Something you know now that you wish you knew then?

This hobby is horrifically expensive.

 

Wait and think about what you actually want before buying something.

 

Don't view them as an investment, and be ok with losing money if you decide you don't like a bjd.
Also use a fabric wig cap if you use a dark wig. The silicone ones can leech the dye through.

 

I wish I had known that Taobao has a lot of clothes where I could get more bang for my bucks.

 

Restringing a doll isn't as difficult as it seems. The most difficult part is getting something to help get the strings through the channels.

I've yet to see someone stop at just one. I'm sure they're out there, but I haven't yet met them. On that, be prepared to want more.

Measure your dolls yourself. Website measurements aren't always accurate, and sometimes can be off by entire centimeters. You can more accurately ensure an outfit not specifically made for your doll will fit.

Your first try may not always turn out the way you want - whether it's face-ups, photography, whatever. Don't give up. Keep trying and keep working at it. Even if it still doesn't turn out the way you want it, you still learn from the attempt.

You can control your experience in this hobby. Don't engage with those who are only negative, or enjoy dragging others down. Block them, if you can. It's fine to do that.

Sometimes, things don't work out with a doll. You don't bond, it isn't what you expected, etc. That's okay. It's fine to sell a doll that didn't work out. It doesn't mean you failed or anything like that.

 

I wish I'd started using Taobao sooner! All the doll companies I like are Chinese, and you can get dolls, clothes, etc. for considerably cheaper on Taobao.

Also, I wish I had known more about different doll sizes and that 1/4 clothing will NOT necessarily fit my slim minis even though they're also listed as 1/4. Same with wigs... "1/4" size wigs will NOT fit my Doll Chateau minis, I have to buy "1/6" size wigs for them. It's all about the measurements, and for some reason that took a while to sink in for me.

 

Coming from fashion dolls, there's like one size and it magically fits everything. NOT the case with BJDs. I thankfully saw the difference between MSD and Slim MSD sizes in person for clothing and avoided that crisis, but I had sooo many way too large shoes made for other dolls that had nothing in common with my doll other than height size. Get the actual measurements.

Edit: I knew about Taobao before, but it really surprised me to see how many people didn't realize that so many of their favorite shops are just resellers. Nothing wrong with that- kind of how retail works to begin with- but if you have the patience and are making large enough orders, it's probably better to just go straight to the source.

 

Krylon is not "just as good" as Mr.Super Clear.

 

Coming up with a character first, and then trying to find the right face/wig/eyes/clothing style.... that can be avery costly exercise in frustration. If you just pick things you *like*, you’ll probably be more satisfied with your collection overall.

 

Always keep an eye on the new doll！

 

I think that one of the most important things that people have mentioned is that clothing will not necessarily fit, even if it says it's for whatever cm height doll you have. But for me, my greatest frustration was in finding that not all dolls are good posers. Some are great right out of the box, others need to be restrung or wired...and some will never do much more than stand around looking pretty. What doll did you buy, if you don't mind sharing?

 

Don't be afraid to personalize your doll. Change face-ups, wigs, eyes and styles. Try to do these changes yourself, and don't discourage easily. I bond better with a doll I spend time and effort trying to create things for it. Remember to have fun and ignore negative people, but take in constructive criticism for what it's worth. Sometimes it's just another persons esthetics and style and they just don't get what you are trying to achieve. Welcome to the hobby.

 

SD's aren't just really tall, they're also heavy and awkward to handle. Small eyes may look more realistic in photos but in person, in normal lighting they seem dark and lifeless. Seeing and holding the dolls in person is completely different than seeing them in professionally taken photos on doll makers sites and reading dimensions. If you can see dolls in person at a meetup or convention, do it.

 

1. When I first got into this hobby I knew it was going to be expensive, but didn't yet realize that it was going to be more expensive than I thought. It's not just buying the doll itself, but wigs, eyes, clothes, props, more dolls ect.

2. 1/3 SD's are very big and heavy! (my first doll is that size)

3. Get a head puller and don't use a shoelace string!

4. There is a lot of criticism and negativity in this hobby. (not on this site that I am aware of) Honestly I haven't had any issues with this and I've been in this hobby for four years now, but I always hear stories about people getting bullied about their dolls. DoA is a great community and everyone is really nice here!

 

I wish I had known that hard cap wigs were so much easier to make than stretchy cap wigs, along with handmade sewn-wefts. I would have saved myself a lot of time, effort and stress, by just learning how to glue on hair (not as simple, but pretty much all you do is glue things together). I also would have loved knowing back then that more realistic dolls were going to be a thing, I wouldn't have purchased a few of the dolls I own now and I would only own one or two instead of six. I don't regret the dolls I own now, but I honestly believe that as far as this hobby goes, less is definitely more for me.

 

It's not the doll that's the most expensive, it's everything that comes after. Clothes, wigs, eyes, shoes and everything else comes back to get ya as well.

 

DO NOT START BUYING GIRL CLOTHES FOR BOY DOLLS XD there's so much more girl doll clothes, I would save so much money... if only I never started this in the beginning XD

 

So true it hurts.
Yet hurts so good.

Yea right this hobby will consume money and time, but as long as you enjoy the hobby, you won't regret it. As we always say, you never actually lose your money as it stays with you in various forms. =)

 

Congratulations on your first doll!
I'm definitely seconding wishing I had known how many people online are just reselling things off Taobao. I also wish I had known that there are some companies you're better off ordering from directly, and some you're better off ordering from a dealer/ordering from a dealer is your only option.
I also wish I had been able to join DOA sooner because there is seriously a wealth of information here!

 

Etsy is a great resource! You won’t need to restring your doll often, but when you do need it, it isn’t hard. Don’t be afraid to grip it with your knees! XD And above all, keep in mind this is something you love. It doesn’t matter what others think. Congrats and hope to see pictures (if you’re into taking pictures!)

 

On the subject of the hobby being expensive - don't feel guilty for not being able to afford things and/or how amazing and presentable other people's dolls look compared to yours. Often people have saved to get those things as much as they saved for the doll, and a lot of people just don't share their "incomplete" dolls on social media. It's fine to enjoy your doll naked, wigless, and/or eyeless for as long as you need to, if not forever. Patience is key.

Many people forced nudism on their barbies as kids, I think a bjd can deal with it.

My first SD is gonna need all custom clothes because of course I picked a weird size, and it's gonna take awhile because I made some financial miscalculations. He's been mid mods ever since he got home a year ago, and I'm probably another year or two from finishing him. He's still super pretty.

I wish people would share their incomplete dolls more often so newbies didn't feel as self conscious.

 

I wish I knew how amazing fairyland dolls were sooner. I fell in love with my Minifee and I wish I just had more fairyland dolls and had saved up for those instead of budget dolls at first.

 

Oh, she's such a pretty sculpt, and I just love the Lillycat bodies - they're adorable! Congrats on your first bjd, it's always so exciting! I hope you'll share pictures when she arrives.

 

I wish I’d known how hard it is to get clothes for the really big dudes. Maybe I’d have collected MSDs instead. Most of what I see on Etsy is “Minifee sized”...

 

Keep in mind that going into debt is not always the better option when it comes to buying those "limited" dolls. In many cases they seem to pop up for sale as soon as people start receiving them since they themselves have changed their minds or just need the funds. I have acquired a few grails this way. Plus debt just adds unneeded stress to a stressful life.

Enjoy your dolls however you want to. Don't let others tell you you aren't doing it right. We are all as different as our collections.

Congrats on the beautiful doll choice! Hope you love the hobby as much as the rest of us!

 

-If you want to do faceups, invest in a mask and good materials. Doesn't have to be the most expensive, but decent. You'll waste too much money on cheap stuff that is clumpy or not enough pigment to show, and that $35 mask is worth not damaging your lungs.

-Stringing is easy once you learn it. It's not as scary as it looks, and it's totally worth it when your doll poses better and stops flopping into a lazy pile of resin.

-Buying the wig/eyes/clothes you want, regardless of price, is the best thing to do. Others might be cheaper, but you won't be satisfied and will buy so many things to get it right that you'll probably spend more than if you just bought the one you liked in the first place. If the one you truly love is low priced, consider yourself very lucky!

 

+1 to being patient, especially with customizing. Don't be in a hurry to do it all at once! you'll find the right eyes, wig, style of dress, faceup, etc all in good time. heck, you'll probably want to mix it up a few times along the way.

Related and also important: Relax and have fun. Enjoy being a part of a beautiful expressive hobby! And if at any point it wears you out or you feel like you can't make time for it, don't feel guilty about taking breaks. Is ok! Dolls will still be there.

Congrats on taking the plunge!!

 

Seconding the 'don't think of them as an investment' - comment. Dolls that are going for high-end prices now, will probably be forgotten about in a decade. So, I'd like to add: Don't be afraid to modify your doll if you want to. Yes, it may have a negative impact on the value of the doll. Yes, they may become harder to sell. But if you step into this hobby only worrying about what might happen in the future, you're going to miss out on so much our hobby could offer. These dolls were meant to be turned into our own vision. Enjoy yourself.

^This times 10. I've been in the hobby since late 2005 and none of my dolls are finished and I don't appreciate my dolls any less (I love them more, knowing that I still have something to do).

 

I do wish I knew in advance what wigs and eyes I would eventually settle on before I bought all the others before them.

As for waiting to show off dolls, that’s me! I have saved for years before buying the perfect wig, outfit and eyes. Face-ups get the long wait too. I usually send them off so I have to save up for that. So yea, I have a doll right now without a face or wig. People can show off their dolls naked, eyeless and wigless and I will be just as excited to see the sculpting and work in progress as a “finished” doll. Feel free to share! I honestly only wait because it’s kind of a hassle and I always end up aching afterwards.

 

That the community isn’t as cliquish as I was afraid it was. If I had met the right people 6 years ago, maybe I wouldn’t still be a noob after all this time!

 

That it is horrible complicated to find fitting doll clothes... specially for 70+
And that if you started you cannot stop xD

 

body blushing isnt as scary as it seems and doing it yourself will save you a lot of money

 

That if you let it this hobby will push you to learn new skills and those skills can be useful for other things.

I learnt how to use UV resin and epoxy resin through this hobby because bought a pair of eyes that I hated so I tried to make my own. Now I enjoy making random things out of resin.

 

I dont bond with " realistic" proportioned dolls. The pictures of them can be amazing! I love looking at them online, but i dont like them in person, an the never really inspire me when they are here. Ive bought and sold too many before i just started getting other dolls instead

 

Nothing in this hobby is cheap- clothes are expensive so remember to save for more besides just the doll!

 

If you want something pricey, it's better to just be patient and save up for it instead of trying to settle for a cheaper alternative that'll only disappoint you in the end.

 

If you are a tan BJD, sunlight is evil. My first doll was inconsistently protected from direct sunlight, and she's yellowed unevenly. Her face and hands have faded to a greenish color. It could probably be hidden with a decent face-up, but I don't have the skill.

 

Keep all your documents for your doll (or future dolls) in one place. If the box is not marked down also have a notepad with the year you brought your doll, make, model and price of your doll. This will help if you need to sell any of your dolls and is also have an insurance claim on them.

 

That I would want back a couple of the things I sold that are now hard to get. This is why I've almost completely stopped selling.

 

Well I knew it was going to be a expensive hobby but I wish I knew the dollar currency in my country is going to be 7 in the future

 

Hybrids are a great option if one likes the head but not the body or the body poses badly and so on. I ended up buying a doll because I really loved head sculpt wise but his body still makes me a bit uncomfortable because it's way too skinny and spindly. I'm planning to get him a different body in near future.

 

I just about ruined my first faceup by not applying enough Mr. Super Clear to my doll's head. It took me weeks to remove the staining and a lot of that had to be sanded down. I wish I'd known beforehand as her face is rougher and the sanding caused some discoloration.

 

Wait and buy a doll second hand are sometime faster than order once it's came out through a dealer (especially through Dolkus, this dealer is slow and will not move if you didn't ask they to.)

I've a doll that ordered since december 2019 (The month they came out) and still on "shipment waiting". While some other even already put that specific doll on sale.

(The last time my dealer contact me was after x'mas and said the doll was already arrive and ready to ship to me and will get back to me once they got an EMS number... I will see if they took more than a month to issue an EMS number )

Also, some company are not having consistent with resin color or faceup. Do not think that you will alway get what you see in the promo picture and do some research beforehand.

 

Always look for the blank body and face sculpts. Dig further than the pretty, exposure heavy promotional pictures and see what the face looks like underneath.

 

I wish I’d known how much I would continue to regret missing out on certain sculpts that were discontinued. While finance wasn’t a problem, I didn’t want to grow my collection too fast so always planned to purchase them later. I also wish I’d known how long the wait period was for certain dolls in which case I might have decided to order them sooner.

 

buying secondhand is just as fun, if not more fun, than buying new. while I still have some grail sculpts, I've decided that the real thrill of falling in love with dolls lies in the secondhand market (mostly instagram, but sometimes facebook, too.) I chalk this up to the wide arrange of obscure sculpts with beautiful faceups that end up being sold secondhand that I would have never known of otherwise. and besides, they're usually cheaper, come quicker, and are more environmentally conscious than buying new.

 

I’m still figuring stuff out, but I do wish I had been more prepared for how long things can take. I was prepared for the doll to take a couple months. Not that I probably won’t get my doll for a year or possibly longer.

 

That anthropic dolls are not for me and that if I buy any big dolls keep in mind they will end up display dolls. Also keep any Irrealdolls I buy. I will regret selling everyone of them.

 

I would let go of a lot of my early angst spent worrying about numbers…always afraid I’d get carried away and spend too much money on dolls or make things overly crowded. I kept trying to limit myself…over and over again. But the numbers would always slowly creep up on me regardless of what I did (working out to roughly 3 dolls per year, and after nearly 16 years, that really adds up!) There was the occasional sale along the way of course, but only if the doll didn’t work out for their planned character…a simple process of refining my creative aesthetic that most of us go through. But in the end, I wound up with an amazing collection of nearly 50 dolls. And I’m wondering what all that worry and angst about numbers was really all about? I budgeted well, getting most on layaway while keeping all the bills paid. None of them are “box babies”, all are on display, and I can still remember all of their names and where they came from. All are complete, with faceups, wardrobes and stories. From what I know now, if I could go back, I’d tell myself to just relax and enjoy the amazing ride!

 

Still have a long way to go in the BJD learning path but... Don't be super afraid of handling/doing things to your doll.
Want to try faceups? Go for it. Wig making? Sure. Making some eyes? Do it!!
It's scary at first but you might find something you're super passionate about!

My doll spent most of his time hidden away until I decided to stop being scared, now I enjoy him much more and I feel our bond growing quickly. (And I also love doing faceups now ;

 

That I would regret selling every doll I've sold and some would be really difficult to find again.
That Dream of Doll would vanish without a word, so I could have tried to buy the ones I wanted direct from the company when they were around.
That Dollshe would end up having shitty business practices full of broken promises and 2+ year long waits, would've snatched up more secondhand Dollshes instead of suffering with the wait.
That fashion scale 1/4 dolls would be a thing, then maybe my collection wouldn't be full of 60cm+ dolls and taking up all my space lmao
That joining DoA without owning a bjd is a good thing, joined after I got mine and had done all of my research with a lot of googling instead of having the plethora of info that's on here lmao
That there was a local doll group and I could have seen a bjd in person before getting one. (though, now I don't live super close to that doll group anymore and don't know if there's one closer to where I am lmao)

Year+ long wait times are rare, but I still suggest reading through the waiting rooms of any companies you're interested in. My longest wait is at 2 years 9 months, and is still ongoing (so, don't order from Dollshe, just fyi).

 

I mean, the first and biggest takeaway I have from this hobby is that you can sell things when they don't work. And seriously, that's been a game changer. I found pictures of my collection from... I think 2018 on my old Flickr

IMG_4786 by demon.chameleon, on Flickr

I still own exactly 3 dolls that are in this pic--the Angela on the left (red Dress), the Iple Kamau behind her (but now with a faceup!), and the WS head you can see between the purple girl and the shattered doll face of WD Adriana. Also the mermaid body that sitting in front, but not the Rho head on it. All those other dolls I've sold, which made way for me to get some of the dolls I never thought I could have.

Doll squad 2020 by Indifferent Red, on Flickr

this is my squad in 2020 (everyone who isn't being modded, which is why Kamau doesn't appear). Not only has the population grown, but it's still not fixed--I think 6 dolls, and a few bodies have left me from this pic, and several have come in. You'll noice a few big changes--the first is that I really like girls*. I know, shocking comment from the lesbian. But I really have an easier time with characters that are women (or femme-aligned, because I'm not actually 100% a woman, even if I use she/her and look femme but that's a whoooole nother discussion!) Also the company rep has changed. The great Twigling-splosion happened in 2020, when I first got shrike (in the multicoloured wig) who is genuinely my favourite doll I've ever owned, and was fuelled by the sale of one of the dolls from the first pic, that gave me the money to bring her home.

That also taught me the next biggest lesson I've learned: you can have that doll. I'd always said twigling was too expensive, and they were--for high school me, incapable of saving up. The current count on full twigling dolls is 4, but there are also so many extra heads (5, 2 incoming). One of those dolls, I was even convinced I'd never see for sale, let alone own. I have bodies I had previously only dreamed of (amadiz angels, 5th motif, soom mecha angel gal) and dolls that were discontinued before I could ever have gotten them (Ingenieuse, elf doll Lydia, the MA body). Nothing is impossible to get, there's just variable waits for them to pop up on the MP, and varying amounts of saving up.

And the last big takeaway: you can also create that doll. I love modding. I was terrified to sand dolls because "I'd ruin them" until I hit a low in 2020, and that body is currently a mess of mods, but she's not done until I like the way she turns out. Nothing is off-limits to modding, and no mod is done until you like the result.

Bonus: stop shelling other people's characters is the lesson I've "learned" now, twice, the first time of which was the only reason I started selling. And yet, here I am, shelling my dnd party, 3/4 of which are other people's characters. I've told them, this party has to last so I don't learn my lesson a third time.

 

I probably should've known this, but i was unprepared by how severe the yellowing could be on some kinds of resin. I still love my yellowed dolls faces and I can't say I regret buying them, but I wish I could've stopped the resin from yellowing - especially when it's been uneven.