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Returning after a *long* hiatus!

Mar 25, 2026

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    1. Hello again, doll folks!

      I was very active in this hobby for nearly a decade, but took a long break after my kiddo was born. Most of my dolls and camera equipment were sold off long ago. I did, however, hold onto two of my favorites (MYou Lorina and Dearmine Picasso Bean). Thankfully, cell phone cameras are pretty decent nowadays, too.

      Hoping to order a new doll soon, but I'm definitely going to spend too much time mulling over my purchase until I get frustrated with myself and just do it. What's the doll community look like since COVID? Any new and exciting changes?
       
      #1 NekoNyanMew, Mar 25, 2026
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    2. Welcome back. Lots has changed. Some companies have come and gone. Other newer lines and types of bjd have appearred. The "trendi-ness" of the hobby overall has probably peaked and retreated into a stable level of interest by people who actually love dolls and BJDs.

      Some of the hobby interest traffic has moved off-site to other social media platforms like instagram and FB.I am amazed that DOA is still as active as it is.considering the forum format is really outmoded although I prefer it to other faster moving social media.
       
      #2 Lyrajean, Mar 25, 2026
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    3. It's crazy to see how many new and beautiful dolls are out there! Doesn't seem like the US tariffs have slowed some of these companies down.

      Oh, I totally understand appreciating the forum format. I was in college when I joined the hobby and I'm old now...life is too busy for social media. (That being said, I see you're in VT. I live in Upstate NY and am curious if there are any meets in your area!)
       
      #3 NekoNyanMew, Mar 25, 2026
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    4. I think the USA market isn't all that big, especially for the Chinese doll companies whose main audience is China (or other countries in Asia). The pace of releases now is overwhelming compared to in the past, but it's also awesome to see how doll innovation has really thrived
       
      #4 Serraphym, Mar 25, 2026
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    5. Agreed! It does seem like the Western market has changed in that regard. Which, honestly, more power to the artists. I'm all for it. I've also noticed less of the "trendy" companies popping up since returning here. Diversity is a good thing.

      Would you say there are more or less people in the hobby compared to 10 years ago?
       
      #5 NekoNyanMew, Mar 25, 2026
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    6. What's trendy now feels very different from before (especially the proliferation of big dolls!) and I'm not sure DOA actually reflects all of those trends because of the thriving indie maker scene not being added to DOA's accepted brand list. The diversification of companies certainly feels real as a result though!

      The size of the hobby is much bigger now in China compared to a decade ago. I'm not sure about the Western markets because it's gotten so fragmented with DOA, reddit, discord, IG, etc. I miss the days when DOA was that central place and was buzzing with activity
       
      #6 Serraphym, Mar 25, 2026
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    7. Hi, welcome back!
      I think we're all on Instagram these days as well as a few other places, private forums and discord and here.
      oh and yes, thank goodness for mobile phone cameras being almost as good as a quality camera. :love
      It's harder now to sell second hand and even to buy because of the recasters out there but there are so many more companies now offering a new doll each month. That adds up to a lot of dolls out there! :)
      Wishing you a fun time exploring all the options and I hope you'll have some new dolls soon!
       
      #7 nyxx2, Mar 25, 2026
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    8. No meetup groups in VT that I am aware of. Someone tried to start one again recently but it petered out. It was Burlington area and I am now on the NH side of things. There may be a Capitol Region / Albany area group still active. I would check the meetup section to find out. There is a NYC group.

      There is a trad doll show in Albany in Sept/ October. I go routinely and there are a couple bjd folks who show for that. Most of the vendors are more traditional doll types. It's put on by the Shaker Doll Club. That is a UFDC club
       
      #8 Lyrajean, Mar 26, 2026
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    9. Gosh, it's 2026 and people still fail to support artists. Baffling.

      Good thing I've sold most of my dolls off. I did just purchase a new one (from a new company!), but I'll likely keep my collection much smaller going forward. Gone are the days of massive doll collections and frantic buying/selling.
       
      #9 NekoNyanMew, Mar 26, 2026
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    10. Since you’re in NY, there’s an upstate NY discord I can give you an invite for if you want! We have meet ups in Buffalo every month!
       
      #10 Pen-Pen, Mar 26, 2026
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    11. That's sweet of you - unfortunately, I'm quite far from Buffalo!
       
      #11 NekoNyanMew, Mar 26, 2026
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    12. Same! I’ve only gone twice because of the drive but it is worth it!
       
      #12 Pen-Pen, Mar 26, 2026
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    13. We sometimes have meets in Ithaca too, if that's closer!
       
      #13 quilleth, Mar 29, 2026 at 7:28 AM
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