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Happy to be back!

Jan 3, 2023

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    1. I knew it had been a long time since I'd discovered BJD's, but what I didn't is that it had been fourteen (long) years since this account's creation! :o I was just thirteen when I first started in 2008, which seems like an entire lifetime away. I remember the feeling of having saved up all my money to purchase each of the two dolls I eventually acquired (and still have!!). After eleven years since my last activity (and a lot of life events), I am ready to re-enter the hobby as an adult.

      In addition to my age and having disposable income, other things that have changed are my confidence in my skills and abilities. As a (now diagnosed) nuerodivergent person, I'm far more independent and have been able to carve out the life I always hoped and dreamed I would have. Things that have not changed include my long-windedness and love for Cerberus Project Delfs (which are now considered old, apparently? And discontinued?? :atremblin).

      I am still finding my way around and trying to get up to speed on anything that has changed with the hobby and community. I'm currently working on fixing up the dolls I have now before purchasing any new ones. In the meantime, I'd like to hear from anyone who can relate to my experience. :3nodding:
       
      #1 Lady Gemini, Jan 3, 2023
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    2. I can for sure relate! I wasn't gone for as long as you were, but I took a 4 year long break and was so surprised to see how much things had changed since I had been gone. It was sad to me, seeing all the companies and dolls that I once loved and really wanted now being discontinued. More sad than that, though, is how much more common recasts seem to be, and how many people brand new and ignorant to the hobby are going to aliexpress for their bjds. It was also crazy to see how the hobby has expanded, and to see how a bunch of old doll instagrams I followed years ago have now made their own dolls! A lot of stuff feels so different, but a lot of stuff hasn't changed.
       
      #2 Auden, Jan 3, 2023
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    3. Welcome back!! It's definitely wild to see how things have changed over the years, especially after as long of a break as you've had! I hope it's not too overwhelming for you to jump back into things :D
       
      #3 Miyukisetsu, Jan 3, 2023
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    4. I was just now looking at second-hand dolls for the first-time ever on eBay, Mercari, etc. and saw *mostly* recasts of the dolls I was searching for...I figured the frequency had always been an issue and I'd just been unaware back in the day. :huh?: What's worse is that just a few of those listings called them out as recasts; the others were only apparent by the cheap prices and use of company photos. I definitely would have fallen for that when I was 13 or 14.

      Relating to discontinued dolls: most of my old favorite sculpts were very common/popular back in the day, so I hope that means that there are enough second-hand versions floating around. I did all my own faceups and I'm pretty handy, so I'd be open to ones with yellowing or damage. Good luck with yours, if you're searching!

      Thank you! I'm starting by just trying to find my way around; it took me longer than I'd like to admit to find where to buy wigs and eyes nowadays. :chomp:
       
      #4 Lady Gemini, Jan 3, 2023
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    5. Welcome back! I was just 14 myself back in 2009 when I started, so I completely relate! I jumped back into the hobby in 2019 and boy, did I dive back in the deep end. You'll be really surprised to see how many of those old treasured sculpts are still around, waiting for new homes! There actually has been a huge resurgence in popularity of CP Delfs and Dream of Doll. Their prices have all gone up considerably on the second hand market! I have managed to adopt a few Delfs and DoD grails here on the DoA marketplace. So if there is anyone you longed for since 2008, I would recommend a WTB post! You never know who has a treasure stashed away in their closet :wiggle

      Enjoy being back in the community!
       
      #5 I<3MySD, Jan 3, 2023
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