New to the hobby + looking at buying my first doll!

Hello and welcome! It's always fun looking at dolls for the first time. What dolls/sculpts got you interested in bjds?

Also, what sort of advice are you looking for? If I had to give some advice off the bat, it'd be that, for your first doll, buy a doll you really get excited for. Some people might say to start by getting something in a lower price range or to get a fullset, but it's so much more worth it if you buy the doll you really want.

 

Hi and welcome to the hobby and forum
I totally agree that your first doll should be one that you really like, whether that's a cheap or expensive doll, hard to find or ready to order, just make sure it's one you really like.
If you have any doll groups near you who meet, maybe you could ask to join them for a meet and see some different sizes and styles of dolls to help you narrow down what dolls you like and they could give you recommendations. Of course like cosmicakes asked if you share which dolls got you interested we can help you in that way too if you'd like.
If you know about what size or maker that you like you can look at Doll Profiles by size or artisan to see some member's beautiful dolls! That's under the community tab. And it can be a great way to check out the potential of sculpts you like with different stylings and customizations.
You can also check out the BJD Discussion subforums to see some different makers which are also organized by the size. You can learn more about the dolls you're interested in and what the community likes or recommends about them and what challenges if any you may run into.
A little window shopping at trusted dealers is another way to check out a variety of different dolls in one place, but artisans who don't use a dealer would not be found there. However using a dealer can be great way to get a new doll as a newbie, if you have a lot of question about the doll or need updates and so on, because if the artisan doesn't speak your language it can be hard to communicate. That doesn't mean you can't buy directly from an artisan, but for certain ones and shopping needs it's great to have a dealer on your side
good luck in picking out your first! and my other advice besides that for looking around, is let this hobby encourage you to try some new things. Whether it's something like photography, crafting, design, or writing, bjds can be a great inspiration.

 

Welcome in! There are lots of cool BJDs out there, are there in particular that are really your style? :>

 

I hope you find something you love! There are a lot of beautiful dolls out there, so I bet eventually you'll come across one that makes you heart stir.

 

Nice to have you here! Definitely keep posting to unlock the marketplace here asap. People sell all kinds of unique and popular dolls here, so dont forget about the second hand market. Also keep Instagram, facebook, discord in mind.
Other than that, for your first doll you should get the one you REALLY love. I didnt, I got the better deal and wasnt really all too happy :/ so dont make that mistake haha

 

Don't say: "I think I'll try this one". Find a doll that moves you, like art.
Second hand market is currently slow, lack of buyers.
I hear just buying doll heads can be a double edged sword.

 

Oh definitely. For the first doll get a full doll for sure. Heads are cheaper and thus more tempting, but in my experience the dread of getting a body that's much more expensive than the head can be a little daunting and feels more like a chore