Just For Fun Thirteen Questions

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)

I first learned about BJDs through recommendations on eBay, though thankfully I didn't buy an eBay minifee. I later found Ringdoll's Jack the Ripper on Tumblr, and decided I needed that in my life.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)

Well, currently, I'm a student, though the hobby made me take more hours at my little part time job. I'm also an aspiring author and I have my dolls to thank for my ability to finish the first book I've finished in years.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)

More, and I think it's great!

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?

I would adore to go to a meetup but the group where I live doesn't seem super active and I'm moving soon. Hopefully in Victoria!

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?

My girlfriend (soon to be fiancée!) and my best friend both own BJDs

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)

Well, I only collect SD dolls, and while I own both genders, I'm hugely biased towards female dolls, for style, I'd say fantasy, because I love odd resin colours and parts, and brands... well, ringdoll has the most representation in my group, then soom and iplehouse, though my favourite is actually Doll chateau. I just don't own a DC doll yet..

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)

My only other hobby is reptile keeping, and I put far more money into the dolls. The herps are all taken care of, but I don't spent money acquiring more. And writing is my other big time sink, but that's free. Dolls do cut into my writing time...

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?

I love making wigs, and writing about the dolls' characters. My other interest is making 1/3 scale wings! I haven't made many yet, but wings are my thing!

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?

It pains me to admit that I do. I feel a little bad that I spoil Balik (AS bing yi) and Tacet (F60 Lacrima) above my others. Especially Tacet.

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?

They gave me a creative outlet and a way to see my characters come to life! They gave my girlfriend and I something to work on together, and introduced me to some of my friends on this forum, and other platforms.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?

Usually before. I mean, Rina's been around since I was 8, and I certainly didn't have BJDs then. I only have...4? Characters who came after their dolls, and one of them got reshelled and now I still have a character before her final shell. She's my next doll...I think.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?

As much as it takes? That's such a cliche answer, oh my god. Typically, I don't mod my own dolls, but that's soon to change, when I mod an old dollzone body to take wings, an f60 moe to a rather effeminate male, and I'm dying a doll jet black.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?

I've been into dolls for two years and a little bit. I have no reason to think that will ever cease...

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)

I think the first contact I have the hobby was on orkut, but the many years going I back to looking BJDs in 2011 on facebook groups like BJD Brasil.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)

I work as a photographer and bjds inspired me a lot with many ideas.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)

I have 12 dolls I always wanted, if this all dolls are dreamdolls is a great thing.

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?

I only participate online, I don't have will to enjoy doll meetings here in RJ- Brazil.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?

No, but I have sympathizers.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)

I'm very fall in love with switchdoll and Iplehouse ♥

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)

Photograph XDD

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?

I love to create stories and photograph my kids.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?

My favorite is Rainbow ♥

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?

They make me happy when I 'm sad, calm when i'm angry.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?

After, my characters birth together with the doll rs

12. How much do you customize your dolls?

I like to put stickers, crystals, hair accessories, body blushing ...

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?

6 years, I'm going to take the hobby to death

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
I had admired BJDs for a while before joining DoA, but I didn't join DoA until I had ordered my first BJD. I learned about BJDs by being a part of the Blythe doll community. Many Blythe doll collectors collect BJDs as well, so I happened to see some photos of them.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I am a teacher, so I tend to keep my BJD hobby a secret. I don't want the kids to get too excited by the fact that I still play with dolls.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
I only own 2 dolls, so much less than 13. It's probably a good thing, given how crowded my room is. XD

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
I go to doll meetups and conventions when I can, but I've had two negative experiences with BJD collectors face to face, so I tend to shy away from them now.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
Although I have online friends who collect BJDs, none of my local friends are interested in them. My younger sister thinks they are cool, but she doesn't like them enough to actually buy one.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
I like male SD-sized boys the best.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
I kind of go back and forth between my hobbies, so although I might show a lot of interest in my BJDs at certain times, at other times they might take a back seat.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
I enjoy doll photography and crocheting/knitting for my dolls.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
Of the two BJDs I own, I suppose I like Dax just a little more. :P

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
They have allowed me to make two great online friends.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
Never, I guess? I don't really put much thought into my dolls' characters. I mean, I have some vague ideas, but I never really develop them too much.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
NOT AT ALL! Maybe this comes from me only collecting stock Blythe dolls, but I stick to company face-ups and I don't do any mods or anything.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
I've been into BJDs for almost two years now. I think my interest in them will last as long as my interest in dolls in general will last. In other words, likely a very long time!

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
It's hard to remember anymore. I think I joined DoA after I had decided to actually buy a BJD, so I was looking at them elsewhere first. I first learned about them in high school from a friend, but I had no money so that was that. Year later, I was reminded of them by a different friend on livejournal... and this time I had money.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I work in an art store/custom frame shop. I suppose BJDs have altered my work skills slightly- from doing faceups, I learned how to mix paint colors, which I use to touch up damaged paintings for customers sometimes.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
More............ Almost twice that many, in fact! Ahhh! It's great because I love them all, but like... I'm running out of room here... XD

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
I go to meetups very occasionally, and I have friends IRL who collect so we have little doll parties sometimes.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
Yup, friends! My cousin expressed some interest in it, but I don't think that went anywhere.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
SD size boys are my favorite. I get really inspired to make new character designs for boys, but not girls so much... I do have a few girls, though. I tried MSDs and they just weren't substantial enough... tinies are really not my cup of tea, though I do have one because he was too irresistible!

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
I dunno, a lot? They're my favorite hobby, but I do enjoy my other ones too... my next favorite would be making art, but it takes way more energy and focus than doll stuff, so it fell by the wayside.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
Painting faceups is absolutely my #1 interest in BJDs. I'm not sure I would keep collecting them if I couldn't paint their pretty little faces. I also enjoy photographing them, and wish I did more creative stuff like sewing and dioramas but I don't have either the skills or the energy to learn, heheh. Not yet, anyway.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
How dare you ask this? Ugh... I do not love them equally... but it's close. One or two are the weak links, but I keep them around anyway because I do love them. The rest are pretty equal, and whoever is in front of me at the time is my favorite. XD

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
I think so. They make me really, really happy. I'm not sure what I'd be up to if I hadn't started collecting them... perhaps I'd have more money, but then again maybe not (I also love video games, which is expensive too). I'm just glad to have another creative outlet for when my numerous and long-lasting art blocks happen.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
A little bit of both. Sometimes I get an idea for a character, and it just kinda sits in limbo until the right doll comes along. But usually I see a doll that I love, and I come up with a character while I'm saving up for it (or waiting for it to arrive, if it was an impulse buy). On several occasions I get a general idea but I struggle putting it together, and the doll's character is a work in progress or a long time. I still have a few like that.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
I paint their faces, and sometimes body parts. I've made one wig, and sewed a couple items of clothing. That's about as much as I have the energy for. XD

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
This year was my 10th year in the hobby! I have no idea how long it will last. I'm sure the community aspect will play a role in how long I stick around. If the popularity wanes, and everybody I know moves on to other stuff, I may do that too. Or I may just quietly keep enjoying it by myself. It's hard to say.

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
I belonged to another bjd forum before being invited to join DOA. I had been collecting for about a year. I was active on a gaming forum (The Sims) and there was one thread where you could talk about other hobbies and that was the first time I saw a bjd. I did some research and fell in love.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I'm retired now, but worked for 35 years as a costume designer for theater and films. I also worked for about 5 years at Mattel Toys in the Barbie department. I love to sew for my dolls.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
If you count the 2 floating heads, I own exactly 13 bjd dolls. I don't have space to display many more dolls, but plan to get more if I can make space for them.

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
Just forums. I used to collect Barbies, and went to doll shows and conventions, but I no longer collect Barbies,.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds? One friend and she only owns one doll.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
My favorites are boys in the SD13 size.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?) BJDs take up less time than some of my other interests, but I like having them where I can see them all the time.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest? Sewing definitely. I have collected quite a few props and would like to create dioramas, but I have no space to display them.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally? I have two favorites, My SD boy 5 DStar Doll Tumnus is my very favorite doll. I also love my Minifee Karsh boy. I could never part with either of them, even if I left the hobby.

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better? I was very sick for the last 2 1/2 years and my babies gave me a lot of joy and comfort.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never? The dolls come first and then I create a character for them and fit them into my stories. I only have one doll which had a character before I bought him, but I was so disappointed in that doll, that I wrote his character out of the story.

12. How much do you customize your dolls? I don't do faceups or modding, but I would like to learn modding. I have plans to make elf ears for two of my dolls.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last? I bought my first BJD in 2011. I can see myself collecting BJDs for many years to come.

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
I saw my first bjd back in 2000 at a sci-fi convention. She stuck in my memory for years, so I did an online search to see if I could find something similar. I didn't buy my first bjd until 2015, mostly because of finances and being afraid to commit that much money toward a hobby. I joined DoA in early 2016.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I'm an elementary teacher. Bjds don't affect my career, really, but I have shown my students pictures of my dolls to use as a picture prompt for their writing. Most of them think my dolls are scary, but fascinating, so I can use them to persuade my even my most reluctant writers to put pencil to paper.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
I own exactly 13 full dolls. It will be 15 once I receive my next doll and the body I ordered for one of my floating heads. I don't think there's a right or wrong number of dolls to own, but 15 will be a good amount for me until at least next year.

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
I'm only online and, even then, only in a very limited way. (Like I don't belong to any facebook groups, for example, or post pictures of my dolls.) That may change in the future when I feel like I have more time, but since I'll always be an extreme introvert regardless of how much time I have, it may not.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
No, but my son will kindly listen to me ramble about them and give me his opinion about sculpts.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
I go in phases, I think. Late last year, I bought only 1/3-sized dolls. Right now, only 1/6 are catching my eye. Overall, I own more 1/4 than any other size. I collect more girls than boys, and I'm not into fantasy or gore.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
That's an interesting question! I think my bjd hobby peacefully co-exists with my other hobbies. It doesn't take them over, but it does become part of many of them. I journal, for example, so I sometimes journal about my dolls. I'm slowly learning to sew, and my bjds give me one more reason to be engaged with sewing. They're just not the only reason I want to sew.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
Does shopping for them count? If not, then no. My interests are widespread and ordinary.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
I have favorites. I just don't always have the same favorite. Right now Cole, my MYou Luoye, is my golden boy. Next week, who knows?

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
I have a creative outlet that lowers my stress. I have something that I feel makes my world more beautiful.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
All of my dolls end up with some sort of story, but I don't always know what it will be when I buy them.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
I've hybridized and made some of my own wigs. I enjoy doing my own face-ups, though I'm happy with the factory face-ups I've purchased, too. I have fun pulling each doll's look together from things I buy, repurpose, or make. For the future, I'm seriously considering filing the pointed ears off two of my dolls, and I'd love to try dyeing.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
Well, I've admired them for about 17 years, but I would say I've been actively into the hobby for about 3. I don't see any end in sight.

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)

I first learned about BJDs from someone at SDCC- I organized the first EGL meet and she mentioned she should have brought her Super Dollfie and I was "What's a Super Dollfie?". "A $700 Japanese Doll she said." I was like "Whaaaat? Who'd pay that for a doll?!" Then it turns out I had a friend with dolls! THEN the January 2005 issues of Haute Doll caught my eye in the book store- he entire issue was ALL Super Dollfie and that was the end of me! LOL!

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)

Well I'm an author and artist. It's not much of a living. BJDs haven't effected my career- they ruined everything else I used to buy! LOL! I used to buy books and manga but that doesn't happen anymore.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)

Yes, I have over 50 dolls actually.... I'm not sure it's a good thing. I'm really nor. But each one is so uniquely beautiful it's hard to part with them. I will say I don't have shoes and socks for everyone, and I BARELY have clothes for them.

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?

I have gone to the San Diego BJD con, and one in Fresno, and I keep meaning to go to the one in Oregon, but I haven;t had the time/money. I USED to go to meet-ups, I actually used to be the one who organized them, back in Fresno. But again, the timing is bad here in Oregon. My weekends fill up with SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators)events and I don't want to drive to Portland two days in a row. So I have kind of lost my doll community.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?

Sort of. My mom has a couple dolls. I have a friend from college who has dolls. But Not really any close friends or local friends.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)

I have found that my favorite dolls are the most unrealistic/stylized dolls I can get. I have a lot of Lillycat/Cerisedolls, Nefer Kane, Soom fantasy dolls. My general preference size-wise is for MSD. I like that they don't weigh a ton LOL! The vast majority of my dolls are girls too. Boys just don't seem to stick around. I have 2 boys!

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)

I think dolls have eclipsed everything else I used to spend money on. I don't anymore! I don't buy books or manga anymore and I used too. But those were really mu only other spendy hobbies. I get all my books from the library and thrift stores/used book stores now.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?

Well I love to take pictures of my dolls. I don't often have the time. I CAN sew, but that's another thing I don't seem to have/make the time to do anymore. Mostly I just collect more dolls! LOL!

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?

I DO have favorites! My pride and joy is my Volks Kurumi. To me is the ultimate sculpt- I love her face, she's absolutely perfect. My favorite doll to TAKE places is my Volks Remi, I love her little smile and she's so cute and portable. I really love my Lillycat Eugenie, she ends up going places a lot too even though she has the crazy knees and isn't the poser.

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?

Well, I just enjoy them! I really like to look at dolls, and I really enjoy browsing the forum! I visit pretty much daily unless i'm super busy or out of town. So it's just something beautiful to look at! I enjoy seeing other peoples dolls, and their photography, and seeing other people's creativity is inspiring.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?

My dolls don't really have characters. I'm not shelling characters from a story or anything. But they sort of have vague representations or ideas about them. Not really personalities, but things that I like them to look like. Like "sweet" or "cute" or "mysterious". Sometimes they have an idea behind them like my Soom Teschen is an "1800s river boat gambler". But that's about all I have. I tried to do the super back story stuff early on, but it isn't me.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?

Not too much. Just face-ups. I don't have the nerve to dye a doll. I'm afraid to ruin them. If I need something else done I'll find a customizer. I CAN do my own face-ups but 1- I'm really out of practice and 2- I DON'T like doing them! I want a doll ready to play with! LOL! It took me a long time to reconcile myself to NOT being a super customizer. But I'm happier with something I can play with out of the box.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?

Well, I guess I've been kicking around since 2006 or so. It hasn't really abated. Right now my energy is on other things so I haven't been as into them as I have been. But what I'd like to do now is maybe get clothes, wigs, shoes, socks, and eyes. Although there are some older dolls I'd like to get that aren't available anymore. But also the money for acquisition just isn't there either. So I'll keep going because I love them too much, it's just going to be less. I don't see myself ever quitting though and selling them all off. They are like collecting art!

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
Yes! Back around 2008 (or so..?) I was into the anime Rozen Maiden and ALI PROJECT's music video featured the singer with a BJD. I'm not even sure how I found out from there, but I know the first thing I discovered from that was Volks.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I am an art school student. BJDs have not had much of an impact on this.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
I own one BJD! I don't have a lot of money and this hobby is very much a Pay to Progess kind of thing; clothes, wigs, eyes, shoes, and more dolls, props, etc. I just have one naked doll and two heads.

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
I've only been an active participant in the hobby for a year, so there hasn't been an opportunity to participate offline. I also don't have the means to do so.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
Nope! It's a little lonely.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
That's hard to describe. My tastes are inconsistent and unpredictable, so I'm not sure how to answer. Right now, though, I prefer more realistic bodies that are very poseable, and I have a soft spot for half open eyes. I love it when there are a variety of skin tones available, especially very dark tones.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
Very little! As mentioned before, I don't really have the means to invest a lot of time and money into this hobby. I've spent countless hours browsing the forums and looking at others' photography and projects, and studying for things I wanted to do, but at the moment I can't do any of those things. It's actually a bit frustrating because I wish the hobby took up more of my life.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
I'm especially interested in photography. I want to try wig making, faceups, and learn to sew. I think learning to make props can be fun and help my wallet out.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
I have only one BJD, so if I didn't like her, I imagine it'd be problematic!

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
They cheer me up a great deal. I think it's also creatively stimulating; my mind can go to many different places entertaining all of the ideas that spring up from thinking of BJDs.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
At first I did not ever want to shell OCs into my (hypothetical) dolls, because it felt weird. I wanted the dolls to inspire the character instead. However, I am coming around to the idea of shelling characters now. It's exciting just to think about!

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
I've only had my doll for a year! She is naked, but I have customized her in that she is now a hybrid doll. Eventually I'd like to give her a faceup myself and get her some unique looking clothing. I sometimes entertain the idea of modifying her eyes.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
I got into them back around 2008, so almost 10 years now. I was a child back then so I tried not to think about them since it was impossible to acquire one, but my interest never faded. I've only been active for one year now, but I think even if I sell all my dolls, I will still enjoy browsing the forums and seeing what others are doing. I don't think my interest will ever go away.

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
I discovered them about 10 years ago back when i was i back in high school. I think it was when i was really in my anime phase and going through anime figures online that i discovered bjds existed. i think the first ever dolls i discovered were mama chap dolls and i was instantly hooked. it wasn't until about a few or years ago that i discovered DOA and it wasn't until very recently did i decide to join because i actually got my own bjd!

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I'm a first year hairdresser apprentice! a few months after i started working i actually managed to save up for my first doll! as well as the next 2 full dolls and 3 floating heads. my pay isn't great but it was enough when i saved up over time :'D

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
so far i have 3 full dolls (although two are unpainted and undressed oops) as well as 3 floating heads i definitely wish i had more though! i have so many ideas i want them all to come to life eventually.

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
I'm usually not that active online but i do attend conventions a lot as a cosplayer, so it helps that both my hobbies work together.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
My mother and sister actually really love them too! my sister was one who got me into it this much and my mother is super supportive and always wanting to make my girl dresses !

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
i prefer larger dolls since i like making clothing and wigs its a bit easier when their larger. I also have a thing for androgynous looking dolls too.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
Bjd is probably one of the 4 hobbies that rule my life , cosplay, games, wigs and bjd. Although all four are somewhat connected so it works out in the end .

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
I love sewing costumes and making wigs for dolls and dressing them up as characters from my favorite series or just in clothing styles i like. I also like making furniture and props for them and posing them for photos.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
My favorite is definitely my first ever doll aria, a doll more ha yarn cho. shes just so precious to me because I didn't think i would ever own my own bjd . because she was a pre-owned doll she does have her flaws but i still love her regardless . this doesn't mean i don't love the others a whole lot too .

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
The fact that i was able to obtain a bjd, something i have had my heart set on for a good amount of my life felt like a dream. Its motivated me to work harder so I can spoil my dolls and obtain more friends for them!

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
I don't really have characters for my dolls yet. I kind of just find a doll i like and figure out a name based off how she looks.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
all my dolls are preowned so i get to have fun making clothing and wigs that work. i haven't touched face ups yet because their a bit scary! but i hope to oneday!

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
I've known about them for about 10 years and i think I've been into them since them. now that i actually have dolls i don't think i can ever escape!

 

This seems like fun XD

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?) Yes but only for a short while, I first joined a local forum and then DoA, I got my first doll (only head XD ) through the DoA marketplace

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?) I'm an artist, and yes they very much did ^^ I draw and photograph but my main love is sculpting and currently I'm working mainly with porcelain and make dolls and portrait dolls of people. (www.anne.frl)

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?) Depends a little on how you count, with offtopic dolls included I have over 25, but only my on topic dolls I think I have 14

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions? I go and host small meetings now and then with a couple of dollfriends, and I've been to quite a few conventions, here in the Netherlands, Ldoll in France, Dolls&Party in Spain and Jointed Hearts in Sweden. I'd love love love looooove to go to an american based convention once, that would be super cool

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds? My mom has collected 5 bjd's now ^^ And I have quite a few friends in the hobby

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?) I prefer aesthetics over posability, and I go for smooth long lines and semi realism. I kind of have dolls of all sizes but anything over 60cm is to tall for me. I also only have one boy, he's special cause no other boy doll ever stuck around.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?) Bjd's kind of enhanced the use of other hobby's for me, they made me get more serious about photography and sewing, I went from sewing for dolls to sewing for humans so thats my other big hobby now, I really like costuming and going to events. My other 'hobby' are my pets and they get a lot of love and attention and kind of tie back into my other hobby again which is walking in nature and photography ^^

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest? Pretty much all of the mentioned above XD I don't really do mods though. My prop collection is ridiculous and I should really really finally start on that diorama to put them all in >.>''

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally? Saar, she's my first (full) doll and she's my little fashionista, I also RP-ed a lot with her in the past and she's just my favourite to sew for

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better? Yes definitly, I made so many friends and the hobby made me travel through europe and I opened up a lot through it I used to have a hard time making friends but in this hobby it seemed to be more easy somehow.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never? usually after, or they have an idea or concept and that developes when the doll is here. I did make two porcelain versions of my oldest characters that I have never found the perfect sculpts for in resin.

12. How much do you customize your dolls? A lot? I usually hybrid them, I dye, face-up and body blush them, I make all their wigs and clothes myself. I only buy shoes and eyes and the eyes I now have custom made for me to be perfect XD

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last? Since 2007 I actually have my 10 year hobby anniversary this month 8D I don't know if I'll keep activly collecting but I don't think I'll ever sell my dolls, or at least not all of them ^^

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
For about a year, yes. I first became aware of them in 2005 I think, while trying to find a gofun doll I actually liked enough to buy on ebay, when these lovely Volks dolls kept showing up in the search results. At first I never thought I'd seriously consider anything that expensive, and started out with a handful of 1/6 Obitsus bought from Junkyspot instead. And of course that's where I started learning about the other companies out there...

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I'm attempting to be a writer, and most of my dolls are shells for my characters, so... they give me another means to enjoy it?

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
More. Much more. If anyone had warned me how they would multiply, I wouldn't have believed it, but I wouldn't change that now.

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
Only online so far. Now that we've moved to a smaller town, I don't know of any other members nearby at all, and I'm not the type to fly somewhere for a convention, so...

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
Unfortunately not, though my mother thinks they're amazing, and my father is amused by them at least.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
1/3 scale, definitely. The smaller they get, the more trouble I seem to have trying to paint/dress/pose/restring them - heck, I actually managed to stab my finger with a tiny S-hook the other day. And Iplehouse will probably always be my favorite company, no matter how many people insult their posing.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
Well, they've pretty much taken over one room and are threatening to start on another, if that tells you anything. And yes, they kind of have overshadowed my other hobbies, but then I'm supposed to be writing instead of playing video games anyway.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
I do apparently have an unusually large collection of 1/3 scale furniture for my group, by people's reactions to it.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
My favorite characters tend to decide my favorite resins, so my Felix and Carina, as shells for the protagonists of my primary project, are definitely up there. My Oceanmoon Hwa-Lan is my favorite for taking with me on trips, though.

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
They make me smile just to look at them. And sometimes laugh when things happen, even though they can frustrate me too... Not to mention they've given me the fun of sharing this hobby with like-minded people here, which I definitely appreciate.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
I almost always have a character in mind before I buy a doll, but of course sometimes they have other plans. My secondary group is made up of the ones that didn't quite work out but I loved them too much to sell them. Those don't have specific characters yet, though they may work their way back in later if I ever get past the first book in the trilogy. OR they may end up with their own steampunk story. We'll see.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
Not a lot...? I did reshape the nose and upper lip of my Dollzone Yuu, years ago, and I've sanded a couple pointy noses and carved deeper eye-wells on someone since then, (edit: and hot-glue-sueded a handful of my early dolls), but that's about it for mods. I've done a number of faceups, but I'm still not good enough to want to make a habit of that. I've made a skirt and a dress, and dyed/painted/modified some pre-made items, but a number of my crew are still waiting for me to finish their looks. In fact, the next thing I'm supposed to tackle is a more permanent tail-design for those who have them...

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
Well, I guess it's been over ten years now since I bought my first resin! I might get rid of some of the smaller dolls someday, but I suspect the character group are going to be with me until the end. ^_^

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
Yes, but not very hardcore into them, I first learned of BJDs at AWA 12 way back in 2006 but I was young and poor so I didn't actually collect until many years later!

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?
I am a cleaner for money but a crafter at heart. Bjds have definitely affected my crafting career! I now try to make smaller scaled everything!

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
Less only 6 Bjds and only 2 of those are resin and that's a bad thing! I want more!

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
I actually did a meetup at AWA before even starting on DoA!

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
I have a few bjd friends and one friend who is getting into the hobby.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
I tend to like male dolls best!

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
Since most of my other hobbies was crafting they kind of just blended well with each other. The only hobby that I have that is the odd one out is SCUBA diving which is actually more expensive than bjds sometimes!

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
I sew, knit, and build props! I do a bit of photography, I like to go hiking and do urban exploring with my dolls to find get good photos.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
I love them all!

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
They help me focus on less negative things in my life and have made me new friends!

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
I think it depends, I have a character already for a doll that is on order but I had one for a while be I figured him out!

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
I like to do face ups and make them clothing. One day I hope to do a lot more intense stuff but I dont have the right dolls for that.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
I have been into them for 11ish years but didn't actually get a Bjd until just recently! I hope it will last for many more years or until my wallet completely dies!

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
Yes, I was, but I can't for the life of me remember how I first learned of them. I think I was browsing Ebay for dolls and I stumbled across them (thankfully didn't buy any on the spot, as I had no knowledge of bootlegs at the time).
2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I work retail, stocking shelves early in the morning. But my career is working towards becoming a published author. So I guess the answer to that second question is yes and no. They are inspiring--all art is inspiring in one way or another--but they haven't changed my plans at all.
3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
I own none! Still saving towards my first one. It's been several months already, and I technically have more than enough money in the bank to get one. So I guess that tells you that sticking to my budget is important to me. Perhaps because of this, I don't think there's anything wrong with buying something expensive that you can afford and you saved for. As for owning a lot...I don't think I would be able to give thirteen dolls enough love, and I intend to only buy ones I fall in love with as much as I fell in love with Ringdoll Mai. Which means most of the ones on my wishlist will never be owned by me. There's a huge difference between "oh, that's beautiful" and "I know you". Kinda like the difference between having a crush and falling in love, hahaha. Love takes work, and dolls are kind of the same way. I don't want to own more than I have time to love.
4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
No meetups for this girl. I live in the middle of nowhere and I'm very, very shy.
5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
One of my friends is interested, but I don't know if I'd say she's "into" them.
6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
It really depends. I guess it's more about capturing a particular concept well than it is about a particular type. Kind of like music. I like music from all genres, and I also think there's "heard that before" music in all genres. But, like my cousin says, the only reason people think all metal sounds the same is because they haven't listened to enough of it. I guess the thing I look for most in a doll is "poetry", but I don't know how to describe what I mean by that.
7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
Bjds fit right into my other hobbies! Storytelling, crafting, exploring nature.... I was doomed from the start, haha.
8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
I'm interested in dioramas, but I'm forming a long photostory in my head, and the dioramas will function more as temporary sets. (Temporary because the two planned main characters are SD's, and I have extremely limited space.) This means that ALL of the above will come into play at one time or another, though I'm going to try to keep the cost as low as possible since so much of what I create I won't be able to keep.
9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
I don't have any yet, but I can feel in my bones that I'm going to love my Ringdoll Mai to pieces when I have her.
10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
For the better so far as I can answer this question. I have trouble relaxing, and I think this is helping me to have fun with my hobbies rather than using them to work towards a goal. I've known I wanted to be an author since I was nine, so it's difficult for me to create anything "just for fun" rather than with an eventual achievement in mind.
11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
Definitely after. I have too many non-doll characters. The fact that they're dolls makes them special.
12. How much do you customize your dolls?
I can't see myself ever being brave enough to do this.
13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
I've been drooling over pictures for longer than I can remember, but I'm not sure if that counts. I don't think it will end. Even if I stop playing with them, I'll still have them on display. They are beautiful.

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
Probably? I joined just before ordering my first one, but I was into obitsus before through a friend - I have no idea how I actually found bjds!

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
Retail, buh. I wouldn't say they've impacted it one way or the other.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
Mmmmmore and lemme tell you, if selling was less of a production I would absolutely downsize. I envy people who can furnish and curate huge collections, I barely have space for what I've got.

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
Mostly online, as much as yelling into the void in my own little corner counts. Used to go to meetups, but eh, it was more of a hassle then fun in the end so I don't anymore.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
Couple of friends. My sister thinks they're cool, but doesn't want to own one.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
....Judging by my collection, msd boys, whoops. I like the looks of a lot of sds, but I just don't have the room for them.

Also pukifees. They're so tiny but so cute, send help.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
Not a whole lot, actually - I have other very intensive hobbies like gaming (console and tabletop) and larping that take up a lot of time and energy. That's the cool bit about bjds, I can leave them alone for months and they just go "fair enough".

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
.....I'm interested in a lot of things, like dioramas and photography and making neat outfits and props.

I am skilled enough to do exactly none of them.

Oh well.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
Ahahahaaaaa I absolutely play favorites - the pukifee are spoiled rotten. I love all of them, especially my lucky finds like Amis and Nobuyuki, and I have a soft spot for Hinoki since he was my first, but I think my absolute favorite is Salem, my second-hand, yellowed as heck Limhwa Mono. I just love his cute little shy gothy face

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
Eh. As much as having any other thing of beauty around? You'd think it'd cure my impulse buying but you would be incorrect.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
Tried that. One of only two characters that made it into a shell got kicked out and is waiting for me to find a different one, and the other is an oc I've had forever but doesn't have a story anymore.

Most of the time they don't have much more then a name when they get to me, but if there's one thing I'm good at, it's making a completely unnecessary amount of characters.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
Not much, really. Most if them don't even have faceups. I should get on that....

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
Seven? Maybe closer to eight. As for the last, well, we'll see I guess.

 

Though i have been on the forum a while not many people know me. I want to make friends and get into modding/face ups in the future, so this is an introduction of sorts

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)

Yes, i have loved dolls my whole life and found bjds in 2005. Got my first in 2006!

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)

I am a dental assistant. Sort of boring lol

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)

I have 10 full dolls and some heads. I actually want to upgrade and reshell some characters so I plan on selling some and buying new!

I realized 7 of my dolls are fairyland! Feeple60, littlefee, realfee, realpuki, and 3 minifees lol.

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?

I have been to convention meet ups. There are no local meetups near me

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?

Not in the way i am. My mother originally got me into dolls. I got her a littlefee last year and she loves her!

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)

I really love fairyland dolls. I prefer good proportions and great posing over anything. msd is my favorite size, the goldilocks size!

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)

Besides horse hobbies its my biggest hobby.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?

Some of my dolls are limited and they will stay how the company made them. Others are to be modded heavily!

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?

My fullset FL Liria is definitely my favorite. she will be passed down to my daughter Marie (once she is older she is only 4!)

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?

I have been able to bring my characters to life and thus bring beauty into my home.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?

Usually i have a character first and pick the doll based on them. Sometimes a doll is too beautiful so I make place in my story for them

12. How much do you customize your dolls?

A LOT

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?

i loved them from first look and even though its been on and off, i think I will always have some in my life.

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
I joined as I was getting into the hobby.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
Currently unemployed, but studying to be a teacher.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
I own only 1 doll, and she's plenty of trouble!

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
I was lucky enough to attend a couple of doll events while living in Tokyo, but now I'm in a more remote part of the UK so the future looks online.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
My partner introduced me into the hobby.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
My preference is SD Female dolls. I like the SD size, it has weight and isn't completely dwarfed in my hands! I prefer working on female fashion.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
BJDs don't overwhelm my life, but are a welcome addition. The skill set involved in painting, sewing, and photography tie in well with my other hobbies.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
I'm fairly new to the hobby so lack much experience in any particular area, but look forwards to exploring all areas of the hobby. I think making a diorama will be fun.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
I have my one and only, so of course she's my favourite, and I think she would take some beating even if I were looking to grow my collection.

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
Joining in with my partner in her hobby has been great fun, and has given us lots to share and talk about!

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
For me, I envisage how/whether character can be portrayed through my doll.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
I have so far painted her face twice and blushed her body once. I don't like the idea of any more heavy modification, but I'm not afraid of exploring designs to feel out the best style for her.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
I'm heading towards a year being interested in the hobby and look forwards to many more!

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
Yes, the reason I joined was because as I developed an interest in the hobby, everywhere online said that DoA was the best resource. I didn't buy my first doll until a few months in, though. I learned about BJDs through Pinterest!

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
Until recently I was a teacher, but my goal is actually to start my own crafting business for doll clothes and accessories.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
Far less-- I own 5 now. There are a few more dolls I would like to have in the future, but I like having a modest-sized collection.

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
I've been to a couple expos and really enjoyed them. I would like to go to some meetups once in a while but been able to connect with a group.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
My partner got a doll of his own last year.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
I like variety--my five dolls consist of five different brands, four different sizes, and three different skin colors (one is blue). I do prefer female dolls, and I tend to gravitate towards delicate sculpting details and great posers.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
I've always had a plethora of arts-and-crafts hobbies and BJDs have become a kind of focal point for all of them, especially since my partner enjoys them too and we can talk about them together. I still enjoy other hobbies too, though, like drawing, playing video games, and traveling.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
So far I've done face-ups, sewing, knitting, jewelry-making, wig-making, and photography for my dolls, and I have plans to try making eyes and dioramas. I like designing outfits best!

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
I have things I love about each of them, because they're all very different, but I think my favorites are: Virga (Withdoll Cecily), whose Senior Withdoll body is my favorite for its beautiful sculpting and excellent posing; and Rebecca (Volks SDCute Renee), who is stinkin' adorable, a good poser, the ideal size for my small hands, and has emotional significance as a gift.

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
They've given me a new career goal!

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
So far I've always chosen dolls that I like for their own sake, and formed characters around the doll. My doll "characters" are usually fairly limited to personalities and style tastes, though, without complex backstories etc.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
A lot! Haven't done any major modification jobs to the resin itself on anything yet, though.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
Been active for 2 years, and expect to continue for a long time!

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
Nope. Was just looking up poseable dolls out of curiosity, and the website frustratingly wouldn't let me see most stuff. I figured joining wouldn't hurt and, well...
2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
Fast food. Yeah, hopefully that doesn't last long. My counselor did say the average job search takes six months. Dolls haven't really affected much other than strengthen my drive to get one.
3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
Way less. I currently only have one full doll, with another on the way and two, well, technically three heads. And small is the way I like it.
4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
Mostly just online. I went to a meetup and a con once. I don't have reliable transport at the moment, and that makes things a bit difficult.
5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
Not that I know of.
6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
SD boys. Yup, that's it. I have dolls that aren't SD boys (and I will technically have a balanced collection gender wise), but they are the biggest draw for me.
7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
Currently it is the hobby that has the most of my attention. But I have quite a few hobbies so that might change. I tend to get really intense about something, then suddenly flip. The ones I really like, I eventually go back to.
8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
I am trying to sew and craft. I used to craft things all the time and want to get back into it. With a better paying job I might also try dabbling in photography.
9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
My favorites shift, but as the only complete one here, Elliot currently gets the lion's share of my attention.
10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
They haven't really. They are pricey suckers. But I like them for whatever reason and they do give me something to do in my free time.
11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
After. I have many characters from my various stories, but I don't have the money to shell even a small fraction. Besides, I find that solidifying a character into something changes them, and seeing as BJDs force you to limit yourself to the sculpts out there or your skill at making them, I'd rather just make characters for sculpts.
12. How much do you customize your dolls?
A good bit. Most are hybrids, most are blank, none are fullsets. I not much of a modder though, though I might dye one later.
13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
Just one. I hope it lasts a while. This is a hobby of waiting, and i feel that I have a good way to go.

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?) Yes, briefly - I discovered BJDs through a friend at my first Tonner convention, there were some BJDs in the dealer room. He and I started working on our first BJD project together right then, and I've been hooked ever since.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?) I'm a counselor and a graphic designer...I find that the hobby perfectly encapsulates all my interests, both personally and professionally - dolls are therapeutic, inspire creativity, encourage socialization and friendship, and are a platform for so many other interests/skills - storytelling, designing, photography, digital art, sewing, painting, set building, wig making, etc.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?) More. And I guess that depends on who you ask. ;-) I certainly do!

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions? I've been to several conventions, meetups, and expos...I encourage anyone who hasn't to def go when you can! It's such a great experience to be around other collectors and see a wide variety of dolls/products...fun and informative - bring a ton of cash!

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds? Sadly, I had to move out of state and far away from my treasured doll friends...my family is 3000 miles away, and while they are supportive, don't really get it. DoA is a lifesaver!

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?) I have all types of dolls, but I def tend to favor the larger SD70 boys. My very first BJD was an Iplehouse Luo. I have several Iplehouse and Souldoll dolls, but have branched out since then. Currently waiting on my first Dollshe and Granado dolls. So many others on my wishlist!

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?) Hmmm...pretty much takes up all my free time currently.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest? I have a great appreciation for other people'e skills in all these areas, but I feel like I am still trying to hone my skills - just started learning to sew, for example. One thing I love about the hobby is that it def pushes you to try new things out of necessity.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally? What a terrible question to ask, lol! Seriously, I think I do prob love them all equally, just go through phases of paying more attention to some than others...wait, they aren't going to be reading this, are they..?

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better? They have led me to explore new places and meet new people I never would have otherwise...and they give me something fun to constantly be working and improving on. Plus I never get tired of looking at them!

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never? Hmmm...I'd have to say "with" - there's a moment with each new doll when you are first posing them and checking them out that you just know their personality/background/etc and how they fit into your story.

12. How much do you customize your dolls? Before DoA, I was much more timid about customization, but I am getting bolder every day! Currently working on my first bodyblushing + tattoo project - so excited!

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last? I started in the hobby in 2010, but only got serious about it in 2012...my only regret is that I didn't discover it much sooner! Can't imagine ever quitting. I feel like I am still trying to find my aesthetic/niche in this hobby, and there is always something new to see/do...

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
Yes! I've been into BJDs since 2009-2010. Prior to that, I was into Pullip and Dal dolls, and by participating in a community about them I learned about BJDs.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I was a full time seamstress until recently; I had to stop working due to various heath issues. I decided to use this opportunity to go back to school and get a management degree since I can't realistically be a seamstress or a costumer like I wished to be. If I can't make the goods myself, I want to help out other people who can! Maybe I'll even open my own company someday. Who knows?

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
That depends on which dolls we are counting here. I have only two BJDs, but if you count all the other dolls I have (including Dals, Pullip and the entirety of my Sailor Moon collection) there are about 17 dolls total. There are never too many dolls, just not enough space to show them all off at the same time!

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
I recently started participating in DoA the BJD Amino. In the past, I've also participated a little in my local BJd community, but I never really felt connected to it; perhaps it was because I was too young. I want to try meeting up with other people from my community again and see how it goes!

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
My sister also has BJDs, but she's not as into the hobby as I am so she is considering selling her dolls to me. That way, they can stay in the family and I get to take care of them without having to ask her permission for everything I want to try with them.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
I only have a Yo-SD and a MSD for now, but I'd consider MSD my favourite size so far only for the fact that making them clothes is easier than it is for a Yo-SD. I really love girl dolls in general (although I want a few boys too) and my favourite brand so far is LUTS!

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
BJDs don't overshadow my other hobbies. I have cosplay and painting taking care of that at the moment .

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
I would say that when I actually get into it, I really like sewing new clothes for my dolls or simply planning new outfits and styles for them.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
At the moment I am writing this, I love them both equally!

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
They give me another way to express my creativity, which is always for the better!

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
They always come after. What usually happens is that I fall in love with a doll and, if I order him or her, I start naming them only after seeing the doll in person. I start building their style and some personality traits after that.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
I don't trust my hands to do a lot of fine work, so right now I am mostly costumizing the basics. I mainly change the eyes, wigs and clothes my dolls are wearing; sometimes I glue in some eyelashes if I have to. I would like to learn how to do faceups since I have a floating head, but I'm not sure how well that will go. I might have to commission someone else for that task.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
I have been into BJDs for about seven years, even though I had to take a few years break! I don't see myself ever 100% quitting this hobby; just having some periods where I am more and less into it.

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?) I joined DoA after hearing about it at a forum on abjd that was held at Animazement in Raleigh in 2007. I had seen the dolls being carried around by their owners and was dying to know more!

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?) I am a non destructive testing technician for a company that manufacturers nuclear fuel rods for nuclear reactors. The dolls give me stress relief from a very stressful day.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?) More more more

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions? There are no other owners near me and the nearest meet ups are 2 hours away on nights I can never attend. I would love a convention but none are ever near my isolated little city.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds? No in real life. Only on line

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?) I like them all, male or female. I tend to collect dolls that are more ethereal. I have a great affinity for minimee dolls with a nuber of full dolls like certain
celebrities (David Bowie, Brad Pitt, Jake Sully, Ron Perleman and a few dressed as tv characters from Game of Thrones, Defiance, and others.)

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?) Bjds actually enhance my other hobbies such as sewing and embroidery and sculpting.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest? I like dolls that reflect my own fantasy world.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally? My Resin Enchanted Doll is my cherished grail

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better? They give me and outlet for creativity and the celebrity dolls allow me inside a world I can only dream of

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never? Usually before

12. How much do you customize your dolls? Mostly with just eyes and wigs.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last? Since 2007 and I hope as long as I live. I am 63 and the dolls are in my last will and testament.

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
A loooong time ago when I was around 12 or 13 was when I saw my first BJD on DeviantArt and had no idea what they were. I then saw one at the local convention I went to and learned more about them, but wasn't able to get one until recently about 10 years later ^_^

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I am a graphic designer/illustrator for a candy company! I design packaging for candy bags, boxes, etc It's pretty awesome. I'd say my career has affected my BJDs more than the other way around, but I think they both go hand-in-hand. My coworkers think it's an interesting hobby. ^^'

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
Currently I own none and it's definitely hard Dx but I have my first 2 on layaway and should be getting them in about 4 more months. Between now and then I plan on buying an artist head & eventually a body to go with it, and another doll that will hopefully arrive sooner than the first ones. So, by the end of the year I hope to have 4 total ^_^

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
I went to my first meetup recently after joining the hobby and I had a ton of fun meeting other enthusiasts and taking pictures of their amazing dolls. I absolutely plan on going to conventions and more meetups! I love the online community but it's wonderful to see other people's dolls face to face.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
I have one friend who also has her first doll on layaway currently, and I have another friend who has also strongly admired them for a long time but hasn't been able to get her first doll yet. We hope that she can soon!

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
Hmm...I can't say yet since I haven't owned any dolls before, but after attending the meetup aforementioned, to my surprise I actually preferred the bigger sized dolls! They're much more striking. However, I don't think that will prevent me from getting smaller ones if I fall in love with a sculpt. I have found I highly prefer odd and very stylized dolls such as Depths Dolls, Merry Doll Round, Lillycat, Dust of Dolls, etc. My first dolls are coming from Doll Chateau if that says anything about my preferences..haha! However I'm also in love with BeYours and I love very cutesy dolls as well.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
Not just BJDs but dolls in general have definitely overshadowed my other hobbies unfortunately...I've become a bit obsessive. But, I'm hoping to fix that and start getting back into making cosplays and regular every-day clothing, and I'd love to find the time to play video games again. And most of all, I really want to start making more art again.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
I definitely first got into the doll hobby to make clothes. But, after going down the customization rabbit hole, I love all aspects of customizing so much, especially doing faceups! I have only been able to do them on non-BJDs so far, so I can't wait til I finally get my first dolls.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
Hmm...I can't say right now since I don't have BJDs yet. But if we're talking my other types of dolls, I definitely love most of them equally...some of them less than others though... hahaha! Out of the dolls I plan on having though...I can't see myself favoring one strongly over the others. I'm excited for all of them equally

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
I've definitely found my passion in life in BJDs. I hope to someday make dolls and art combined my career. I have become much more confident in my skills as an artist, and I'm way more comfortable talking to BJD owners than I have been with other people in my past hobbies, even cosplayers. I am really happy I found this community - I feel like eventually, I can belong here

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
Characters definitely come after the dolls, if they come at all. My characters I come up with almost purely so I can get a feel for what kind of fashion I want them to wear, and what I want them to look like. But, we'll see if that changes after I have been in the hobby for a while

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
Head-to-toe! At least, that's what I'm planning. I plan on buying most if not all of my dolls blank so I can give them the whole getup!

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
oh goodness, 6 months maybe??? haha! Unless you count the years between when I first saw and fell in love with them at age 13 or so...then I suppose that would be 10 years! But only the last 6 months or so has it been a more serious pursuit. I don't see myself getting out of this anytime soon!! I hope it lasts for a long long time!

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)

Yeah, I've known about BJDs for a few now, and I only joined DoA last December. I first heard of them from Flickr, as I used to have a doll photography page with photos of my fashion dolls, and I ended up finding BJD pages.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)

I work as a CSR for an insurance call center. Actually, because of this job, I was able to get my fist doll.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)

I only own one as of right now.

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?

Im a member of three or four Facebook pages, as well as a local group that I've gone to a meetup with.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?

One of my closest friends I met in school is into the hobby, and I actually showed him the doll he wants to get as his first one.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)

I love very large, more realistic looking sculpts. I'm not too much into anything smaller than 55cm at the moment, but who knows what will happen.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)

I spend about $20 to $30 every few weeks for new stuff, like clothes, shoes, wigs, anything that I find that I like.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?

I've been taking photos of my dolls since way before I joined the hobby, so that's still there. I used to love to draw, and doing face-up and body blushing has helped bring that love back. I also love making clothes.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?

I love the one I have, and when I have the three I want, I plan on loving them equally.

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?

They made me realize how much I love creating stuff that's my own. Because of BJDs, I know have a full story with multiple characters win long back stories and complex relationships.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?

All of my characters came first, and I found the perfect sculpts for them afterwards.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?

I've done my own face-up, body blushing, and tattooing. I've made clothes and a wig. I want my doll to be as much of my own as I can.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?

It's been about four or five years, I believe, but I plan on staying for an unknown amount of time. It will most likely be much longer than my dolls will last.

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
Yes, I had bjd's before DoA. I couldn't join right away becuase I had no sponsor, so I waited for open enrollment.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I am a PA, and other than my co-workers thinking I'm weird for collecting doll, it has not affected my career.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
Yes, I have 19 dolls, but have slowed down a bit because if the expense.

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
I have gone to 2 meetups, but no conventions.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
Sadly no.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
Female, MSD size, not so much fantasy sculpts.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
My other hobbies are video game/computer gaming and shopping (not sure if that's a hobby or an addiction, Lol) The dolls don't take me away from that.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
I try to sew for them, but not really that well. I have gotten pretty good at making wigs, though I still learn something nes each time I do. I love looking for props for them.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
I definitely have favorites. Iplehouse, and Fairyland, what can I say? I like pretty sculpts.

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
It has given me something to do in my spare time, instead of just sitting in front of a TV or a computer. I love dressing them and making things for them.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
None of my dolls have characters, I'm not that imaginative.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
Not at all, too afraid. I even get the company facesups, because I am woefully un-artistic.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
I started collecting 2015. Not sure how long it will last. Depends on what dolls I really need to have. I am running out of space though.

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
Yes! I definitely did my research. I did not know about DoA until about a year into my research, and didn't get my first doll until about 6 years after I found out about them.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I own my own furniture store. No, this has not affected my career, I am self employed, and rather it has helped me.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
I currently own 3 (4th is on her way!) dolls, I hope to have many more, but I think 20 is my limit.

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
I've never been to a meetup, I'm in the middle of my state, and it's hard for me to travel. I am on instagram and participate as much as I can there, it is where I'm most active.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
None of my friends have any dolls, but they think they're cool. They just look at mine.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
I really have no preference. I would say generally I stay away from pointy faces and noses.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
Bjds have taken over my other hobbies! Before I knew about them, I was a polymer clay artist. Now I just make food for my dolls.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
I really love making wigs, and I'm starting on my diorama.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
Right now I love all my babes the same, maybe Noah a little more.

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
I love that I can express myself through my dolls, the way I cant with my own body. As well as helped me with my severe PTSD and anxieties.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
Little bit of both. My main cast comes from my four OCs. Noah, Derek, Silver and Toby. And few come to me when I see the doll that I want.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
I'm scared to do my own faceups, so I try not to. Although, I try to make clothes.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
I have ALWAYS been into dolls, brats, barbies, moxie, liv and porcelain dolls I used to collect them all. I was about 14 when I found out about BJDs and have wanted one since. (I'm almost 21 now.) I didn't get my first one until I was 19 years old. I think my love for dolls is ever growing. I don't think I'll ever stop.

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
I joined DoA in October 2007 and I received my first doll in Januar 2008, but I didn't actually use DoA a lot, in the beginning, I think.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I don't have a job But you could say that BJDs helped a lot with being lonely and coping with my life situation.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)

I have less, and it's fine. I sold a lot of BJDs during this year. Stuff happens and it's alright

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
I don't go to meetups or cons, really. I want to attend the upcoming BJD con in Denmark, but I don't know if I can make all the pieces come together yet.

Right now, most of my social life with BJDs is by participating online and chatting to friends.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
My mother was into BJDs but sold her last one a while before she died. After she died I'm the only person interested in BJDs left in my family.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
I prefer SDs and I don't have a gender preference. I do, however, love Iplehouse, Supia and LLT. Atm, I don't own any Supia dolls, but I plan on a few.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
Oh definitely, I have somehow merged it together with my writing hobby. I do, however, prefer writing to dolls.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
I'm mostly into the character aspect of the dolls, but I also love photography.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
Possibly my Dollshe Amanda, Scarlet She's a stunning doll imo, and she fits her character really well.

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
Yes, all my current friends are BJD owners. I have known my bestie before dolls, but we both entered the hobby at the same time.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
In most cases, characters come first. I use the characters I have had for 5-10 years give or take depending on the character.


12. How much do you customize your dolls?
I don't customize my dolls at all, I pay for other people to do so.


13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?

I have owned dolls since 2008, so next year it'll be 10 years.

I hope it's a hobby for life, but who knows?

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
Yes but I did not want one because they are expensive and also because I don't like the fancy dresses I did not know there were more style to choose until I saw them in the store. I know of them from my sister and from seeing them on the stores.

I did not join doa but I knew of bjd years before I did not want to buy one or join doa until I was sure I loved the hobby and wanted to be in it instead of it being a phase because I go through a lot of changes in hobby

My wishlist is always changing so I was not confident I would be here because I thought my interest was fleeting

I only knew I wanted to join and felt like I saw the one when I saw belle in mandarake lol she is the perfect doll for me

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
lol I am a NEET and live on my saving and real estate investment hahaha I'm loser :p

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
I own one and don't want to own more than one

My sister own a lot and she is always planning and buying and I want to enjoy my girl instead of planning too much life is too short and one friend is enough for me

But I always think I want another lol I always think I want to give her a friend to live with but I want to focus on her only

I do not have time and talent to focus on more than 1 but I think about it a lot

I cannot say if it's good or bad because every one limit and capability is different but to me it is good because I don't have to keep up with releases or think about bringing money to affords a new release and I'm worried if I get new model my belle would feel old and that her engineering isn't as good as the new doll

I do not want to allow myself to feel that way about her she has too much good memories for me

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
No I went to conventions in Japan and it was the best fun I had

I met many people and became friends with a lot of good and nice people local to Japan and abroad it is the highlight of my life in the hobby

I dont go or have interest to go to local meetup here it's only for women allowed and even if it became mixed which it is not I would feel unwelcome and I don't like that feeling too much the country is naturally segregated so I don't feel angry that it is women only but it disappoint because I want a local I can chat and go photograph with lol also they like anime and I don't know anything about anime except the studio ghibli movies so we do t have too much common

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
Yes my sister but I'm not allowed in her doll room lol

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
I like most the girl doll and I like the school girl look the most because it is the cute

My favorite is for the doll to have a fresh face with dark color eyes

I like many companies but my favorite is volks because I love sdgr body proportion and the heavy thick legs

I also like unoa and bimong body dolls

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
Not too much I don't like spending my time always thinking about doll or doll look and plans mostly I am scared I become obsessed like relative

It is my favorite if the hobby because I want to craft and modify and create so to me it is the funnest and people are nice and encouraging

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
Making diorama is my favorite

I am starting now because I saw arrietty movie with the small people it is inspire me to make diorama use human scale object to make it like for small person

So far I am enjoying it too much it is fun to find other uses and looks for normal scale items like using a hand mirror upside down and making it a wall mirror after aging process and paint it is very fun and cool

I am learning sewing but I want to kick the machine all time I hate it very difficult I am have ideas and plans and I prefer to do it myself more practice mean more experience ce and I learn new skill even if not beautiful it is fun and I can have sense of pride

Also it is cheaper for me hahaha

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
I only have volks belle my Lourdes so she is my favorite and I don't want another doll because I don't want him to take her place and attention away haha

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
I am not too depressed but I like expressing myself through doll vessel

I feel it is better than saying it out and people think I am miserable to be around so I prefer to be myself and thing that is not to acceptable I express in doll form

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
Lourdes was always special to me

I always make her character when I play new game so making a vessel out of a doll I had to have Lourdes

I cannot have an empty vessel and then make character it feel lifeless to me even though they are dolls and the same but have doll after you have character is more enjoyable in believing and bonding this is a spirit inhibiting your doll vessel

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
I want to customize everything I want her to be complete unique to me only it is weird to see another doppelgänger in another person collection she does not feel mine enough

I have ordered jointed hands and I will modify the face and body to make her like Lourdes and to make her mine even if she will be come less beautiful in the eyes of other people

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
2 years now but almost 1 year of owning Lourdes

I hope to stay for a long time until I can wear a chest baby carrier with my crumbling old Lourdes and no one says anything because they are used to the local old eccentric man and his resin baby lol

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
-Yes, I actually joined DoA because I wanted to do research for a third dolly. I learned about bjds through Instagram when I was looking at faceups for a different type of doll. A stylized faceup for a minifee pulled me in, though I actually bought a Resinsoul doll for my first because of the resin color options

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
- I'm a healthcare provider, which has nothing to do with my love for bjds. It helps me buy them, but that's about it.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
- I own WAY more than 13 dolls, if we're including my non-bjd babies. This is a bad thing, because I get swamped in all the creative ideas I have for them.

4. Do you participate only on online dollcommunities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
- Since I'm a newbie, I've never gone to any doll meets or conventions, though I would love to, maybe next year... But! I'm very active online

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
-Nope!

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?
-I adore msd boys! They just speak to me in a way the girls don't. I do want one girl, though. Maybe she would play me and I'd have a haremb

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
- Well, yea! I used to write and draw stories and play games, but if I draw now, it is going to be about my bjds, one way or another. The same goes for writing stories.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
- Well, I sew dolly clothes(terribly) for my dolls and I make passible dioramas, too.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
- I don't want any of them to see this and kill me in my sleep, so I'm going to plead the fifth!

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
- I've gotten more friendly online since I could see everyone's dolly loveliness and join in everyone's appreciation of the bjd hobby

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
- Both! Sometimes, I see a doll and come up with a background immediately, partly as an excuse for why the dolly needs to come home with me. Other times, I pick the sculpt, then I attempt to fit them into a background story; it just depends.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
- I change hair and clothes. I've never painted a faceup or given a piercing or tattoo. I'm too scared to permanently ruin my babies

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you thinkthat will last?
- 2 years, but I hope it lasts forever because bjds cheer me up about life.

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)

Definitely there was an interest before I'd joined DoA. The first time I'd learnt about bjds was when I was financially dependent on my family and I had other priorities such as my tuition to tend to. It was a little more than 2 years ago that I saw the first bjd that I'd wanted. It was a doll from AS (A-Studio) and the doll was a limited edition doll. Sadly I would have to miss out on a couple of their other dolls before I managed to finally buy my first. Some where between me discovering bjds and buying my first, I was travelling across east asia and it invigorated my desire to also be a part of hobby.

I actually joined and made an account years back but that was when I was still in Uni and of course, I actually remained silent as usual trying to learn more before I could one day buy my own. Years passed and well I forgot the pw to that email and the username of that DoA account. Now, I'm finished with my Honors Bachelor of Science and working, so I wanted to be more active with this hobby by finally establishing an account here where I can finally post.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)

Right now I'm a pharmacist assistant ahaha. Still dunno what I want to do career wise though.
Well definitely not because I've only just put in an order for one doll. However, I'm afraid I will have to put mortgage and paying for my sister's tuition first. Dollies come at a solid 3 (right before dating keke).

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)

Sadly just one - and she's on the way. So I'll definitely be spoiling this girl (young woman?).

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?

I'm a newbie/nooblet - so I never had the chance to go to meetups or conventions (I have been gone to plenty of conventions and expos, but never any doll related events sadly). I will definitely try to see if I can go to DollNorth next year (in May....)

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?

Definitely not sadly.

If I told them I bought a doll for X amount - I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be laughed at or heavily criticised. Good thing I have a father who appreciates how beautiful dolls can be!

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)

I don't know how to answer this, er, I find myself attracted to the 1/3 scale BJDS (is that how you write it?). I'm attracted to both genders. In terms of brands, I have always like A-Studio doll. But I have come to absolutely adore the SWITCH and Crobi dolls. I hope to own at least one doll from each company.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)

Very little cause I'm new. But I know watching movies and television is a lot cheaper than bjd - hobby wise. So bjds won't be overshadowing anything any time soon.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?

Not really. Except maybe photography which I am thinking about going into more. Must prepare the dslr camera....

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?

I only have the one that'd still being made. However I doubt I'd have any favourite. It's like telling me I can only eat one dish for the rest of my life.

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?

I actually have a hobby that demands a lot of focus and attention. So I am happy that I've become very fixated on this hobby. I also like to write for fun so studying the pictures of the doll, I'm really have a fun time teasing out little stories or embellishing them.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?

Sometimes....but I am more of the type of person who studies an individual. It's the same with dolls. So no, usually the dolls are already characters to me but it's not so shallow or generic to suggest that's all there is to them.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?

No. I won't customise dolls. Unless I've finally lost my mind and it's a cold day in ....

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?

Around...5 years? And forever and a life time.

PCE!

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)

yes, I had a couple of bjds before joining DoA, i learn about them in an spanish forum

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)

I work in a daycare and maybe because i am more happy in my job thinking part of my earnings are for doll/doll related items XD.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)

I am actually at 13 whit two more dolls in layway and yeah it is!

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?

I whish there were bjd meetups and conventions here, but i believe i am the only bjd owner/collector in my country.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?

Yeah my sister, she likes doll chateu dolls but she doesn't have any, i promised her one when she finishes her studies.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)

I love SD dolls boys and girls mostly volks but some swith molds too.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)

yes, i used to have some other hobbies (drawing, painting, cosplay, rag dolls making) but now they are mostly bjd doll related.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?

I think photography and sewing.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?

I think the SDs are my favorites, all of them

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?

I am more open minded now, also i am a little more confident in myself.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?

sometimes, but most of the time i just fell in love whit the sculpt and try to give it a background story.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?

not much, there are few that have faceups by myself, and just one whit a full outfit done by me, the girl in my whishlist will be a full project I do some clothing and accesories for the others too.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?

Four years and i hope it will be a long time.

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
Absolutely! I've been interested in them since middleschool, and got my first doll in 2014. But I just joined DoA recently, hoping to see more lovers of dolls and maybe even make friends in the community.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I work with my best friend/housemate in her art business NekoCreations. I'm also between dayjobs right now @-@

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
Much less. I own one and have a second mystery doll on the way (through MoC's Haoqi box) who I will be receiving for Christmas. I think it's not a bad thing to start with a small crew, especially seeing as I'm still searching for a stable source of income.

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
DoA is actually the first online community I've participated in and I just joined this week. I have brought my doll Hibiki to our Artist Ally tables at anime conventions though, and hope to make more friends in the BJD community.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
I babysat two different friends' BJDs for them before, which is what actually got me interested in them. While I do not speak with them as much anymore, they were invaluable in my love of BJDs. I also have an online artsy friend who has gotten a few dolls they've been sharing photos of this past year which is really exciting to me.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
I like the feeling of my msd. He's 45.5cm tall and the weight and size aren't too cumbersome for me. I'm small and have arthritis so I'm a bit intimidated by any larger doll because I'd worry about carrying them safely.
I absolutely LOVE Crobidoll and admire their dolls from afar ever since I played NAMELESS by the game company Cheritz. I really like my Doll Love boy and how his resin feels as well though.
I'm definitely a fan of male dolls more, as I just enjoy creating male characters more typically.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
I want to do more with them, but they definitely haven't overshadowed my other hobbies.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
I've always loved hand sewing things so the first thing I did before my first doll even arrived was I made him a bed, blanket and pillow. I've also sewn him two shirts and a bag, as well as making him a few scarves a wristband and a necklace and modding his socks because the feet of the ones I'd brought him were far too small despite being made for 1/4 dolls.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
As I haven't met my second doll yet, I do not know. But I have a deep fondness for Hibiki, who is a Doll Love Kaja, and was my very first doll.

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
I think I've gotten better at money management since admiring BJD. I consider what I want now vs what I want to save up for a lot more thoroughly than I previously did.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
I have a character I want to shell but have not yet, but for my current BJD, I did not have a character figured out until he was already on his way to my house.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
I have very little experience with customization but I want to get more into creating clothing and maybe doing some faceups and/or wig creation.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
I've been into them for easily 8-10 years if I had to guess, even if I've only been a doll owner for three years. I can't see it being a hobby that ends. If anything I would have to guess it may pick up the pace.

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)

Yes I already had two BJD's before I finally decided to sign up for DOA. I sculpt, and I have been a fan of Ryo Yoshida's work, I also love doing doll customs and have been doing them for over 5 years but I decided to finally get myself a couple of SD's so yeah, DOA it is
2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)

I do animal related upkeep and I also teach scuba diving during my days off ^_^ not really, no one even knows that I collect them but in terms of finances I guess I took that twice weekly scuba diving gig to fuel this hobby paychecks coming from my part time are now officially relegated to just dolls, clothes and items
3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)

as of the moment I only own 10, but I intend to buy 2 more SD's when I complete the characters I have in mind (half way done 3 more to go!) looking for items to complete a doll is quite a pain but it's a labor of love

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
Sadly I barely do any of the things mentioned above I'm like an extremely introverted lurker on online communities. Which is part of the reason as to why I don't even have posts here (but I'm trying! :P)

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
Sadly no.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)

Dollshecraft SD's their sculpts are divine!! I love that they are so realistic with the right faceup and lighting and they make a great subject for photography I got mostly males but I have been eyeing on amanda beauty because of her very versatile sculpt
7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)

I'd say almost half of my life is about BJD's because I sew, paint, do doll customs, sculpt and do photography, and the other half, is probably comprised of work and school to get funds to buy more
8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization,
making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?

Yup, as mentioned above
9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?

Oddly enough, I kinda love the dragon doll from clover dolls(Mariya Zhukova) and my YOSD from AE than all my SD's
10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?

This hobby has changed me for the better because it kinda helps me focus and do my job well since I think of it as a way to relieve stress and do something else apart from the normal 9-5 job. I used to be a little bit depressed and doll collecting helped me through it
11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?

They come first and then I look for sculpts that would somehow fit the character I am trying to develop.
12. How much do you customize your dolls?

Not so much I guess because apart from faceups and clothes I don't really tinker with them much.
13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?

3 years? hard to tell but I think I started around that time? I think it's going to stay for quite a long while since this hobby really makes me happy and helps me stay motivated to pursue things that i never thought I would get into

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
Yes I was into bjd before I even knew DOA existed , I collected other dolls and found a bjd can’t even remember who it was but her picture sent me down the rabbit hole.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I am a paraprofessional and they don’t interfere with my work unless day dreaming about my characters counts lol.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
I own less than 13 but I am sure as my storyline progresses I’ll have more !

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
I like going to Doll meetups when I can I love seeing every ones else dolls in person and having them in my hands to compare.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
Yes! I got into bjd and brought one over for my mother in law to look at and that same day she ordered her first bjd.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
I have found I prefer 1/4 size female dolls not a 100% why but I love dressing them up .

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
Bjd have definitely pushed a few of my other hobbies completely out but have also helped me with other hobbies like sewing and drawing and writing.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
I love sewing outfits for my girls!

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
My first Doll (angel fantasy Alice) is definitely my favorite and will always be because she was my first.

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
They have changed my life for the better by giving me something to look forward to after a rough day , and something to work on and see progress.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
My characters come when they feel they want to show themselves, but a few I seen have been my characters from the beginning, and my first Doll will never have a character.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
I customize them as much as needed but only cosmetically nothing permanently like sanding and piercing .

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
I have been in for over a year now and will stay in until i can’t remember who my dolls are any more .

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
Yes I were into them before! I first learned about them on deviantArt back in 2012/13.
2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I'm a book seller trainee. BJDs haven't affected my career much but they're a big plus to my love for books, stories, creativity in general... =3
3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
Less. Which so far is quite good... I don't have the room, time or money for so many dolls at the moment...
4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
Currently I only participate in online doll communities... But I'd love to go to conventions and meetups...
5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
In real life... Nope... Unfortunately not...
6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
Human looking BJDs mostly. Size doesn't matter much. But mainly I am into boys. And my favourite brand is Dollzone... ^-^"
7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
Not enough lately... Work overshadows everything...
8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
I'm interested in basically everything about dolls! *o* They're such a perfect way to show of all my creativity!
9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
*coughs* Aoi... *coughs* No, it's not because he's my grail!
10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
I've been able to be more creative, they give me calm and peace somehow when I work with them. May it be crafting wigs or sewing or taking pictures of them. It's all so calming and that's perfect for my mind state...
11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
They come before the dolls! The doll is choosen to be perfect for the existing character!
12. How much do you customize your dolls?
It depends. Usually they're more or less completely customized. But sometimes company faceups for example just look so perfect for my characters already so I don't have to change that anymore.
13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
Like I stated before I'm into BJDs since 2012/13... That's 5-6 years now already. My first boy arrived Decembre 2014, so a bit more than 3 years ago. I still consider myself a newbie. But I am sure I'll stay in this hobby forever for sure. I just love these dolls too much!

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
I had just found out about bjds and ordered my first one. I came to DOA in order to make friends and talk dollies! I found out about them on my search to make a figure of my favorite video game character. Also I had fallen in love with the Avatar Tonner set and found out they were considered bjds.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I currently am a customer service manager at Wal-Mart. The bjd hobby has inspired me to possibly become a freelance artist someday
3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
I only own 1 full doll at the moment, but I have 3 on layway! I think this is a good thing and I plan to own many more!
4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
Right now I'm having a hard time finding bjd meet ups in my area so alot of my interactions are on the internet.
5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
No.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
Twigling is my favorite brand. Sd is my favorite size. Female is my favorite gender!
7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
Luckily for me the Bjd hobby had married alot of my other interests into one. I love to paint and craft and face ups as well as prop making allow me to do both while maintaining my bjds.
8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
I am currently teaching myself how to sew. I have actually taken classes for photography into school that I apply to photoshoots. Customization is my favorite part of the Bjd hobby! You can make them whoever you want them to be! Also I am currently working on my first dollie diorama, so I think I've covered all of my bases as far as the hobby goes!
9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
Definitely have favorites, but they're sometimes in sub categories lol
10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
They have given me so much more to love and a lot of artist expression. I feel like they have opened up a whole new world of challengesfor me to overcome and to teach myself new trades.
11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
Always first!
12. How much do you customize your dolls?
As much as I can! I'm all for modding and body blushing!
13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
I have actually only been in the hobby about 6 months, but I hope and plan to contnue working with them for years to come!

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
Yup! I've been interested for about 10-12 years (since I started seeing them pop up on Deviant Art and LJ years ago) but at the time that I had really been lurking, it wasn't a financial possibility. I requested to join here when my pukifee ante was on the way a few months ago.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I work as a pet photographer (with occasional odd jobs on the side) and I'm setting up to sell a handful of paintings starting this year. I have a part time job to keep everything financially stable but should be weening off of that this summer. BJDs have been an initial money drain but they have actually gotten me back on track with starting to budget properly.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
I currently have three bjds (and a handful of other misc. dolls). I think that's currently good for my wallet but overall, I look to have many more for photography/zine/doll theater projects with my partner.

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
I'm not a terribly social person and aside from watching bjd videos and a handful of folks on insta, I've not actually started talking to folks until very recently. I'm trying to become more active online and I've met a few local bjd folks as well. Looking forward to meetups, though it looks like the ones in my area don't line up with my current schedule - bummer!

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?

My partner, who got me actively in the bjd hobby as well as some friends who have taken interest now that we've gotten started. My brother seems to think it's pretty nifty but my parents don't know what to do about it (I brought one of my dolls my last visit).

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
I absolutely love tiny dolls, especially the pukifees and other similar sculpts but I'm developing a fondness for the long limbs of the Doll Chateau bodies. I've had a preference for the female gendered dolls, just because I've seen so few male dolls that match my particular aesthetic so I'll probably make my own - haha.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
Bjds and customizing/sculpting dolls has rapidly become where I spend the majority of my time outside of work and mostly because I can make use of all my skills in one place.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
All of the above, ha ha. I'm still a novice with sewing but I like the ability to customize everything about a doll and it's environment and they make great photo subjects! My partner and I want to put together a queer fashion doll zine and will probably be working on that a handful this summer. I suppose some of my tastes for customization/faceups/props/etc. would be considered out of the ordinary because they are either adult in nature (kink/fetish pinup) or dark/creepy.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
I would say that I enjoy them all equally but I've been paying more attention to Persephone because of all the work I've put into her the past week or two.

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
I would say that they've made me take a look at how I organize my space, they've increased the collaboration between myself and my partner, and they give me a way to focus and further develop a variety of skills.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
Both before and after. I haven't had many yet but part of why I became interested was to shell a handful of my people (because I have SO MANY) - though the first two dolls I brought home ended up becoming something all their own. I've made more progress starting to sculpt my partner's people than my own, ha ha.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
I haven't done any "heavy" mods (sanding or building up with epoxy) but that'll happen in time, I'm sure. I've started with the blank sculpt to body blush/freckle, I've done my own faceups/nails, crafted wigs and clothes, etc. I eventually want to be doing -everything- I feasibly can.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
I've actively been into bjds for 4-6 months but I've been interested for more than 10 years. I think it'll last quite a ways, as a creator and a story teller, bjds and other dolls have become a massive outlet for my creativity.

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
Yes, I first learned about bjds when I visited my first convention 9 (?) years ago. But because of the high price I never thought that I'd buy one so I was always lurking online, admiring them from afar. That has changed last December when I bought my first doll, the DD Snow Miku which I changed to be a character doll.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I'm a law student working a part-time job at a callcenter. Bjds haven't affected my career and probably never will ~

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
Less than 13 dolls, right now I only own one Dollfie Dream but I'm currently working on my first resin doll! The head is already on its way to my place

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
So far I've only participated on online community but I'd love to go to a meetup one day! If only there was one in my area

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
Nope but I can talk with my best friend about my hobby.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
Mh I like dolls who are at least taller than 30cm and volks because of the availability and the variety. I love well sculpted hands with nice fingernails!

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
Right now bjds are my main interest besides reading. But it's not like the hobby overshadows my social interactions or takes a lot of my free time, I just do what I enjoy

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
Mh I don't think so? I like posing my doll and changing her outfits, so nothing out of the ordinary.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
Well I only own one doll right now... but let's see if that changes once I receive my first resin doll!

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
I got even more interested in the artistic aspect of the hobby and I get to know so many interesting and kind people - only thing that pains me is the price for a doll + clothes etc.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
The character was there before my first DD but for my first resin doll it came afterwards.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
So far I like to changer her eyes/wigs/clothes and body parts. I haven't yet changed her face up.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
I've been into BJDs for at least 3 years, that's when I started to follow other peoples blogs/channels. Hopefully this hobby will stay with me for a looong time, it's such a rewarding process to build your doll

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
Yes! I first learned about them on Instagram and Youtube from doll customizers I was following.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
I just work part-time at Dominos for now, but I'm working on becoming a nanny. I think it would be amazing to get a career in the doll/toy industry, but I have no real talent for sculpting or doll ideas.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
I currently only own 1 But I have a list that's slowly growing of more dolls I want and am planning on getting! (oh my poor wallet)

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
As I've just entered the bjd community, I'm still online for the moment, but I look forward to future events.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
My sister also loves bjds but she has no money so is not a collector (yet) But it's nice to talk to her about them and gush over our favorites.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
My favorite kind of dolls are ones with unusual sculpts (often inhuman) with striking bodies or faces. I prefer girl or neutral dolls because I just haven't seen a boy doll I'm fond of yet

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
Right now I'm on a pretty obsessive kick but in general they take up just as much of my life as my other hobbies.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
I really like customizing the faces and shopping for tiny clothes that I would never wear myself.

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
All the dolls I love are fairly equal, but there is definitely a favorite

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
Bjds have really given me an opportunity to express art in a way I was never able to before. They've really helped me become more creative both in my artistic endeavors and character creating.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
The doll definitely picks their own personality, especially with the unique sculpts I'm drawn too, I feel like the story is already there and it's just my job to uncover it.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
For now I just do the faceup, but I'd consider doing mods once I'm more comfortable working with bjds.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
It's only been about a year, but I think this hobby will stretch my whole life long

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
No, I joined DoA very soon after I first become aware of the existence of BJDs. It was a friend of mine who introduced me to the hobby.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
Localization project manager (managing large-scale translation projects of multi-lingual products). I don't think BJDs affected my career at all. I with they did.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
Less. 3 big boys live with me. At this point of my life I am not sure if I'll ever have more. I still have some I am crazy about. I doubt I could resist a Hikaru Genji if I had a chance to put my hands on one.

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
I used to attend the meetups of the Hungarian doll community, but not any more.

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
I used to, but not any more. I had some friend who were into BJD, but they are not friends any more and I have friends used to be in the BJD hobby, but they lost their interest. So I am rather alone with this hobby in my circles.

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
SD size boys with slender but muscular body types. Favorite doll brands are Luts, Crobidoll, Spiritdoll, Immortality of Soul, Angell Studio.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
Not as much as a couple of years ago, and certainly less than I want. When I first came into the hobby, the dolls overshadowed everything. My whole life revolved around them. I miss those days very much. But my life has changed a lot - too much for my taste - and tides washed away most of my former obsessions.

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
Photography. It was always a lot of fun arranging them in a way that they look proportionate to the human-sized surroundings (with a couple of doll-sized accessories).

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
I love them equally, but I notice I tend to give more attention to Winter, the one that arrived last. I feel he left most of the fun and I try to compensate him.

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
The first intense years of my BJD obsession were some of the best days (years) of my life. They changed my life many ways: they taught me how to sew, they brought me deeper into photography, they turned me from a stay-home-all-day to a traveller who never hesitated to jump into the car and go anywhere to take a couple of good photos of them, and I made some new friends too.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
For me it was always the character. Not that I looked for a doll that fits the character. No. I caught a glimpse of the mold, and it gave birth to the character, but the character (with its place in my doll family and with a detailed backstory) was almost fully developed in my head when I placed the order. I never had to think hardly about the names either. When people ask me how the names popped up, I say, 'it was very simple, the doll told me what his name was'. LOL Somehow the name seemed to come with the character.

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
I don't have the confidence to do anything with the mold, my dolls are not customized at all (everything default: head-body, face-up, etc.). I change wig and eyes, but nothing else.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
It's been 9 years and I think they will always be a part of my life. I don't think I can ever go back 7-9 years and treat them with the same obsession as I used to, but I hope the time will come when I can have some more fun with them again.

 

1. Were you into bjds before joining DoA? (And where did you first learn about them?)
- Yes. I am already 22 years old, I was only 15 when I discovered BJD when I attended a Toy convention in Manila. I loved the artistry and the eyes are the first thing I look for a doll. I wish to own my own BJD. It's my dream.

2. What do you do for an occupation? (And have bjds affected your career?)
- Right now, I do customer service for a certain airline company. Of course it does not affect my career yet since I am saving up for my BJD. But it's really challenging. One day, I swear I will get my very first BJD.

3. Do you own more or less than 13 dolls? (And is that a good thing?)
- Right now, I own 1 barbie doll, 1 ever after high doll and 1 night lolita doll. I still take very good care of them.

4. Do you participate only on online doll communities, or do you also go to meetups, conventions?
- My only experience is Toy con and cosplay conventions. This is my first time to be in a doll community and I absolutely love it

5. Do you have friends or relatives that are into bjds?
- Absolutely! two of them are a member here while the rest are going to be newbies like me. We would love to support other artists and socialize

6. What kind of dolls do you like the best? (A particular size, gender, style/type, brand?)
- My dream doll, the ultimate doll I wanted was Fairyland Red Riding hood steampunk. I want a 60cm tall, female doll with beautiful eyes, simple makeup and the body is easy to pose and strong enough to stand. I know that specific doll is already sold out but I will find a way to achieve it somehow.

7. How much of your life is about bjds? (Have bjds overshadowed your other hobbies?)
- Not much but it is already in level with my cosplay hobbies and other arts and crafts making hobbies. I don't really mind though

8. Do you have a particular doll-related interest? (Photography, sewing, customization, making dioramas, collecting props?) OR a particularly unusual doll interest?
- I have background in costume making since I am a cosplayer. So making wigs and outfits for dolls are easy to me even if I don't have a sewing machine. Hand-crafted with true love

9. Do you have favorites among your dolls or love them all equally?
- I love them equally

10. How have bjds changed your life for the better?
- It is about to change mine soon, once I have completed my research and purchase the BJD I really want, or at least similar to it.

11. Characters: do they come first before the dolls, or after, or sometimes, or never?
- It honestly depends on my mood. xD

12. How much do you customize your dolls?
- Once I get an idea or suddenly get inspired, I get to customize it immediately.

13. How many years have you been into BJDs, and how much longer do you think that will last?
- since I was 15, I am 22 now so.. 7 years and more till I die maybe hahaha.

- Celina

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