Looking for doll no-buy buddies

Buying accessories and clothing doesn’t count right? XD XD XD

 

XD new no buy date reset to June 2023?

 

This is a million years late but I would love some recommendations on those tumblr blogs, especially with the tutorials.

I have mostly finished moving and I really need to organise my stuff, especially how much fabric I have, but I can actually display my dolls for the first time (all two of them) and I really need to start doing things with the things I've been collecting because having displayed the dolls I realise how naked they are. Neither of them have wigs for one thing.

In terms of doll no buy, I'm kind of alright on that front. I'm still waiting for Jude and the prospect of import duty and customs fees on top of shipping fees puts a kibosh on a lot of impulse buys. Plus I don't have access to Marketplace (yet, hopefully soon) so that's one temptation off my plate.

 

I applied for marketplace as soon as I hit two months and 40 posts. That was Nov 27th

 

Afraid I'm not much on Tumblr these days, so I can't help Crissaegrim's request...

Well, it's time for me to bow out of this thread!

I'm definitely in resin buying mode now. I've decided on the two dolls I want to bring home next, so I'm actively looking for the first (have a WTB on the head, and just bought the body), and waiting for preorders to reopen for the second, whenever that happens - probably Q1 or Q2 next year. (It's the doll whose preorder I narrowly missed a few weeks ago, I'm still sore about it.) I am also thinking of shelling a third character and watching a sales thread, but that is a 'maybe' and I might not act on it.

Still working on my doll projects - photography, sewing (I finally launched on this), a few other things. Faceup practice is on hold because I have no spare resin to paint on... yet.

Still resisting the impulse buys. Haven't bought any non-resin doll things since I made my big orders in mid November. (EDIT: AHAHAH, this isn't true - I bought a piece of doll furniture off local classifieds. orz) Had a parade of intriguing sculpts walk past me and have been able to say No to all of them... so far. It's a tough gig, saying No to all that attractiveness but I'm hoping the dolls which are on my wishlist will help me stay on the straight and narrow.

But I am hunting for resin, so I'll leave this thread for the time being. Good luck to everyone on their resolve and goals.

 

@MaleficentMrsofEvil Wheeeee, that's an amazing list, I'm going to go explore. Thank you so much.

 

I bought supplies to make dolls out of, they'll be soft cut and sew types, but I'm still working out the designs.

It feels good to walk past dolls in stores and gladly say 'nope'.

 

@MaleficentMrsofEvil your Iplehouse Mari is gorgeous! She is an excellent doll to judge new purchases by!

I’ve started doing that with my Volks vinyl msd girls and so far they haven’t been bested (unless a super cute MDD comes out, I might start to waver ). Another thing stopping any new doll purchases is the cost. Cost of the doll, wigs (plural as it usually takes multiple tries to find the correct look), outfit (I seem to prefer the expensive rare ones), and the dreaded doll shoes which can cost a lot, sigh. Now my three Volks girls are all dressed and looking fantastic, I honestly don’t think I could top them (or pay for it). Humm, I’m not admitting to the fourth girl who I have dressed as a boy (lack of MDD sized vinyl boys, had to do what I could). He’s just not as stunning, and I’m thinking of just doing him as a girl as there are so many beautiful outfits and wigs…maybe I’ll just do some window shopping.

 

Mari is gorgeous and so is that outfit! What about outfits and accessories No buy if you see anything to equal or surpass??? It’s hard resisting no buy for those for me since one of my two boys is a clothing horse….

 

I'm sorting out my own fabric and have finally caved and admitted that I cannot just keep putting fabric wherever I have space at the time and I should consolidate and organise so I know where things are and don't constantly lose things or buy duplicates. So I have bought some dedicated fabric storage where I can actually sort fabric by type and have dedicated storage for different types of notions.

I am blaming the fact that I have more fabric than I know what to do with on the fact my local craft shop closed down and they cut their prices down just to get rid of stock before their lease ran out. You can't say no to fabric for pennies on the yard.

Making shoes, however, will have to wait until my leather glue liquifies again.

 

It's a set of metal mesh cubes which can be configured in multiple ways. Like these

They're all 30x30x30cm so you can get those sort of canvas cube things to go in them - I plan on getting a couple for smaller scrap fabric and notions - but for the fabric I'll just fold it to the appropriate size and put it in the appropriate cube by fabric type. Then I'll just run up a curtain with some velcroed edges which can go over the entire front of it to avoid fading from sunlight and so I can hide the fabric if I have visitors.

 

I think this thread is exactly where I need to be, going into the new year! I started off in this hobby carefully collecting roughly 3 dolls per year. It doesn’t sound like much, does it? Well do the math after 16 years and you can see the dilemma! For years I’ve made “no new dolls” a part of ever new year’s resolution, and it’s always been an epic fail. But now, with my leftover layaways trickling down from 2022, I’m really up against it! There’s just no more room, and no more characters to shell. It’s time…it really and truly is. Once my current remaining layaways are done, my crew will number 52.

All are on display in artistic vignettes throughout my home. All are carefully curated with eyes, wigs, and faceups (most of which were done by myself, with a few company ones added for diversity.) All have their own wardrobes (again, mostly made by me with a few made by talented artisans for diversity.) I have no desire whatsoever to downsize…I adore each and every one, and they are all unique original characters that have great meaning for me personally.

I just need to stop because I’m completely out of decorative space, and lining them up on shelves just doesn’t appeal to me at all. I have display space carefully allocated for the remaining 3 that are currently on layaway (2 yosd and one oversized SD), but after that, anything larger than a teeny tiny realpuki just won’t fit without a crowbar! Now, I’ve already knocked my general perusal of the second-hand marketplace here on DoA down to once a week, but after reading this entire thread (yes, I really and truly did) I can see that it would be best to give up that little indulgence entirely. And I think joining others in the same boat here will also help me keep my resolve. Fingers crossed!

 

Fabric, did someone say fabric?

It's not like I bought half a yard of this and that and the other thing when I was high on a project hyperfocus. Nope. Not at all. That doesn't sound like me one bit xD. *shoves piles of notions under the bed as well* I want to finish The Thing but all my energy had been murdered by work and life and why does it suck so much sometimes?

I have time to, I've got a bit of my general energy-to-do-tasks back. But I can't switch over from "this is something I wanna do" to "this is something I'm doing". Most of my doll plans this next year are trying to revolve around making things or fleshing out the children I do have, as I know that'll help me avoid the itch to buy a new doll. I've been doing great so far, wanna keep it up!

What are some ways you lovely people motivate yourselves to get things done, instead of just thinking about getting things done?

 

I'm tempted by the project idea just to force myself to get things done. I'm great at starting projects but I usually lose interest, or my health just says no, somewhere around the middle and I just can't bring myself to pick it up again so instead I start on something new.
Maybe II can figure a good way to keep at it in the new year but I don't know how long the no new doll rule would hold.

 

I have some of those wire cubes and they are nice. Cats love them. Right now my fabric is in clear storage tubs with like types, cotton or flannel, and then themes like 'Halloween' or 'doll sized prints', and the solids are in a rainbow. Sewing accessories are in their own thing and my actual sewing box is one of those paper mache ones from the craft store covered with print outs of old sewing advertisements.

My latest project went rats up so I'm going to try the idea again but the weather has been to wet and cold to paint the fabric these last couple of days.

 

I really like the idea of putting up a good solid reason why I’m not buying dolls, in a place I see it all the time! Wish there was a way to put a note on your iPad screen like a pop up advertisement, lol.

I have a project I really want to start, so I’m going to make plans and a list so I have a place to start. One step at a time.

 

I can't help it, I'm still hanging around this thread ... I love what @MaleficentMrsofEvil has started here and it's great to see people supporting each other in their goals.

OK, I ended up writing a giant post... I hope none of this comes across as arrogant or high handed, because while I found methods that work for me, I'm still learning how to achieve goals and overcome lack of motivation. I quoted it so it's not such a wall of text, but tl;dr is...

(1) Get rid of distractions
(2) Have a dedicated work space
(3) Break the project into bite-sized chunks
(4) Chunk time with a timer
(5) Find accountability buddies
(6) Keep unfinished projects visible for motivation
(7) Be patient with yourself, celebrate small wins

I'm definitely not an expert but I hope this helps someone.

 

When I was saving for a doll, so I suppose it would work for saving for something else, I had a picture of what I wanted to buy with my money and cards. Couldn't spend a dime without looking at the picture and being reminded.

But going on a doll diet also helped curb spending in general and got me thinking hard what hobbies and interests I really wanted.

 

My plan for next year is a flat budget. No more than $600 on doll stuff for the entire year. That means if I spend it all in one go, sucks to suck. Selling doesn't increase the amount I have to spend. It's an added bonus.

 

Firstly, (and although this may sound silly it really works for me) I post in the yearly resolutions thread here on DoA. I make my doll plans for the year pretty defined, yet in basic categories. Like: I want to sew more outfits for my dolls, etc. And I refer back to my initial posting at least once a month, editing to list everything I’ve actually gotten done and to remind myself what I still want to accomplish. It works as a “to do list” for me.

And secondly, I simply won’t allow myself to start a new project until the one I’m currently working on is totally completed. This helps me get through that dreaded “hard slog stage”, where the initial inspiration starts to wane and it just all seems like hard work. Once I can make it through the difficult and monotonous middle, the excitement for completion keeps me racing through to the end. Having a new project looming in my mind that I’m eager to start on helps keep me focused on the one I’m currently doing, and helps keep me from putting down my current one in the middle (which means I might never come back to it.)

All I have to do is look around. I’m all out of viable display space for another artistic vignette. Just walking through my home offers me a daily visual of that fact.

I have actually done this over the years when I was starting a large project, and it actually helped me see it through to the end. It’s an excellent suggestion. Also I happen to host a monthly sewing project thread with themes. It was begun years ago by an intrepid DoA-er (who later moved on) but I kept it going because it was such a great help to me and others (which explains how each of my dolls has at least 3 complete outfits each.)

 

@aihre thank you so much for taking the time to put this here! I have learned some new tips for getting projects finished. I’ve been relying on inspiration as my motivation and it fizzles pretty fast. The scheduled time with a timer is what I’m going to do.

My main reason I’m not starting or finishing projects is that I work from home and make dollhouse miniatures, and technically I’m working on projects, many of them, all day! So when it comes to working on my own personal projects, I’m tired and burned out with crafting. Scheduling my own personal work time, even for 25 minutes each day will feel like break time and something to look forward to.

 

First off, thank you so much, both for the detailed wall of text as well as the tl:dr. I have autism, and it's similar enough to ADHD (which my partner has) that I definitely think you feel my pain. Or I feel yours or something along those lines lol. One of my big stumbling blocks, other than swinging between hyperfocuses, is executive dysfunction. It's murder when I'm sitting and doing nothing and just can't flip that switch from "I want to do the thing" to "I'm doing the thing". Making lists/to do doesn't seem to help with that at all, and just adds to the frustration.

I think, from what you've said, my priority should be getting a dedicated (and hence distraction free) workspace. I don't have one at the moment - I'm literally crafting off my bed. Which has a TV that is oh so more temping and easier to do lol. Maybe something that's even just a little folding table I can use with my desk chair would help. Hmmmm. I'll also try doing the chunking time with a timer. Maybe my brain will settle for "30 minutes of do the thing, then I can zone out in front of the TV" as enough to flip that switch.

Thank you for the lovely suggestions! This is the first year I've been around for the yearly resolution threads, I did add my own comment to it. I do have a separate project journal in the forum for this project I wanna get back to, which has a breakdown of the summary I put in the resolution thread. It was helping in the beginning, and I definitely liked being able to check off boxes as I got things done xD. It hasn't helped with getting back into things sadly. Maybe having the resolution thread in tandem will help with that.

Oh yeah, I'm at the slog part now. Which is rather surprising, cause I'm at the accessories/details bit...which I thought would be the fun part?? But now that he's not completely naked and he just needs embellishments it's not a mighty need to get crafting done. Hmmmmmm. My problem might be not knowing quite what to do with the accessories, so that inspiration isn't there any more. Maybe it's time to do some more digging for inspo/direction to figure out exactly where I wanna go from here. That might bring the spark back.

 

I want to do a doll no-buy because I want to save up money for a house! Every little bit helps, you know.

This might be a little hard for me. My project right now is destashing. Not sure if that's allowed.

 

The cliff's notes version is I grew up dirt poor with everything insecurities so when I started working I had to make sure my bills were taken care of first. I still make less than minimum wage but I'm without debt, I don't even like doll lay aways, and altho it might take a little longer than other people I still have doll savings.

You have to ask yourself sometimes why is it so important to have some thing you can't afford and if the answer has to do with keeping up with the Jonses, impressing someone, having a status symbol etc then you need to take a look inside.

I just wish I could tell younger me that even if you had a Cabbage Patch Kid those girls wouldn't have let you in to their club because they were ___ and your life wouldn't have been any different or better.

 

It's really the worst!! If I had any spare area to make a crafting area and keep my projects out I would. Oh, the joys of living in an apartment....

 

Thanks @MaleficentMrsofEvil @kurogane @Brytewolf - I'm glad my post gave you ideas of how to meet your own goals.

I rarely encounter executive dysfunction, but when I do, it tends to be totalizing: I'm completely out of action for the entire day, occasionally for a few days. When that happens, I try to cut myself complete slack. Because if I beat myself up with "c'mon c'mon DO SOME WORK you little shit arrrgh", I get even more blocked up and stressed. Since beating myself never works, I try to lean hard in the opposite way: relax, cut loose, give myself a guilt-free day off to do nothing/whatever, or if possible, do the smallest tasks on my to-do list that don't require much energy investment. It's really hard to relax into that guilt-free mindset (especially if that means not getting any significant work done at my job *grimaces*), but I try to see it this way: If I cut loose today and stop beating myself up, I'll be relaxed enough to focus tomorrow. It's not all carrot though, I have a small stick too: I can completely relax today, but I'll have to make a purposeful effort to work tomorrow. Usually this method works: the phase passes, I'm able to action on tasks better the next day.

I don't know what it's like to experience this daily and consistently though... Perhaps dedicated workspace and chunking time may help, alongside other methods? And I think the pomodoro timer will help a lot! Even if you do just one pomodoro and spend the rest of time watching TV... you've still spent 30 minutes on your project. Who knows, you/your brain might think: "Hey, that first pomodoro went well, let's go for a second pomodoro.." and now you're off and away again.

I second this 100%. I used to never finish projects, and over time figured out why. I'd get discouraged partway through and think, "What's the point of following through with this project when it looks like utter trash right now?", and just abandon the thing. But, when I finally decided to push through and finish the project, it stopped looking like trash and actually ... looked pretty good in the end. Maybe not awesome, but good enough. And the more projects I learned to finish, the more I realized: Everything looks like trash when I'm partway through it. Everything. Without exception. No matter how good it looked at the start. And that's all because anything that's half finished will always look ... half finished! It has nothing to do with the actual quality of work or my skill - so I can't let this unfinished work be the judge of the finished work or my ability as a creator. I have to push past the discouragement and trust that if I can get partway through, I can get all the way to the end.

It was very, very hard to finish things at first, my first pushes to finish a project took a long time and a lot of willpower. I also couldn't have done it without accountability friends who'd check in regularly and encourage me. In the end, getting those first "wins" were a massive confidence boost: I had a finished project I could now point at and say "look what I did", AND I proved to myself that I had the chops to do it. Over time, finishing became easier, faster and required less willpower. So it's worth pushing through the messy, trashy middle and get to the end. You learn a lot of skills, AND learn a lot about yourself too. Biggest thing I learned about myself: I was capable, I could finish projects and be pleased with the outcome. And I could do it again, and again. I think you'll experience the same thing.

Now I do the same thing as PoeticSoul - I generally work on a single project in one activity type. ie. One drawing, one webdesign coding project, one doll project. Having one of each project type means I get to do a variety of creative things, but because they're categorically different, they won't interfere with each other in my head or compete for the same kind of energy. Sometimes I can manage two per category at a time, but one is usually the primary focus and gets most of my attention, the other is a secondary focus which I can dabble in if I want something less intensive to do. Usually the secondary project turns into the primary project when the first one is done.

 

Today I bought some materials for a project I’ve been putting off for months and I’m getting excited. My next step is to start drawing out my ideas and assembling the rest of the supplies together. I’m going to do the 25 minutes per day so it’s an enjoyable break time with no pressure. If I feel like working more, that’s great, but I’m keeping the 25 minutes per day as a minimum so I don’t get lazy and not finish. Especially if it’s a boring repetitive task. Gotta have discipline!

 

I wish fooling my executive dysfunction was that easy. I have a lovely cocktail of things conspiring against my brain. If I only had one project even that wouldn't get done but I can get it down to like one big sewing project I know will take quite awhile and a little one I can finish quickly to give myself happy brain chemicals for completing it.

Almost bought a plushie doll yesterday because the attempts to make a version of that character weren't working out, but I didn't. I'm putting thought in to why I want that character and if there are other means I have at hand of making one.

 

Uhoh uhoh. I think I’m gonna have to bow out of the doll no buy too.

DOLK（ドルク）｜「刀剣乱舞ONLINE」三日月宗近 内番装束 - ドールフルセット

 

Thankfully, once I am capable of getting myself up and started, it's easier (slightly anyway) to keep the momentum going. I might waste a couple hours at work incapable of doing much, but I am able to eventually get myself started and get something done for the day. I'm grateful this is the case, because progress is required. At home though, when I don't have that push of "my boss won't like it if I don't get something done" it's even harder to get that first task out of the way. It's so frustrating when I spend an entire day just watching YouTube, and I feel so happy when I can get at least something done. Darn it brain, why does it work against itself?? xD I hope that tricking it into "it's only 30 minutes" will get that momentum started. I have all of next week off for vacation, I wanna get things done....

 

My supplies came today and I’m actually excited to start my project tomorrow! I’m hoping that starting out with scheduling and limited time will force me into action and then keep me on track to the finish line. Especially during the difficult stuff that usually ends a project for me.

On the subject of no buying, yesterday I found out a doll that I’ve desperately wanted (but the aftermarket prices are insane) is being re released next Spring. Ugh, I’m going for it, BUT I am still not buying any other doll, just this one. I took a picture of this doll and put it next to my chair and anytime I am tempted to buy something I look at the picture to remind myself of my goal. This is going to be my ultimate test as I’ve also included other collectibles.

 

Well, it doesn't look like I'll need to be buying any dolls in 2023 because I should have my grail body by the end of the year. Then it's just a matter of sculpting her a new face, wig, eyes and clothes.

 

I had two dolls arrive in two days but one was the one I ordered in April and one was a body I've been wanting for a year and a great deal (since she was perfect and in my country already so no shipping or customs fees). So I should be good for next year because there's dolls that I want but none that I want super desperately.

On the other hand I am absolutely buying more fabric tomorrow because reasons and I have bought both eyes and wigs this week. In my defence, they're really good wigs at stupidly good prices because they were rescued and the eyes were also pretty cheap so I won't mind if I destroy them making molds to make my own eyes.

 

@MaleficentMrsofEvil F-f-four??! Well, I wish you lots of luck in the new year. Is your flourite a sekiguchi or a resin AL one? They seem to be the perfect size for your dolls to have their own dolls

 

@MaleficentMrsofEvil The resin one has removable eyes and is strung (completely on topic here). It should be easy to tell with that information. Gentaro Araki is a very skilled sculptor! I love his work. It's great that they're manufactured on a larger scale so more people can own one. Resin Unoa Lights are tough to find too! Azone's Kikipop is a similar situation to Sekiguchi's Unoa Light.

 

I’ve been able keep from buying any bjds, so I will end this year on track (I’m so thankful nothing has been a temptation). In 2023 I have just one doll to buy (when the pre order is announced) and I’m saving money for it now. The danger comes once the doll is bought, so I have come up with a new plan to keep me on track. I’m thinking of saving up for a special outfit that is long sold out and hard to find, plus the aftermarket prices are high. It helps me to have a savings type goal and remind myself of why I’m not buying to meet said goal. Still hard though

 

I was looking at the marketplace and it was easy to pass on a lot of dolls because I didn't care for their looks but I have put thoughts in to a mini sized Unoa. TBH I have thought about a Unoa for a long time but, used isn't a problem, but I have a long list for it to tick off before I buy.

 

I’ve barely started my ‘savings so I can’t buy another bjd campaign’ and now I am questioning my decision- in less than a month! Nothing has me tempted (right now), it’s just the amount of money, and I’m wondering if I really need that doll. I recognize this as self sabotage and I won’t give up! I’m just now realizing how hard this is really going to be.

 

@kurogane I'm also saving my pennies for a possible 2023 release of a doll from a company I adore. I assume you're talking about one of a pair of DD. I've loved Rin for years and I was always thinking I would buy her if she went back down to her original price but when I saw the rerelease announcement I didn't feel excited at all. I'm 99% sure I don't need her now. She is beautiful but photos will be enough for me. I don't want to spend the money on her and each new 1/3 doll and their box take up a ton of space. I don't even want to imagine moving my current dolls in the next year.

 

@nyaaain yes, DD Len in my case. I’ve wanted him for so long, but I’m thinking it’s because it was more of a dream as the secondhand prices are so ridiculous, and getting him was impossible. But now, I’m also having the same thoughts as you about the cost, size, and doll box storage. My biggest vinyl dolls are 50cm and Len being 60cm does make him quite big, plus I won’t be using his default outfit, so more expense. Right now I’m just going to save and put off any decisions until the actual pre order. I need to learn self restraint when it comes to buying and this will be my learning period, and if I decide not to get him, I will have quite a bit of money saved!

 

I really want to join in, mainly because of financial reasons. Just applied for disability, so my income is extremely low while they process me.
Hoping to find some dolls second-hand, but even they are usually still too expensive for me

I think the 2 dolls that are still getting ready to be shipped out since before job loss will be the last ones for a good long while.

This thread is nice though, because it gives ideas for other things to try and focus on (although the amount of homemade clothes I crocheted is starting to get ridiculous )

 

I have found myself in a weird situation. I had THE LAST Dollzone Mirai fullset on layaway for a year at BJDivas, and I was so happy! She slipped through my fingers so many time! BUT UPS LOST MY DOLL! They straight up lost her! She was shipped in Nov. and the tracking never moved. BJDivas had to open a claim with them and refund my money. So now I have unexpected doll monies but I'm not sure what to do with it. I'm sitting tight and hoping MAYBE somehow, UPS finds the lost box and returns it to BJDivas, in which case I can buy Mirai again. But it's been two months and my hope is waning. At the same time, I don't want just another doll- I wanted MIRAI. Of course that hasn't stopped me from browsing dolls I like an seeing how far I can get the refund to stretch because part of my brain is saying "you can get two dolls to make up for the disappointment.

Anyway I just needed to rant to doll people who get this problem!

 

@Chehime that's heartbreaking!! I'm so sorry! Do your best to stay strong though because the 2 you could buy to replace it likely won't replace that doll and you'll end up getting the one you want later anyway. It's such a tempting feeling after that long of a wait for nothing.

 

Right before DZ discontinued Mirai and Yui I missed out on no less than 2 second hand Mirais, and I haven't seen one on the MP in a year+... I'll wait! I'll keep hoping for Mirai to show up in some form, but so far no luck.

 

I did something foolish and peeked at Harucasting's Instagram. He's doing a preorder, and I looked at the dolls on offer. Several of them were ones I liked, including a Big Geuru that could be a cute big sister to my current Geuru. Then I saw the body that came with Big Geuru, which reduced temptation. Young face on a mature body is not my aesthetic.

 

@saraquill, the Universe was testing you!

@Chehime, that is so frustrating. I had a weird experience with UPS in November. I used credit card points to buy a gift card, which they sent via 2nd Day Air, but the tracking remained stuck at the acceptance point for a week. I called the credit card company and they cancelled the gift card and sent a new one, which arrived via 2nd Day Air, in two days. I didn’t think anymore about it until December 24, when the original gift card arrived, lol! Granted, it was just a flat envelope, and not a doll-sized package, but… who knows, maybe your Mirai will make her way to you.