Doll plans for 2025

I thought I'd do a little update for how my year is going, seeing as a lot has changed with my collection!

First with my dolls that were with me before 2025:

• Helia, my Minifee Maya Valkyrie/Doll Leaves hybrid will be having a big change before the year's end! She's been in the wig/eyes she was in since I first bought her second hand, and her current dress is a bit big on her. I have a new pair of brown Mako eyes for her, and I've commissioned her a beautiful red dress and dark brown wig.
• Freddie, my Ringdoll Cheshire, has also had a wig commissioned for him. I'm expecting it to be ready in a month or so. It's the same colour as his current wig (white) but will be a much longer cut.
• Yami, my Little Monica Haazel, got a new pair of eyes and some new clothes this year. His new blue eyes have won back my love from when I first saw his promotional pictures. Unfortunately, he is looking to become a floating head, as his body will (hopefully) be going to someone else soon. I wish I had bought him on the larger body when I got him, but he was my first big boy so I didn't know. I think his new body will make it into my 2026 doll plans instead.
• Iva, my Gem of Doll Luna, received some new blue cat eyes from Withdoll this year.
• Casimir, my Little Monica Bear, is the only doll that has had no changes!

An update on my 2024 orders:

• Kurona, my Peak's woods Kuna the Dark Elf, was the first doll to arrive this year. I ordered her in the Lavender Pink skin, which is beautiful but I'm struggling to pull her all together! Her current wig is a black twin tail one from Leekeworld, which is constantly becoming messy. I'm thinking of taking it apart and restyling it for her. She's also been through several pairs of eyes this year, with her current eyes being Sadol purple planet eyes.
• Navya, my Advillage Lola, arrived second this year. I am very happy with how she is, I just need to get her some undergarments before the year ends.

And an update on the rest of my 2025 newcomers!

• My big purchase this year was my Aimerai Ginko full set (my Nioh). He is beautiful, though is missing a magnet for his tail. I need to find the right size neodymium magnet before the year is up!
• I finally bit the bullet and purchased a Myou Michelle, though my plans changed completely for her! I initially wanted her in tan skin, to shell my character Bianka, but I had doubts about the face up in the company photos. I saw a beautiful second-hand Michelle in normal skin and realised she would be perfect for Natsume! I'm quite happy with how she is at the moment.
• I treated myself with the purchase of a Rosenlied Holiday's Child Bambi (my Marie), after a sad postal mishap leading to the loss of a Universe Doll Baihu SP (a very expensive treat, seeing as I lost money with my refund due to the exchange rate changes!). She is gorgeous, but she is bald. The wig I've commissioned for her is on its way.
• I also have one floating head, a Chicabi Winnie baby. She will eventually be put on a Chat a Feuilles Studio Yemaozi body, though I'm expecting I will need to mod the neck.

Finally, some dolls who might join me before the year's end:

• I have a blank Angelogue Eunice (1/3) head on pre-order. There's a local face-up artist who I'm planning to send her to, but I'm suspecting she will remain a floating head until sometime in 2026.
• I have a Wonderland Dolls Fluffy (1/4) on pre-order from Space Studio, and I've also commissioned one of their face-up artists. I'm expecting him to arrive before the end of the year, though I still need a plan for his outfit and wig!
• I have a few second-hand surprises, but I don't want to jinx their arrival

I'm really happy with how my collection is shaping up, and only have a few characters in my story left to shell. I have really gotten more comfortable with purchasing off of the second-hand market this year! So far most of my purchases have gone well, despite my Universe Doll Baihu SP becoming a victim of the postal service...

Looking forward to a good update at the end of the year!

 

I have 2 heads currently that need a faceup, but I'm wanting their faceup styles to be completely different.

 

Ive been in the hobby for many years. I ve sold all my dolls except one. I m hoping to find some new beautiful sculpts to get back into the hobby. It did bring me a lot of joy when I sewed my own dresses and costumes.

 

I was in the BJD hobby from 2010 to around 2017, then I focused on fashion dolls, but returned now in 2025.

This year I bought a LTF Ante (tan skin) and a PKF Vanilla (tan skin), so I would like to complete them first.

I remember Fairyland released the tan skin tone around 2015(?) when I started to quit this hobby, so I didn’t have any tan dolls at that time. But OMG, I still love FL dolls and the tan skin, and overall the older BJD aesthetics. So now I can fulfill my old dreams!

I don’t think I will buy any more new dolls in 2025, but I really want a tan skin MNF boy, girl and a little boy (a Littlefee or a Pukifee). And so many companies I liked (Iplehouse, Supia) are still active, I’m so inspired to buy new dolls again, so we will see.

 

Being more than halfway done with the year, I figured I'd update things. Luckily, I have been doing good with buying bodies for floating heads. But also, I have been buying a lot more floating heads. So it kind of balances out? The math probably doesn't work that way.
My floating head count is now Switch Yozo, Devotion Doll Lunevis, Devotion Doll Mini Bite, Kiss Dodo Somnoon, Foveo Delma B, a Soom Soul Eater Breccia, and Illusion Garden Evening Bane.
I still need to commission a good chunk of faceups for various heads, with some additions like foveo Midnight Gella B., luna blanc Kieran, Switch Doha, and my two Xagadoll heads. I've also considered doing the iplehouse cat dye job myself since I don't want a terribly complicated dye job.
Clothes, shoes, and eyes I need to get a boat load of since my 75 bodies need to be clothed, eyes keep being rejected, it's all v frustrating. I need a couple completely custom wigs too now, so it's a struggle. Harley's sweater is challenging bc I honestly have no idea where to even find a knitting pattern that will fit her, so that's very not on my mind.

 

Well I’m new to hobby

a goal for this year is…
. Oder my first doll
. Learn more about this type of dolls

 

It's already time for a Q3 check-in! Tried to do my best with what little free time I now have. It turns out, that if I actually do things during the little bit of time I have, then I can actually get some things done! Truly shocking.

Spoiler

Move along:
No progress. Still adding to the pile!

Continue being mindful of doll purchases:
Hm. I did okay. I did buy some doll things (eyes, shoes, clothes). And in August, I caved on a limited release SartoriaJ doll. Based on previous wait times I've experienced, hopefully it's enough for current shipping kerfluffle to be sorted out. Birthday doll from June also arrived in August.

Continue crafting for my dolls:
I'm fairly pleased with how much I accomplished this quarter. I updated more of my older patterns to my current standards, refined the fit of my tee pattern for Iple SID men and made my first sewing pattern for my Iple EID guy. In updating my SID man tee pattern, I also cleared out the Unfinished Object (UFO) bag I had for him. I also made a few patterns for my Iple nYID girls, with one of them also working for my SID lady. I sewed a few new items using these patterns, and plan on making more items in the final quarter of the year. Additionally, I tried dyeing a wig with synthetic fabric dye and was happy with the results.

Reorganize doll cabinet:
No tangible progress, other than some more brainstorming on doll stands. I'll need to revisit extra parts storage ideas, as I've made it a habit to order multiple hand options if available with new dolls

Reorganize fabric closet:
I managed to keep the closet tidy, but I'm growing weary of unloading 50-75% of the closet to find a fabric I'm looking for or to put something away.

Catalog collection:
No progress. :/

Maintenance:
I gave my Iple Evan a spa treatment: full cleanup, new hot glue sueding, knee joint mods, and full restring with fresh elastic. I also improved the fit of and lined my Iple Aria's wig.

Upgrades:
I remade and styled a wig for my Iple Evan, ordered some new eye options for Iple Aria. New eyes and wig for my Akando also arrived, and restyled the wig I dyed for my Iple Aria. One of the dolls I sent out for a faceup will be arriving back home soon, and I booked a faceup for my Iple Aria and got her sent off.

 

Well, my BJD goals list completely fell by the wayside. Most goals were sewing-related, but aside from a little bit done in Jan/Feb, I haven't touched my fabrics or sewing machine at all this year. I enjoy doll photography and faceups more than sewing, so when time and energy are in short supply for hobbies, I drop sewing first. Maybe I'll get back to it before the year is out -- I now have 3 dolls who don't have kimono, so I'll sew those first.

I did have a stint of 3 months where I wasn't buying or waiting for new resin, but I'm again waiting for new dolls and have a floating head to complete. I guess I'm not achieving No-buy this year either. (I haven't achieved it at all in past years! haha)

There are still a few months left in 2025, I can get some of this goals list done, but I'm not going to chain myself to it. I'm still doing things with my dolls - it's just not stuff on this list!

 

October check-in! My plans were to:

• buy a body
• make a wig
• paint new/redo faceups
• paint nails
• glue on some piercings.

I did quite a bit before my mental health took a turn a month or so back. It turned around thankfully, but I've decided to take a break on doll stuff for the rest of the year and focus on getting back in a good headspace. If I get some doll stuff done, that's fine, but if not, I've done a lot on my personal project list (which is more in-depth) and feel satisfied that I've done a lot this year. Certainly more than other years, lol.

Most of the stuff I'm doing now is moving furniture around my room and I'll be pruning doll accessories for that, so I'm still having fun with hobby-related stuff, just in a different way.

I'm already excited for next year to get back into it!!

 

9 months in lol, my my plans were to:

• Buy a body for my Remus Lupin floating head (I did, but the body didn't fit his vibe after all, so back to saving up!)
  
• Finally name the demon boy I've had for two years now... Still haven't done it rip...
• Dye a head & body light pink
• Give dyed doll a faceup
• Redo three of my old faceups (one down, two to go!)
• Give my Soom Gluino new elastic
• Get better at sewing and try my hand at making doll clothes
• Draw my dolls more
• Solidify a lot of their backstories

Some stuff I've done, some I have plans to do soon, and some (buying Remus' new body lol) Will definitely have to wait until the new year... But I'm excited to see what more I can complete before 2025 ends!

 

Ok, been awhile so let's see where I'm at..

• All bodies are purchased for all floating heads save the last head that I still haven't decided what to do with. One body needs to be picked up from a friend, the other is a waiting game due to the international shipping chaos that's ongoing...though hoping to have that body before the end of the year!
• Still have done no more faceups, though I have more heads prepped and ready to go. Come on brain, let me work!
• Monthly doll anniversary group shots are still going well! No misses and it feels so good to handle each of my dolls every month and make sure all is well.
• I've been good with no new dolls! I sold a head and bought a head so I don't count that. xD And I've actually managed to sell a couple as well. And have a few more set aside I need to list as well.
• Have not done any writing. There's still time..we'll see what I can manage.

Overall...not bad! Not many slip-ups, just more action needed. Keep on keeping on!

 

It's been another 3 months, let's see what has happened:

Spoiler: OG 2025 plans

Spoiler: Mid-year check-in

- Not buying new dolls IS going great because there has not been an accident since may! I did, however sell 2 minis because the horde was getting too overwhelming and have no regrets.

- I sold one of the dolls I was planning to use for the Angelic Layer cosplay so the project has been put to bed for now. I think I enjoy small casual sewing and crafting a bit more at the moment, too, so I will just ride that wave.

- Wigs have been on the back burner for a while, but I also just made one recently so I'm slowly getting back into it. Maybe I will still finish another in 2025!

- Doll breaks have been happening here and there, especially with having less time having started some form of studies again. It is not quite the break I had in mind, but the breathers have served their purpose and helped me to refine/downsize my collection and be better with my no-buy goals.

Just a few months to go! Shouldn't be too hard to keep up but you'll never know

 

End of Q3 update time!

We finally bought a house! This is fantastic news in terms of getting things chugging along again with regards to my doll projects, and I'm very excited about it! We'll have to get everything moved/unpacked before I really get going again, but it's exciting nonetheless.

• I plan on putting my last couple of need-to-sell dolls up soon, probably in November or December.
• My spouse has floated the idea of sending a couple of heads out for faceups as my Christmas gift this year, so once my preferred artist re-opens commissions, I'm getting Khadija, Marcie, and Phoebe packed up and shipped out.
• We have enough room in the new house for me to set up my sewing machine, so I'd really like to start patterning/sewing yukata for my vinyl girls before the end of the year.
• Mina and Nysus still need bodies, but due to the current U.S. political/tariff situation, that's looking less likely to happen this year. I've pushed those plans back to next year at the earliest.
• Similarly, the weather here is unlikely to hold long enough for me to do my vinyl faceups, though I may try to do one or two before we lose the last bit of warmth for this year. I'm content to push those plans to next year as well.
• Unexpectedly, I managed to find a pair of country western-esque boots for Marcie! This leaves Khadija as my last doll without shoes and, while she is typically a character that hangs out bare footed, I hope to get her a pair of suitable shoes in the near-ish future.
• My "no resin" goal is looking less and less likely to happen. I'm less pressed about this than I thought I'd be, but these projects would be mostly for fun/visual concept rather than extensive OCs like my main crew. We shall certainly find out if I end up being unable to resist the siren call of More Things I Do Not Need!

 

Little check-in retrospective as we near the end of 2025!

1. I did not do this at all! I did some much-needed face-ups this year, and got into rerooting fashion dolls, but many of my poor BJDs still remain bald. I still have not learned to sew.
2. I did not do this! I did go to two World Doll Day cons, which were mostly fashion dolls, but I did see a few BJDs there. I got to see some Racoon Doll ladies in person, they are quite gorgeous.
3. I finally hung up shelves, which are again, largely for my fashion dolls. I just don't trust shelves with my BJDs, I like to have them on something a bit sturdier and connected to the ground. I missed them quite a lot though, so I did end up setting up some of my 1/4 scale couches on top of a dresser and displaying them there, even the unfinished ones. It's just so pleasing to be able to see them all at the same time!
4. I did this, huzzah! We needed a win. I actually only bought 2 BJDs this year, a DollPamm Hilda and Harucasting Geurim, which I hope will arrive in the first quarter next year. These also fulfilled my goal of bringing something new and different to my collection! Hilda will be my first green skin doll, and is very unique overall, with her interchangeable strung and jointed ears, and interesting proportions. Geurim will be my third tan skin doll and first warm-toned tan. I wanted a doll that was a little bit easier to shop for, clothing wise. And I admit I got bitten by the Haru bug and most of my wishlist is now Harucasting dolls (we'll see if that remains the case after handling Geurim!). I think 2 dolls per year (maybe 3) is my upper limit for not feeling overwhelmed. The doll I've been wanting for like THREE years at this point is still not in my collection, but she will be...one day! (It's a Nina's Dolls Luna or Iris in tan). I also decided to let go of some bodies and floating heads that I just haven't done much with and wasn't very excited about.

 

Let's see...
- I bought a cheap body for my practice head, if that count. Otherwise no buying and selling.
- photograpgh project half done, I'll take the rest to next year!
- Fail, I guess
- Sadly Volks decide to not open any faceup class this year
- half successful
- also half successful, I finish some categories... I wish I could have it 100% done during the new year holiday.

//Will waiting for 2026 Resolution in next thread

 

• My first plan is to actually properly display my BJDs because unfortunately they are all packed in their boxes after a move, I would like to get a shelf and make a nice display for all of them
• Second i want to start learning how to sew my own BJD clothes, i got a sewing machine to start practicing but life happened lol

 

Luckily I don't have to worry as much about new dolls, since my last alice order for a bit came in and my giant legenddoll order will prolly arrive in January. I chose to delay shipping until after Christmas bc it's a big order and I don't want anything bad to happen to it.
I can pretty easily write my list for 2026 now, bc I have some good ideas of what I want.

 

I have.. two dolls now with their final eyes now, which I think counts as progress. And noone is naked, even if their outfits are a bit novice. The girls all had their gloss layer added to their faces. Nisha just needs her baby hairs glued in and she'll be my first final wig.

I definitely need to do some searching for suggestions on how to stop jumping between projects and leaving them incomplete.

 

Checking back in close to December, and I've gotten to do a lot!

- I try to go to my local doll meet every time I can, the people there are wonderful and I've learned so much from them. It makes me happy to go and chat to other people about their amazing dolls and their ideas. It has also been very dangerous though, as I've learned of so many different artists and companies and my wallet is in such big trouble.

- I've attempted a faceup multiple times! I'm still no good at it and wiped my attempts, but it's been nice to try and I try to practice when I have the time and energy.

- I have not made the underclothes, but I found the perfect set for the doll in question! However, at the moment he's disassembled as I need to find someone to restring him properly versus my paltry attempt, womp womp.

- I now have...laughing weakly...multiple dolls ranging from 1/5th to 75cm...I still don't quite know what I like best scale-wise, but at the moment I know 75 is a little too much doll for me given the amount of space I have, and 1/5th is cute, but a little too small.

Overall, I met all of my goals, and will plan for next year! I'm happy to have picked up dolls as a hobby, and I've been having a blast with it.

 

• I wanted to craft fox ears, and might still do so. If I have time before the year is over. There was a hang up with the small magnets getting shipped to me. That's the next thing I want to create for my dolls. But That came up a month or so ago and might become my goal for next year. I still want to learn more modding. But I am happy with what I did learn this past year.

• I've been crafting a lot of furniture lately. I want my doll rooms to look more put together. I painted up the benches so they look more finished, I built a couple of book shelves, and made a bistro table. I also made cushions for the chairs, and really neat block sofa and chair. I made bed mattresses too that can be combined with the benches to make beds. I also made the school bleachers which was my big project this year.

• I did a Halloween picture challenge which was fun. I also finished the Blossom Boys - Summer Shorts series which I am putting up on my Instagram and later on blogger.

• I managed to find a couple dolls I needed on the second hand market when it came to the boy characters that I wanted to cast, but ended up buying my girls new from both Volks and Doll Peddler, as the girls were in stock and both available in the U.S. I will be looking next year for more second hand dolls, as I have a few new characters in mind.

• The need for doll clothing seems endless doesn't it? I managed to sew quite a bit this year, but I am finding my dolls still need more clothes! Sewing is going to be top of my list next year for sure. I added two large drawers to my dolls clothing area so that I can put more of the SD boy clothes in there. The girls have a doll trunk, but I have more boys and needed more space for their massive wardrobe.

I do feel that I met my goals this past year. Even though more goals popped up recently that is leaving me in a state of constantly making stuff for them and a lot of plans for future pictures!

 

So time for review? Doesn't look too bad.

Right now I have 2 dolls total, without faceups or body blush, plan to do those myself.
Done

Make their wigs.
Done. And some wigs store bought.

They have some clothes and shoes but need more, I have fabric and some baby clothes that I will repurpose for casual everyday wear.
Yes, they have a wardrobe. And making more. Also they have plenty of jewellery: bracelets, necklaces, earrings.

I started an ambitious project making a Versailles style dress for the lady and thinking of a matching outfit for the gentleman.

Got distracted by a medieval outfits project and that is mostly finished. Adam has chainmail, coif, tunic, sword. Still needs breeches and footwear. Eve has a dress, still needs headdress. That is the slowest because of the little beads involved.

And I have a head without a body, will need one.
Now I have 2 heads without a body.

Haven’t decided which body I want for him.
Have decided. The same as I have already, makes life easier.

To accomplish all this I need to finish setting up my workshop. That means I have to put a few things into the attic. To do that I need light in the attic. Etc. one thing pulls up the next. Right now the place is slowly getting in shape, I have 2 desks in there, one for computer, one for sewing machine, a wardrobe, a little cupboard style room is filled with different tools. Some shelves for materials. Looking good. I hope I can start working in there before New Year.
Up and running!

 

Well Im not surprised things went the way they did. Im always in and out of the hobby but alas I managed to do a few things this time before switching into other hobbies throughout the year.

• He is still in the box. I did however get him eyes and an outfit.

• Did good on this! I was alot more mindful of how I want my collection to be, so I resisted many temptations. (Also cause I took a break but a win is a win)

• I dont remember how many heads there were but I have sold some and gotten bodies for the rest except for 2. Its the least amount of eggs Ive ever owned.

• Yeah no faceups, or wigs. But I got a few outfits and ALL MY DOLLS HAVE EYES.

- I have sold and traded some dolls to really get to the core of what I like and want. Im struggling with my SDs as its not a size I like but the sculpts I own are my grails so Im not confident in letting them go.

Hopefully next year will be the year for faceups and wigs but that remains to be seen

 

Ah, it's been exactly one year! so let's check in on how 2025 went... At the end of last year I truly felt despondent but was vaguely hopeful.

I answered "sell some dolls" and "take a break, which I technically did do both. I didn't try very much to sell but I did sell something! And I took a break because I was depressed and had no time or energy for anything with my previous job. But luckily I finally burned out and quit in September and then I got to accomplish some of the things I'd hoped for!

I did take occasional portraits, even outdoors. I didn't even have a sewing machine when I posted last year but I bought one soon after and eventually got used to it. The last couple month I learned to love sewing again and felt inspired.
I did actually buy things this year, kind of to my surprise, but that was good because it made me happier when I was struggling and didn't cause any financial harm. I bought a handful of wigs, eyes, and a new doll at the end. That's nice because it would be crazy if this, my 15th year in the hobby was the first one where I didn't buy a new doll. Lol (maybe next year).
I succeeded at the most important thing possible which is that I didn't do anything majorly regrettable like force myself to list dolls for sale and sell off ones that I'd be heartbroken about now.
I'm so very grateful the year is ending with a positive note for me.

I'm hoping for the best for 2026, for all of us.

 

End-ish of year review

Sell: I... got her out and took pictures of her? Need to keep going on that

Sculpt: I have the base for the book hoard stand. I did make him some new wings but I want to do it again and do it better. Cullen's head is almost done. The horse and the head did not happen.

Sewing: I finally got a mockup and pattern that I'm happy with for the damn robe/coat/thing so that can go ahead as soon as I buy the fabric (It's beautiful but it's £30 a metre and that hurts my thrifty heart). I have made progress on dresses, embroidery and wig making.

S...acquire: I actually did get a new girl. After passing her over at a convention, dithering over her for a solid few months and an unexpected trip to the US for her, she's home and she rather shook up my existing dolls so now poor Jarrad who up until now has just been mannequin and guinea pig is now an actual character.

 

It's been a year since I made my post and so let's see how I did!

Keep up with changing dioramas
That didn't last very long and it was a little ambitious of me. I did end up making a new permanent diorama though!

New Dolls
I ended up with almost 10 new dolls this year... But I did sell/am selling at least 5 dolls in my collection so it could've been worse. I was able to get the Cygne though and she's been Serenity the whole time!

Projects
The Ciel project is canceled because I sold the whole thing. I couldn't get used to the shape of her mouth, it bothered me on both heads. The Realfee project is on the backburner because I'm just hoping that Fairyland will rerelease Realfee legs as my luck in searching has been non-existent.

Clothing & Accessories
The Anna and Elsa project has been scrapped, but I did end up commissioning two wigs and an outfit for my D&D character which was much more important. I also found a pre-made dress for Princess Serenity that's absolutely gorgeous and that's what my Cygne is wearing now. For my Realfee, I managed to find shoes that fit at NYC Doll Con and did manage to find a Mushroom outfit for my Beast Girl. However, I didn't really purge all that much. I repurposed though which I think is better.

Faceups
I've gotten almost all of my heads done! I redid the faceup on my Mei/Xi and it looks really nice! Sadly though, she's on the chopping block to be sold because I do not like the choice Resinsoul made for those thigh joints (The Rainbow body is their best MSD body in case anyone was wondering). I did some faceups myself which turned out pretty decent, including the Beast Girl, and sent some out as well and they all came back beautiful!

Miscellaneous
I did do some photography this year which is better than previous years. I got a membership to my local arboretum and I've gone there a few times for pictures. For my workroom, I've readjusted quite a bit, but it's still not 100% to where I want it. And finally, doll stands. I got a grand total of ZERO doll stands despite needing so many.

All in all, not too shabby. I still got my commissioned outfit/wigs and though my number of dolls increased initially, the ending balance isn't that bad when you compare to what I've sold.

 

In review...
1. Acquired both Ayu and Yua. Also got hands, clothes, and eyes- still need wigs and shoes for them.
2. I didn't get as many as I should have, but I did get new hands for all of my PS Fair and PS White SDMs. Glad to finally rid everyone of default SDM hands.
3. She did get a new look that suits her much better. Still debating a different eye color.
4. I've gotten 7 in total this year, but I still need more of them for everyone to be standing up.
5. Not yet...
6. Unfortunately, I skipped all of the online FCS periods this year; they fell at bad times for me.
7. A "couple"... all but one of my vinyl girls got new Cotindoll wigs. Whoops! New resin eyes too.
8. Ehhhhh.... putting that one off yet another year it seems.
9. Well, I have a lucky out- "if there's a release I like" and there wasn't an SDGr girl I wanted this year haha.
10. Priorities changed, collection goals changed... Maybe someday. But no elves were welcomed this year.

 

EOY check-in!

• I did buy Violet back in the summer, but other than that, no other new purposes. There's been a couple robot-y dolls but none that meet my picky tastes. Ah well... maybe next year.
• Done! She's gone to a new home.
• Sent some goodies with the doll I sold, but otherwise haven't been downsizing, really. I need to take a moment and sort through what I've got. I keep finding shoes I forgot I have!
• I have sewn one (1) pair of bloomers, oops. It wasn't as bad as my brain kept insisting making pants would be, I think because they're not very detailed pants. So the dolls might be stuck with leggings/bloomers I make and anything more detailed will have to be purchased.
• She's got underpants! Had that done by midyear I think.
• Been up and down here. I think when I've been in a doll mood, I've specifically been drawn to the DearSDs this year. I feel kind of bad for focusing on them, but the beauty of dolls is that they don't all need to be the focus all of the time.
• Another one I had done by midyear.
• Heh, this one has been a tug of war between adding and removing from the stash! I think I've done well with focusing my doll sewing on scraps and stash fabrics, but I keep wanting to quilt things and thus adding quilting fabric to the stash. Knitting's also been slow going, especially for doll stuff. I just haven't had the mental energy to pattern doll clothes on the fly.

Overall, doing all right, but slow moving on some things.

 

i resisted making an end of year post for the last couple of days because i kept thinking "but there's a whole other month left in 2025, who knows how much more i will get done!" realistically though i am not going to add anything post-worthy to my hobby accomplishments in the last 25 days of the year, between Christmas and housetraining a super rambunctious new puppy. so...end of year post it is!

to recap, my big goals for this year were:

+ to buy two bodies to finish off my floating heads. had this done by April!

+ i had a half-finished doll that i was hoping to complete (Impldoll Crystal x Supia hybrid)
her eyes are done, her wig is so close to done it feels silly that it isn't done, her faceup is still half-painted and she still needs clothes. i didn't complete her, but i did make progress.

+ i also had a hybrid girl that was in pieces and needed some modding and colormatching in order to be fully assembled. neckmod done, face mods almost done, just needs a little finish sanding. colormatching is a WIP because i'm still tinkering with the airbrush trying to get it working right. also bought the fiber for her wig. so again she is not a finished item but i did make progress.

+ i also ended up needing to dye one of the bodies i bought in order to make it match the head it was intended for-- completed that project and have that doll all assembled!

+ i've completed several of the doll sewing projects i wanted to do this year-- though i have many, many more still on my "things i'd like to make" wishlist. i also completed my fourth crocheted doll sweater-- a sewing-adjacent skill i wanted to keep working on learning.

+ i wanted to get out an old super beat up project body that i started trying to restore ages ago and work on that again-- did get it out and started chipping away at the body mods again; even revived the project thread for it!

+ my original plan was to sculpt my own head for both that project body and a Resinsoul body i bought in 2023, and i actually have worked on the head sculpting for the RS doll this year-- but the biggest reason i was planning on making my own heads is because both dolls are intended to be specific characters and i had never been able to find heads that looked right for either. i've been dabbling and practicing with sculpting doll faces for several years now, and i am kind of coming to the conclusion that i find it a frustrating endeavor. i am leaning towards scrapping the sculpting part of the plan and purchasing the heads instead...
did this. bought a head used from the DoA marketplace for the old Idol project body, ordered a head from Miracledoll for the RS body that i haven't received yet.

- and i was going to buy a replacement set of hands for my doll who has broken fingers, but out of everything on the list this is one thing i have not touched.

overall i at least made some kind of progress on my goals, so i'm definitely happy with my 2025 hobby wrap up!

 

Gosh, this has not been a very doll-filled year for me from lack of interest to an acute lack of time (I accidentally got into uni)
I have redone 2 faceups (Minka and Saga) started a mod project (poor Pihla) and started the spare hand blushing project- that's about it. I think I did sew a shirt or two in spring, but no major wardrobe improvements.
I bought some eyes, shoes and a wig, and won a doll from a raffle at a doll convention! (Little Monica Little Roselyn, I think, she's just been sitting in her box because I kind of forgot about her...)
I hope I'll have some time to play with my dolls during the holidays, I have been missing them a bunch!

 

Okay, second update, I bought 2 more dolls in December The second-hand holiday sales got me. But that's still under 9 so I'll count it as a win. And I started a little (very lumpy...) sewing project, so yay double win!

 

I was hoping to do the final check in closer to the end of the year but I already posted my 2026 goals so:

Spoiler: OG 2025 plans

Spoiler: Mid-year check-in

Spoiler: 3/4 year check in

- Not buying new dolls IS going great because there has not been an accident since may! I did, however sell 2 minis because the horde was getting too overwhelming and have no regrets.

- I sold one of the dolls I was planning to use for the Angelic Layer cosplay so the project has been put to bed for now. I think I enjoy small casual sewing and crafting a bit more at the moment, too, so I will just ride that wave.

- Wigs have been on the back burner for a while, but I also just made one recently so I'm slowly getting back into it. Maybe I will still finish another in 2025!

- Doll breaks have been happening here and there, especially with having less time having started some form of studies again. It is not quite the break I had in mind, but the breathers have served their purpose and helped me to refine/downsize my collection and be better with my no-buy goals.

Just a few months to go! Shouldn't be too hard to keep up but you'll never know

• In total I bought 2 full dolls and a body and face/hand parts that make up 1 doll in total, pretty much. That is a fail for my plan of not buying any dolls this year. I got to sample the sweet taste of 1/3 and ended up buying another of the size in Nov, so yeah, the no-buy *was* hard to keep up with in the autumn season.
  • I sold 3 minis and one 1/4 body, which makes the dolly maths tally up to uhhhhh zero-ish I guess. I don't think the dolly finances come down to 0 with all sales and purchases (also accessories), but I'm happy with the number I have in my possession now, and they are all clothed/eyed/wigged/shoed reasonably.
  • I did still (re)hybrid a doll after saying I would not, but other than that, no more musical bodies have been played this year.
• I bought so much wig hair and ended up only making 3-4 wigs I think. I'd never really bought wigs before much, but I was so intimidated about crafting them of 1/3 size I ended up purchasing some (and then most of them did not fit, and then I swore to only craft them in the future, and then I bought some more of course). I did not really meet my mental wig goal, but nobody's hair situation is bothering me so it's all ok I guess.
• Angelic Layer cosplay did not happen, but NGE cosplay did instead. I've learned that it is just better to go with the plan you are willing to fulfill immediately, because once it gets stuck in the idea phase, it will not materialise. I shifted my mindset towards making clothes for my collection a bit, too, and no longer stress myself out with it, which is a good position to be in.
• I have no idea why I wanted a website for my dolls in the first place, knowing full well I will not have the motivation to keep up with it... I deleted it at some point earlier in the year, after realising that it's mostly just stressful for me, rather than a fun thing to do.
• I took breaks here and there, some of them also helped me look at my dolls with fresh eyes and prune out the ones that were not bringing me as much joy as they could have. I think the big takeaway this year is that there is a "too many" for my little brain to keep up with.

Will 2026 be my no-buy year? Stay tuned to find out

 

Final update for 2025! Let's see how I did.

Original Goals:

Definite Plans

• Photograph and craft/sew more for all my dolls now that the crew has expanded!
• Possibly blush her current hands.
• Still need to look for more optional hands though.
• Attend more doll meets!
• Make a dedicated doll space!
• Get a new doll bag because the one I have is from 2008 lol (Failed but plan on a new come January!)

Maybe Plans

• I have a future plan of having four different F-01 SD girls in different skin tones. And each doll will be modeled after a different season. Midori is my Spring girl. I would love to start moving towards purchasing the next doll in the series! (And I did! Got all 4 girls in the series now)
• I would like to start working on my Winter doll, Miyuki. I'll need to get a WS four sister's head, a pair of brown eyes, and starter white blonde wig and outfit.
• Faceups for the girls! It'll take a good bit of saving to get there. (One down and many to go but considered unfinished for now)

Out of 9 plans (why couldn't I have picked 10??) I managed to complete 7! Not too shabby considering the only two goals left unfinished was a new doll bag (I could have gotten one but just chose not to); faceups for my default and blank heads but that might take another year to finish because of saving and waiting.

I've enjoyed seeing others progress in their goals this year! Reading about the different progress, accomplishments, and even admissions of when the goals go unmet. Thanks to whoever started this thread as it helps keeping us accountable! Especially those of us in a no-low buy mode or overhauling our collections. Hope everyone had a good 2025 and looking forward to what 2026 has in store!

 

We're not even going to talk about all the things I said I was going to do, that I didn't do

Hey, but I didn't sell the doll that I said I wanted to sell, and he might actually be one of my favourites now. So, that's nice?

I think I will be a good deal less ambitious next year hah.

 

I guess it's time for a Q4 check-in and some end-of-year thoughts! Where did the year go???

Links to my other posts in this thread, in case anyone is interested:

• Initial Post
• Q1 Check-in
• Q2 Check-in
• Q3 Check-in

Spoiler: Q4 Check-in

Move along:
No progress.

Mindful of purchases:
I think I did okay. In November I realized I hadn't ordered any wig options for my incoming doll, and also ended up purchasing some shoes as some wish list items had come back into stock -- I needed to make the order worth it, lol. And as for December, I was able to evade the usual holiday sales that I partake in each year.

Crafting:
Pleased with my progress. I drafted a few new patterns for my big girls and made several pieces (13!) for mixing and matching. I have also sorted through my UFO Box and made some decisions -- finish the intended project, repurpose it immediately, or let it go. I think I will spend the rest of 2025 working on those UFOs before I move on to any new projects. I am also working on further setting up my garage to be a workspace to work on bigger and/or messier projects (props!) in the coming year, and working on some crochet here and there.

Reorganize doll cabinet:
No progress this quarter.

Reorganize fabric closet:
No progress, other than keeping things tidy.

Catalog collection:
No progress. It's something I'd love to have, but I just haven't been able to get myself to sit down and do it.

Maintenance:
No maintenance performed in this last quarter as of this point. I have two weeks of vacation at the end of December, so maybe I might be able to work on taking a file to the badly drilled elastic channel in my Iplehouse Akando's thigh. If not, maybe 2026 will be his year, lol.

Upgrades:
In October, I received a pair of eyes for my Iplehouse Aria but decided I didn't like them for her. I tried them in my SartoriaJ Naomi, and I think the Eye Quest for her is finally over after TWO (2) years! I think this goal is complete for all of the dolls I currently own.

End-of-Year Thoughts:
Overall, I think I did pretty well with accomplishing my goals. I didn't let myself get overwhelmed with anything, and let go of some projects to help out with that. I enjoyed and connected with my collection; it's had a positive impact on my mental and overall health. I lost a lot of my free time earlier this year, but learned that I can actually get things done if I actually do something in what little time I have. I tried working on a single project across several days such as sewing just a seam or two each day (all I really have time for). It was difficult at first, because once I get fixated on a project I can easily shift into a Super Ultra Laser Hyperfocus Mode and have a hard time stopping for breaks to eat, drink, or sleep.

But I managed to do it, and learned how to relax with working on projects. It made things more enjoyable. My Super Ultra Laser Hyperfocus Mode would always stress me out with trying to get something done, lol. I think this was my biggest takeaway from this year. I will absolutely continue to do this in the future.

Something that was also fun for me was keeping a personal log of what I did in relation to my goals, checking in with this thread on a quarterly basis with a summary, and having a look at what others were doing in relation to their goals. It helped keep the momentum going at least a little bit.

I'll be off to the 2026 goals thread. My goals will pretty much be the same, because they've served me well over the past 2 years as ways to enjoy my collection plus my other hobbies.

 

- I got a stand for my 70cm doll and 75cm. No stands yet for the smaller dolls.
- Commissioned a face up for my 70cm doll, but there was a minor mistake. So, he'll have to be wiped, in the future. I would like to work with artist, though.
- My Face-ups are bad, but I'll just keep ONE of them for now (out of 15 face up attempts).
- buying clothes, wigs, eyes, bane of my existence. I keep getting things wrong!
- there was no doll buying money! Had to sell some dolls. Still not sure about my collection thus far.
- Not much doll enjoyment had. I worried about too much about the dolls this year, to enjoy anything.

 

Now on the last day for 2025, let's look back, I already know I did little to nothing. I was too ambitious, then a lot happened in my life and my time for dolls or any things just wasn't there.. I never got around to try my first faceup, maybe I have time in 2026. I have not sold a doll, but to be fair I just never got the time to take good picture and list the dolls for sale...

Not done:
I did find several exhibitions like Resin rose in Europe. Unfortunately I never went, I could not get time off from my job :/.
Never got to paint. no time.
Never got the time to sew, the ideas was there, just not the time. - little frustration with this one.
Never got the time to do face up. hope to try for the first time in 2026.

Did get done:
I did get to take some photos in the sommer. im happy with that.
I did find a practice head for face up, and have all the material to do it, so that's I a part win?.
I did find nearly all grails this year, this one was crazy. I gone from 3 to 6 grails this year, and I found 5 of them. hopefully that make 2026 a year with little to no buy on resin .

Huh, I did do sone things after all.. That's actually nice to know. .

Wish you all a Happy New year.

 

End of the year update: definitely not a lot of spoiling, only Candell got an outfit, a wig and a haul of hands. The things I ordered for my Dollstown girls were really basic and I can't say they're complete yet. But I did get Kana in the end! Definitely not a great year but I'll make up for it in 2026.

 

Spoiler

End of year review time! (finally worked out how to quote all my updates lol) It's been a bit of a rollercoaster and it's not over yet, but putting a pin in things here feels alright.

Biggest win was my monthly anniversary group photos. I didn't miss a single month and everyone got looked at and given tlc if needed. It almost feels like getting my scrambled thoughts in order. I also reorganized my entire doll family in my room and omg that felt amazing as well.

Second, I did really well sticking to my no new dolls plan! I had a couple slip ups early on, but overall I feel good about it and basically cut myself off mid-year and have been good since. I did receive a doll as a gift recently, but that does not count.

On the topic of new, I was also good about getting bodies for my floating heads. Well, mostly. I have two bodies outstanding that wont make it in time for the year end. One is just with my best friend that needs to be picked up. The other.....I ordered in January so why isn't it here yet?! I don't know and might have to get a refund and reorder it elsewhere to get it over the border. However that money is allocated so not a huge loss. Just time wasted I guess. Still haven't decided on the body for my last floating head..it's been low priority.

Moving on to faceups....Even if I didn't get as many done as I'd have liked, I still feel good about what I did. Some of my friends have been coming over monthly for a faceup/dolly day and though we only got in a couple of those near the end of the year, we plan on continuing so I feel good about the coming year. Any productivity is good productivity.

Finally...I didn't do much character writing and I didn't do any photostories. I'm not surprised, as this was a tough year for me, and I've struggled with creativity for a long time previously as well. It's the sort of thing that will happen when it happens and I just have to keep hoping that's sooner than later. Anyway, on to the next year! (and the new 2026 thread! )

 

My end of the year summary!

Original post:

It's been a great year for dolls where I did many things!... everything except this goals list!

The 2025 goals list was mainly made up of sewing, but aside from a bit in January 2025, I did literally no sewing for the entire year. Goal (4) was half-finished, (5) and (6) were non-starters.
I still think of myself as a sewing newbie, it's a challenging skill and a net energy drain. And 2025 has been a fairly busy and challenging year overall, so I want to do relaxing and reenergizing activities with my dolls, which are playing and photography and not sewing. I've now come to realize that my doll sewing may be a "seasonal" pasttime where, depending on my energy and IRL circumstances, I'll do it at certain short periods of the year and close up shop for the rest of the time. I've decided to accept that I'll be slower at learning and making the doll clothes I want to make, and adjust my BJD goals to reflect this.

Goal (1) was no/low-buy, and I didn't manage this -- for the third year straight. I did have a period of 3 months where I had no resin on order at all, but I still added 3 new human dolls to the BJD collection this year. (2 were bought last year, 1 was bought this year.) I also bought 3 pet dolls, one of which is at home now.
However, I think I've finally reached my limit: I now feel like I have enough dolls at home and don't want anymore, and temptations this year have been almost non-existent. (I keep "washout lists" on my BJD blog recording the dolls that tempted me and I rejected -- I made multiple lists in 2023 and 2024, and no list at all in 2025 because there was nothing significant!) So I think I've finally reached my limits on my doll collection and it happened naturally. I think no/low-buy will be a doable goal in 2026.

Goal (2) and (3) were about completing dolls, and I achieved them. (2) was honestly the easiest goal on the list, and (3) was completed except for the sewing-related parts. I enjoy making my crew presentable! I've figured out my pace of buying new dolls so I have enough time and budget to fit them out and make them presentable. I'm really happy with the state of my collection. The older dolls are all fully serviced, and the newest ones are in the budget and priority queue for getting their wardrobes fitted out.

Hmm, I guess I completed more of the goals list than I thought. But the ones I completed were the easiest ones I would've done anyway, goals list or not, so I kinda feel they don't really count...

That's it for 2025! For more reflection on 2025, I filled out a fun questionnaire on my BJD blog.
And here's my 2026 BJD goals list.

 

Creative goals:

• Sewed a lot of clothes. I think it was during this year that I discovered the cling wrap and tape method of making patterns. Or rather rediscovered, but the last time I had heard of and tried it was back when I was such a noob at sewing that I had zero sense for where to put the seams and so on and so had completely forgotten about it as it hadn't worked for me then, but this time it meant I started getting a lot done as I didn't usually have to do any mock-ups even!
• Made a lot of jewelry, especially earrings even though I still lack a lot of materials and some tools.
• Didn't do any chainmail as it wouldn't have really fit the outfit I ended up making for her.
• Completed not only one but 2 dolls! One only had a faceup before and the other I only received in spring so was blank, made a new record finishing a doll in half a year from receiving it. I also came very close to completing 2 more dolls: the other doll I received this year (only need to make a wig and something for her sword) as well as the doll I got last year (only have to make her bag).
• Definitely continued to raise the level of completeness of my collection! At the beginning of the year my doll spreadsheet was mostly red and yellow (meaning barely anything done) but now it's mostly shades of green (meaning complete or nearly so).
• Made double the goal so 4 wigs!
• Dyed the mohair but it's rather uneven, unexpectedly some ready-made medium green mohair became available, bought a sample and preferred it and... the color seemingly was removed from collection before I could buy enough to make the wig. Still hoping it comes back so haven't done anything with the batch I had dyed.
• Continued writing the story, but I got sick of all the random tangents the plot was going on, not to mention the poor writing at the very beginning so I began a rewrite and long story short I've lost interest in it for now as I got too bored rehashing things. I did end up starting a second story that's kind of in an alternate universe to the first, and then when I got a bit bored of that I started a third one a month ago that's back in the same world as the first one, but mostly revolves around my other doll characters so at least that one has helped me develop some dolls/characters further again...
• Did all the faceups I had hoped to do, including tweaking Rhodeia's one.
• Head shrunk successfully.
• Painted a tattoo on her right hand, couldn't think of a design for her left one so left it alone for now.
• A lot of effort went into trying to fix her but around October I finally decided that eff it, I've tried enough, and put another head as a replacement for her on layaway. I was struggling with the character's design anyway and decided to completely redo it, name included, and I'm finally feeling excited about her again.
• Did the shoulder mod.
• Took the pictures. Completely forgot about not pushing myself to take more as around spring or summer at latest I got the idea for taking the first big group photo of my dolls before the year would end and made it a goal and finished it just in time about a week ago. Thankfully I had the forethought to start dressing dolls up one by one a couple of months before as simply setting up the background and posing the dolls took around 4 hours. Happy I decided to do the group pic though, as it also really helped with the motivation to get as many dolls as possible presentable.
• The sculpting and sanding is done, just need to color match the mods to the resin. Funny to read though that apparently when I wrote the goals I thought she was used-to-be-Nephele's mom because now I'm so used to her being her older sister instead, had no memory of the original idea.
• I swear I had meant to write one of the goals to be making doll profiles for more of my dolls but apparently that goal was only in my head, anyway, finally got around to it these past few days.

Maintenance goals:

• Otherwise done but completely forgot about Anise, in my defense though her original stringing is still holding up well and the sueding is more of a want than a desperately need thing.
• Did well on maintenance, kept restringing dolls whenever I noticed them needing it.

Goals depending on my financial situation, in order of priority:

• Put her on layaway and she got to me in time for a faceup this year, yay.
• Got the filters. Was unusually stressful though, as the store I get them from had none in the country when I went to get more after using up the pair I had beforehand, and then when they finally restocked after 3 weeks of ideal faceupping weather, my order got sent to a wrong store first, and naturally as soon as I got the filters it rained for like 2 weeks.
• Bought watercolor pencils, eyes and even 2 big batches of mohair, the second order just recently which should be enough for 5 wigs.

Conclusion:
This (well, last year, already 2026 here) somehow ended up being even more productive than the previous year! But then again maybe not so surprising because the whole year my goal IRL in general was to learn to choose rest and recharging whenever possible including resisting the urge to take on obligations I really didn't need to take, so I ended up doing a lot of dolly stuff as it's the most recharging out of all my hobbies.

 

I tried to have some realistic (or so I thought) goals this year:

+ make SOME clothes
+ maybe make some wigs actually
+ take just enough decent photos to create dolly profiles on DoA
+ find new loving homes for my resin crew FS
+ avoid temptation to bring home any new resin.

Since I still had the same job, I couldn't really do much in terms of crafts. So no new clothes or wigs. But I managed to go for an outdoor photo session once with my doll (Sonya/BC Kaorin) and it was great.

No new profiles have appeared, but i've managed to set up a dolly cabinet and get all the stands necessary for my dolls So now I can see them daily!

I have managed to rehome some resin (a large SD body), some (two heads) still needs rehoming so I'm glad I've freed some space.

I didn't buy any new resin, but can't rule out buying new... We'll see