Looking for doll no-buy buddies

I'd totally be on the side of finding bodies for heads and getting the last piece needed to complete something. I would also be okay if there was a particular ___ of the month club that I was getting joy from. It's the starting something brand new that I would want to take the time to figure if I could afford it.

It's kind of like a 50% thing. If I already have 50% of what I'd need for that hobby and it would use supplies I pretty much have and/or can put to use with other hobbies then I can consider if it would be a fun skill to learn.

With my dolls the decision to buy a second MSD was helped with figuring out the boy and girl can wear the same size clothes and shoes. Less to buy, less to make.

 

I was doing very, very well. But Dream Valley has re-released their scorpion ladies. So I may be in trouble.

 

Or you were saving up for something special and if a scorpion is it then its it. Looking at your signature you like Dream Valley and if you can afford her nothing wrong with getting one.

I'd rip the plug out of the belly of my piggy bank if the right spider or centaur came along.

 

It did inspire me to actually pull the trigger on getting my to-sell dolls cleaned up and ready to sell (one's already got an interested buyer). So I'm choosing to count it as a win.

 

So, I'm not sure if you all know, but if you wanted to use DoA but absolutely cannot keep yourself from looking at the marketplace you can nicely request in Ask the Mods to toggle your marketplace access. It's a "perk" of the forum but I believe you have the option to opt out as far as I understand.
On that note. Who's continuing their no-buy through the holiday sales barrage season? I see dolls who I was genuinely interested in at one point being discontinued in the recent months but I am continuing on the no buy. I think I am finding it easier these days partly because I'm just so done with capitalism and the manipulative sales tactics. I get a certain gratification from taking myself out of the race to own the most stuff before it's "too late!"
Anyone have some positive things going on in the no new stuff arriving world? I'll admit I have a doll or two who I'd really like to re-wig but I'm hoping it's an achievable Christmas gift. Doing lots of sewing here with my fabric stash, and some new to me pieces and scraps I traded with another doll person for. Very fun

 

So far I’ve been able to resist any bjd sales/orders, and I’m pretty sure I won’t be tempted over the holidays (fingers crossed). For me it’s mostly the rising costs and looong waits. I’m done paying (even with layaway) and waiting half a year or more. It’s been so nice not having the ‘buy it now, or you will regret it later’ feelings like I used to.

 

Costs are definitely rising within the hobby.
You're right it really is a wonderful feeling when you can escape the bad feeling of missing out that is seems like the whole world wants to impose on us from all sides. Can't have it all!

 

Oh that's very sweet of you. I have larger dolls though. But your kindness is appreciated . Speaking of stuff like that it would be nice if the swaps forum was more active but it's a bit of a tall order the way one person has to be the herder of the swap participants in such an affair I have tried before and it was frustrating.
I also have space issues! I just rehomed a lot of 8 wigs actually and in the last few years it's been necessary practice to destash in lots that I found homes for via places like insta and whatnot. Mostly it's because I compulsively sew, which you might have noticed because I write in most posts I think "I'm sewing" I like the idea, if you are looking for any suggestions, that an excess of stuff for old timers could be a bounty for someone starting out, or whatever, and I think trying to do something nice and helping yourself clean house is very rewarding. You can often find people on other platforms.
Of course sometimes you still like everything you have! That is the hardest I have downsized a lot this year I think but it's a long process if you get easily overwhelmed or have a lot of attachments. But I'm rooting for you

 

I asked for a specific used doll for Christmas, but I doubt it'll happen. "You don't need another doll." Okay, fair... But I would like it if it did happen.

I have plans to buy a doll, but she won't be released until at least next year. I'm very okay with waiting patiently for her to be finished. I've had a little fun thinking about how I'll style her and her relationships with the others, but I'm trying to focus on the ones I have already. They're all here already and their love triangle isn't going to work itself out.

I don't think any holiday events will tempt me unless Volks pulls out something life changing in the next Volks News. 99.9% of the time, I am happy just owning the photos in the magazine.

 

Do Ken dolls count if it's to give an existing doll an upgrade? I have been adulting very hard recently and plan to treat myself.

 

My impulse control is horrible and even though I'd told myself I wouldn't buy anything more this year (unless morning star doll does a preorder, and that seems unlikely when the website has been down for some days now) and yet here I am, having bought another doll anyway orz

I have too many orders ongoing, and there's too many offers going on for end of the year, and my mental health has taken some blows lately so it's hard to resist buying stuff to feel a little happiness. But I'm going to run out of space at this speed, and I also know buying stuff is not a good coping mechanism (especially when the stuff in question takes months to arrive, so I don't even get the instant gratification!)

I need to stop buying dolls for real (unless I find that one doll I really want... or something that's really an adequate replacement). And I really need to find a way to redirect my buying impulses toward better occupations orz (like... maybe start using my stash of fabric and spoil a bit the dolls I already have!)

 

I'm not in danger of buying any new dolls, but I sure am tempted by the sales for non-resin doll stuff, not to mention preorders and commissions. To my mind, that's the stuff which is hard to get - I have to fight hard to resist impulse-buying and preordering nice clothing, wigs and eyes!

I'll be good and keep fighting the temptation. I'll just make my planned non-resin order for the holidays, and will wait until I receive everything before I think of buying anything again. I think the order won't reach my hands until February next year. Please keep me accountable, all

I know this is a resin no-buy thread... but I got new resin earlier this week. My rationale: I've owned this body-less floating head for a decade (granted, I was on doll hiatus for most of that time), so if I want to spend money on BJDs, I should prioritize getting her a body, instead of splurging on all the non-resin doll stuff I'm forever tempted to buy. So, at this point in time, I think buying resin was necessary and worth it. I also got it from the Marketplace so I didn't have to wait long.

So my third doll is now complete. She'll keep me quite occupied with body blushing and maintenance (the body needs to be cleaned, sueded and wired), and then I'll be planning group photos of the whole crew. Photography also continues - the weather is turning good where I live so I can do more outdoor shoots, and currently I have no lack of photoshoot ideas to work on. I've also learned to do faceups and it was incredibly fun! However, I've painted and blushed all my dolls already! So, errr, I might need to get more resin to keep doing faceups...

Faceups are on hold for now, but I'm actually motivated now to learn how to sew and make props for my doll gang, so I think that will be a major new project to spin up. Hopefully I'll have something to report there when I next check in.

 

@aihre well I like to think of places like this thread as some people just chatting about their efforts to be more conscious or change habits. I think everyone is at a different place and there's no doing it wrong exactly. I really relate to just getting the body for the floating head! I'm glad you could! Sometimes at various points in the hobby I realized I was being more wasteful with money by buying other stuff while trying not to buy a single bjd I wanted. And it felt stupid after I realized that's how it worked for me. This is a big part of why I have my housemate and shopping partner try to keep me on track and not impulse buy fashion dolls. It's not what I get the most out of so it's been better to just buy less often but more of what I really want, if that makes sense?

Are you in the southern hemisphere? Springtime? I have been in the subtropics of the northern hemisphere so actually I can say the same, because I can't handle the near year round heat anymore. But we are about to go north again so it will be winter in two weeks. A proper cold one. Womp.

Anyway sounds to me like you're doing great, because you have a plan and are being strategic and reserved, and learning so many fabulous new skills to do with your dolls! Isn't it the best? I hope you have a ton of fun learning to sew more!

 

Yes - exactly this! There's a time and place for everything: a time to buy a lot of small things for the current crew, and also a time to make a large and important purchase. I know I have a habit of "doing the small things" as an excuse to procrastinate/avoid the big, daunting task -- seems like this bad habit extends to buying stuff!

I'm actually quite relieved that I finally completed that doll; didn't realize earlier, but her incompleteness was a loose end that was weighing at the back of my mind. Now I'm really excited to have another doll to work on and integrate into the existing crew - that should keep me away from shopping for awhile.

I live in Australia, we're in spring and heading towards summer. Although spring is a season with unstable weather (one never knows whether to expect rain or shine on any day), the days are getting longer. So I've been able to get home after a day of work, change my clothes, grab a doll, and roam the neighbourhood for about an hour taking photos before day is gone. Making photography hay while the sun is shining.

Thanks for the encouragement! These winter/holiday sales are deadly, I'm in maximum resist-temptation mode. And I'm a lot more invested in learning all the crafty things these days - just have to get off my butt and start researching and learning.

 

I wish more people have seen the short horror film Great Choice so I could make a shrimp reference but...

Another approach I take to my general and genetic hoarding issues is to remind myself of all the things I slowed down on, stopped, and even parted with over the years. I'm currently culling art supplies I won't be using any more, that quest is over, and soon it'll be analog books, after I scan them so I can read them. Off topic dolls will be thinned out.

I feel good that altho I am in the financial place to do so I'm not buying on topic dolls left and right. It's kind of nice to have the time to play with the resins I have.

 

@aihre well your newly completed doll is basically a new doll now! Hooray!! So much stuff to do for them now!
oh my gosh I think the Christmas/new year sales would be positively deadly for me coupled with springtime. I noticed I always buy more in spring. I have significant long term depression but if my spirits lift slightly and I feel hopeful again I think "oh hooray, everything is going to work out so we can just buy this doll head that was on the wishlist for years and maybe this other one I fancy" even this year I bought a few small things like that (I mean it adds up, some wigs, a bargain head, a bargain body, a bargain eBay doll ...) Even though I knew I should be buying nothing in my situation. So I think my test is spring/summer. We'll see how I do next year.
@MaleficentMrsofEvil look at all those beautiful hybrids! How awesome it's working out! I love making hybrids too, and buying dolls buy different makers. It's like eating a little bit of everything at a buffet. trading is definitely fun, especially when I am not hard up for money I like to do it because it feels so rewarding to directly exchange something you didn't like for something you do. Of course sometimes selling is really nice too. I had some good moments this year I think, where buyers just seemed so happy to find x doll to bring home. That makes me so very happy for everyone.
@DollyKim all that downsizing sounds really nice. Everyone has their different needs. I think sometimes I struggle to figure out what mine actually are but I do think I've been in the hobby long enough I actually like the idea of reducing and refining, not holding onto old ghosts and letting go of this or that. I'm not sure what I will buy if I have money again someday in any regular capacity... Maybe furniture I actually like I'm about to leave behind my last remaining piece of furniture in a hasty low budget move and I'm pretty heartbroken. My life really needs to start getting better soon. I love old furniture though. Certain antique/reproduction styles. I can imagine a very happy life not buying more dolls and putting money into old furniture that I truly cherish. I don't mind refinishing it myself either. Not that I've done that before but it's time to learn new skills anyway I get bored after I've mostly learned whatever I was working on before.
Long ramble.. sorry everyone

 

Still haven't bought a doll! OMG! I'm hanging on by my fingernails though!

 

Very well done so far though!

 

My major downsizing started with some hard decisions about scale and then, with the Barbies, who I spiritually could part with. Also I did a bunch of body swaps and upgrades so the frankendollies were easy to say goodbye to. It became easier when I would post pics of those who came in, we did a lot of junk runs, and people would comment how they missed theirs or always wanted one.

I've found that in getting other people what they really need I've been given what I really need in return.

 

I would like to downsize but it's been hard and very little is selling.

 

@Chehime yeah, I'm right there with you. I've been trying to sell all year and it's been the worst year ever. At this point im so exhausted with it, luckily I do have an amount of dolls remaining that I'm perfectly happy to have, though in my mind I still think "but what if I had only 10 or 15, how streamlined!" I am currently at 28 (body count, there are some extra heads of varying levels of favor) and there are only a couple I'm not already very bonded with and fond of, so pruning that much, even in a good market would be a terrible ordeal, emotionally.
Not sure if maybe it's similar for you, but I hope you can one day meet your downsizing goals. Maybe I can but probably not. I do remind myself that not buying more is half way to having less in the meantime, though you should ask me after I have moved them all again by end of month I'm grateful for all the joy these ones I have continue to bring me.

 

I have an INSANE amount of dolls *cough60plus* and a lot of them are irreplaceable or limiteds so it's hard to make firm decisions. I'd love to get down to 30 or so- OMG.... that's so insane.

 

Haha I empathize even though I guess I have half as many @Chehime and if I were to write out the many I would have wanted and still would gladly own if there were no consequences for my actions it would be as many I think... Maybe the answer for now is just compartmentalize. Maybe it's a strange question but do you ever feel having this many dolls triggers empathy exhaustion for you? It does for me... That's the biggest reason I dream of a downsize but it's too hard to let go all at once. I feel like I have to "reach closure" with any doll first. I love them all so much and they aren't models that are precious in general but they are precious to me and most sculpts irreplaceable enough (maybe if I looked for a decade I could hunt most down again but that's a long time).

 

Yeah, it's more exhaustion at this point but I'm still having a hard time listing more of them for sale... I've been slowly trying to talk myself into listing more.

 

I relate to that so very very much. Can you just pace yourself? All year I would take breaks in between listing while I tried to make decisions I wouldn't regret. It was probably pathetically slow going to most people but it was all I could handle.

 

If it's really bothering you then you can always take a break or stop. There are cop dolls but there's no doll cops.

One way to approach sales is to put the doll(s) in the bottom of your closet or somewhere safe but not too easy to get to. It'll give you a chance to see if you can live without them or not. If you can't they're still there.

Most of mine are in the storage room for several reasons and I'm on both sides, I'll have a moment where I miss ____ and moments when I've totally forgotten I had ____ and could possibly part with them.

 

Good reminder, thank you

You have some very delightful one liners sometimes @DollyKim - I was really giggling at the doll cops bit

Isolating dolls I thought about rehoming always helped me too. Just to remove them from the visual field and literally picture not having them helps me make decisions.

 

But I have cop dolls 4c37b495224286eb4bce457cfac1f7551c655f21.jpg

Where I need to watch myself is buying those surprise balls with doll sized food in them. I've been able to nip color reveal dolls in a tube in the bud. I know some of it is just to give me a sense that I've accomplished something and if I can do something creative I'll feel better.

 

Seems like I’ve been able to cut out bjds, but the pricey designer toys, not so much. If it’s not one, it’s another.
I just did a pre order for a unique ‘designer action figure set’ and I’m excited, but also a little mad at myself. Good thing is: I’m broke and can’t buy anything until it’s paid off due to an unexpected phone expense (old cell phone died). The price of a new cell phone is shocking! My cell phone that died cost $300 (seven years ago), and the new one is $800! The bjds I could’ve bought…….

 

Currently trying to sort out the dolls that I have at home and actually make them some clothes. I lost a lot of motivation for hobby stuff over the past year (I also started getting more tattoos so that took over my doll spending) I have a bit more free time now and I want to make a start. I also need to check on the dolls I put into storage over the past few years.

 

Ended up making a Nine9style order for some clothing I needed to complete my (hopefully) last two dolls. I also discovered an amazing wig shop on Etsy that makes me want to replace almost everyone's hair but I am going to try and just be happy with what they have for now. I bought several accessories for one of my off topic dolls (tiny baby toys & plushies!) but my real failing has been on the figure front...

My plan is to start all my New Year's resolutions on December 1st instead of January 1st to get a head start, including a moratorium on hobby related spending but that's just making me panic buy here in November lol...

 

Making wigs is something I've always wanted to try, I do reroot, but right now I don't have a sewing machine to make wefts. Truth be told I've harvested a few human sized wigs for hair tho. It's all the same artificial stuff, especially when it's on sale or at the junk store.

 

Joining this quest!

When I entered the hobby again around 2011, I informally decided on a guideline of one new doll per year. When I entered grad school in 2016, I formally decided on no new dolls until I had a full-time job again. However, I had bought 7 by 2016 and 9 more by the time I got a full-time job again this year.

I'm going back to my original guideline of one new doll per year, but factoring in all I've bought, I won't get a new doll until 2027. The exception is two old, rare grails, which would push the number up to 2028 or 2029. It gives me a weird anxiety, because there are dolls I'd like to order new that may well not be available then. But I think what's worse is having too many dolls and not feeling connected to any of them.

 

I was able to go through some of the dolls I have in storage over the weekend, I found one of the bodies I had in storage worked with a head I got recently, so that was definitely a win. I am thinking about attempting to try doing a faceup on him soon as I haven’t done one in years. I am currently also trying to find the motivation to do some more sewing between some other things. So many of my dolls need new clothes xD

 

That's so awesome @Jareth I love it when I can happily use a body I already had saved.
My gods I'm almost done packing for a totally ridiculous move and there is nothing as sobering as the horrible ordeal I've been through trying to condense 28 dolls (I think that's the current count) into the smallest, safest packaging for stuffing into a car/mailing again, while still having other possessions. I have packed, tessellated, repacked, unstrung some, packed again. I've said it once and I'll say it again: if there is a hell this is what mine will be.
I have no furniture left in my possession but I feel so exhausted that I swear I never want to buy anything again the rest of my life so we'll see how that goes.

 

@AlisonVonderland good luck with the move!! i always find when i start clearing out or tidying that i somehow manage to have more stuff than i thought i did! which reminds me i really need to do some restringing soon.

 

My last move required Repressitall.

I did learn a hack for moving books- Ask the manager at your grocery store if you can buy a unit of their plastic bags, if it's the thicker reusable kind, and put your books in them. They stack and are easy enough for most people to carry. I can see using the food delivery kind too if they aren't that flimsy paper cloth.

We packed clothes, yarn, bedding, plushies, and soft stuff in big clear trash bags, so you could see it wasn't trash. And Ziplock makes giant bags with handles that I call Motel 6 suitcases, lol. For the record I've been in a few.

 

Those are all great tips. I love the motel 6 suitcases bit especially i think we are finally heading out today unless anything goes wrong again. It's been thing after thing, like usual I suppose. Hopefully me and the army of dolls, my 50lb roll of paintings and miscellaneous art supplies arrive safely in a few days.

I hope you all have a happy thanksgiving or otherwise a day decent enough to be thankful for something no terrible weather allowed!

Stay strong on all those holiday sales events!

 

All the best to AlisonVonderland for the move, and happy thanksgiving to American doll owners.

Resin no-buy continues for me -- but I have to say, I'm kind of doing it against my will. Yes, in my last post I'd already settled all my buying plans for the year... but in the almost-2 weeks since, I attempted to impulse-buy two dolls, and was thwarted both times. (For one, I had doubts about the sculpt and was relieved that the sale fell through. For the other, I was very crushed - still am - because I had no doubts, thought I had made it into the preorder, but missed out in the end because of dumb logistical mistakes.)

So... a good thing, I guess? Looks like my plan -- of not buying any dolls until next year -- will work out. Although kinda against my will now!

Otherwise I'm still doing doll photography. I bought some fabric today to learn how to sew. And am going to try my hand at restoring doll shoes that are perishing due to age. There's plenty to keep me occupied for the rest of the year.

Good luck to all on their no-new-dolls journeys - voluntary or not.

 

Listen to your doubts and accept when things like logistical mistakes happen because someone might be watching out for you.

What are you planning to sew?

 

Yeah, I trust my gut when it comes to buying things, it's always worked out well for me. And impulse buys happen so rarely to me that I've learned to just jump when I have a good feeling. That's probably why I'm upset that I missed the preorder - though I was blindsided by how very upset I was. But you might be right about someone watching out for me.

Anyway, I am consoling myself that the artisan will make the doll available for order next year since (I think) it was premiered earlier this year; although with small artisans, one is never certain what will happen. There's always the secondhand market...

I want to sew kimono for a start - seems simple enough for an absolute beginner. Then when I've got some experience and confidence, try some simple casuals like shirts and pants. We'll see how far I get!

 

I like sewing stuff like all those a lot. I think yukata is a good starting project (from my basic understanding it's kimono like in shape but a single layer unlike layered kimonos). I love to make them. It's soothing to sew some straight lines on cotton fabric and you can have opportunities to practice your stitches whether by machine or by hand and it's easy to draft patterns for non-tailored fit garments. I hope you have fun!
I also love to sew knits like t shirts and dresses which is actually how I learned to sew for my dolls. But people often don't like knits because of sewing on stretch fabric. Different knits are more beginner friendly though in my opinion.

Thank you @aihre for the well wishes! It's currently going well enough I suppose with a side of oy vey. But at least we're on the road and there is no more packing.

My no buys have been quasi involuntary while people are talking about that, but as you said @DollyKim learning to accept and even embrace these happenscances is important if you prefer to find satisfaction in your life. So I try! I think it works out when you get used to it.

 

I'll just say there have been times in my life, even this decade, where happenstance plopped its self in the middle of everything and I had no choice but to deal with it. In the middle of any of it you couldn't tell me I'd find a Volks MDD at a junk store for a price so ridiculous they had no idea what she was. People still don't believe what I paid but I've spent more at a box store on a Barbie.

 

@DollyKim Repressitall sounds awesome! Could use some right now!

The thought of moving makes me feel faint. Too much stuff! I really feel for anyone who has to move.

Thankfully the Black Friday bjd sales have not tempted me at all, though I feel like I’m always just staving off the buy impulse. If the right doll came along, could I really stop myself? So far not so much, lol.

 

It's been a while since I've actually looked at holiday events because the few companies I still plan to buy from sooner or later don't really do events like that. But I clicked on a BJD event announcement out of curiosity the other day. $100 for a head, free shipping, free custom faceup?? I don't even know what the heads look like and I'm almost sold! These sales tactics are really next level. Do your best, no-buy thread! You can make it through the holidays, I know it!

@MaleficentMrsofEvil I wish you luck in your move! Moving is one of the least fun activities I can think of. Hopefully things will start to look up for you once you're done.

 

@MaleficentMrsofEvil You'll get thru this. I had... We'll just say I no longer have a lot of toxicity.

My half temptation is Cure funky pops, but only if the dolly gods put them in front of me in my travels. I don't care for the looks of them but Cure, and I'd have to buy two sets and mod one into the X-Cure for reasons. (I can go in to details of the X-Cure idea if anyone is interested) Or I can make myself stitch up a set of Close to Me video rag dolls.

I do have a Yule Harry Potter I wanted to mod in to Teddy before I had to do my toxic waste dump a couple years ago.

 

I completed No Buy November! It was hard at the beginning but now... I feel like I'm looking at the hobby with new eyes.

 

@SaltedPretzel Good job!!! I'm glad you were able to do it. I hope this experience will help you in the future

 

I feel like the hobby is exciting again. Being able to look at all the posts, all the news, and all the dolls reminds me of when I was new to the hobby. There's so many possibilities.

I also feel like I've had time to think through what I want out of dolls and what I don't. There's so much less pressure to buy, buy, buy. I can just be satisfied with little things instead of recording everything I do with my dolls for social media.

It's also made me see how repetitive sales really are. I feel like I can say "no" now. There'll always be another doll, another outfit, another prop. I don't need to pounce on anything.

 

The pressure of social media really feeds into the mindset of today. A lot of us do things "for the likes" even if we aren't conscious of it. This is happening for everyone, not at all limited to dollers.

Once in a while, I'll share some photos here, but I share all my photos on my website, which has no ability to comment, like, and now, no longer any way to contact me. I can't do it for the likes because I have no way of knowing if anyone is even viewing it! I am my main audience for my website and I feel it's best that way. My hobbies should be for me.

I'm not in any big doll themed chat channels either and can't get that competitive feeling from seeing people buy doll after doll after doll. I only chat in small groups or one on one now. If you find someone levelheaded to chat with, you can help keep each other in check.

Edited to add: If there was an option here on DoA to turn off likes, I would take it. I KNOW those little numbers next to a heart influences me more than it should.

 

It doesn't count if someone else buys a doll for you, does it?

On my main social media I post what I post for myself and don't care if anyone else ever sees it. I just want to get those thoughts out of my brain and make room for new ones. When someone else likes or reposts it makes me feel happy that I've made someone else happy or they have food for thought.