2024 Doll Goals/Resolutions

Also in no particular order:

• Stop being a chicken and re-string Scarecrow
• Finish Krux's body blushing and tattoos etc.
• Speaking of Krux, get him proper clothes and possibly even his red sunglasses he's supposed to have (anyone ever seen round (sun)glasses either in red or clear for 70cm+ boy?)
• Take the dolls out more and take more photos of them.
• Then actually POST THOSE PHOTOS
• Decide on style and personality for my newest addition, Genesis, ideally before she comes
• And actually finish her styling quicker this time
• Get Genesis a proper pair of eyes
• Get each of my dolls at least one more outfit
• Start saving up or get a layaway for a shell for my character Sybille without getting distracted by other random sculpts
• Maybe get Mortimer a body but that's just me being optimistic at this point haha

 

1. I will make a blog for my iconic idoru Rei Toei - almost done
2. I'll get a tattoos and a better faceup for my bad guy Cliff
3. I'll write and shoot the second part of my key/root dolls story
4. I will paint all my dolls that don't have a face yet
5. I will get wigs for C.C. and Tashan
6. I'll take pictures of Rei and Roux's wedding in May (including picking out wedding dresses and making wedding table)
7. I'll make an exoskeleton for Roux
8. I'll finally make Rei an android with a human heart.
9. I'll start working on a diorama/roombox
10. I won't worry if I can't do any of this due to circumstances

 

My plans for 2024 are...

1. Doll goal... To receive all the dolls I preordered in 2023. When the last doll is home, then spend at least 4 months "resting" - basically focus on my current crew, and not buying or waiting for any dolls. In other words, I don't want to buy anymore dolls in 2024, but "resting from buying for 4 months" feels more doable than an outright "no buying dolls!!!!" ban. (Mar) I broke this goal! I preordered a doll head, so my no-buy lasted 2 months. But I'm getting right back onto the wagon! (May) Behaving myself. (Aug) I bought secondhand resin -- because I wanted an alt head for an existing doll. So it doesn't count for not-buying resin. Otherwise I'm behaving myself, but it's been hard -- so many tempting new dolls! (Nov) Still sticking to no-buy despite the temptations. I've received all my outstanding dolls (including March's buy), but I want to buy a new doll right after that. I guess the original goal is a fail, but it's been a very helpful target to aim for.

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2. Photography goal... Set up the "flight studio" and do at least 2 photoshoots with it. I have a dream to take photoshoots of my dolls in action and fighting poses, especially of the flying/wuxia kind. Back in 2022 I already tested a proof-of-concept that works, so I want to push the concept further. This was a 2023 goal but I never got around to it, so I wanna do it for real in 2024.(Mar) No action yet, but I have a work break coming up and plan to tackle this goal. (May) Took a few photos, but there are too many constraints in my setup and it's not viable. I've abandoned this project and won't do 2 photoshoots, but I did what I intended to do and learned some things. I reflected on this in my BJD blog. GOAL COMPLETED. (Nov) I've been using doll stands for posing, in a different way to my original idea, and I think I managed to get my flight studio after all. So it's a success?

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3a. Sewing goal... I want to learn some "basics" pieces: pants (already done), a few types of tops, skirt and/or dress, socks, and maybe one piece of outerwear. Enough that I can make simple casual clothes for my whole crew and not have to buy them anymore. This will probably take most of the year - if I make progress on this but don't get to the other sewing goal, I'll be happy enough. (Jan) Did a kimono sewing speedrun in January, but no action on this goal yet. (May) More sewing done, getting closer to actioning on this goal. (Aug) Finally started on this goal by sewing a button-down shirt. (Sep) Ended up learning a bunch of patterns: T-shirt, swim trunks, a hanbok-type coat. Also did a ton more sewing. Still more casual clothes to learn! But I might be able to achieve my sewing stretch goal after all... (Nov) I learned how to sew socks and stockings, which is a significant goal of mine. Still time in the year left to learn a few more things, but I think I can call it completed. ^^ GOAL COMPLETED

3b. Sewing stretch goal... Apply those basics patterns to sew one complete cosplay outfit for a doll, and do a photoshoot with them. I have a couple cosplay ideas in mind that feel doable for a newbie sewist like me. (Nov) Haven't done anything about this yet, but there's a couple more months left in the year! Plenty of time. XD

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4. Faceup goal... Start offering faceup commissions, maybe? I love painting faceups on my dolls and I want to improve. I think the best way is to offer commissions to my local community, but I'm a bit hesitant - impostor syndrome, etc. Still deciding if I want to do this.(Feb/Mar) Painted/repainted my own dolls. I have less free time this year, so I'll probably drop the faceup commission goal. (Apr) GOAL ABANDONED.

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5. Make a static website for my doll profiles. I already have my own BJD blog which has been great, but I want a separate website for BJD info that doesn't really suit a blog. (Mar) GOAL COMPLETED. I made my doll profile website! Hyperfocus is great.

5a. Stretch goal: I have more pages in mind for the doll website, so the stretch goal is to make those. (May) Added a few new pages already. I still have things I want to add, and won't have an issue maintaining my doll website. GOAL COMPLETED.

 

I have a few goals that are all over the place:

1. Sell atleast one doll. Maybe two.

2. Buy more shoes and underwear. I always focus on clothes but what I really need is undies and shoes. . . Maybe ill learn how to sew underwear?

3. Have a head painted by a faceup artist. I'm always afraid to send out a head because I dont trust the postal system but I really want to have one of my dolls head painted.

4. Make a guide on which yarn I think is best for making doll wigs.

 

Mine are extremely basic:
- Buy a Unoa Lusis
- Put together at least one complete outfit for her
- Take pics
- Make a doll profile here

Pretty doable, barring any unexpected financial setbacks

 

My goals for next year include

1. sell all floating heads you don’t seriously plan on getting bodies for. This is highly dependent on the market, so no probablement if it doesn’t get done, but if possible I’d like it done.

2. stop buying new dolls and start saving money for a house you can store your dolls in. I’m gonna leave room for 1-2 new dolls next year because I’ve never been any good at abstinence

3. do faceups on all your blank dolls, and/or redos on some of the dolls that need redoing. This will be Nuia when she comes in, Anastasia when she comes in and really no one else, because you’ve actually stayed caught up on faceups

4. finish the Acyra project. Thats tail, wings and dye job that need doing on her. Maybe a cranium reduction on her head.

5. finish the Vidania project—whether that’s her new body or her original body, get her done please.

6. finish the Shrike masks, and start on the shrike armour. My goal is to have the armour done for just Shrike by the end of the year, even if that doesn’t sound super plausible

 

Goals for 2024:
- Setup an etsy(?) shop to motivate myself to do more crafting.
- change dresses of all my dolls ( by sewing / buying)
- start selling the wigs I already made XD
- make more photos of my creations on insta.
- sell floating heads that are stashed in my drawer and never taken out xD

 

UPDATE
Something struck me yesterday that I hadn't thought about, and I feel very silly. I have an epic poem with a pantheon of deities that I love dearly. These OCs are some of my favorites I've ever created. I've always been a bit jealous of people who have such clearly defined characters for their dolls; up till now, I've been buying dolls without clear goals for their characters. When I realized I had characters patiently sitting around waiting to get made into something special, I nearly had a panic attack from sheer excitement they were there all along for me to use! So 2024 plans are going to be a bit different than what I was planning initially. The Housekeeping and Crafting stuff is generally the same with some additions to them, but the Buying and Selling is different. The updated goals are below.

Updated Goals
CRAFTING

1. Sewing
   1. My main focus is getting comfortable with the basics before getting too fancy.
   2. I conquered pants last year, so now I need to figure out blouses.
   3. Aquire more solid color fabrics for doll clothing!!!
2. Crochet: Keep practicing pattern scaling and pattern creation. WRITE THAT SHIT DOWN; FUTURE ME WILL THANK PAST ME
3. Photography: I brought ye Olde DSLR out of storage, so hopefully I'll feel drawn to really learning how to use it so my doll photos look better!
4. Learn to properly restring!
5. Complete Star Child and Moon Baby Xaga Doll project BEFORE shelling epic poem chatacters

SHELLING EPIC POEM CCHARACTERS

1. Complete the physical appearance lore for existing deity characters (and maybe Xander)
2. Sort through current collection, and assign new roles (if applicable)
   1. Who do I currently have that can be recreated to fit the poem characters?
   2. Do I want to keep non-poem characters; if so, who?
   3. Don't sell anyone until I know for sure they won't fit any ccharacter.
3. Work on shelling with the dolls I currently have.
   1. Faceups (if needed)
   2. Clothing/Shoes
   3. Wigs
   4. Eyes
   5. Props
4. Do research on sculpts/bodies/wigs/eyes/etc. for characters I don't have dolls for. Avoid buying any new dolls until there's a clear plan!

BUYING

1. Faceups and Body Blushing for my Star Child and Moon Baby Xaga Dolls (I will be sending them off for someone else to bring my vision to life, so that project journal has changed scope a bit)
2. Body for Myou Doll Lingwei floating head (likely to be Andreot)

SELLING

1. That one anime doll I never play with (Guard Love Lillie)
2. Dolls like my Doll Leaves Amara who don't have a place in either of the non-poem or poem based collections.

HOUSEKEEPING

1. Technically completed this one yesterday when all my plastic tubs arrived. My dolls and their accessories are living in plastic shoeboxes and larger tubs in various closets around the house. Keep up the good work, me!
2. I've started a nice document with all doll information in it, and now I need to fill it up. That includes receipts, purchase dates, and even character traits for poem and non-poem characters. Whatever I may need to reference for whatever reason should be at my fingertips in an easily accessible format. Don't be afraid to use that one thread that was suggested to me.

That about wraps up my updated thoughts! I'll probably fudge with this more later, but for now, here's my ideas. I think this will be more than enough to keep me busy through the year

Original Post
I went into 2023 without any solid plans. However, things are vastly different from when I got into the hobby in March of 2022, and I am feeling an urge to overcomplicate things for my further enjoyment. Let's see what I can cook up for some goals

1. Crafting
   1. Sewing
      1. My main focus is getting comfortable with the basics before getting too fancy.
      2. I conquered pants last year, so now I need to figure out blouses.
      3. Aquire more solid color fabrics for doll clothing!!!
   2. Crochet: Keep practicing pattern scaling and pattern creation. WRITE THAT SHIT DOWN; FUTURE ME WILL THANK PAST ME
   3. Learn to properly re-string!!!
2. Buying
   1. Body for Myou Doll Lingwei floating head
   2. Finish faceups for my Sun/Moon themed Xaga Dolls (I will be sending them off for someone else to bring my vision to life, so that project journal is going to be abandoned)
   3. General wishlist that doesn't all need purchased in 2024: Maskat doll mature tinies (Feline and Joy)/Xaga Doll mature tinies aka "1/6 Slim" (not sure on sculpts yet)/more Gem of Doll YoSD (so Amorette and Vivian aren't so lonely)
   4. Body blushing on mature dolls (let's focus on the 2 mature tinies: Blair and Taliah; then we asses where we are with time and money)
3. Selling
   1. That one anime doll I never play with
   2. Not sure who else, but I probably will want to thin the collection some more because I *think* I know what I like (finally).
4. Housekeeping
   1. For the love of all that is holy, figure out a better doll display and storage solution! That means clothing, shoes, wigs, eyes, etc all need homes as well. I've got some of an idea for remedying the situation, but it will take some more pondering.
   2. Start a nice document with all doll information in it. That includes receipts, purchase dates, and even character traits. Whatever I may need to reference for whatever reason should be at my fingertips in an easily accessible format.Currently, I have a pathetic little general list of current dolls only on my phone, but that's not nearly as rigorous as I need it to be.

Well now, I'd say that's a pretty decent list. I figure it isn't in order. It'll be nice to revisit every few months and see what progress I've made (if any lol)

 

re Housekeeping, item 1: Dollar store shoe boxes. Plastic, with lids, for cheap, and perfect for organizing wigs and clothes. For floating heads, I use sock organizers (with a sock for padding). Put a sticker on the top and front and sort by size. Yes, I have enough wigs to fill several boxes, why do you ask?

I have also started re-using some of those massive, non-recyclable massive boxes my dolls came in to hold stuff. I use the padded one from Unoa Alchemy/Alchemic Labo to hold heel legs. Also - those little plastic organizers with removable slots are perfect for hands, feet, and eyeballs. Use stickers to label so you know what belongs to whom.

Document of doll information - I highly recommend the Cataloging Your Collection? thread.

 

Ah you are always so helpful!

The shoe box thing will be perfect since I have to use plastic tubs for everything thanks to the old farmhouse I live in being prone to attracting mice. I've been using large 64qt tubs plus plastic baggies for storing dolls/accessories because I had them on hand and its just not ideal. For one, you can't sort things like that very well and all the clothing gets wrinkled. The shoe boxes though seem so much more manageable (despite the sheer number I may need lol)!

From a quick browse of the thread, this is exactly the kind of guidance I would need for making such an inventory!

Thank you so much!!

 

Oooo goals for 2024...

I want to see if I can do a faceup on my incoming puyoodoll myself, if not I'll hire someone. It would be nice to complete her in 2024.

Otherwise, my goal is to take more pictures of my dolls! They're lovely and I need to practice using my DSLR.

 

I have a few things I'd like to do
Mostly related to getting my dolls that I own now set up,
make my own custom wigs
sew some custom clothing (I need to pattern on my own...which is not something I look forward too)
finished faceups (on that note I want to improve some more...)
I dont foresee myself buying another doll this year unless my grail doll shows up, or one of the last dolls I want for my collection gets discontinued. I'm still going to put 'keep purchases to a minimum' as a goal this year.

 

Hmm, I think my plans for next year mostly look like this:

• Get most of the crew presentable (finish outfits, get new wigs and eyes, finally give them all names...)
• Finish my first attempt at wig making, consider a second attempt depending on results
• Start researching bodies for a hybridizing project
• Invest in a halfway decent light and make more of an effort to take pictures
• Maybe start a diorama!

 

• Sell at least 3 dolls this year
• Stick to my one in, one out rule to slow down on buying
• Buy more furniture and props instead of dolls
• Find my dream outfit/costume and wig for my PukiPuki
• Find the perfect wig for a character I’m working on, I have everything else
• Organize and sell/give away extra bjd clothes
• Finish cataloging my collection (mostly finding a way to mark my ot dolls with their identification letter or number)

 

1. get faceup for all my id75 heads
2. members profiles (in blog or on twitter)
3. dressmaking and tailoring for the girls
4. cos dolls *2
5. learn to sculpt heads using software
6. move
7. start a Volks collection (Alice Jo, FCS37 to begin with)

 

My first goal is pretty basic - to have every doll clean, nicely strung and completely wiped of any remaining bits of old face-up.

Secondly I'd like to dye some of my dolls to cover up yellowing or previous bad dye jobs.

Thirdly I'd love for all of my dolls to have the right eyes, wig and clothes.

Fourthly for them all to have face-ups that I'm happy with. This will mean buying all of the face-up equiptment again as it's so long ago since I last did them, or getting the money together to comission someone else.

And my last, and quite possibly unlikely for 2024 goal is to finally buy a body for my favourite floating head, an old-style Dollshe Saint head that I bought in roughly 2014!

 

I thought about this for awhile.

Last year I didn't do so good with my dolly resolutions. I really hope to do better this year. I think I tried to spread myself too thin, I started off the first three months with a bang.I pushed myself with my YouTube channel, doll photo of the week, monthly sewing projects, writing two different doll stories one for the SD story, and one MSD story, and of course real life. But by doing too much stuff at once, I ended up doing very little for the rest of the year.

One goal this year.

I want to get my larger doll photo story moving. I am going to concentrate on the photo shoots and work on the story. I am going to make this my primary goal, also I am tired of seeing my SD dolls in their school uniforms for the story. They have been in the outfits for a year!

I even have most of the story mapped out, so it's just a matter of posing the dolls taking the pictures, and adding the words, I also have the words written down as I did write up most of the story this year. I even managed to acquire a few dolls to fill a couple rolls that I didn't have little doll actors for, so at this point there should be nothing holding me back to do this story.

I feel kind of bad about letting everything else fall to the wayside, but if I try to do all of last years goals all over again, I am afraid I wont get anything done. So one single goal with one single focus this year, and if I want to join a photo or sewing competition, or put up a video I am going to just do it because it's fun, and not because I feel like I have to do it.

 

Ah... goals in 2024... This year I'm going to keep it as simple as possible...

• Stick to the plan. If I make any new doll purchases they need to be the following: Nishio (tan dream choice DDSB), Astor (Luts Model Delf Raven), or Aether (Luts Model Delf Terra)
• Doll Chateau body for Kyrvaldis
• Make doll plans, get doll things, and just have fun in the hobby
• Sew more clothes. I'm very proud of my progress last year!
• Work on the wigs and faceups that still need to be made or fixed. No pressure as long as some get done!
• Send Naoshin and Ravus for faceups
• Go to a meet up and/or make some new online friends

 

My primary goal for 2024 is more or less the same as 2023: customization! This was the year tried doing faceups for the first time and I was successful! Next year I'm setting my sights on learning how to do mods with apoxie and changing skin tone with dye!

My next big doll project will involve building my 'grail' which will be a 1/4 scale doll hybrid inspired by the doll that originally drew me into the hobby: Fairyland's Feeple65 Moonlight Elf Chloe!

My plans for this project include:

> Getting two matching head sculpts (✔︎ 2024/1/26)
> Modding: 1) Elf ears 2) Elf ears+closed eyes
> Getting a body (✔︎ 2024/5/10)
> Getting extra feet and hand parts (✔︎ 2024/9/23)
> Using dye to colour match all the pieces as best I can. I will be ordering everything in white skin so hopefully that makes things easier

Most of this will depend on wait times for parts and other factors outside my control. If all goes according to plan, I hope to at least have my new elf girl fully assembled, modded, and dyed sometime next year I won't worry about faceups or outfits yet.

Aside from that big project, I also would like to finish customizing Kiryu. His faceups are complete, so the next step is finishing his tattoo and body blushing. I also started a ventilated wig months ago which has remained untouched since and probably will continue remain so for now I think I'll only attempt that again once other things are completed first.

Other than that, I will continue to sew outfits here and there when I can! I honestly have too many things I want to do...

 

I only have one goal and that is to finally do a faceup myself. It will be a mess but I want to try haha