Which came first, dolls, or crafting?

I crafted before my dolls but a lot of new crafts came from working with dolls. My crafting was much more limited before dolls. Before dolls I used to make jewelry to sell, and I did some crochet and embroidery work. I used to draw and paint a little, though not well. I do lot more that way now and I am better at it now that I have the dolls. I sew more. Make pieces of jewelry and outfits for them, not just to sell or for me. Learning to paint them has made me a bit better with a paint brush. I started learning to really sew for them. I had no major interest in that before dolls. I've always liked fashion but I never hardly used my sewing machine until I got some dolls. Since I was a kid I'd design outfits for fun, as sketches but I never thought to do it seriously and I have actually now designed and made outfits for my dolls. I've learned a lot more about garment construction from making doll clothes.

 

Dolls. I want to craft after I got jealous of the pretty dresses other dollers had. I also fell in love with ribbons and fabrics once i discovered their beauty. Making miniatures for dolls also seems to be a lot of fun, but for now I will put all my effort in making outfits.

 

My crafting and art in general came way before bjds. Though after getting into dolls it opened up a whole other life for my crafting, doll clothes, wig making, etc.

 

At the tender age of 60 I can definitely say my crafting came super long before bjds. It started with drawing when I about 5, then sewing and other needle craft for decades, then in my 30s learning to make porcelain dolls, to sculpting my own dolls, then discovering bjds at an anime convention in about 2004. Since then I have continued to work on my own sculpts, wig making, and sewing for all sorts of creations. So I think this will be a lifelong obsession as it pretty much already has been for these past 6 decades. The bjds are an extension of my creative soul.

 

I was interested in craft long before being interested in dolls, thought dolls are currently a huge motivation for me to improve, especially in sewing. The room this hobby allows for different kind of creative activities was indeed the first reason I gained interest for it!

 

I honestly don't know... I was never into crafting before I got my dolls, but I was sort of interested in crafting, so I guess I got the dolls to give me an excuse to do some crafting... haven't done any yet, though

 

I always did crafty things before the BJD's. I have not actually made many things for my dolls though, surprisingly!

 

Crafts. I've crocheted and sewn since I was a little girl, and since then I've taught myself how to knit, I scrapbook, and a bunch of other things. One of the biggest reasons I'm getting a doll is because I can make stuff for it.

 

I've always been a huge crafter and artist

However dolls were a whole new medium! I love learning how to paint and color on 3D surfaces like faces, as well as explore sewing for dolls.

 

I would say I was a artist /crafty type of person before I ever acquired bjd's- sculpting in clays, building custom dollhouses, sewing a little, which is the bane of my existence though I have been doing more in the last few years, etc. It started with an MSD doll because of the furniture I was making as well as the miniature foods, then four or five tinies. My crafting has taken off and I adore creating miniature foods so would like to start working in 1/3 scale size. Iguess the amount of detail you can achieve in that scale. Dolls just take all artistic skills to a whole new level and combining them is true art.

 

I was crafty in other ways, I used to do quilting and a little hand mending here and there but it's the dolls I have aquired now that are giving me the motivation I need to learn to sew little outfits and try my hand at scenery and such.

 

I've been sewing since I was very little. I made clothes for my action figures. So my interest in these dolls was to add a creative outlet for my fashion design. I'm also a decent painter, so doing their faces was a perk too. I take great pride in my dolls' wearing my handiwork.

 

I don't have a doll yet so I can definitely say that I was a crafter first. Being a primary sculpter with experience in many other mediums is really what attracted me to the dolls in the first place. I had never really been a doll person, but once I learned more about them and just how much you could customize them and have them interact with things that changed. If I hadn't been a crafter, I can honestly say that I don't think I would be interested in this hobby. The doll is for the crafts, not the crafts for the doll, opposite of what a lot of people here do. It's great that it can work either way!

 

I did some sewing knitting and such. Nothing noteworthy though so. I'm trying to work better on each skill set so I can make some nice quality clothing for my boi.

 

I've always dabbled in various art forms but mainly I would draw. When I got into dolls I really honed my sewing skills as well as sculpting ability a ton. Plus I learned how to do faceups and am now very quick at doing them and IMO the quality is quite good. My 2d drawing skills sadly didn't help me there >_<

 

Doll first.
And then crafting
I'm more in crafting since I have tinies bjd (dollhouse)

 

Definitely crafting. I've been "making stuff" since I could hold scissors or a glue stick. The dolls just made me refine my miniaturing skills by a lot, and I learned a lot more a lot faster for their sake.

 

Crafting came first, then dolls. They fit perfectly together for me, I get to use my craft skills and my dolls get unique outfits.

 

Crafting first, then dolls. But dolls inspire me to make more crafts

 

Sewing and crafting came first. I've been crafting since I was a kid and now I have my own sewing machine and love to make costumes and clothes. I can't wait to make clothes for my dolls. Especially cute little pleated skirts and hoodies. I love seeing what others make too.

 

I've been sewing since I was 8 (started on Barbie dolls LOL) so yeah, crafting - long before there were any resin BJDs.

 

Crafting. My whole life has been crafting for dolls, from Barbies and dollhouses on up. The BJDs just have gotten to reap the benefits from my skill set. XD

 

I was crafting long before I even knew bjds existed. I feel like it's something I should really do more often.

 

Crafting first, I was a lot into cosplay and other hobbies before dolls came to my life and I used to craft a lot of various things.

 

I could sew before I got my dolls but I never really had the need to sew clothing before I got them. I think having dolls has helped me become better at sewing and having the ability to do so has saved a lot of money in the hobby too.

 

For me, crafting came before buying my first bjd. I can sew and knit but, I have not tried making anything for my girls yet. I think I am nervous about sewing such small items. I am determined to change that this year by staring to make a few items of clothing and possibly accessories.

 

First - art and crafts. Grew up with drawing and painting. During my teens I helped in the costume/props department and then continued to study art and theatre at college. I love art textiles, sewing, embroidery and have only recently discovered bjdolls!

 

I dabbled a bit in sewing and crafting, but BJDs gave me a purpose. I feel more motivated to complete things and take on new challenges when I know its going towards my dollies.

 

Honestly, I've been making things (sculpting with clay, knitting, sewing, etc...) for my dolls long before I got one. But then, the height of my crafting production began right after I discovered BJDs. I've come a loooong way in a year. But I never really created anything for them till after I got the doll. That way I could figure out all their measurements before I spent a ton of time on a failure.

 

Dolls definitely encapsulate crafts I already do, though they will also help my improve my crafts further. I've never written my own knitting patterns and I'm gonna try to!

 

Oh, and yes, this! A focus for my crafts helps me improve

 

For me, dolls. I am not crafty & I am in no way cut out to be a seamstress. I just pay other people to do their amazing handiwork so my dollies can look their best! : D

 

I've always liked drawing and making plushies, and I have also always loved dolls (but BJDs only came recently). They kinda have evolved together. I think my love of drawing inspired me to do face-ups. I do some sewing for my dolls, but I don't have a sewing machine, and they kinda intimidate me but I am hoping to do more of that, and try making some wigs.

 

Sewing and crafting came first.. I'm a fashion designer, recently graduated from university. BJD's are a way for me to express my creativity on a smaller scale.

 

Dolls !
I've never been that good with my hands, but with dolls I learnt to do things ! Now I make them wigs and do their face-up, and it's actually one of my favourite part of the hobby xD

 

Crafting came first, mostly sculpting and I'd learned to sew a little for cosplay purposes. BJDs caused an explosion of new skills however, from jewelry making to painting to photography that I probably wouldn't have bothered with if I hadn't gotten into dolls.

 

I love the idea of the dolls encouraging you to develop craft/sewing skills! ☺

 

I was attracted to BJDs mainly because I saw them as an outlet for crafting. Now that I have my doll, I find that I still have a lot to learn about sewing, eye-making, wig-making, and faceups, but that's what I love about it. I love having something to encourage me to constantly improve and learn new things. So I would say that I came to BJDs because of my interest in crafting, but having one really served to bolster that interest.

 

I've always been crafty and liked dolls... I sewed outfits (in a primitive way) when I was a kid. But with bjds I prefer buying stuff for them, so bjds first, I guess.

 

Sewing and knitting came first - very much knitting - but I'm hoping the dolls will help me learn more. While working in scale has its challenges, some things are faster - I've never knocked out a human-sized shall in a long weekend. So that lets me try more things.

I'm getting into jewelry making, beads, which I was into a little when I was young but didn't have much by way of supply. Now I have access to online shopping and "someone" to put the finished product on.

 

There seen to be a great many folks simultaneously involved in dolls and crafts and the arts. I did not take count, but those first practicing their crafting skills before getting into dolls or bjd, are of a greater number than the other way around. Of those who got their dollies first and then began to get into the crafts, it seem most do it out of necessity. They wanted clothes, but could not afford any, or the ones they could afford were not of the quality they wanted. There were quite a few who also sewed clothing for themselves, sometimes for the reasons above, or specialty items for specific events. Some liked being able to dress their dolls in fanciful, but impractical outfits, because those clothes do not work for their own wardrobes in this century. "Lucky dolly", by one lady.

I definitely see that bjd are another link to other useful hobbies/crafts. One lady said her forte was making useful items out of scraps. I have seen beautiful quilts made just this way. One person did not yet have a sewing machine, was a bit concerned about learning to use one, but she is game to get into it anyway. The number who mentioned how their prior experiences were helpful in enjoying the hobby was interesting. Quite a few mentioned making doll houses.

I was into the arts and crafts long before my first and recently aquired bjd. The women in my family were skilled seamstresses, my grandmother mad her daughters' prom and wedding dresses, I wore my mother's. My mother continued, making all manner of clothing, curtains, upholstery, etc., as well as knitting and crocheting many things. My sister is a retired home economics teacher, with some six or so sewing machines, including embroidery and a long-arm quilter. I learned the bare basics of these crafts at home, but did not get into sewing until I graduated and could not buy the clothing that I wanted. Oh, so many mistakes!

I am retired from teaching art, high school, middle school, and so continue with ceramics, watercolors, metal smithing, and picking up silk painting, beading, and so on, more recently. All these things mesh very easily with bjd. It seems the bjd community is very well versed the arts of making.

In any case, unlike the way it once was, where the only way to learn something new, was to know someone who could show you, struggle through with printed instructions or sign up for a class, today people can go on-line for tutorials. Free!

 

My dolls came first and then my sewing and face-up skills came next XD I already loved dolls

 

It's been a little of both for me. I've been sewing since I was five and painting dolls since I was about 11 or 12, so I already had some experience when I got into BJDs, though I had to learn new techniques for them.

I have learned to make a lot of props, since previous dolls were pretty easy to just buy props (Barbie, American Girl, dollhouse, etc). Wig making is new to me. Body blushing is new.

So it's probably 50/50 for me.

 

Definitely crafting for me. The only dolls I cared about as a wee one were a set of Russian nesting dolls that I cherished.

I've been crafts-obsessed my whole life, which turned into sewing for OT dolls, which gradually led me to my first BJD!

 

I have been knitting and sewing for years. I started with Adults then moved to AG now I have Layla I only want to knit and sew for her.

 

I have always been way into crafts (thanks to my mother) and when we saw these dolls, her and I knew we had to have one and make some clothes for them. It's been super fun to learn more about pattern making so far. We sewed, but we have only gone off of patterns and modified existing patterns. It's awesome starting something from scratch. It's such a great sense of accomplishment.

 

Before, I was making lot of jewelry for myself. Now I make them for my dolls.

 

I am actually waiting for my doll right now ^ - ^
I'm planning on sweing clothes for him after he arrives, since it would make measuring and figuring things out easier!

 

i could do all the needlework stuff ie knitting crocheting sewing, long before i even knew bjds existed. i actually got my first one to use as a drawing model, and then became enamoured with them once i realized how many of the things i love to do, could be done for my dolls. on the other hand i learned face painting because i could afford more dolls if i bought mine blank, i've learned (and am constantly learning) photography to be able to take pictures of them, and i'm attempting to learn woodworking to make larger props/room boxes

 

I've been sewing and crafting for much longer than I've had bjds. However, much of the practice for different crafting techniques did happen with dolls (sculpting, hair styling, building sets, sewing--although that was more like 50/50 dolls/me--I make a very good dress model: I don't complain...unlike some people [cough...sister...cough]).

I knew about bjds before I got really into dolls, but I was still living with my parents then, and I thought they were too expensive. A love of bjds (I stalked them for years on Flickr) got me into action figures, because they are almost as customizable (except for the eyes--not removable) and then into obitsu and volks (especially the neo series). However, these dolls are so small, and I am pretty bad at working (especially 2D art--repainting) at that scale. That got me into pullips, and I practiced my sewing skills, modding skills, hair styling, etc.

Finally I ended up just biting the bullet and buying a bjd (this time in MSD size--a "starter" doll, although some members hate them--for practicing modding and dyeing--this doll is Pip, my only complete doll, and my companion away from home during college). I eventually moved on to 1/3 scale because I wanted to be able to sew more detailed clothing--I like this scale for sewing and crafting/modding, but they are very large, and kinda hard to carry...

 

I've always loved makeup and fashion. I grew up sewing, drawing and doing my friends hair and makeup. I currently work in the fashion industry but I have other ideas for clothing and accessories that are not practical for everyday. I use to make costumes for myself and do photo shoots but the human-sized costumes take so many hours, effort and $$$ to make. So, when I came across BJD's I decided it was easier and less expensive to make costumes for them.

 

For me the dolls came first! I never really found my niche in the hobby until recently and I've been in the hobby for 7 years. But I like to make wigs, specifically alpaca wigs. I'm still learning a lot every time I make one. I was never very good with sewing and I don't like doing faceups too much.. mostly because I don't have the patience for either! Maybe one day, doing faceups will be more enjoyable for me!

 

Crafting was before collecting BJDs. I've been crafting and drawing since I was little and I started to sew when I was 15. When I got into the hobby in my mid/early 20's and I already knew how craft/sew for my dollies and did just that. Of course I had to learn (and still learning) how to mod and I want to learn how to make a wig for my dollies.

 

Once I got my first doll that's when I started to learn to craft things for them
Before that I knew how to crochet and sew
But I didn't have anyone or anything to make stuff for
My first doll was motivation for me haha

 

Getting my first doll actually inspired me to start making stuff for him, so I suppose dolls came before crafting. I've honestly learned so much from this hobby that it's crazy.

 

For me art came first. Art in every form imaginable. I've always drawn and painted, written stories, sewn, knitted and sculpted. Breathing life in stories, characters and beings, always looking for a way to make my creations more real, more here. I will never be a realistic painter, I don't have the patience.

So how then to bring my creations into this world? For a long time I thought sculptures were the way, but they are immobile, silent and frankly a bit boring. So when I found out about bjd's l was home, this was the medium I've been looking for and I will make myself into a modern Frankenstein, breathing life in my own creations.. *cackels madly*

Ehem, it's late in Sweden and I was feeling poetic okay?

 

Arts and crafts first and I already worked in miniature, so getting into BJD made sense

 

Crafting. I learned to sew and crochet many years ago from my grandmother. Crafting came from my mother. My parents also built a dollhouse for me from a kit when I was 5. I still have that dollhouse, and 2 others besides. I still love miniatures. I wish I could find a 1/12 size mature featured/bodied BJD!

 

Art and crafting came first. I liked BJDs but it wasn't until I found out that you could do face-ups and customize them so much that I got interested in owning one.

 

Definitely crafting. I sculpted and painted long before I knew about bjds. Bjds are the reason I picked up sewing (despite sucking at it) and got into resin casting.