Looking for doll no-buy buddies

I'm debating stress buying some e-patterns for dolls. My new job is a chaotic mess, but I might have some spare cash for patterns. Thoughts?

 

If you regularly sew from patterns and have ideas for those I don't see why it would be a bad purchase. But you can always also just get them right before you start sewing from the said pattern to avoid buying something that you won't use.

 

Being they're e-patterns you can wait until you're ready to sew. Meanwhile put the money aside and look for ways you might already have to feel better. Is there a way you could alter patterns you might already have?

 

See that ship out yonder? That's my dolly ship of dreams.
Why is the ship on fire?
It's because I am not sure if "young master" will get to me. I don't want to know how I feel about this and how I feel about the doll because the only thing I can do is try backing out of the deal. So, I'm going to try not thinking about that situation.

And, I've looked at Luts list of discontinued dolls, which includes some dolls that I would have liked. I was hoping to see at least one of them second hand before now. And, "no buy" includes trying to prove FOMO influence with any pending buying decisions.

Spoiler: Decisions about using a Floating Head or buying a FOMO Head

Am I open to working my Luna Blanc Hestia or do I want a different doll?
(By the way: YES, I regret selling my Luna Blanc Kylie. I was not sure if Kyle was anything more than "sit there and look pretty", like with Mr. Destin. For some reason, I don't want too many of those in my collection, right now. I'm confused if I should buy her, again in the distant future. But, I am sure that "Blue Boy" has more character potential over Kylie.)

I am not sure if Hestia and the Luts doll are that different to own both, I mean the personalities I have for them.
The OTHER issue I have is that even though I bought Hestia (a large sized doll head) before "Uma" (a mini sized doll head), it took me roughly a season to realize that it's basically the same face. So, I still am back and forth about keeping Hestia. I'm at "oh a face up will change my point of view" of Hestia. It's hard to think of the two as the same person. Is it because they're not the same resin color? (That's fixable.) Or because one is an excited small girl and the other is just drunk a daydreamer? Yeah...um...my Hestia is a daydreamer. I have not figured out the cross over element that would make them the same person. Or maybe I don't need both? I don't know why I second guess with Hestia, "Do I want to work with this?". This might need it's own thread. But, where?

I do have some face ups and photographing decisions to keep me a little busy, so that I'm not thinking about FOMO choices all day long.

 

Here's an interesting way I managed some money- I was tempted to buy a $$$ craft kit because the image is a 19th century painting I like, I have it on a jewelry box and as a puzzle. I also came to the realization I was not only bored but I was looking for a creative project I could actually finish as a recently started one and I had a major disagreement. I ended up getting a much less expensive craft kit with an image I like, it's coming along nicely, and it's giving me the peaceful crafting state of mind I was looking for.

Figuring out the root of the desire and being active yet practical in solving it helps a lot.

 

I was shopping around about a week and a half ago due to being frustrated. There's no caring about being more in debt than I am now. As long as I get something for my effort, right? Which is advice that no one should follow is. Random Win Fails from a week and a half ago.

Wednesday Wins:
* Huh? I lost money trying to get Jia a new home. But, now I can afford a new body for "Uma". The irony is, I almost purchased the body in the morning, then the offer came in. ALSO, it's been over two months since I saw it and did not buy it. The only bad news is that the color that might have matched "Uma" sold out two months ago. So, when I buy this doll body, it'll probably be wall white.
* I've decided to give the whole Hestia and "Uma" as the same person a chance.
Wednesday Fails:
* Still haven't re-homed certain dolls.
* Accidently looked at one of the GOOD photos I took of Maria, recently. (She better not make me change my mind.) Took Maria out of the box for some spooky pictures, before Halloween. It did not go as planned. There was too much traveling to get things. Once I remembered that I forgot my light, I said "forget it" and snapped photos anyway. All of my subjects looked sad, but maybe that's because Maria was the only doll that could keep her head on. I'm happy that I did that "pain the butt" photoshoot. My back hurts from trying to shoot within 12 inches of the ground, the lighting sucked, the doll heads waiting to roll around the floor. The shoot felt like everything as how I view my collection currently.
* Wanting to buy more, despite doll drama.
* Doll company discontinuing a whole bunch of dolls and I've wanted some of them. (This is bad for me. Especially with the one, I keep flip-flopping on.)
* Flip flopping on certain dolls I have.
* I miss Kylie.

Spoiler: Excess Win-Fail talk about flipflopping

I'm trying to tell myself that my brain flip-flopping on on certain dolls, is not a bad thing.
Example: With a couple of dolls "I don't want that doll head on this body anymore".
Things don't feel right, have not been feeling right for days. In general, not just the dolls. (Maybe that's why I'm accepting of Maria this week?)
And, speaking of flopping, one of my bjds is currently flopping all over. I hope to figure out HOW TO adjust it as a winter project.
I just started prepping some dolls for face-ups. This time, I am taking a bigger risk. The face-ups have been drying down hard and proving difficult to remove with alcohol. And, I don't want to green another face. So, I'm going to do ONE base layer, pastels, then continue application, instead of 2-3 base layers.

This week, I had a crafting fail and I tried to continue face-ups. I still apply everything inconsistently. I needed to try testing pastels before attempting to paint a rabbit. Rabbit? Yeah, I want to paint a rabbit many colors...too many colors. My post probably doesn't make much sense. But, I agree, I will attempt to craft to avoid thinking about certain things. Cute tiny faces and cute rabbit.

 

Can you try your face ups on paper before trying them on a doll?

 

I've.......never tried that before. Good idea! I get sooo nervous when it comes to removing face-ups.

 

Take this as a sign to use the internet for all its glory as a (re)search tool before you commit to an important or costly purchase.

I've been looking for something I had many years ago, turns out I've been combining memories of two different ones made by the same company but several years apart. Had I not done my research and had a bit of search luck in remembering a key difference I might have been out some money as I would have ended up with something different then what I was really looking for.

 

Celebrating 6 months without purchasing a doll with....... purchasing a doll I really tried to stretch it into 2026 without bringing in another, but the idea of one more 1/3 had crystallised itself so clearly already, and I had been looking so it's also not really a rash decision. I spent lots of time weighing my options, fighting fleeting temptations and making mockups, and am happy with what I've chosen to buy (that is a lot more deliberation than I've made for many of my dolls haha). It also helped me to come to a decision of which doll I'd still like to part with, as I had been feeling like I have too many minis still, and I'd like to keep doing 1-in-1-out because I'm happy with the number of dolls I have.

But yeah, big no-buy fail this week from me, not gonna deny that! I thought I might feel more disappointed about failing my goal like this, but thanks to spending lots of time choosing, I'm pretty at peace with it. Now just hoping for EMS will be swift with the delivery! Maybe next year is my no-buy year

 

No buy news: I put my girlfriend’s engagement ring on layaway this week. I absolutely have to have a full doll sized installment payment in my bank account on the 13th of every month for the next three months. Her ring is custom designed by me and a local jeweller, based on things she idly told me before she knew I was looking for one. I knew it was going to be expensive, but it did slightly exceed even what I’d planned on spending.

I haven’t had the urge to buy a doll since I put that transaction through. I spent a lot of money this pay period finishing my tattoo, and getting pierced in a few new places, but I’m actively not looking for more dolls. I’ve still looked at clothes, but not checked out with anything. I keep telling myself, the ring is only the start—I’ve got to afford a wedding soon, for one thing. And Christmas is coming up, and I’m only part way through buying Christmas presents.

But it’s somehow gotten easier to resist new dolls. We don’t have unlimited space in this house. I already have more dolls than easily fit.

 

Mother SD gave me a no-buy win. I lost the one-off RG Williams lottery. Maybe next time! I'm at 647 days since I bought Volta, my latest doll, so I'm doing pretty good.

 

I had a brain itch telling me to consider shelling Hinako from Silent Hill f. One casual doll search later, I didn't find any face molds resembling Hinako, and the itch was gone.

 

I always try to give any characters that might want to become a doll a good month to see if it's just a phase. Looking back over the years, and especially if my main size wasn't 1/6, I'd have nothing but dolls and I'd probably be quite unhappy with many of them.

It would be nice in a way if it was easier for BJDs to swap heads. I was able to satisfy the want to have a doll of quite a few characters because I found a 1/6 body style and was able to buy or make just a head, and there were times I saw a head I liked and bought that for $ as opposed to $$$ for the whole doll.

 

In my first year or so of BJD collecting, I wanted to shell 5 characters from a manga I liked and still like. At the time, Soul Doll had molds resembling them. As cool as it would have been, I'm also glad I didn't take the plunge.

 

I also used to want to shell characters from series I liked, but I would have gotten rid of all of them. I don't care about any of them very much now and I found there's no characters more important to me than the ones that came from myself.

 

Not every interesting doll concept needs to be shelled. I'm currently in that "wait and see" phase for two dolls that I've already decided not to buy, but they keep coming back to mind. One doll has been growing in significance, but I get the sense it's just a fun idea and I don't actually want to pursue it for the long-term, so I'm deliberately sidelining it. The other doll has been lurking in my imagination for close to a year already and I think it's a serious interest that will endure. But that character isn't that essential for my crew and the story I'm telling with them, which means No-buy - at least for now. I've no-buyed it for so long anyway, I can keep at it.

Good work to all who are sticking with doll no-buy, and making thoughtful buying and crafting decisions!

.

A (late) Wednesday check-in...
I've bought the body for my last floating head. My wallet isn't thanking me this month, but I felt I needed to get it sooner rather than later. Unfinished dolls tend to weigh on my mind, but usually it's bearable and I'm happy to take my time to paint their faceup, sort out their clothes, develop a clearer idea of their character concept. But this floating head has been weighing especially hard -- and this time, I feel this unfinished doll project as a negative kind of burden, and if I don't get the body soon the head will be in danger of floating indefinitely. I also want to complete my projects, so I've fast-tracked buying this body, even though I don't have a strong idea of the character yet. Hopefully this hybrid will work out and my major resin expenses will be behind me.

I've said 'Enough dolls' so many times in this thread so I don't know if this time is anything different But maybe it is? New doll projects are starting to move from a positive experience to a negative one. It started with Finch (the doll who got that Volks SD17 body), and I'm now feeling it again with Ruach (the current floating head) -- completing them feels tiresome now, not as enjoyable as it used to be. This has happened before in my non-BJD creative hobbies: I work on projects non-stop, but eventually hit a turning point where the creative work becomes more wearisome than uplifting. Then I begin to resent and even hate it for causing me stress and burden, and I hate how I'm hating my own creative work. It's just a bad stuck pattern. The solution is to step away from the project and do something completely different for a while.

I've been buying and completing dolls without pause for 3 years -- quite literally, when one doll is complete I usually have the next doll on order/in the works. Seems like it's finally caught up with me. I think 3 years is a very good run of project completion, and since I never want to feel resentment towards my dolls, it's time to really enforce no-buy now. I'll have to get accustomed to not having a new project constantly on my plate - it's so easy to fall into the habit of "I've completed a doll; OK what's next?" My cast of doll characters is complete anyway, I want to focus more on doing things with them, telling the story.

 

Congrats on the no buy wins @cobaltconduct , @nyaaain , and @saraquill .

Also, I am surprised that there there may not be a doll that would make an okay Hinako from Silent Hill f. But, I would not be surprised if someone might be inspired to make a doll inspired by a couple of the enemies in that game.

I wish I did not have a problem with limited dolls. I'm still working on that. I'm happy I'm working on that. I wish to be as calm as you, in the future.

Congrats on getting so far. 3 years is a lot of "full steam ahead" time. I am sure you have have a few stories waiting for the dolls that you have completed. I hope that we'll get to see what you do next with them.


No buy wins:
* Waiting to buy wigs, eyes, etc. for now
* Not buying OT-doll that I really want.
* I will try to resist new on topic dolls, too.
No buy fails:
* Deciding I wanted to keep something, then found out it got bought, so I shipped it. But, it was a shipping fail.
* Attempting to cancel a order that was never going to ship.

Yeah, ...I believe the one dealer's solution to "We can not ship doll from country X" was to send me a message of "Catch" and shoot it out of a canon. Will it also be on fire or will it have a parachute? I'm in disbelief that they took that risk, instead of finding a safer path to ANY home. I was ready to "take my lumps" for entertaining such a purchase, but is THIS really the climate? Do I just REFUSE to retrieve the doll?? Let it drown?
I already "let him go". I don't know if he's part of the doll family, in my mind anymore. But, maybe I shouldn't be thinking about that?? (I feel too many negative feelings about this shipment, for now. Can "doll no buy" and others distract me for a while?)

 

I never said I was calm about it, lol! As I might have said before I had no money growing up and what little I did get I spent quickly. All my financial management has been self taught. I also come from a long line of hoarders and have worked hard to try and keep a lot of that under control. Dolls have always been a part of my spending one way or another and now it's the surprise ball food (which has specific childhood holes to try and fill).

Part of my doll journey included making heads for characters I wanted to have because I couldn't find any sculpts that resembled them and it was fun to learn. I have the literal space for more dolls, I just don't have the display and enjoy space right now, and understanding that has been a big help with the clutter. While there's a peace of mind in knowing I have a particular doll I'd like it more if I was able to look at them more often.

 

My no-buy fail arrived - boy was I glad I had not yet sold some stuff that didn't fit Dott because they fit perfectly and I can now at least no-buy accessories*. Similarly to what @aihre said about the fatigue of new projects coming in, and all it takes to set them up - doing the motions all over again several times hits a slump at some point. And regardless of having said this every other month , I really feel it physically now, how I don't want to bring more dolls in. I was already at "oh no why did I do this" when I got the package but I guess it'll pass soon.

*I do not endorse getting a doll just so it can use spare wigs/eyes/clothes


The thing I've been enjoying the most with dolls in the past week, has been keeping a sewing journal. Sewing for 1/3 size especially has helped lots with motivation, because there's more options I can use from my fabric stash - and therefore I'm also less tempted to buy more sewing supplies. I also got some zipper stoppers so I can just recycle all my human-size longer zips into doll clothing and don't need to hunt for small closures constantly. I have a glimmer of hope that non-consumerist-ish fun in this hobby is possible after all I'm also very grateful for everyone who keeps project journals or doll blogs because it's much more fun for me to look at those rather than sales listings.

Lastly, some doll tax to keep you all out of no-buy fails:

Spoiler

A Volks f-22/Kun has joined the gang!

 

It is fun to be able to use elements from human clothes on big dolls. The twins have a shirt with a fancy lace up front and the Obitsu has cargo pants with real pockets because I took my time figuring out how to make the patterns incorporate the elements I wanted. A favorite pair of sweat pants with a design element on the legs became pants and a hoodie for a doll. Where the fronts of worn out shirts become a quilt the rest can become doll clothes.

If you really want to get frugal with fabric look up Seminole patchwork and Roman stripes.

 

This sounds very awesome! Congratulations. The ring sounds well worth putting a pause on buying dolls!

This is a great idea. A lot can change on how a story might go in that month as other concepts and ideas come onto play as the story is being written. A character that seemed impulsively important might even be able to have that part transferred to a pre existing character to push the story forward.

I tell myself this. But eventually I would like to have dolls for all important characters that have been mentioned in the past. The good thing is. I don't have to be in a rush to get any of them!

...guilty.

That being said, congratulations on your new doll! I love the picture the two dolls look adorable together!

I've actually been thinking of doing some patchwork material lately. I think a dress would be very pretty done that way. I saw someone recently make a coat for a doll using patch work. I think a trench coat could be very interesting.

_____

I probably wont get a doll in December because I have to buy presents for the family! It's one way to keep myself from getting a doll. One the other hand, despite the wonderful advice above I am considering filling two my character roles next year. I am going to be frugal though and search the second hand market for dolls. I am going to try to avoid spending a lot of money next year on dolls and look for dolls that can work as the characters without costing a small fortune.

 

For patchwork clothing you'll definitely want a sewing machine. I can see sewing together enough patches to make the pieces of fabric to cut the pattern pieces from. Modern strip quilting works by sewing same size strips together then cutting those in to rows of squares, all I can say is look up tutorials. Or you get or make cheater fabric that already has patches printed on to it.

When I realized I had similar stock characters/archetypes in many of my characters who wanted to become dolls it became easier to think of the dolls as somewhat typecast actors. FFS play in to BJDs being able to change wigs and clothes. The twins have a bin of clothes and at least half a dozen wigs between them, and that's much easier to store than all those separate 70cm dolls I could have.

 

I don't recommend this for a few reasons. One is that it's tough to scale down to BJD sizes and still have it look good. You may be able to manage a rain pattern ok, but anything more complex than that might leave you with more seam allowances than visible pattern. Add rickrack to the design, and getting the right scale and proper hang gets even more dodgy.

Second, you run the risk of going through a lot and a lot of thread. Going for complicated patterns and/or finishing the raw patchwork edges will eat up plenty of thread.

Lastly, Seminole patchwork is one of those heritage specific styles that people outside the culture need to tread very carefully about emulating.

 

Received doll that I thought I would never get. Now, I'm going through the spectrum of feelings about it. Including feeling that it's way more beautiful in person. I don't even know where I will go with this "no buy fail".

Spoiler: The beauty...I'm not worthy

Maybe, I will ask the appropriate forum for a little style advice, for the young master. I still do not have a name.

Please don't buy random dolls because they might be beautiful! Because there's too many of those and you should not buy any dolls. NONE!

I scratched both of the green eyes (not sure if that is visible in photographs), so I guess he owns them now. His leg string is too long and needs adjustment (can't even sit).

All of the talk of patchwork...too much sewing for me. In fact, maybe I should try to learn sewing this winter.

 

Alright, my last floating head has been bodied, though he's not completed yet, and I'm waiting for two resin pet BJDs (one on preorder, one already at a proxy). I have 10 human dolls now and they're all on display. When I look at them, I feel very contented with the 9 settled ones and don't want to downsize, and I expect the 10th one to also settle in time. But I also feel as if I'm standing on the brink of overwhelm, and right now, the thought of maybe getting another human doll makes me feel like running away in full-blown panic. Seems like I've finally found my limit on BJDs. So - I'm done. No more dolls. It's serious game-on for Vega's resin No-buy.

I think the biggest challenge is not caving for a new doll because I'm looking for a project to complete. I've been buying and completing new dolls for the last 3 years, and I've gotten comfortable enough with the cycle that I'm confident I can complete dolls and it gives me a sense of fulfillment. Now I want to do more photoshoot and crafting projects with my own dolls. I think it'd be good for me to learn a new project cycle and how to gain fulfillment from that, so I don't get an itch to buy a new doll because I want the project completion high. That's the umbrella goal for my 2026 BJD plans.

I still have a second tall 1/4 at the back of my mind, and I'm open to getting one someday. But I've said No to it for a year already, I can keep on doing so, and I really don't want to look at another new doll for a long while. The head I want is only available secondhand anyway, the search is a disincentive to even start, so I won't start.

 

I think I'll have to resume my time in this thread, cause as much as I want to clear the wishlist and get the seventh and final doll before customs tighten and costs increase as I fear, I need to dress up my current crew.
Mina's new wig is okay but not exactly what I want for her. Leona needs a new one cause hers has shed badly in way too little time and needs replacing. I'll probably change the twins' wigs as well into something in the same style but better quality, but it's not a priority.
Outfits... The twins need more stuff and accessories because they're way too basic and I'm not happy with their current state, and I want a whole new wardrobe for Leona.
Candell is fine, I've treated her to a new wig, tons of new hands and a great outfit this year. Mina is utterly spoiled in every way so she'll survive (I'll probably get her something anyway).
There's also the new doll on the way, Esmet, and she'll need clothes. Good news is I might already have a wig for her, and she'll be barefoot so no worries as far as shoes go
I've also got an eyes order from Kanis that is long overdue. Esmet will surely need eyes (I'm going for a pale grey) and I want to replace Candell's to get rid of the follow-me effect which I don't like very much.
So before committing to the last doll I'll definitely make a couple big orders for clothes and wigs first.

 

I managed to keep to my 1-in-1 out rule with the new addition by selling one mini like I still wanted to. The collection is still at 6, which is a great number for me. I was of course immediately sad for selling off my Myu and wanted to buy the same mold back right away, but I have now made peace with my decision. I can't have my cake (too many dolls) and eat it too (make stuff for them all without getting overwhelmed about it). It's also not good to judge what I want when the doll is not in my hands, because while it was, I was obviously interested in passing them on for several months already With time, temptations settle again, what a shocker.

I think this time I'll be going into the new year with feeling very settled about my crew. I've tried out the types I've been interested in, so I'm not super curious to try out new (to me) dolls because they're not going to offer much new to me. When I still just had a couple of bjds, I was far more interested in making stuff than buying, so I've been pulling myself back to it, too... unfortunately shopping tends to build momentum very easily when you give into it! Thankfully (I mean... it's a question of perspective) importing small stuff from Chinese shopping platforms to EU will get a bit more expensive next year, so buying small accessories might also just become less tempting overall. Maybe I'll allow myself some shoes or extra hands but even this is not so interesting at the moment, surprisingly enough. Let's see how far I get in the next few months

 

It’s quite difficult to make it through this last month of the year without feeling the temptation of buying a new doll (those companies are absolutely ruthless with their sales this time of year!) But I’ve been holding firm, and I’m proud of myself for that. More and more I’m convinced my crew is complete (yes, poor little me with only 60 dolls!) It took me 20 years to get to this point, but I’ve really settled in with my “no buy” status finally after all these years. So while I still feel the occasional temptation for fascinating new sculpts, I’m able to resist. In 2025 I only bought a single head (a great 2nd-hand buy at a fabulous price for a doll I’d always wanted.) And I was able to repurpose a body I already had by decommissioning another character I was ready to let go of, so it didn’t add to my numbers. I considered this a big win for the year.

I’ve stuck to my “no buy” goals by focusing my attentions on refining my rather large crew: sewing and designing new outfits, reworking their displays to be even better and more cohesive, keeping up with faceups, and refining their looks with the occasional wig upgrade. I bought a pair of wonderful fox ears 2nd-hand at a bargain basement price, and this led to an entire enhancement redo of one of my main characters. All these things sparked creativity and joy, which was wonderful. Staying so busy kept me from wanting to buy expensive dolls…and instead encouraged the occasional fun retail therapy shopping for fascinating fabrics, trims, and supplies (so, so, so very much cheaper…oh yes!)

So going into 2026 my number one priority is still “no buy”…only now I’m far more confident than I’ve ever been before.

 

I think some of my buying, especially in the past, came from just having the freedom of choice to decide if I did or didn't want to spend. There were even times when I'd buy something because then someone else couldn't ask for the money. It took me a little while to get under control when I finally got a regular income but I got there. Sometimes you can get by if you remind yourself I could buy that doll any time I want but do I really want the doll or do I want the power of knowing I could buy it?

 

My no buy win last week was "to not buy a random large lady doll body". A 66cm for one of my ladies second hand for less than half then what the seller paid, still new, no mention of COA and only description were the measurements. I think there was a picture of the CoA, but none of the pictures had the doll standing or posed. (Someone else bought it, of course.)
Things that you see because you follow a random seller.

The 2025 fails.... More buying activity than I'd like. That's including wigs, eyes, etc.
So, instead of admitting to them all, I DID get to sell two floating heads and roughly one mini doll.

I am trying to stay out of trouble after obtaining my last doll of the year. I feel in a rush to work on the large dolls, instead of the minis and tinies. (I feel like I miss all of my dolls, even the ones that have been in sight. There's only 3 dolls that I don't miss, at all.)
I want "blue boy" to be finished already, too. But, I need to stay out of trouble. I should probably write something for him. I've been obsessed with a couple of looks and stylings that I wish for him.

Spoiler: talking too much

I want to go "full steam ahead" with achieving one of the looks. The image feels like it's overwhelming my other senses. (I bought a wig for my mini dolls and instead of my brain deciding "who gets it", I keep thinking about styling "Blue Boy". That's why I hate having no art / crafting skills.) But restricting myself from doing it, I think it just gave me the winter blues. I feel lonely. I don't feel any excitement towards getting any of my other dolls finished. I want to figure out the navy hair, how to convey that he's blind in one eye, the time period of how he's dressed, and the personality of the young lady he visits. Their height difference and what kind of books do they read. Who eventually confronts them?

Hmm.... I guess there is at least ONE re-occurring theme across all of the characters that I've made for him. (Even one of the cosplays I want him to do.) I am unsure if it's too soon.... No, not too soon to ask about styling. I need to ask if a 70cm doll body is better than 75cm, anyway.
Also, the new body for Uma is better, but far from perfect. I'm unsure if it's worth the effort of improving it. It might make more sense to deal with it, then pass it on.

Spoiler: Nitpicks Complaints

The nitpicks are that it's not the right color, it poses as rough as Styrofoam (so there's no need for double joints), I have to knock on the resin to get her back to standing, her breasts are too large for the character (this version had a single torso vs the v1 version), she squeaks like Styrofoam while posing (needs sanding), and she's still too tall (I wanted a body that was 33cm - 36.X cm at most, but the body stands over 37cm. This doesn't put her at 45cm, but I still wish that she was shorter.) The amount of time / effort for changes might not be worth it. Like costs of getting a second torso FOR modding, etc. I don't trust myself with any crafting and it doesn't change the doll's height or resin color.

Don't worry. The original body I bought I will still use with another head. And, for those two minis, the wigs I just bought are not right. I don't even know who gets which wig. One is too big and needs serious editing. The other wig fits, but the style fits one and the color is better for the other doll. I guess one will inherit both?

I'm still nervous about painting and sewing together outfits for everyone. Maybe mod some legs, next year?


@aihre Congrats on the doll body!
@lutke Congrats on the new doll. I also hope that the wig situation will work out soon.

* Applause * Great job. I am sorry that you miss Myu, but good to weigh if passing her on is a good thing. But, that's great you kept to the one in one out rule, too.

 

I just had a “no-buy” doll win this morning. I was window shopping on Etsy, just innocently perusing their large bank of suggestions for me, prior to checking on my shipping statuses for my recently carefully planned purchases…and I came upon a gorgeous piece of hand dyed silk velvet and thought wow, so gorgeous! I could just see it on one of my larger girls. And then I had a sudden epiphany…I’m no longer making endless layaway payments for expensive dolls…I could actually buy it on the spot! So I did. What an amazing feeling after so many years!

I just wanted to remind everyone there IS hope!

 

oooh that sounds like a great find!

 

Yes! That's a great find.

My no-buy win was not taking more than an hour to mill over buying a certain head. I realize that I was over that limited pre-order and let it go. (Or maybe I liked the original Shu over the smiley version and serious version? Or maybe my feelings about some similar other sculpt was stronger than for that particular face??)

Spoiler: Non-sense that isn't a no-buy win or fail

Looking at a limited large doll gal head for a while.
I am clueless.

One of my mini doll heads, I want to put up for sale. But, EVERYTHING I see ... I might be doing the "I think I want that doll" and every doll has roughly the same face?
(My brain needs something to reset on. But, I think it's choosing this because I've been refusing to go "full steam ahead" to finish a different doll.)
OTdoll with a certain face expression, a large doll head [that I do own] that "doesn't" have that face, ANOTHER large doll face which does mostly have that face and I want to buy.

The mini doll head that I've wanted to sale, not sure what to do with it, she has this "I'm staring into your soul" look. And, of course due to my bad tastes in dolls, I never really found owner pictures (so I can see her with different face ups). I wanted that sculpt more for the body (which didn't work out for Uma).
(Speaking of which, I'm flip-flopping on Uma, too. So, it could be time to rotate her out of display and place her back in her box.)

The large doll head that I wish I could buy is roughly the same as a mini I missed out on buying last year. And, I think the other large doll head I have from another artist is different....

And, it just hit me, tonight, after days of agonizing. This limited large gal head is same face and opposite with "Little Guy"!
Same mouth expression, but her mouth is closed. He's model-esque, but she's a tad gloomy. He's a bit romantic, but she's slightly more doe eyed.
("Little Guy" DOES have what I consider a sister sculpt by his artist; I don't own it, yet.) What does anyone do with wanting "same face"? Or is it NOT "same face"?? Or maybe this is the first time I've subconsciously choose "same face"?
I've regretted missing out on the mini sculpt, but flip-flopping on another large doll limited head could mean something?

Then, I'm also like, "instead of buying that doll head, you could buy some glamourous ram horn attachments for one of your other doll heads" because I think this doll over here would look soooo good with horns ...and all for the same-.
At least I did NOT buy anything!

TLDR: So... does anyone have any "same face" no-buy stories? Or cautionary tales?

 

I almost went with a smiling vampire sculpt for Xavier but 18 years later a more neutral expression has been beneficial to his photography career so the viewer can put their own emotions in to him. And he can go out in the daylight, lol.

The only real smiling happy sculpt I chose is a 12cm tiny who's meant to be a bit over a year old so it works for him.

 

So, I've survived 2025 with no new doll (Only a cheap body for practice head if I would count)

I'll keep my 2026 resolution to 'No New Doll' if possible

Happy New Year Everyone & Good luck with your No-Buy goal this year

 

Struggling with thoughts of I don't have a Unoa boy, wanting to make a (now memorial) Perry Bamonte doll, and soon counting it as a birthday doll. I have an off topic 1/6 Harry Potter I had bought years ago because the head sculpt was Perry enough and there's nothing stopping me from making him but myself.

I was able to come to terms again with my poor old battered Obitssu 60, putting his arm back together was a huge step in that process, Xavier is a bit possessive in wanting to be my only sizable MSD boy, and I have a sweet slender 40cm guy to fit that niche. Also got to remember that Unoas can change face plates which is much cheaper and takes up less space than a whole doll.

So let's try to urge my brain towards a birthday project doll so not only do I get a doll but I also get the joys of working on and finishing a project.

 

I have a question for you "No Buy Buddies"...

Do you ever have just that one doll, that you keep looking at and almost purchase? For some reason every time you go to add that doll to your cart, and you really like the doll, you just can't do it? Then because you still want a doll, you search high and low looking at other dolls, and then do not add that doll to your cart? Then you find a different doll, and get that one instead?

I've had this love hate relationship with a doll for maybe 5 years. It could be a little longer. I don't know why, I just won't add it to my cart. I even make plans to buy the doll. "Next month I will definitely get him!" Then the month rolls around and I get a different doll, or no dolls at all. I resign myself to never get the doll, then once a year I go back to thinking I will get him, but I don't.

 

Yes! For me it has been Resinsoul Song ever since I joined the hobby in like 2012.. Ive always thought oh he is so "cheap" I can wait and then get other dolls instead. I wonder when his time to shine will come

 

Do you have other dolls that resemble the face sculpt or are very similar? Other dolls that are more "it" as opposed to the focus doll? There's been a few dolls in my life I wondered what it would be like to own, hello half spider, but never went beyond looking up the price and then stopping.

Maybe the universe has plans to unite the two of you. I spent years sort of wanting a centaur, eventually I traded for a centaur. When I first started the hobby a big Volks doll, even a vinyl one, was one of the be all end all brands, rescued one from a junk store. Kind of always wanted a Unoa and one was put in my path.

 

My situation with this is just like DollyKim’s. I once had a Luts Kid Delf Aru, and I absolutely loved her face but the size didn’t work out for her character, so I sold her on. I missed that sweet face however, so when Luts finally released it in SD, I thought great…now I can buy her in the new larger size. But something else always came up, and slowly the years ticked by. Then I finally felt my collection was complete, and that was that. But just as a brand new character she’d be perfect for began niggling at my brain, her SD head suddenly appeared at a greatly reduced price in the second-hand marketplace here on DoA. It was perfect since I already had a body for her that would work, so technically it didn’t increase my numbers.

Timing is everything they say, and I can’t help but think that if it’s truly meant to be, the dolly fates always find a way.

 

@RabbidBunnies what you describe about the doll you keep going back to and never buy is very typical behavior for me, so I relate. I think when it's like that I just don't actually want them. I think of them again when there is nothing more compelling to think about or I'm in a weird melancholy what-if mode. It's ok to have the dolls we find kind of charming but are just never going to own.

Not sure I'll stick around replying much in this thread (though I like to read what you are all posting on the regular) - just kind of stopping by today.

I am officially done buying bjds for the rest of my life. (Please read with humor)

I've spent 15 years and I've won at the hobby. I have cool dolls that I love to look at and have come to terms with most of my regretful sell offs with only a few more regretful sell offs I will probably attempt to minimize just a bit more.

I already said I was hoping not to buy any new dolls in 2026 and bought one January first. but I mean it's fine. I wanted to get in a doll I really was excited about for 2025 and she was the one that was correct for me.

I'm on a self imposed everything hobby related no-buy until February. My only allowances are that I have already planned a Walmart run for sewing thread because it's time to replenish a few, and if I can find the right size and color and price eyes for the new girl I'll get those.

Anyway I'm fine at not pouring money into this hobby I was just in a more active buying phase recently because honestly, dealing with some big life feelings and needing to do a few things just for myself again. Just have to transition back out of my desire to make everything perfect back to gratitude and I'll be set.

 

Happy new year to all no-buyers!

I was so efficient with my 2026 no-buy goals that I failed them already in the 2025 Somewhere around christmas I found the sculpt I had been looking for for so long - perhaps I could even name it grail-ish - I had always either lost the auction, been too slow, it had been the wrong price or on the wrong body, so I'd already given up, but I managed to snag it and it'll hopefully clear customs any day now. I'm sour at myself for simply not waiting and buying something else quite shortly before but it is what it is now, and I'll have to deal with the aftermath however it seems the best way to. Learn from me, if you haven't learned from various instances already - just wait for the doll you want, it'll come, I believe it now


I recognise your dilemma in myself as well @RabbidBunnies - I've also had doll listings bookmarked for so so long, and some accessories in my cart for a year+ that I keep looking at often, and always buying other things instead of. In a few instances, I've somehow given in and bought the doll or item in the end, and I've never, not a single time, been very happy with them in person. I think @AlisonVonderland said it perfectly well above, we go back to those in some kind of a what-if or even boredom mode, but if it's been sitting in this limbo for so long, we don't truly want them. After 5 years it might just as well be more about ending the long spiel than the doll itself, so maybe it's ok to let it go and go for dolls you know you want instead?

 

@cobaltconduct aw, I hope you enjoy this new doll as I hope I enjoy mine. We can meet our no buy goals from here. I have already forgiven myself for also buying something right before that maybe was a worthy gamble but was ultimately not for me. Hope you can too! I've decided I'm just going to do myself the favor of not stressing nor forcing things with dolls I'm not organically excited about.

 

You're very right that it's not worth stressing - trial and error might, in fact, end with error sometimes and that's fine Happy new dolls to us!

 

@RabbidBunnies I do have that kind of issue too!

In my case it's usually due to the size, since I gave doll rules to myself and 1st of all it is 'I only collect 1/4 scale'

Yes, I keep falling for 1/3 and 1/6... from time to time, but so far so good, my resin collection still have only 1/4(Except small pet doll etc which I count as props), and I wish I can continue to keep it that way.

 

Hey y’all! It’s been a while since I’ve posted. I’m still on no-buy through to the end of February for sure while I pay off my girlfriend’s engagement ring (which, ouch, but at least it ends when my other 2 layaways end, so I’ll be going into March with no layaways at all, if I don’t have any more indiscretions!)

Trying to disrupt myself from window shopping by planning faceups when I’m bored at work! What are everyone else’s favourite ways to not end up window-shopping for yet more dolls?

 

@RabbidBunnies I'm in the same boat as @AlisonVonderland : if I keep looking at the doll, but don't commit to buying it, there's something about it that I don't like which isn't enough to outweigh how many other things I like about it.
Some examples for me have been that I don't like how part of the body was sculpted, I loved the head but not the body it came with, I didn't want another doll in that size, and I had other doll ideas that I prioritised.

@Chameleon I feel you on trying not to window-shop. There's less temptation to buy a doll if you're not looking at dolls!
I like to try and limit my browsing time in general when I don't want doll temptation, so I'll try to avoid social media. I try to keep my hands busy by sewing for my existing dolls, or doing other activities. I'm also trying to limit my screen time by getting through my backlog of books to read and movies/TV shows to watch.
To try and motivate myself to keep with my crafting, I put the doll I'm crafting for front and centre on the doll table so they can stare as if to say, "Look how ill-fitting my outfit is. If you put down your phone and stopped looking at other dolls I'd be dressed by now!"
I find it irritating to look at an unfinished project, so putting projects that are manageable to work on where I can see them motivates me (projects that aren't currently possible get stored away, e.g. if I'm sewing, I don't have any room on the crafting desk to do faceups). This approach obviously won't work for everybody.
If I find myself looking at new dolls, I stop and remind myself of my recent cases of buyer's remorse and ask myself some questions:

• Why exactly do I want this particular doll? Is it just because it looks pretty, or because it's limited or exclusive?
• Have I seen as many photos of the doll from as many angles as possible? Do I like the doll itself instead of just the styling and/or faceup? Is there anything that I dislike?
• Do I have an idea for what this doll could be? Is it an idea that has remained interesting for a few months instead of one I thought of a few days ago?
• Conversely, is my idea for the doll too rigid? What if it doesn't work, as has happened to me before? Is the sculpt interesting enough to keep even if it doesn't work out as (x) character or idea?
• How big is my "doll project backlog" right now? How long will it take me to get around to working on this new doll? Is there a reason I should order now instead of waiting?

I've noticed the amount of new sculpts catching my attention, my wishlist and my saved secondhand site listings are getting smaller and smaller. I'm learning more and more what I like in dolls and what are deal-breaking factors for me.
I wouldn't say I'm on no-buy specifically, but more "targeted-buy": any doll or part I do get has to serve a specific purpose, whether that's to turn a floating head/body into a whole doll, or to fill an empty niche in a particular story/concept's doll cast.

Good luck to everyone on sticking to your no-buy resolutions!

 

@RabbidBunnies I thought I didn't experience what you described, but after reading AlisonVonderland and cobaltconduct's replies, I realized that I kind of did. Back when I was a newbie, I wishlisted dolls because I usually didn't have the budget to buy them, but when I did, I was buying other dolls that muscled their way past the wishlist and into my heart. When I came back after my long hobby hiatus (almost 10 years where I stored my dolls away and essentially left the hobby), I had more budget and I could find many of those old wishlisted dolls secondhand, but I still didn't buy them because I was, again, buying new dolls that pulled at my heartstrings. In the end, I purged that old wishlist.

For me, sometimes "the time to own the doll has passed." If I bought it as a newbie, I would've had a chance to build memories and experiences with it, so perhaps it would've been a keeper and I'd be enjoying it to this day. But I didn't buy that doll, and as time passed, I changed and grew as a person - my tastes, priorities, storytelling, etc. In some senses, I'm no longer the person I used to be when I first saw the doll and fancied it, and maybe what I'm feeling for the doll is actually nostalgia for the person I used to be and the loves I used to have. If I bought the doll today, I wouldn't be able to "catch up" the doll to where I am now as a person, so I might be disappointed with them. Maybe that's why, when I came back to the hobby, my gut feeling was wisely holding me back and I just couldn't open the wallet for those dolls.

When I realized that, I decided to leave my old BJD loves in the past as well, and purge my newbie wishlist. I also decided to make "washout lists" (dolls I fancied but decided not to buy - kind of a reverse wishlist) and blog them on my BJD blog. I didn't expect this, but the washout lists have turned into a very good way to memorialize old BJD loves -- a way to appreciate the doll and honour the interest I had in them, but not spend money or further mental energy over them. My first washout list was truly a clearing-house of getting my newbie BJD loves out of my system.

Now, I'm glad I did this purge and the memorial to go with it, because I felt free to pursue what I currently want from my BJDs without that burden of looking backward to my newbie wishlist and going "what if I got it?" That "What if?" question can become a burden over time the longer it isn't resolved. I happen to be a personality that wants closure and decisions made, I don't enjoy the mental burden of making the same decisions over and over again. A doll lingering on the wishlist is a decision I keep having to face, and I'm now far enough into the hobby (not to mention too old in age) to want to bother with this kind of unresolved issue. So I try to bring closure quickly -- buy the doll or purge/memorialize it -- so that I don't keep having this mental burden and can focus on what I'm truly interested in. But that's my personality though, everyone makes doll-buying decisions differently!

That's been my experience with BJDs lingering on the wishlist. Sorry it turned into a wall of text... Hope it gives food for thought!

 

Sorry for double-posting, my reply to RabbidBunnies was so long so I decided to reply separately...

Something I've noticed ... this isn't the first time you've brought up being idle and bored at your work as a time where you're most tempted to window-shop, which leads you to buy dolls. I recall you've mentioned it elsewhere, maybe even previously in this thread. It sounds like boredom at work is your weak point, so are there ways you can occupy yourself so that you're not bored at work, but can still switch over easily when work responsibilities call? You basically want to get yourself off idle Internet scrolling/window-shopping, and the most effective way is to physically remove yourself from the PC, and do something with your hands/body that keeps your attention focused, but you can still put it down quickly, get back to the PC and refocus on work when it comes along.

So, is there a craft that you can learn that will help with that? Things I can think of are - knitting and crocheting, reading, drawing/sketching. Idk, maybe even home exercise and working out? Maybe other people have more ideas? You will have to learn those crafty skills, but if resisting window-shopping is important to you, it may be worth investing in such a skill to help you with it.

Alternatively are you able to reorganize your work hours/responsibilities so that you only have to be "on call" for a certain stretch of time in the day, and/or get all your responsibilties done in a short period, and then have the rest of the day free to remove yourself from PC/phone and do other things?

As for me, that's what I do - I sew, draw, play with my dolls, take photos of them. If my eyes and hands are on my dolls or crafting something, they are by definition not looking and clicking on online shopping and downstream temptations to buy stuff. It does feel good to do things for/with my own dolls, so that dopamine pleasure cycle helps me keep on doing these things repeatedly.

As for boredom at work, I happen to work a job (away from home) with a lot of physical tasks, so I'm seldom at the computer anyway. Occasionally I do have downtime and have no immediate/urgent tasks to do. That's the time I'm most tempted to sit at the PC and idly surf the Net and window-shop. When that happens, I try to redirect my attention into writing posts for my BJD blog, or do any other kind of non-BJD blogging and writing and reading blog articles instead of window-shopping. My BJD blog does help keep my mind and focus on my own dolls, instead of wandering towards new shiny dolls to buy. (Ultimately, I try not to idle like this at work - I'm on the clock! I gotta find tasks to do, and there are plenty at my workplace. But occasionally this idle downtime happens :p)

I hope this helps give some ideas. I think that if you shore up this weakest point (boredom and idleness at work), it'll help you resist the temptations of window-shopping!

 

Omg the idea of putting projects where they can see (and judge) you is spectacular in the funniest way possible. I’m currently being judged by a dye project that lives on my crafting table and we’ll find out if she’s effective at shaming me into using my dye stuff sometime soon.

also those questions are valuable! I’m going to particularly harp on “how backlogged are we with project dolls” with myself, because I’m constantly really backlogged on faceups in particular, and I need to work on getting any of those done before I bring home anyone new that would need a face.

Okay, that’s brilliant. It is absolutely while I’m bored at work that all my shopping happens, and I might try to pick up crochet to try to distract from that a little bit!! I have a hook and some yarn, so all that’s left is the part where I make something out of it, right?

 

@RabbidBunnies Yeah, I have at least 5. But, at least Luts SDF Harmony is discontinued now.
And, there was one tiny sculpt that randomly made into a limited mini version head and I just got that. But, I don't know if I'd get rid of her if they ever make a large girl version of the sculpt. And, should I make that large sculpt into a red doll?

But, back to Harmony, it almost feels like something gets in the way, when it came to buying it. She'll never come up anytime soon secondhand, but in a way I don't mind that that would take forever and I don't get why.

There's one I don't buy because I'm not sure to trust that dealer, but I haven't asked the sculptor if they possibly have any of that limited sculpt left.
Etc, etc, etc.

So, when I look back, there was at least one doll coming out EVERY week that I wanted. And, I want all of the dolls. I was afraid of not being able to get rid of a large doll, if I didn't like it. Also the advice of "dolls come up secondhand all of the time" and avoid social media because you'll buy everything.... Then, last year I realized that I have terrible tastes in dolls. So, I'll probably never get what I want secondhand especially avoiding doll social media, but let's keep it that way.
But, the reason why I hesitated with sculpts like Luts Harmony or even not tempting myself into finding an AS Wei Jie.... They're too.... It's like I want to sit next to them and hear them talk and enjoy their company and enjoy their dolly life with them. And, then the wall goes up. I also get unsure if I'll still like the doll if it was styled any other way. (They're interesting characters that feel like background characters in someone else's romance story.)
Then, you got dolls like "Little Guy" who is 100% a blank slate AND I did not hesitate to get.

I am still not sure how I should feel about a doll before I buy it.

Spoiler: A few that I bought KNOWING that I like them less

Also, I think THREE of the sculpts I bought I "hate" on. They just couldn't stop at "grabs my attention in the wrong way". "Blue Boy" is even burning a hole into my brain about getting him some ram horns. Ram horns were NOT part of any of his original designs (there's at least 7). And, a tiny girl that I've joked will probably get 10 doll bodies, also I regret not ordering her with a face up now. And, Uma's just annoying cute and unfinished. The only hate is not understanding why I like them. I really should not, but my brain warmed up to them. The personalities on them is more self-serving types and the humor writes itself.

But, yeah, I don't know if I am confident enough to own a doll who's entire story may end up as "you're a background character with no lines!". Yep, I still don't get why my doll choices are so inconsistent.

Edit: Yes, I window shop ALL of the time. But, the dolls need lots of things and the floating heads as well. They're all far from being complete. "Little Guy" will need a new face-up in the future, so not even he is complete. (There HAS to be a more efficient way of working with everything.)

 

Idle hands need a hobby. Most of mine have branched out from a previous interest, and to keep it doll related sewing for them became sewing other things and learning to make things with string like knit, crochet, shuttle lace, and tablet weaving. There's also polymer clay which leads to making stuff for them, precious metal clay which can make stuff for them, metal stamping, and glass bead making.

If you need something complicated to take a bit of time there's diamond art, take the time to find a picture you really really like from a company with examples of finished products not some sus AI, and cross stitch, again get a legit kit from a legit company.

One thing I do that helps give me something to do and gets deep in to the feminine need to provide is make bread. Start with a simple pet friendly recipe. The reason I say pet friendly is because if the loaf doesn't rise the nearest dog(s) and any bread loving cats will gladly eat it up.

 

Two things have saved me from over-scrolling, over-buying, boo-boo buying over the years. #1 is that I always had the hard and fast rule of no character, no doll. Period. And I was very strict about it too. Keep in mind, however, that this didn’t keep me from amassing a large collection over the past two decades I’ve been enjoying this hobby (who knew I’d love creating characters and telling stories so much!) But it did keep my numbers down to three dolls per year, and left me with no regrets.

And #2 is the fact that my dolls are slave drivers, I swear! So again like DollyKim, my hands and mind are kept constantly busy when there’s any free time. There’s always something doll related going on around here, so any doom scrolling is kept to an absolute minimum. These days, that’s usually limited to looking for specific supplies to enhance someone’s wardrobe, display or character needs (which is way cheaper than considering another doll layaway.)

 

Anytime I have had a doll I kept passing over, they have made their way into my friend's hands when I buy them. I still get to play with them when I want usually. Mostly it's either my collection changing over time, or finding I'm just in love with the photos or styling but not the doll itself.

I made it through last year with only adding about twelve dolls. All well under 100, no resin, mostly blind box or playline. (Also some were won at convention) To start this year I promptly put a limited resin gal on preorder. Brightside, she's not due out till August so I do have the option of canceling if needed where I ordered her.

I'm going no-buy for anything doll related for at least January. It's easier to go through and organize if you aren't adding more right?

 

I loved reading everyone's answers!

For me, I love the old school dolls. I wish I had gotten into the hobby sooner so I could have started collecting at the onset when so many of these sculpts were available. A lot of the bodies aren't as good as the more moderns dolls, but as the doll is clothed most of the time, that doesn't really bother me. So, I keep going back to this one old school doll. I love the face, but the price seems high for me on something over 10 years old with no clothing and an old faceup that might need to be redone. I think that's why I just can't bring myself to get him, when there are so many other dolls I can get in that price range.

Every time I go to cast that particular doll in a character roll, I just find another doll that cost less and would work just as good, or in my recent case of passing him over a full set brand new doll that has been collecting dust for awhile and was a little bit more, but much more rare and just as awesome.

I don't know, maybe one day... But also maybe you all are right, and I just really don't want him.

I am going to hit the no buy mode after March. I decided to get my dolls early this year and then go cold-turkey from buying for the rest of the year. I want to double my savings this year, and I can't do that if I am buying dolls every month!

 

@RabbidBunnies But, someone here made their own version of a Volks sculpt. And, they got the chance to buy the real one and posted pictures of the two together last year. Was it a box opening...? I forgot, but that was a good thread. I'm sure you can do that, too. Or maybe that sculpt must REALLY have some face.

Incoming "no buy fails":
Oh my goodness, he KEEPS photobombing my brain! (Stupid "Blue Boy".)
I'm trying to create an image for my other dolls [to keep within no buy] and he's ALWAYS there.

For example, with one of my mini girls, I am liking her hybrid combo. But, I wonder if Luts will plan to make a large girl version of her. And, would I keep her mini version over getting a SDF65? But, there's also something about her, where I could also see her as a red sculpt-. And, then "Blue Boy" photobombs with the ram horns.

It's always HIM with the ram horns. Him with the ram horns, with a vest and dark trousers and a lute (or a flute). One of my other characters would ridicule him for not owning a shirt and he'd say something smug like "Oh, but it was worth it for these boots". And, I'd have to admit that THOSE are some fabulous boots. (Thank goodness he does NOT have a body yet.)
And, honestly I don't even know if ANY of my "no buy wins" are because I keep day dreaming about the horns. Why horns!? And, which pair? Blue horns or "suspicious looking" horns (because it's funnier)?
"Blue Boy" has three magician versions, 2 cosplays, a "doctor of horrors" version, a pirate king, and now whatever the heck "ram horn version" is. His horror doctor version comes with bunny girls. Bunny girls that are actual bunnies. .... What? She'd look so cute in a nurse's uniform giving nightmares to people. Okay, I confess, that's the main reason that I want an uncle sized bathtub; it wasn't just for "just because" sake.
Opps, there's also a cultist version. (And, maybe a priest version.)

I think I gave up thinking about two to three doll heads all because of the photobombing.
No buy wins:
* Uma's new body is a "no buy fail". After 1 season with it, I've decided it's too skinny. I've wanted her with a normal proportioned body. There are four that I'm looking at, but I want to "put a pin in it" to stop searching. I don't know what to do because I am also looking for a large girl body. Also also, the photobombing. This is the third hybrid (I tried her on Maria for clues). For some reason this had me consider TWO different mini girl heads to buy. And, doll head #1 I was thinking to replace Maria and doll head #2 is REALLY close to Uma's look. And, doll head #2 I could put on NOW body instead of selling it. So, I kicked the idea of a second girl that looks like Uma. No buy win = I don't want to buy a mini girl body at the moment.
* As far as doll head #1 that could replace Maria, it might look pretty close to a large girl head that I have. And, all of my large girls are bodiless. And, I am still entertaining buying ANOTHER large girl doll head. It's just going too far. So, no buy win = decided not to buy mini girl doll heads.
* I did not buy a bjd or an OTD to fix up. 1 because I want to clean it up and try on Uma. 2 because I want that style of OTD. Why? Photobombing.
No buy fail:
*

Spoiler: I did not buy anything yet...

I know I'm probably going to buy at least ONE large girl doll head AND a pair of ram horns. And, the want to do things things has me also questioning about taking hiatus from Uma instead of maybe selling her and possibly a couple of other dolls that may never sell. PS. The ooak horns cost as much as a doll head.

I wish I could keep my collection smaller, in the future. Actually, I more so wish I just had things figured out. And, I think I want to see a doll con?

 

Oh, I remember the Mana Sama doll. They did an awesome job on that doll!
I just like the dolls face, there isn't anything special about it.
I think that's why I always find other dolls to take his place.

Blue boy is going to be dangerous once he gets his own body!
It sounds like he needs his own pair of horns.
Maybe you can make your own?

 

Heehee, got it. (Also Mana Sama photo shoot, that was beautiful.)

The logical mind says, it would make sense buying "ombre colored, bedazzled, and bejeweled" ram horns if he was going to wear them most of the time. I mean, I COULD also use them when he's a wizard or cultist.
Like maybe wait for some demon horns instead or get some puppy ears?? Puppy? They need to at least be ears worthy of Anubius.

Spoiler: Mental recall calculations

I used the money from the Jia Yang sale to buy the Uma body, which is no good to me [for now]. And, I WAS going to use the money from the cancellation of the sale of "young master" to possibly buy "Blue Boy" a body. But, "young master" has been secured. If I had stuck to keeping "Blue Boy" blue he would've had a tail, instead of a face up....
And, I REALLY don't want to sell that one pretty doll head yet just to afford horns....

Eh. I could at least wait another day or so before making a decision to buy that. There must be OTHER good looking ones not as detailed and are less appealing for potentially half of that price.
Sorry, ...I still have problems with doll heads. Last year, I was considering if the problem continues, invest in a bust stand for 2027. Until then, I want to try getting at least one more doll up and running this year.

 

No buy neutral: doll I want was listed and sold on Mandarake while I was snoozing. Maybe someday we'll be united, but not today! I still don't have enough space for the 6 dolls I have with me. Can't even pretend to have space for the rest of the other 7.