and Jester — dropped in 2010. Each was about 3.9 inches and wore outfits designed by Linda. “They weren’t perfect, but they carried our imagination and personality,” Donny said. “And for us, they marked the moment when we finally stepped out with our own voice in the BJD world.”

Donny’s design technique has evolved since that milestone trio debuted. “I often started sculpting with just a rough idea in mind and let the piece guide me,” he said. These days, he makes clay or wax sculpts and then utilizes modern technology. “From there, we scan the original sculpt and continue the process digitally. Most of the engineering and articulation is refined in 3D sculpting, where adjustments are easier and more precise. Linda often joins early, planning outfits and accessories that enhance the character.”

Casting is done primarily in-house, although outside services periodically provide assistance. Current edition sizes generally range from 25 to 75 pieces. Smaller sculpts take three to four months to complete, while larger-scale versions can require six months or longer. “We move slowly, because every stage — sculpting, engineering, casting, and finishing — needs careful attention,” Donny said. He added that Linda works with a small team of seamstresses.

Since the U.S. is a major market for the studio, recent tariff implementation and shipping changes are relatively new concerns that Donny is addressing. “Instead of passing the extra costs directly to collectors, we adjust our own profit margin to keep things fair,” he said. “It’s not always easy, but protecting our customers and maintaining trust will always be more important to us than short-term profit.”

Going forward, studio priorities include improved engineering for the dolls and an increased emphasis on storytelling. “Our goal is to give meaning to each of our dolls, so they are not just figures but also carry messages in their backstories,” Donny said. “We want them to embody emotions — struggles or happiness — that people can relate to, almost like having a small companion who understands you. Something to keep, to hold, and to find comfort in.”