Hi from Australia! It’s been a while..

Hello fellow BJD collectors!

I’ve been away from the hobby and this forum for a few years - I’m not exactly sure how long it’s been at this point but it feels like forever so I thought I should re-introduce myself.

Hi! I’m Mindy, I’m 36 and a visual artist from rural Western Australia *waves*

I started collecting BJDs in 2013 after a few years of admiring from a distance and have quite a large collection now.. even after a few years of not buying
My collection is primarily 1/4 (my preferred size ) and under but I do have two larger dolls from Doll Chateau (an Adult male and Youth female) which I adore.
Most of my dolls are still waiting on faceups - oops!
My dolls are mostly from Fairyland, Doll Chateau/Doll Zone, LUTS and Doll Leaves with a few smaller dolls from SOOM.
I love making wigs and doll clothing as well as building props - earlier this year I started building a fantasy vardo/reading style wagon for one of my characters, which I intend to finish and am hoping posting here will help encourage and hold me accountable lol

I’m honestly not sure how much to put into an intro post (I’m so ridiculously out of practice) so to avoid aimlessly rambling, I’ll leave it there..

It feels strange to be back after so long, but I’m excited to jump back into the BJD world (and hopefully meet new people!)

 

Hello @Seafoam Shade
I have a couple of Doll Leaves so choosing a favourite might be a little difficult.. but I’d have to say Teresa since I have her in both grey and white! A few newer sculpts have already caught my eye though, like Pearl and Ben - I love the elves so while the variety is beautifully wide, I tend to stay within the fantasy/elf sculpts. Are you a fellow Doll Leaves owner?
From SOOM I have a Puka baby goat, three tiny Toads and a couple of fantasy coloured Petit Gem Ondiin.. basically forest creatures compared to my main crew. I’m sure I’ve forgotten exactly who I have stored away..

 

@aihre Hey! *waves back from the west*

I’ve been trying to work out exactly how long I’ve been away.. definitely not 10 years - that’s pretty cool that you’ve come back after so long!
I sort of just drifted away from the forum prior to pausing the hobby entirely. I feel like it’s been at least 4-5 years since I’ve posted here or any BJD content anywhere else.. but I did order my last doll (Doll Chateau Kid Bella ) in early 2021 after a little buying hiatus *shrug* so it’s kind of complicated. Not being involved in the community didn’t stop the wallet pain entirely lol
I can see that the community has changed a lot indeed! Which is probably why I feel like a partial newbie. So far it’s been super exciting to re-engage and see the growth and development of the doll community - although I did lurk on and off throughout my time away so I was vaguely aware that it would be different when/if I came back I think it’s good different though!

 

Oh my gosh, yes! Taking stock of my doll collection and lining it up with the original character/story plans I had is kind of what lured me back in while overwhelming my brain a little (I think all the BJD knowledge I had years ago is dusty at best.. ). I follow a few doll companies on Instagram so I was almost tempted by new dolls but it’s the massive discontinuations from Doll Chateau especially (like now..) that had the buying continue.. just in case Doll arrivals are ALWAYS exciting though regardless of how the purchase came to be lol

While on hiatus half of my collection is and was stored in their (specifically labelled lol) company boxes and the other half in a lockable cabinet that also houses my vinyl record collection so I see them fairly often and had pondered if I should sell them or commit to finishing the plans I had.. I’ve chosen the latter - although I might still reduce my collection a little to focus on my favourites. I’ve also had my first Doll Chateau Kid Bella (yeah.. I have a couple of Bellas and plans for at least one more..) out on my desk for as long as I’ve had her - still blank and half dressed because I’ve thought about replacing her (she’s in yellow resin from 2018 which is VERY yellow and not the more natural, pinkish almost tan yellow I was expecting..) which I sort of did with my last order.. but somehow I just ended up creating a new character for her and now I’m building her a wagon.. so yeh

Since the weather is finally warming up over here, I’ll be getting brave and seeing if I can still manage some face-ups and finish that wagon so I have a little set for photos! So far, that’s my plan anyway.

After 10 years, do you still have any of your dolls? Honestly, I think its pretty impressive that you’re back after so long! I’m assuming you’d left before I even started collecting BJD Now I’m curious about your doll situation, plans - everything!

 

@aihre Wow, our hiatus experiences were quite different but it seems we’re on the same journey now (although you’re ahead of me lol) which is pretty cool I think - and dare I say, inspiring!
Oh yeah, the weak AUD is killing me! Not that I have plans to add to my crew.. just a few characters I want to re-shell and a few characters to fill *sigh* Thankfully, I have more than enough dolls to finish while I ponder my long term plans.
YES! Sewing! It’s one of my favourite aspects of this hobby - I’m no expert but if you ever want to message me for any help, inspiration or whatever, feel free

To be honest, there’s no real rhyme or reason to my doll plans.. basically If a character catches my attention (or life inspires the story of one particular character/doll.. even ever so slightly) I’ll work on any outfits, props or mods needed for that character’s development. So.. in a round about way, one doll at a time.. but inspiration is a fickle friend and my attention wanders at the best of times. Hence, the need for accountability


@Seafoam Shade - Your dolls are gorgeous! Your Lan is the softest beauty I’ve seen and your Pearl has solidified her on my wish list! Betty is lovely too. I have Lan and she’s a gorgeous sculpt but I highly suspect mine won’t be as lovely and soft as your girl, you’ve done a wonderful job with her! Also, I hadn’t realised (or remembered?) that doll profiles were a thing, thank you for linking yours

 

Hello @Chiitaake! Thank you for your lovely welcome and sorry for the belated reply

Oh thank you! That’s Fariah (Fairyland RealPuki Soso in white)- my very first doll and still super special to me

Yes! Sometimes I think the faceups just haven’t happened because I can’t decide on the makeup style I want for the character lol

To be honest the most recent DollChateau discontinuation lured me back to the forum that and not long ago I bought some Our Generation horses for a few of my 1/4 girls on a whim which then sparked the vardo/fantasy wagon project (which I still intend to get finished!). So right now I’m paying off my first layaway in a while for DC Phoenix, Sharon and Cecile head and waiting for life to chill a bit after Christmas so that I can get back to my wagon building so that I can start posting updates here